Stolen Kisses

Chapter 3

The rest of the school day was like most first days. Teachers tell us their "brand new and very different from your other teacher's" rules, we were shown the seating charts that will most likely change according to how much we get along with our table partner, and we all told our "what we did this summer" stories.

My summer was rather uneventful. The main highlight of it was meeting David Kollier, but it's not like you can tell your classmates that you have a small infatuation on a college professor. Most of the other students talked about how they went to Key West or Disney World, nothing new as we do live in the Sunshine State.

Once the final bell rang, Ronnie and I raced to my car and I dropped her off her off at home after a Dairy Queen run.

When I arrived home, I noticed my mother was out. My dad is usually at the office, so it wasn't very shocking he was currently absent.

I went out to the swing set in the backyard to get ahead on my new class book for AP Lit, Lolita.

As I swayed myself in the swing, I heard a car door slam. I ran to the front of the house, maybe it was Mom?

It was David. In a tired voice, he said, "Oh, hello, Kate."

Wow, that sure makes a girl feel special. "Tough first day, huh?"

"Kind of. The other professors have been giving me grief, they think I won't be mature enough to handle my classes on my own."

"That's ridiculous," I assured him, "of course you're mature enough!"

He sighed, "Thanks, but I just want to head inside and have a drink, forget about those incessant fat cats."

I glanced over to the swing set and said with a smile, "I think I have something that could cheer you up."

David and I strolled along to the very used swing set. At first he gave me a quizzical look that read, you can't be serious, but he quickly got over the fact we were indulging in typical pre-pubescent behavior and hopped on the second swing.

Jokingly, I added, "Now I am aware you are an old geezer staring death in the eye and whatnot, but you must remember how to swing from when you were a boy!"

David laughed it off and started kicking. We raced to see who could swing the highest until we reached the top and jumped off onto the grass. As we lay their laughing so hard our sides hurt, he noticed my book. He picked it up and said, "This is a great read, how are you liking it?"

I confessed, "Actually, I've been having some trouble understanding the language." Which was true, the book was written over half a century ago.

To this, he offered, "You know, I teach Literature, if you ever need help with that, my door's always open. I don't think you'll need too many sessions, though. You already seem like such a bright young woman," he said nonchalantly.

"Thank you, that's very nice of you to offer," I replied with a smile. The woman kept echoing in my mind.

I looked into David's beautiful green eyes as he looked into my pale blue ones. Before I knew it, I felt myself leaning towards him. His lips were soft on mine. This wasn't my first kiss, of course, I'd had sloppy junior high ones, drunken ones at parties. This, however, was special. This meant something. I never wanted to leave this place. And just like that, he pulled away. He whispered, "Kate, you're in high school. We can't do this."

The grin left my face, "Unfortunately. I'm sorry, David, it won't happen again. I hope your open door policy is still open?"

David wore what I assumed was his professor face, a stern but fair expression, "As long as it stays professional, I don't see why I couldn't still help you."

I hugged David and cried, "You're the best!"

I quickly pulled away and apologized, "Professional."

"I think it's best you call me Dr. Kollier from now on."

"Why then I should expect to be referred to as Miss Mathers."

"Deal."

"Deal."

He jumped the fence onto his side. He stole a couple of glances back at me as he walked up the drive to his house.