The Irish Teacher ( Colifer story ) #wattys2016

The Real World

Jennifer's POV
It's a new week, a fresh start... Ish.. I'm feeling great. Michael and I head down the corridor talking about cars. I mean he's talking and I have no clue what he's actually chatting about, a car is a car they all have 4 wheels... Except a three wheeler.
Colin.. Mr O'Donoghue walks past me, I blush. Smiling at him as he looks back at me and smiles.
'Jen?'
I'm back in reality. Oh god and reality sucks.
'Ye?' I turn to Michael.
'Did something happen with Mr O'Donoghue?'
I panic, my heart racing.
'What?'
'Did he let you of his lesson or homework or something?'
I breathe, thank god he's not thinking anything else...
'Erm, yes a lesson..' I lie, that was close..

Last weekend.
'Look I'm 18 ok, look at my ID.' I stand at the nightclub door, high heals on and makeup as much as possible to pass. I just want to meet my friend, she's apparently already inside. After the week I've had I just want a drink, Lord I look old enough...
'Hm..' The bouncer examines my fake ID very carefully.
'I..'
'It's ok, she's with me.' A familiar voice calls, an Irish voice. I tense, he's going to bust me I feel it.
'Colin hi.' The bouncer exclaims. Shaking his hand he allows us to pass. Mr O'Donoghue, Colin.. Colin O'Donoghue, damn that's sexy. He grabs my arm pulling me into the nightclub. The music ricocheting around the room, I look at him. He looks smartly dressed, hair nicely groomed. I smile at him.
'What are you doing here?' He yells over the music.
'Same as you I suppose.' I yell he shakes his head pulling me to the outside of the toilets where the music is quieter.
'Jennifer, I'm old enough to drink..'
I roll my eyes.
'So now you are going to tell me what to do?
He raises an eyebrow. That's hot. Very.
'No. Just its not healthy.'
'You got me in here.'
He smirks knowing I'm right. Shaking his head walking away from me.
'Mr O'Donoghue?' I call.
'Colin. Call me Colin.'
'Colin?'
'Yes?'
I smile, Colin. It feels weird saying his name.
'How old are you?'
'Why does that concern you?' He tries to dismiss me.
'Well, you said you're old enough to drink but how old are you.'
I flirt a little, why not.
'21.'
I smile. 21, that's nothing I'm nearly 18.. That's fine isn't it? I can't think like this it's wrong but it could be so right.. I look back up from thought, Colin having gone. Brill. I'm going to find my friend.
I message;
Jen: Hey Gina, where are you?
Gina: Sorry Jen, I had to go home...
Brilliant, now I'm pointlessly here. I walk over to the bar dropping on to a stool.
'Can I have a vodka and coke?' I check out the bartender, he's hot...
'It's ok, I'll get this.' Colin sits beside me. I look at him raising my eyebrow this time.
'I'm sure you didn't just come here to buy me drinks?'
I say after being handed my drink and the bartender moves along the bar.
'No. I was meeting someone...'
I squint my eyes.
'Girlfriend?'
'Me having a girlfriend?'
I laugh.
'Erm have you seen you?'
I stop realising.
'Sorry I mean-'
'Not met the right one yet.' He cuts me of gliding over what I just said.
A few drinks later.
I've managed to find out quite a bit about him and him me. I smile looking at him a little tipsy. I slide my eyes over to the bartender, checking out him bum as he reaches for bottles.
'He your type?' Colin laughs touching my arm.
'No.'
'Good. He's gay.' I smile. Why did he just say good? Jealous?'
'You know him?'
'Yes he's called Keith.'
'Explains the nice arse.'
'So you was checking him out?'
'Maybe I'm into gays..' I wink.
'Not someone as Deviously handsome as me?' He jokes.
'Oh don't you worry Colin, you're my type.' I smile, sipping my drink.
'I sense a but...'
'But have you seen me...'
'I think you're beautiful.' I stop looking away from my glass and straight to his eye line.
'Ah that's funny.'
'You don't think you're but, Jennifer. I think you're beautiful.'
I smile.
'You're just saying that, you're drunk.'
'I read to you..'
'Sorry?'
'When I read to you the other day..'
'Yes what about it?' I lean on my chair.
'He began to fall, he couldn't stop.'
'Colin I don't..'
'It's all about you Jennifer.'
I stop flabbergasted, did he just. I watch him slowly move towards me, his lips suddenly crashing into mine. I instinctively kiss him back.

Today.
'Jennifer?' I snap back into the real world, Colin stands at the door of his classroom calling my name. I make eye contact with him, he waves his hand calling me over. I enter the room closing the door behind me.
'Hey.' I smile.
'Do you want to sit down?' He looks uneasy.
'No.. Will you just tell me what you want?' I smile, he makes me smile.
'Ok.. What happened on Saturday I..'
'Wanted it to happen-' I cut in.
'Jen. It can't happen again.'
'What?' I stand a little shocked, leaning back on a desk.
'I wanted it to happen. Really I did but It can't happen again.'
'I thought you-'
'I did.'
I smile, even though my eyes are filling.
'So-'
'Jennifer you're my student. That changes everything.'
'But it doesn't change me? And you..'
He sits down.
'I'm so sorry. If things where different.'
'No. There is four years between us that's nothing Colin.'
'Jennifer, in the real world that's everything standing between us.'
I step back.
'So in this real world I have to be denied what I want because of rules?'
'Yes.'
He looks away from me.
'Colin..'
'Mr O'Donoghue.' He corrects me.
'Don't do this-'
'I'm sorry Jen.'
'Jennifer.' I correct him and dash out the room.
The real world has a harsh way of treating me.