Teach Me

Chapter Three: Rejection

 Mr. Brown and I were very quiet for the whole meal. On my part, it was because I was too shy to say anything, and whenever I glanced up at him I saw his eyes observing me. I didn't know what he was doing, but I didn't mind. He wanted to survey my body? Fine by me. Want me to take my clothes off to make it easier?

I still didn't understand what had possessed him to take me to a restaurant for my "surprise", and I thought it was a little weird since he was my teacher and I was his... Well, student. It SHOULD seem weird. But it didn't. Not to me at least. And certainly not to him, since he had taken me here in the first place. I took a deep breath and continued to blush harder in the silence.   

When we were about to leave, I stood up and awkwardly stumbled, but his hand on my arm caught me. I was frozen in shock for a moment, reveling in the feeling of his skin on mine, before he abruptly leo of me, causing the tingles to disappear. I bit my lip to stop my whine, and then he led me outside, his shoulder almost brushing against mine.   

"Thanks." I said once we were in the car.   

"For what?" He asked, seeming somewhat annoyed for whatever reason.   

"For bringing me here." I mumbled.  

"It didn't look like you enjoyed it." He shot back.  

"I-I did it's just-"  

"It's just what? You didn't talk the whole time, you looked like you were extremely embarrassed about something, and it made everything awkward." He said, exasperated.  

"Well why didn't you say anything?" I asked, hiding my hurt feelings.  

"I was trying to figure out what your problem was." He argued. I didn't want him to be mad at me, so I sighed and decided that he was right.  

"I know, I was acting stupid and childish. I'm sorry." I said softly, looking away as my voice cracked. I had upset him with my stupid shyness and nervousness. I heard him make a sound of guilt.   "I'm sorry too, for yelling. Let's just forget about it." He suggested, shaking his head as if to shake away the thought. I nodded eagerly in agreement and he started his shiny red car, driving us back to school.   

When we arrived back in school, it was halfway through my lunch period, but since Mr. Brown knew I had already eaten, he invited me to stay in his classroom until lunch was over, just so I didn't raise suspicion. Me being me of course, accepted the offer, and he led us back to his classroom, opening the door with a key. He flicked on the lights and shut the door behind us as I took a seat at one of the desks. He sat on the edge of his large desk and rested his chin in his hand.  

"How come you act strangely around me?" He asked, as I stared at his tattoos.   

"I, I just guess I'm a bit nervous." I admitted, fiddling with a loose string on my sleeve.   

"Nervous about what?" He asked, and I heard him slide off his desk. I didn't look up.  

"Just people that I'm around. If I'm around someone who's older than me, even by a few years, it's just difficult to make conversation. And it was also a shock that you took me to a restaurant." I explained.  

"Yeah, the restaurant may have been too much, but I'm not THAT much older than you Alana. I'm only 24." He said with a chuckle.   

"What?!" I asked, snapping my head up. He looked appalled by my sudden movement and I hurriedly fixed my startled expression.  

"I mean, when I think 'teacher', I think of someone older than that. At least 29 or 30." I said. He shook his head and smiled, walking a bit closer.  

"Do I look 30 to you?" He asked, his face inches from mine. Barely a gray hair on his short beard, no lines on his smooth skin. A light splash of freckles just under his eyes that I hadn't noticed before... I gulped and clenched my hands into fists as I restrained myself. My body wanted to lean forward, to kiss him so badly, but my mind told me that would be wrong.  

"N-no, I guess you don't look thirty." I stammered.  

"You're still nervous of me." He accused. I nodded and shrugged shamefully.  

"Why?" He asked, arching one perfect black brow.   

"I don't know." I said, blushing.   

"You're uncomfortable with me being close to you?" He asked, still trying to guess the answer. I glanced at how close he was to me, his hands spread on my desk and his shoulders hunched forward slightly. His face was less than a foot from mine.  

"Kinda." I admitted.  

"Why?" He breathed, his face even closer. I spotted something in his eyes, gleaming. Something I had never seen before. The brown color of his eyes darkened slightly, mesmerizing and luring me in. I realized I was leaning forward as my breathing accelerated, and surprisingly, he wasn't backing up. Right before my lips met his, the bell rang, making him jump back and me jump up, both of us shocked. I was completely flustered, not knowing what to say and not knowing what he had felt. I stammered a quick "bye" and scampered out of his classroom, running down the hallway before realizing I had his class next. Oh no. I ducked into a girls bathroom and slid down the wall, closing my eyes and letting my heart slow down. I just couldn't go to his class. Not today.   

***

  When school was over I was at my locker, my mood still as low as it could get. I was about to shut my locker when a strong hand stopped it, and I recognized the tattoos immediately. I spun around, seeing his furious face glaring at me.  

"M-Mr. Brown." I said, my eyes wide.  

"Alana, why weren't you in my class today?" He growled threateningly. I looked around and saw some other students staring as they passed.  

"I needed a short break." I said hurriedly, hoping he accepted that lame excuse.   

"You had a break from your fourth period tutoring. I took you out. You were expected to go to the rest of your classes." He said.  

"I'm sorry." I apologized.   

"Make sure you're in my class tomorrow." He said, his jaw clenched. I nodded and he swung my locker shut, making me cringe from the loud noise that echoed in my ears. Something about him was different. He didn't seem to treat me special anymore, he was just talking to me like any one of his other students. I was pretty sure it was my fault. I had to trust my stupid hormones and lean forward to kiss him. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I shouted in my head.   You stupid moron, now he'll never treat you special again! You screwed everything up! My mind was lecturing me, and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, trying not to cry. I wiped away a falling tear and began walking quickly towards the exit. Passing Mr. Brown's room, I looked in the classroom and saw that he was at his desk. He saw me glance at him and when he spotted my tears he shot up, jogging towards me. I couldn't talk to him, so I began to run down the hallway.  

"Alana, Alana wait! I'm sorry!" He was shouting, but I ran faster until I burst out he doors and his voice was lost behind me. I ran into the parking lot and got in my car, but I didn't drive. I just rested my head against the steering wheel and cried my eyes out. I had ruined everything. I had ruined every chance of a closer 'relationship' with him. The only person I loved.

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A/N Yes I know it's a short and boring chapter but RodynRihannaFentyNav wanted me to upload another one tonight so here it is :)