Random Shots

Miss Marcos (Im)

It was the first day of the new school year at the university, and Imee Marcos had just wrapped up her first lecture of the day. Dressed in her usual attire—a tailored pencil skirt and crisp white polo—she exuded an air of authority and professionalism. The students quickly gathered their things as the clock ticked closer to the break time, the room buzzing with the sounds of zipping backpacks and quiet chatter.

"Alright, that's it for today," Imee announced, closing her notes. "Don't forget to review chapters one and two for next class."

As expected, the students didn’t waste a second, hurriedly bidding their goodbyes before filing out of the room. But one student lingered behind. Ace Severino, the new transfer who had already made an impression on the campus. Tall, athletic, and confident, Ace was on track to become the captain of the girls' volleyball team, and she carried herself with a boldness that hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Imee noticed Ace standing by the door, watching as the last of the students left. Once they were alone, Ace pushed the door closed, the click of the lock echoing softly in the now-empty classroom. Imee looked up, surprised to see her still there.

"Can I help you, Ace?" Imee asked, her voice steady but curious.

Ace strolled over to the desk, her eyes never leaving Imee. "Just wanted to ask a quick question, Miss Marcos," she said, her tone light but with an undercurrent of something more.

Imee raised an eyebrow, sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere. "About the lecture?"

"Not exactly." Ace leaned against the desk, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "I was more curious about you, Miss Marcos."

Imee blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Me?"

Ace nodded, her gaze unwavering. "You carry yourself so... differently. Always in control, always so composed. I just wonder if there's more beneath the surface."

There was a playful, teasing edge to Ace’s words that made Imee’s heart skip a beat. She wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of this kind of attention, especially from a student. "Ace, I'm your teacher. We should keep this professional."

"Oh, of course," Ace replied smoothly, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she took a step closer, her presence suddenly feeling a lot more imposing. "But there's nothing wrong with a little curiosity, right?"

Imee opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat as Ace leaned in, her eyes sparkling with something that made Imee’s pulse quicken. "Ace, I really think you should go," Imee finally managed to say, though her voice lacked the firmness she intended.

"Go?" Ace echoed, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Why would I do that when I'm just getting to know you?"

Before Imee could react, Ace reached out, her hand gently brushing against Imee’s arm, the touch sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. The closeness, the intensity in Ace’s gaze, it all made Imee feel suddenly vulnerable in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Ace, this isn’t appropriate," Imee said, trying to regain her composure, but her voice was softer now, lacking the authority she usually commanded.

Ace smiled, a mix of charm and confidence, and in one swift motion, she gently but firmly pinned Imee against the desk. Imee’s breath caught in her throat as she found herself trapped between the desk and Ace, the suddenness of the move leaving her stunned.

"I don’t mean to overstep, Miss Marcos," Ace said, her voice low and filled with a certain intensity. "But I’ve been watching you, and I couldn’t help but wonder… what it takes to get under your skin."

Imee’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared up at Ace, her mind racing to catch up with what was happening. "Ace, this isn’t… I’m your teacher," she stammered, the words coming out more as a plea than a command.

"And I’m your student," Ace replied, her gaze softening slightly but never losing its intensity. "But that doesn’t mean we can’t be honest with each other, right?"

For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of their breathing, the tension thick and palpable. Imee didn’t know how to respond.

Just then, the soft buzz of Imee’s phone broke the silence. The distraction was brief, but enough to snap Imee back to her senses. She glanced at her phone, seeing a message from a colleague that demanded her attention.

"Look, Ace," Imee said, her voice regaining some of its authority, "this is highly inappropriate. You need to step back."

Ace’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t move. Instead, her expression shifted to one of curiosity mixed with defiance. "You really think you can control everything, don’t you?"

Imee took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "It’s not about control. It’s about maintaining boundaries. This isn’t the time or place for... whatever this is."

Ace seemed to consider Imee’s words for a moment. She finally released her hold, stepping back with a playful yet respectful smirk. "Alright, Miss Marcos. I’ll give you your space. But don’t think I’m giving up that easily. I’ll be around."

With that, Ace turned and walked towards the door, her confidence evident in every stride. As the door closed behind her, Imee was left alone, her mind still reeling from the encounter.

She glanced at her phone again, noting that her colleague's message had been a reminder about an upcoming meeting. Shaking her head, she tried to refocus on the day's tasks, but Ace’s lingering presence and the unexpected challenge she posed remained a distraction.