Rules Are Just A Suggestion {Teacher Love Story}

Rules Are Just A Suggestion Chp. 24

     ‘Come on baby, we ain't gonna live forever, let me show you all the things we ca-‘

     I pressed the ignore button on my phone and cuddled up to my pillow under my soft black comforter. My phone has been ringing off the hook ever since winter break started, two weeks ago. The last day of my behind-the-wheel driving left my heart broken.

     I walked into the driver's ED classroom, three seconds before the bell rang. Mr. Jameson was in a blue and white checkered button down polo shirt, his pants a faded grey. His feet were propped up on the desk, his right elbow resting on the arm chair, and his face covered by his hand. He looked deep in thought.

     Knowing today was going to be our last class together and tomorrow was going to be his last time ever working for this high school. I took in his appearance. This could possibly be one of the last times I ever look at him.

     I didn't realize it, but I was walking closer to him. I reached out to touch his cheek, to feel the softness of his skin. Then he lifted his hand away from his face and my hand dropped. His face was pale and there were dark circles around his eyes. Almost as if he hasn't slept in weeks.

     "Mr. Ja-"

     "Ya know," His voice was deeper than normally. "I told you by calling me that, it made me feel wrong about what we were doing. I guess after tomorrow it won't even matter what you call me."

     "I really wish you weren't leaving."

     "I think it's for the best, Robyn. We'll be further apart and soon we will forget about each other."

     Sighing, I said. "I can never forget you. You were my first lo-"

     He shut his eyes. "Don't say that!"

     "But it’s true! I love you. There is no changing that. What is done is done. You can't run away from your problems."

     Mr. Jameson got out of his chair so fast that it swiveled in a circle twice and approached me. "I am not running away from anything. If they find out and I get fired, I will never get another teaching job. I'll probably be classified as a pedophile and in that case, I'll never find a job. It sounds to me like I am ‘running’ to avoid starting a problem. Now, tell me, Robyn, why should I stay here?"

     All that tore my heart to pieces. I felt like crying, but not here. Not in front of him, there was no way I could give him the satisfaction. I ran out of the classroom and into the ice cold winter air. I sat on the curb and cried my eyes out. Not caring if a student passed by, or even a teacher. And that is how I spent the rest of fifth hour. Mr. Jameson hadn't come out to try and comfort me, and I was okay with that.

     The following day, I didn't even bother to go to school. I stayed in bed and wept. At three-fifteen is when my phone started going off nonstop. I didn't answer or even bother to look at the cellphone for two weeks. Yes, I barely left my room for two straight weeks. All my visitors were told to leave by my mom just like I begged her to do.

     I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling. I cried all that I could within the first week. I know it sounds pathetic, but I loved him.

     There was a knock on my door. "Honey, can I come in?" It was my mom.

     "Go away!"

     The door opened anyway. I groaned and turned my back to the door. "Robyn, you need to leave your room at some point. This isn't healthy." She sat down on my bed.

     The tears filled my eyes again. At first, I tried to hold them in, but that stung my eyes too much. I let the tears fall. I got up and hugged my mom. I cried on her shoulder for a good five minutes, before pulling away. "Mom, I'm going to miss him."

     "Honey, Max isn't worth your tears." Okay, so I obviously couldn't tell her the exact truth about Mr. Jameson and myself. She would disapprove highly of me.

     After what seemed like a lifetime, my tears finally stopped. "Thank you, mom. I'm glad you're here for me."

     My mom stiffened. I lifted my head up and saw her biting her lip with a guilty expression written on her face. "Um, work needs me to go out of town for a couple days, but I don't have to if you don't want me to."

     My mouth hung open. "Mom, you're a cook in the school cafeteria, what could you possibly need to go out of town for? New recipes?" At that time, my phone vibrated indicating a new text message. I just rolled my eyes.

     "We're having a huge conference meeting. Just promise me you'll get out of bed and go out."

     I gave her a half smile. "I'll try. When do you leave?"

     "Tomorrow, Nick will be here maybe you two can get to know each other a little more." She gave me a half smile. I held back a groan at the thought of having to leave my bed for anything other than food or the bathroom.

     I nodded and she got up to leave, but stopped at the door. "Oh and please call Jordyn back. She is really worried about you."

     "Will do."

     She smiled and walked out of my bedroom. I snatched my phone off of the nightstand and flipped it open. Thirty-two missed calls, forty six new text messages, and three new voice mails. I groaned and collapsed on my bed. This is going to be a long night.