Teaching Jenny (student/teacher)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The rest of the week was the best week since I had started school. Ben had stopped ignoring me and started treating me like any other student. Maybe he smiled in my direction a few more times than necessary but it was nice that things were finally working out.

Today was Friday meaning I had single geography last thing. Normally I would dread last period but I was actually quite looking forward to it. I had even asked a few questions in geography over the past week meaning I was finally getting to grips with the population topic.

One of the last to enter, I took my place next to Charlie at the back of the classroom with a quick smile in his direction. As soon as I look my seat Ben started the lesson. "Alright guys today we are going to be continuing our studies on the DTM which stands for the demographic transition model." We had started the model last lesson and it seemed pretty basic to me. I had most of the stages memorised already and a couple of examples of countries too.

By the end of the lesson I knew absolutely everything about the DTM. I felt like my brain was in overload it had been stuffed with so many facts about birth rates and death rates. Slowly packing away my things I shuffled towards the door, not sure if I was actually exited for my date with Adam tonight.

"Looking forward to your date with Adam?" Charlie asked as he slung his arm round my should as we walked along the last row if desks. I noticed Ben's head spin round so he was now facing our direction. I grimaced slightly as we exited, not replying to Charlie, wishing that Ben hadn't heard that.

Trying to forget about the angry expression on Ben's face I trotted out of school to meet Adam. He was standing by his car a smile on his lips as he waited for me. Walking over I couldn't help but smile as I saw most of the other girls in the school checking him out. After a quick hug I hoped into the passenger seat and we started driving towards the movies. We had decided on the classic dinner and movie date which I was excited for as I was yet to see the second monsters inc movie which I had been dying to see since it's release a couple of weeks ago.

We chatted as we drove. He asked me how school was and I asked him about university. One thing I made sure of when I called him up was that he knew I was still in sixth form. It turned out that he was in first year of university and therefore only one year older than me.

Soon enough we were sitting in the cinema equipped with our large popcorn and drinks. I was already munching on my popcorn as the ads began. As the movie started he did the cheesy yawn and arm around thing which made me cringe slightly but I decided to ignore it. Halfway through the movie he grabbed my hand in his, which was a little forward but I once again decided to leave it.

However, just as the movie was nearing the ending, and getting really good, he turned to face me. I could feel his eyes burning into the side if my face. I turned to look at him, planning on only a quick glance and smile. But as soon as my eyes met his, he pounced and crushed his lips against mine. Instantly pulling away I looked at him shocked. Knowing he had made a mistake he started apologising.

I sighed, not sure whether I was over reacting. "Look I just want to take things slow," I explained, still slightly annoyed that we were missing the end of the movie. Adam nodded in understanding.

"Sure, whatever you want," he smiled as he turned back to the screen my hand still in his. I smiled at how understanding he was but that instantly faded when I looked back at the screen and noticed the credits were rolling. We'd missed the end of the film.

After the film we ended up going to pizza express which was located just outside the movie theatre. I was happy with his choice because it wasn't too formal for a first date but it wasn't somewhere like McDonald's either. The incident in the cinema was soon forgotten and we ended up having a nice time. There were a couple of awkward silences but I figured it was because we were still getting to know each other. However, I couldn't seem to forget that it hadn't been like this with Ben. With him it had always been easy.

Thankfully he didn't try and kiss me again when he dropped me off and we agreed that he would call to arrange another date. He was a nice guy and I thought I could definitely grow to like him.

Closing the front door after me, I strolled through to the kitchen where my parents were just finishing up dinner. "How'd it go?" My mum asked as she put her knife and fork down. Going over to kiss her and my dad on the cheek I sat down at the table so I could chat with them for a while.

"Okaaaaay," I said, elongating the word. My mum smirked at me already knowing that the date clearly hadn't gone very well at all. He was nice, and the conversation wasn't awful but nothing felt right with him. I guess it was because I wasn't used to it not being Ben.

"Will I be meeting him anytime soon?" My dad asked, probably wanting to prepare himself for the next guy I would drag in. So far I had only introduced him to two guys, my best friend Charlie who he loved, and a guy named Angus who I had dated last year. We were still friends but dad hadn't liked him, I think in the end that was one of the reasons I broke up with him.

