Nothing To Lose [A Teacher/Student Love Story]

Nothing To Lose [A Teacher/Student Love Story] 14

The car drive to Mr. Stone’s house was silent until his cell phone rang. I heard the first two words of his ringtone—I’m gonna---but he quickly muted it to vibrate.

Mr. Stone reached for the BlackBerry in his pocket, but I gently nudged him and said, “Don’t pick it up. You’re driving.”

He sighed and tucked it back inside his pocket, but it kept vibrating and shaking the car.

“Amanda—“

“Mr. Stone.”

He pulled to the shoulder of the road and stopped the car.

“Honestly?” I said. “You’re stopping the car to answer your phone?”

Ignoring me, he clicked ANSWER and held the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

“Yes…” he continued. “Oh? Yeah, that’s fine with me. I’m sure she won’t care…. Ah, I see. I understand. Thanks. ‘Bye.”

“Well?” I asked. “What was so urgent?”

Starting the car back up, Mr. Stone calmly said, “Looks like we’ll be stopping at your house. You need to pack your stuff.”

“What?” I exclaimed, jerking forward. “Packing?!”

“For the field trip.”

“I can do it tomorrow, Mr. Stone.” I said slowly. “I have the whole weekend before Monday.”

“Not exactly. Your mom called.”

“Now, what?”

“Her car broke down and she’ll be staying in a hotel for a few days before she’ll be able to come back. She said you should stay at my place until Monday, but by then we’ll be going camping, and…”

I groaned and set my head against the headrest. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” He said, the amusement clear in his voice.

“So,” I drawled. “I’m staying at your apartment for the next three days?”

“Apparently.”

I sat back in annoyance and the car was filled with silence again.

The song Amanda by Boston broke the silence. I snapped my head up at the sound of my name, then realized it was being sung. “What’s that?”

Oh, Amanda… I’m gonna take you by surprise, and make you realize, Amanda, I’m gonna tell you right away, I can’t wait another day, Amanda… ‘Gonna say it like a man, and make you understand, Amanda, I love you.

“What—“ I began, but Mr. Stone slapped his phone open, and glancing at me warily, answered the phone. “Hello?”

He laughed. “Ian, you don’t scare me.”  His shoulders tensed from Ian’s reply. “I swear, Ian… Ian, she’s my student. Don’t---no, Ian--!”

There was a long beep, and Mr. Stone snapped his phone shut again, grimacing.

“Who was that?” I asked, although I already knew.

“My brother.”

“What was he saying?”

“Hey, you don’t want me prodding you about your kitchen being in your bedroom, so don’t invade my privacy.” He snapped bitterly.

I blinked, and wanted to back out of the car since he obviously wasn’t in a good mood, but instead said, “Fine.”

“You know,” I said after a moment. “You should really start driving towards my house. It’s a long drive from here.”