Irresistible

Seven

Written 24/10/2024
Trigger warnings Emotional Abuse, Domestic Conflict, self esteem issues

Sunlight streamed through my window, and I squinted at the clock on my bedside table. My heart dropped as I realized the time I was too late. Panic surged through me, and I threw off the covers, scrambling to get dressed.

i had no time to pack my lunch so I dashed out the door.

By the time I arrived, i saw that i was 5 minutes late. I slipped through the school's main entrance, hoping to go unnoticed. No such lucky.
As I turned the corner toward my first class, I spotted Mr. Reed standing outside his classroom, arms crossed, an expression of expectation on his face.

"Naomi," he said, his tone even but with an unmistakable edge. "You're late."

"I know! I'm so sorry! I lost track of time," I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up under his steady gaze.

He stepped closer, a mix of authority and something softer emanating from him. "I've given you plenty of chances, but this time there will be consequences. You'll need to stay after school for detention."

I swallowed hard, anxiety twisting my stomach. "Detention? But—"

"No buts. This is a chance for you to reflect on your choices. I expect you in my classroom at 3:30." His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a rush
of something fear mixed with a thrill.

With that, he turned and walked back into the classroom, leaving me standing there, my heart racing. The idea of being alone with him after school sent a mix of excitement and dread swirling through my mind.

As the final bell rang, I trudged toward Mr. Reed's classroom, already feeling anxiety in my stomach. When I entered, he sat at his desk, reviewing some papers. He looked up, his expression shifting into a smirk that sent shivers down my spine.

"Right on time, I see," he said, his voice smooth but authoritative. "I hope you've had time to think about your actions."

"I—" I began, but he raised a hand, cutting me off.

"Let's skip the excuses. Take a seat." He gestured to the empty chair in front of him. I complied, trying to hide the butterflies flitting in my stomach.

"Do you understand why I'm strict about attendance?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, his gaze piercing.

I nodded, fumbling for words. "It's important for discipline."

"It's about respect, Naomi. For yourself and for those around you." He leaned forward slightly, making me acutely aware of the distance between us. "I expect more from you. I know you're capable of it."

His intensity made my heart race, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. "I'll do better, I promise."

"Good," he replied, satisfaction creeping into his voice. "But that means you have to take this seriously. No more slip-ups."

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. This wasn't just about school it felt like a test of our connection. I couldn't afford to disappoint him. 
i didn't want him to be disappointed about me.

I found myself stealing glances at him, I wondered if he could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken bond that had formed after our late-night conversations.

He caught me looking and raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk returning to his lips. "Are you paying attention, or are you too busy daydreaming?"

"Uh, paying attention!" I blurted out, caught off guard.

"Good. Because I want you to succeed," he said, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "You have potential, Naomi. Don't waste it."

i made a note in my head to be better and to not to disapoint him anymore

Walking home felt heavier than usual I had felt his expectations pressing down on me, and I was determined to prove that I could be better. Better for him. Better for myself.

As I stepped inside my house, the familiar sound of raised voices greeted me. My stomach knotted. My parents were already at it again.

"You never listen to me!" my dad shouted. "It's always about you!"

"I'm trying to make this family better!" my mom shot back, her voice laced with frustration.

I hesitated at the door, my heart racing. I didn't want to be part of their conflict; I wanted to disappear. So, I slipped quietly into my room, shutting the door behind me. The moment I did, I could feel the weight of their anger still hanging in the air.

After tossing my backpack aside, I plopped down on my bed, staring at the blank wall. I knew that confronting my parents would only lead to another fight. Instead,

I pulled out my journal, hoping to channel my emotions onto the pages. But as I wrote about my day, my thoughts drifted back to Mr. Reed. The way he looked at me, the weight of his words, and the way he believed in my potential—it all felt like a lifeline. I wanted to be the kind of person he could be proud of.

Maybe if I improved myself, I could earn his approval, or at least his respect.

Determined, I made a vow to myself.

-I wouldn't just let my parents' negativity drag me down.
- I decided to stop eating so much, to focus on my health,
-to be more disciplined in my studies. I wanted to be a better student
-to become a better person

The thought of becoming someone he would admire ignited a spark of motivation within me. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through healthy recipes, making a mental note of what I could cook for myself. I could start making better choices.

Suddenly, a loud bang on my door jolted me from my thoughts. "Naomi! Get out here!" It was my mom, her voice filled with frustration.

Reluctantly, I opened the door, bracing myself for another confrontation. "What?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Are you just going to hide in your room all day? We need to talk about your grades," she snapped, crossing her arms.

"I'm working on it," I snapped back , feeling a mix of defiance and determination.
"I'm trying to do better."

"Trying isn't enough!" she shot back. "You need to actually do something instead of just sitting there laying around."

"I'm not ! I'm trying to focus on my studies," I insisted, feeling a surge of anger. "Just because you don't see it doesn't mean I'm not working hard!"

"You're a disappointment, Naomi," she said, her words cutting deep. "You never listen to us. You just want to do whatever you want."

Maybe if you didn't scream at me all the time, I'd listen," I retorted, my voice rising in defiance.

My dad entered the room, his face tight with irritation. "What's going on?" he demanded. "Why are you arguing with your mother?"

"She's just mad at me for trying to be better," I shot back, feeling the weight of their judgment pressing down on me.
"Better? You think you're better than us?" he scoffed, his eyes narrowed.
"You're wasting your potential. You need to get your act together."

The hurt in their words struck me, but I refused to let it show. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "I'm going to try harder at school. I'm going to focus on what matters."

"Good luck with that," my mom said, rolling her eyes before turning away.

I felt their disappointment like a heavy cloak around my shoulders, but I didn't let it crush me. I'd made my decision.

As the night wore on, I prepared a simple but small and healthy meal little piece of grilled chicken and a little bit steamed vegetables. It was a small start, but it felt good to take control of my choices. I didn't know if it would impress Mr. Reed, but it was a step toward being the person I wanted to be.

After my dinner I run for 1.5 hour outside as a exercise
Later, I sat down with my journal again, writing about my day and my determination to change. most important i will lose some weight, but also i will try to get better grades and overal just be a better person

Just before bed, I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve settle in my chest. Tomorrow would be a new day, and I was ready to face it head-on.