Hi! I promised to get you another chapter, a long one too ;)
Rebecca's POV( 1st Person):
I couldn't shake off the mortification that clung to me like a heavy cloak after the period mishap incident with Mr Montgomery. As much as I tried to focus on studying, my mind kept wandering back to that embarrassing moment on the couch. I couldn't help but feel self-conscious and exposed, like he had seen a side of me that I didn't want anyone to witness.
Mr Montgomery, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the whole ordeal. He casually handed me a set of study questions, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he leaned back in his chair. "Here, these should help you with the exam," he said, his voice low and smooth.
I glanced down at the questions, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I knew I needed help with studying, but I didn't want to admit how lost I felt. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure of how to ask for his assistance without feeling vulnerable.
He must have sensed my hesitance because he leaned in closer, his gaze lingering on me with a mix of curiosity and something else that I couldn't quite place. "You okay, Rebecca? You seem a little tense," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
I swallowed hard, feeling a tingling sensation pool in my stomach at his proximity. His closeness was both intimidating and intoxicating, making it hard for me to compose myself. "I, uh, I'm just...nervous about the...thing," I stammered, avoiding his intense gaze.
He chuckled softly, his breath ghosting over my skin as he leaned closer. "Don't worry, I'm here to help you, remember?" he murmured, his words sending shivers down my spine.
I couldn't deny the attraction that simmered between us, the tension thickening the air around us. As he guided me through the study questions, his touch lingering on mine, I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more than just academic assistance at play.
I smoothed a strand of hair behind my ear that had escaped from my braid, my fingers lingering on the soft strands as I tried to focus on the study questions Lane had given me. Twirling my pencil absentmindedly around my finger, I must have been lost in my own thoughts for a while because when Mr. Montgomery shifted on the couch beside me, my heart skipped a beat.
I jumped slightly at the sudden movement, my cheeks flushing as I realized how close we were sitting. Clearing my throat nervously, I forced myself to ask a question about the metaphor in the sonnet, my voice coming out awkward and hesitant. "Wait, so do I have to respond to this metaphor...about the sonnet or...how do I like structure it?" I mumbled, feeling a surge of anxiety at my own lack of understanding.
Mr. Montgomery took off his glasses, placing them gently on the coffee table before rolling up the sleeves of his crisp dress shirt. My eyes couldn't help but dart to the exposed muscles in his forearms, a sight that made me have to discreetly clench my thighs together to quell the sudden flutter of desire that ignited within me. I rolled my eyes discreetly why didn't I just finish that darn book?
He leaned in closer, his voice low and magnetic as he said, "Okay, so you should highlight the main things in the text to get a better understanding." I handed him the paper and pencil I was using, and hesitantly suggested, "I have lots of colours if you want to use them. It will probably be easier for me to understand."
He raised an eyebrow in surprise but then smiled warmly, "That's a great idea, actually. Using different colours can help you visually prioritise key points." Taking the coloured pencils I offered, he started highlighting important phrases and themes in the text with deliberate precision.
"Now that we've identified the main elements, we can start connecting them to the broader themes of the sonnet. This will give you a deeper insight into the poet's intentions and the overall message of the piece," he explained, placing down the paper and pencil and pushing it towards me.
I picked it up anxiously, unsure if my interpretations were correct, and began writing as best as I could. Peering through the corner of my eye to sneak a glance at his reaction, I winced in pain as my pencil pricked my finger. "Ouch, why did I do that?" I whispered to myself, trying to re-focus on my work.
"Have you finished, Rebecca?" Mr. Montgomery's voice pulled me out of my momentary daze, and I nervously met his gaze, hoping I hadn't made a mess of the analysis. With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I handed back the paper, silently praying that my efforts had met his expectations.
As Mr. Montgomery finished his analysis of my work, he offered more explicit feedback, his eyes never leaving mine as he spoke. "Rebecca, your interpretation of the sonnet is not only insightful but also incredibly sensual. Your words seem to dance around the themes, much like the sonnet itself, and I can't help but feel a certain...intimacy in your analysis."
I felt my cheeks flush at his words, the heat spreading through me like wildfire. "Thank you, Mr. Montgomery," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Your guidance has been invaluable."
He placed a hand on one of his knees, his voice dropping to a husky murmur as he continued, "You possess a rare gift, Rebecca. A gift that could ignite passion in even the most mundane of texts. I've never encountered anyone who could bring such intensity to their work, let alone a young woman your age."
The proximity of his body sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but respond to the electricity that seemed to crackle between us. Our gazes locked, and I felt a surge of desire that threatened to consume me.As I thanked Mr. Montgomery for his feedback, a sudden vibration in my pocket distracted me. With a quick wave goodbye, he closed the door behind me, leaving me alone in the chilly evening air. As a cold gust of wind whipped around me, my hair ribbon floated out, the force loosening my braid and sending strands of hair flying around my face.
Annoyed, I fumbled for my phone and saw a message from my sister. The news of my parents' fighting hit me hard, and with a sinking feeling in my chest, I dropped to my knees and cradled my head in my hands. Why couldn't they just divorce? The constant tension at home was unbearable, and I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me.
I considered going to my friend Charlotte's house, but her strict mother wouldn't allow guests on a school night. Resigned to my fate, I decided to wait out the night outside Mr. Montgomery's door until morning, when I could leave and face the chaos at home.
But my resolve didn't last long. The cold seeping into my bones, the overwhelming emotions threatening to engulf me, and the weight of my family's struggles pressing down on me became too much to bear. As I sat outside Mr. Montgomery's door, tears streaming down my face, I couldn't help but wish for a way out of the turmoil that seemed to define my existence. The night stretched on, endless and lonely, and I found myself yearning for a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounded me.

YOU ARE READING
Between The Lines
RomanceI took my usual seat in the back corner, far away from the line of fire that always seemed to follow Mr. Montgomery's gaze. I tried to disappear into the safety of my textbook, but his piercing blue eyes seemed to find me anyway, as if daring me to...