Forbidden

Chapter Eight

“Welcome to my humble abode,” she said as she pushed the door open.

“Wow, it’s almost as big as mine,” he said as he looked around. “Mine’s a lot more spacey, though.”

                She was taken by surprise by his seemingly gruff statement.

“I’m kidding,” he laughed as he raised his eyebrows with a smirk. “My house isn’t even the size of your living room.”

                Suddenly uncomfortable, she changed the subject.

“Well, I’m gonna call for the pizza. You okay with whatever?”

“Yeah, I really have no preference,” he said as he continued studying the layout.

                Olivia ordered the food and told him that it would be about twenty-five minutes. She motioned for him to have a seat wherever he’d like and handed him the remote. Her heartbeat remained at a steady, but heavy pace and she was sure he could hear it thumping in her chest. 

“Thank you,” he said as he took the remote, “but I just feel like it’s kind of rude for me to prop my feet up and make myself at home.”

“Please, you’re the guest, do whatever you’d like,” she said with a smile.

“You know what I’d really like?” he asked.

“What’s that?” she said. She could feel her heart picking up pace and felt the warmth grow across her face.

“A tour?” he asked with an unsure look on his face.

                She let out a quiet laugh and ran her hand through her hair.

“Of course.”

                She walked him through room after room, showing him the backyard and the media room before finally coming up to her bedroom.

“And here is my retreat,” she said, pushing the door open and looking inside.

“You have an amazing house,” he said with wide eyes. “A truly amazing house. You’re a lucky girl.”

                He playfully ran his arm into hers as he walked by her and headed down the hall. She grabbed it, feeling the goose bumps rise on her skin. She wildly rubbed her arm to make them go away.

“You comin’?” he yelled up to her from downstairs.

“Sure am.” She shook her head and smiled at this strange situation. Her teacher was in her house. They were alone and she didn’t know how to act. She was pathetic. Did she really believe that he shared the same feelings toward her? And even if he did, what feelings was she feeling anyway? What did she want from him?

                Olivia stepped onto the entryway tile, and as if on cue, the doorbell rang. Pizza, she told herself, suddenly afraid someone would see the two together. She walked up to the door and opened it wide, pulling the money out of a small bowl on the table next to it.

“Keep the change. Have a good night!” Nick heard Olivia say.

                He wiped his palms on his pants, unaware that they were sweating to begin with. I shouldn’t even be here. This is out of line, right? Being at my student’s house? Stranded or not, people would not like this. His thoughts were interrupted by Olivia’s sweet voice. Acceptable interruption, he thought.

“Mr. Cere-Nick? It’s in here,” she yelled to him from the kitchen.

                He walked into the kitchen, stopping and leaning against the wall with his shoulder, his hands in his pocket. He watched her pull the plates from the cabinet and rip a handful of paper towels from the roll. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched her, warmth and curiosity building inside of him. Why was he so drawn to this girl?