Stolen Innocence (Evergreen) [Student/Teacher Love Story]

thirty eight

And over it certainly was not. At dinner that night, my parents pressed me on why I lied to the cops, reminding me that "it's illegal, immoral and just plain wrong", and I just shrugged to all of it. My dad crumpled up his napkin and stormed upstairs at this.

After that, my mom dropped the news that I would need to meet with the lawyers in a few weeks.

Try as I might to stave off time, that day finally came. That day being tomorrow.

I still haven't talked to Ethan, even though I see him everyday in school, something about it is still too painful for me and being asked about him by the cops made it all the more uncomfortable and embarrassing. The little lump inside me is still growing and while my mom has been pushing for me to get an abortion, I haven't made any effort to schedule it.

"Iris," I glance over to see Ethan calling my name in first period. He hasn't tried in so long I thought he had given up. He looks equally surprised when I make eye contact with him.

"Hi, Ethan," I force a smile before turning back to the packet that we're working on. When I sneak a glance, I can see him smiling to himself and for some reason, it warms my heart.

When we're all shuffling out of the classroom, I notice Ethan hovering awkwardly by the door frame and I shoot Hayden and B a knowing look.

"Look, can we-" He starts as I'm leaving the room and I stop, giving him a chance for the first time in a while.

"Can we talk? About everything?" My heart hammers in my chest at the idea but I betray my body and nod anyways, feeling slightly comforted by the smile on his face.

"Sure, let's talk later," I confirm and he nods, letting Hayden, B and I go who I know are both dying to talk about this. They patiently wait until we get to science and they're bombarding me.

"You guys are talking now?"

"Holy shit what did he say!"

"Nothing, literally nothing," I laugh, trying to get them to chill, "He asked if we could talk," My hands are fidgeting in my lap as I try not to think about it.

"Okay, wow," Hayden sits back in her seat as she ponders this, "I'm happy for you guys, though. You haven't talked in so long, it's been...sad," I can't help but agree with her.

The day seems to fly by and I notice that people have slightly stopped staring at me, at least as obviously. I make it to my locker at the end of the day, only to find someone leaned against it and awaiting my arrival.

Here we go.

"Hey, can I squeeze by ya?" He laughs as he moves out my way and I grab the few things that I need.

"You look good, Iris," My heart melts at his words and I find myself at a loss.

"Th-thank you," I meet his gaze, "I don't feel great," He frowns at this and I realize I'd like to do anything to get rid of that look.

"I...it's been so hard not talking to you..." He trails off as he paces the floor. I glance around to see if anyone is staring at us but the few people that are milling around are in their own conversations.

"I'm so sorry for how everything went down," He stops pacing and I gulp, remembering the look in his eyes when Michael was hauled off to jail. I shiver at the memory.

"Yeah...me too," He stares at me hesitantly, as if he's holding back from saying something.

"I wish I could've been more there for you through it all," He looks to the floor and I don't really know what to say. I shut him out just as much as he did.