"I highly doubt that," I said with a snort of laughter. After chatting with my parents a while longer I decided to leave them to their dinner and scampered upstairs to my bedroom. Once sitting on my bed I called Maggie, like I had agreed, to fill her in.

After a weekend of relaxing and watching movies with Maggie school came around way to quickly. However, I wasn't quite dreading it as much as normal as Ben had at least been civil with me the past week.

However, as soon as Maggie and I entered his classroom I knew things were different. Sighing, I sat in my chair as my good mood drained from my body. It was strange how just one person could change your mood so suddenly. I hated how much of an affect he had on me.

The worst thing was how quickly he could change. Only last week, two short days ago was he actually acknowledging me and shooting smiles in my direction. But now he acted as if I didn't exist and we had never happened. It hurt more than I could describe and I was sick of him constantly changing his mind. He couldn't play me around like this anymore.

We only had two weeks before October half term, then I wouldn't have to see Ben for two weeks. I could make it. I would just try and focus on Adam. In fact, I would give Ben a taste of his own medicine and ignore him. I knew my idea was childish but I was an immature seventeen year old after all.

My anger for Ben's mood swings only grew as the day went on. By double geography, last thing, I was fuming. Practically storming past him, my face like thunder, I collapsed into my seat. I could feel his eyes burning into my forehead from the front of the classroom. However, going along with my plan I decided to pretend I hadn't noticed and opened my folder, suddenly very interested in last lesson. He stayed staring at me until he had to start the lesson.

"So guys we're just going to start the lesson with a couple recap lessons," Ben said. A sigh vibrated through the classroom but I just continued glaring at my folder. "Folders closed," he continued causing a shuffle of papers to be heard. Frowning I slammed my folder closed pushing it to the edge of my desk, but still didn't look up.

"First one, what is the total fertility rate in France?" A couple of hands shot up but I knew what was coming next. "Jenny?" He said. My anger almost tripped in that moment. Why couldn't he just choose how he was going to act towards me. This morning he was ignoring me and suddenly he wanted my attention again. I couldn't deal with it anymore.

"2.01," I spat causing a couple of people to turn around and look at me, but I still wouldn't meet Ben's eyes. I was so tired of this. I was tired of being angry at him and tired of him being angry at me. I would never regret what Ben and I had but I just wished it hadn't turned out this way because it was so physically draining. I felt tears well up in my eyes as it all became too much.

Suddenly sticking my hand in the air, Ben looked at me shocked. His expression softened slightly when he eyes met mine, he still knew me so well. "Sir, can I go to the bathroom please?" I mumbled, needing to get out of the classroom and away from Ben.

"Can't you wait?" Ben asked his eyes showing that he was worried. But I couldn't. I knew that if I spent another second in this classroom I would explode. Everything had been building up and suddenly it had just all got too much.

"Very well," Ben said with a nod towards the door. He looked like he wanted to say more but didn't so I just ran for the door, hoping I could hold the tears until I reached the bathroom. Halfway down the corridor I heard the door open behind me and footstep approaching me. Wiping away a few stray tears I turned around to be met by the gorgeous blue eyes I had been trying to escape.

"What's wrong?" Ben said looking truly concerned. All I wanted to do was collapse in his arms and cry but I knew I couldn't. The expression on his face made me want to cry even more and I felt a lump forming in my throat as I continued to hold back my sobs.

"I just can't do this anymore," I croaked, gesturing between the two of us. "It hurts so much to see you every day and for you to just ignore me. I know you've moved on but it's not that easy for me. I just," I paused for breath but couldn't continue. The tears finally escaped my eyes as I sobbed. Wiping angrily at my face I looked to the sky, unable to look at him.

Opening my mouth to speak again I was suddenly enveloped in two arms as Ben hugged me. Nuzzling my face into his chest I continued to cry but somehow it felt better. Breathing in deeply I smiled at his familiar comforting smell as I slowly began to calm down. When my sobs started to subside Ben pulled away and put some space between us.

"I hate that I am making this so hard for you. I don't want to hurt you, but I just don't know how to act around you," he explained, guilt clear in those endless blue eyes of his. I nodded, understanding where he was coming from. It didn't make it any less painful though. We continued to stare at each other for what felt like ages before he finally broke the silence. "You should go get washed up," he said before he shot one last reassuring smile in my direction and headed back to the classroom.