Beyond The Classroom

Knock Knock.

Charlotte took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. 'Victoria, sit down. We need to talk.'

Victoria nodded and sat on the edge of the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Charlotte sat across from her, her expression a mix of hurt, anger, and confusion.

'Victoria.' Charlotte began, her voice strained. 'I need to understand how this happened. Why did you start this thing with him? He's your teacher. He's supposed to be a figure of authority, someone you can trust, not... not this.'

Victoria's eyes welled with tears. 'Mum, I don't know. At first, it was just talking. He just made me feel some type of way. And then, it just... happened. I know it's wrong, but it felt so right at the same time.'

Charlotte's face softened slightly, but the pain in her eyes remained. 'Did he pressure you? Did he make you feel like you had to be with him?'

Victoria shook her head vigorously. 'No, mum. It wasn't like that. I wanted it, too. It's hard to understand, but it wasn't all him. I played a part in this too.'

Charlotte sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. 'I can't believe this is happening. You're so young, Victoria. You have your whole life ahead of you. This could ruin everything.'

Victoria's tears flowed freely now. 'I know, mum. I know I messed up. But I care about him. I really do. And he cares about me.'

Charlotte's eyes filled with fresh tears, and she looked at her daughter with a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. 'Care? Love? Victoria, you're seventeen. You don't know what love is. This man took advantage of you. He should have known better.'

Victoria's face hardened, a mix of defiance and desperation. 'You don't understand, mum. He didn't take advantage of me. It was mutual. And I do know what love is.'

Charlotte's voice grew firmer, though it trembled with emotion. 'I just can't believe this. I trusted him. I trusted you. And now... now everything is falling apart. What have you done, Victoria?'

Victoria stood abruptly, unable to sit any longer. 'I can't do this right now, mum. I need to think.'

Charlotte's eyes widened in alarm. 'Victoria, where are you going? We need to finish this conversation.'

But Victoria was already grabbing her bag. 'I'm sorry, mum. I just... I need to clear my head.'

Before Charlotte could protest further, Victoria was out the door, the sound of it closing echoing in the quiet house. She walked quickly down the street, her mind racing. She needed to see Alec. She needed to talk to him, to figure out what to do next.

She hailed a taxi and gave the driver Alec's address. The ride felt like an eternity, her thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, love, and confusion. Finally, the taxi pulled up in front of his apartment building. She paid the driver and got out, her heart pounding in her chest.

Victoria walked up to the door, hesitated for a moment, then knocked. She stood there, waiting, the night air cool against her skin. As she stood there, the enormity of what she was doing hit her, but she knew she couldn't turn back now.

She knocked again, more insistently this time, and waited for the door to open, until it finally did.