FL - Temptation

III. Choose

OLIVER'S POV:

It has been a day since the choice was put in front of us, so it's now Wednesday. We're both sure Iris will request an answer, or even come to wherever we are and call us, if need be.

It is the afternoon, we're getting closer to the end of the school day. I've tried talking to Lena a million times already, but something always got in my way.

The moment I stepped through that damn door, and she noticed, she's been avoiding me. But I couldn't think about it for longer than a few minutes, since the next minute I had class. 2 times double sports - right after each other - and with that a lot of running around between sports hall and school.

It's the fifth class - out of the six - and even though I have in the afternoon, and believe me, I've tried. But even in the recess, she finds a way to run away or lies her way out. I get it, it's hard, but we have to decide.

***

But now - finally - the bell after the sixth class rings. I have 25 minutes. I wait and wait for what feels like an eternity, until...

The door to the teachers' lounge swings open and I hear boots clicking. From the corner of my eye I see a brown, wavy ponytail.

As soon as she dumps her stuff onto the desk - like every time - I look up, go over and grab her by the wrist. "Lena, please come with me, I want to talk to you...privately."

She tries to stay, but ends up letting me drag her out. I take her through the whole building, out to the school backyard.

"I've been trying to talk to you the whole day but you keep running away from me.", I begin, not wasting a second.

"Uhmm...I wasn't, I-I had a lot to do, and...", her voice trails off.

"Don't lie. You can lie to our colleagues but I can see through them. Like yesterday, remember?"

Since she doesn't answer, I break the silence, "So, what would you choose?"

"I-I...I don't want to...lose my...job, and..."

"Really? Lena, I don't want to lose you!"

"Oh come on.", she laughs. "You won't lose me. We remain colleagues, remember?"

"I don't want to lose you in that way."

"And besides, have you heard what Eva said? She suggests that too, as we're amazing."

"Lena, no. You are worth a million times more than some random compliment - be it from my boss, a stranger, I don't care - about something I get paid to do. I teach because that's what I get paid for. But I love you, because I want to love you, you deserve my love and much more!", I finish my rant.

She looks away, but even like that, I can see the tears starting to well up in her eyes. "Am I...really that...precious...to you?", she says in between sobs, still looking at her feet.

"You are the most precious thing for me.", I give a kiss on her forehead. "Please, Lena, I...I want to just run away with you, I do not care about my reputation anymore. This choice made me realize just how much I love you."

She starts laughing while still crying and God, she looks cute like that. "You know that...my choice between...love and something else caused...yeah, that. And I don't want to risk it again."

"No no no. I would never, I repeat never betray you like that or do what that trash Isaac did to you. Do you not trust me?"

"Yeah, I do, but...I-I just...don't know whom I can trust and...what Eva said is similar to what...my mom said many years ago...'he's not right for you.' My future, my memories depended on that one choice...and I made the wrong choice, I didn't listen. I became more cautios and am not as naive. The least I can do is listen to her this time.", she finishes her rant.

"But...it's too late to listen to her now, right?"

"Yeah that does sound strange, but...I have to...I know you wouldn't betray me like that, but some people just...have a sick mind these days. Thoughts about things you'd never think of."

"But if we break up, won't the excitement of forbiddence make us want it even more? It's forbidden much stronger, we could get fired. Could we...only publicly...break up?", I ask carefully.

"That is what we've doing. And look at where we are now. But if it would make you want me more, don't try to get us fired, please!"

We both start laughing...maybe at out own suffering? "But if it makes you more comfortable and more safe, it's fine, I respect."

"Thank you."

"One more thing. If we break up, we can't do anything, neither publically, nor privately. So, maybe this is the last time I get to do this."

I swing her arms up above her head, push her against the wall and kiss her deeply. Her lips are literally the sweetest and softest thing in the world. I can not explain this overwhelming joy I feel whenever I do this.

"Shhh, not here!", she whisper yells, trying to pull away. "What if someone sees?"

"We're going to break up anyways.", I kiss her neck as she moans.

"No no no! We're not gonna start making out under a WINDOW where anyone could see us. You said one last kiss."

"I never said where.", I smile widely as she laughs. "Or which counts as the last one."

She just sighs, somewhat annoyed. "And I refuse to accept this was our last kiss. Remember, true love always conquers in the end.", I say.

"Yeah yeah...if true love exists. Ha! Only in fairytales."

"I'll prove it, I promise."

"Fine."

I start smiling wickedly, enjoying the slowly spreading scaredness on her face. I quickly kiss her one last time.

"Hey!"

"I just can't get enough of you."

I grab her wrist again, and start walking inside. We have 10 minutes left and still have to set our things up in the hall.

***

Thursday. The day we've all been excited for...or exactly the opposite. I dreaded getting out of bed this morning. Eva left us a note on our desk to meet her at 10:15 in the office. And so it is.

We enter the office and sit down in the chairs Eva points at.

"So, I hope you haven't forgotten why you're here?", she asks. We nod. No way I'll forget yesterday.

"Very well. What's your decision?"

A minute of silence sets in. I look at Lena, who nods. This decision will change our lives. "We'll take the probation.", I finally say.

"And try our best to remain...professional.", Lena adds, giving me a side-eye.

"Okay. Your situation was different. As I've said, I've thought about your...um, fate. I've had this problem before, but you were too good to fire. So I gave you a chance. I'm glad you decided on that."

So we were an exception? We must be really good then, but I don't care. No compliment is worth as much as Lena.

"Thank you.", Lena breaks the silence. "For giving us a chance."

"You're welcome." Another minute of silence sets in. "And now nothing but professionalism. You're on probation until then. You'll get half of your payment."

So, our love cost us money...great.

We leave onto the loud hallway. Lena looks into my eyes and at my lips one last time, then speeds up.

I'll get her back. I can't lose her. Not like this.