Teacher (Mr Mendes)

Chapter 6

We sat in silence for the first couple of minutes, avoiding eye contact. I was about to ask him what his problem was until he spoke up first. He furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Zac, huh?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I-um-I figured that I might as well make some new friends and Zac seemed nice." Mr Mendes-Shawn's jaw clenched ever so slightly, but I noticed it.

"Maybe you shouldn't be friends with him" finally, he looked into my eyes.

I was getting a little mad at this point. It was my decision who to talk to. "Why not?" I think that he could sense my anger a bit as his eyes softened.

"You're too good for him." His voice was gentle and he held my gaze for what seemed like eternity.

"Trust me, I'm not." I laughed in an awkward way, per usual, and looked down.

He brought his hand up to my chin and lifted my head so I was looking into his eyes. I felt a fire where his skin made contact with mine and I tried to function like a normal human being desperately. I soon realised that it was impossible to do that with him near me.

"You're too good for everybody in this damn world, Cassiopeia. Remember that." He whispered. I could feel his breath on my face, and that made me loose my breath. He took a strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear, then his hand returned to my chin. My legs felt like jelly.

He spoke again, "You shouldn't look down. Your eyes are beautiful." I would have collapsed then and there, but I managed to control myself and stepped away. I cleared my voice and looked down again, but then remembered what he said and raised my head.

The rest of the hour was awkward, and I know that we both felt like that. When the bell rang I was both relieved yet desperate to spend more time with him.

I packed up quickly and headed for the door. I opened it and turned my head to face him. He was looking at me, watching me. I let out a ragged breath and left the room.

I had no idea how I was going to sleep tonight after that experience.

As expected, I didn't sleep a wink that night. I couldn't. I kept repeating what happened in my head over and over again.

"Rise and shine sleepy head!" I jumped from Amber shouting in my ear. I knew that I was going to be a walking zombie no matter what I did that day, so I got up. I didn't want to face Mr Mendes today, but I had to. I couldn't just avoid him because he took my breath away and made me feel like I was going to collapse.

What was he doing to me?! I can't just go through college like this. Maybe I should tell Amber... but she would just gossip and tell everyone. But she was my friend, surely she would keep it to herself.

I kept it to myself, wanting to keep what happened a secret for myself. It was truly magic. I got up and out of bed and got ready for the day. Hopefully today won't be as awkward.