Miscellaneous

Random Romance #2

I wasn't supposed to be here.

In retrospect, I wasn't supposed to be doing a lot of things. I shouldn't have let myself come here. I shouldn't have fallen for him.

Yet, here I was.

He sat there, so casual and yet so gorgeous. My heart leaped, just seeing him. He was absolute perfection.

He smiled at something I said, some sorry excuse for a joke. It wasn't funny, but he still grinned, and his eyes crinkled.

I wanted to hold him. I wanted to kiss him and never let him go and stay here forever.

"So, what do you think?" he said, an easygoing look in his eye. Right. This was completely casual.

"I'm sorry?" My cheeks burned.I should've stopped staring at his mouth and listened to what he was saying.

"About the competition. You and Melissa are singing together, right?"

"Oh-- yes." I was so awkward. Why was I so awkward? This was my professor. I shouldn't have been drooling like a schoolgirl.

But he smiled again, and I lost it.

I can't be the only one who noticed this. Was he flirting, or just being polite? Did he act like this to everyone, or did he... like me?

I couldn't take it anymore. I stared at his mouth for half a second, then without any conscious decision, I planted my lips on his.

They were soft, and warm, unlike any other kiss I'd ever had. My heart leaped, my palms sweated. His mouth opened--was it shock, or was he kissing back-- and he pulled away.

"Erica--"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." My cheeks burned a hot red, and I grabbed my bag. "I'm so sorry, I'll go now--"

"Erica." He grabbed my arm, and everything melted away. His grip was strong, but gentle, and his gaze was tender.

"Are-- are you-- oh!" I said, as he led me back to the couch to sit down. His hands slid down to mine, and a shudder ran through my spine.

"You don't have to apologize." He smiled-- God, that smile!-- and leaned in.

Everything moved in slow-motion, at 100 miles an hour. He was leaning toward me. His lips were on mine.

And I was kissing him back.

It was my every fantasy, everything I'd ever imagined, actually happening, right here. I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy this,

Suddenly, my eyes shot open, and I yanked backward. "We can't- we can't- Do this."

The look of confusion, of betrayal on his face ripped my heart in half. "I though you wanted this."

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. "I do. I want this more than anything. But it can't happen."

"Then why did you-"

"You're my teacher, okay?" I started shoving my heels back on my feet. "This just- can't happen." I blinked back tears. He looked down, a solemn look on his face.

"Maybe someday--"

"You can't wait six years for a girl you've just met." I wanted to suck back the words. Can't I break the rules for once? Can't I be happy?

"I--I love you."

My face falls. This is just perfect.

(Note the sarcasm.)

"No, you don't. You met me two weeks ago at a lecture. We haven't had a real conversation before today."

"But it's true love."

I laughed then, a genuine laugh. I just dodged a bullet. He was adorable, handsome, charming... and yet completely clueless.

"Oh, okay..." I grabbed my bag. "Well, I'm gonna go now. This," I gestured with my hands a kiss, "never happened, okay?"

A scowl settled on his face. He wasn't very pretty when he was mad.

"Just go, then."

"I'm sorry," I repeat, heading out the door, but I didn't mean it this time.