Hooked ~A Student/Teacher Love Story~

Chapter 5

Here's the next chapter!  Enjoy!  :)

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“So you’re our neighbor?” asked my father, now seated at the dining table.  I sat across from him, twiddling my fingers nervously.  I felt like a girl watching her boyfriend get interrogated by her father.  That’s what I was, really.  Minus the boyfriend part.

“Yes,” replied Gerard.  “I gave her a ride home on my way back from work and didn’t want to leave her alone, so I stayed over. That’s the extent of our relationship, I assure you.”

Did I mention my dad had suspicions that Mr. Donnals and I were dating?  Well, I have now.

Dad gave me a stern look, one that clearly said, “If he’s lying and I find out, you aren’t going to find the body.”  I gulped.

“Is this true?” he asked me.  I nodded ecstatically.  Anxiety had a way of making me say really, really stupid things, so I learned to shut my mouth whenever I’m uneasy.  Even though I knew I wasn’t lying to my father, I was nervous as hell.  Wouldn’t you be if your dad walked in when your amazingly sexy English teacher was at your house and looked ready to get out the shotgun? 

“I’m sorry to have caused any trouble,” Mr. Donnals said, smiling apologetically.  “Now that you’re here, I guess I’ll get home.”  Then seeing the leery gaze in my dad’s eyes, he added, “If that’s okay.”

My father studied him my teacher for a long moment and then grinned approvingly.  He offered his hand for Gerard to shake.  “Sorry to scare you. Just protecting my little girl, you understand.”

The younger man smiled and nodded, accepting the hand.  “I would’ve done the same,” he replied.  “It was good to meet you, Mr. Lawson.”

“Carle, please.”

“All right then, Carle. No hard feelings. Goodbye.”  Mr. Donnals then glanced at me, his eyes lighting up.  “And I’ll see you tomorrow.”

My heart gave a weak little flutter as I said, “Bye, Gerard.”

And then he left. 

As soon as he was gone, I ran the two steps to my dad and hugged him with all my strength.  “Hi, Dad,” I whispered, tearing up a bit.  I’m generally not big on emotions, but when I’ve only seen my father for all of ten minutes in the past month, I get a little worked up.

Dad wrapped me in his arms and kissed my forehead.  “Hey, Stella,” he replied in the same hushed tone I used.

We hugged for a few seconds longer and then broke apart.  I looked up at my loving father; behind the dazzling smile, I could see he was weary and sad.  The price of his work --- not seeing Mom and I often --- had taken its toll on him as well.

“It’s so good to see you again. I feel like it’s been ages,” he said.