Hard To Love (Professor / Student)

O Captain, My Captain

I lay down on my stomach on the carpet covered floor and scroll through Instagram, as the doorbell buzzes. Mark pauses whatever movies is on the TV, gets up and walks over to the intercom. "Yeah?"

"Hey Mark, it's Sam. Can I come in?" Mark turns around and we look at each other. Sam is his assistant coach.

"Uh it's kind of a mess up here. I'll come down to you." He slips on a sweatshirt and a pair of shoes before closing the door behind him. He gets down to the ground level and I watch as his and Sam argue in front of the building. The window is cracked open slightly and I try not to eavesdrop on his conversation but I can't help it when I hear my name.

"You have got to be kidding me Mark! I came out of a curtesy to you. I wanted to give you a heads up on what some of the guys on the team are talking about. But this is just ridiculous."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Mark says calmly.

"No idea? Mark, half of the guys on the team are saying you're sleeping with one of your students? I thought you were better than that?!"

"Sam, stop talking." Mark says, remaining very calm.
"Just tell me it's not true." Sam pleads and Mark runs a hand over his face.

"I'm not sleeping with one of my students." He says and my heart drops. I know he can't tell him that we are together but just hearing him deny being with me hurts.

"Good. Your career isn't worth some chick." Sam says and pats Mark on the back. Mark steps back and shakes his head.

"But that's just the thing, Sam. She's not just some chick and she's not my student. She's a genuine, funny, mature adult who has been through more than you and me put together. And I love her."

"So rumors are true?"
"I'm dating Vanessa, yes. I don't have to justify myself to you. But if you have any respect towards me, you will keep this between us."
"Mark. I. Uh.....Okay. This doesn't leave us."
"Thanks. I'll see you at practice in the morning."

With that Sam walks back to his car and Mark walks back into the apartment. My back is pressed against the wall by the open window.

"I take it you heard everything?" he asks as he slips off his sweatshirt and shoes.
I look up at him from my sitting position and nod

"I hope you know everything I said was true." He says and walks over to sit down next to me. "Are you okay?"
"I am perfect. But what if someone who's not so understanding finds out? Mark, you'd lose your job." I ramble on and on. This forces a smile onto his face

"I love you so much. Do not worry about me. This job is nothing compared to you. Okay?" He mutters before connecting our lips. Before I can blink, Mark scoops me off the floor and carries me into his bedroom. The two of us fall onto his bed and clothing becomes obsolete. Down to the underwear, we lay in bed. Limbs tangled with nothing but smiles on our faces.

"Lie on your stomach, please" Mark whispers. I turn to question him but he just pushes me onto my stomach and his hands begin massaging my back. "Babe. These knots are huge." He says and kneads them with his strong fingers.

"School is stressful. Basketball is stressful. Life in general is just stressful."

"Is there anything that doesn't stress you out?"
"You."

He smiles and presses a little harder. The night can't possibly get any better. The two of us are curled up in his bed, watching whatever late night show is on. My eyes get heavy and sleep has almost taken over when the doorbell buzzes.