Cougar

Chapter Five --

*

"Tyler."

I leaned back into my chair and let my eyes flicker up to the front of the French room. Miss McClain stood near the whiteboard, a purple dry eraser marker in her hand. Seeing she had my attention, she gestured to the board.

"Come up here and translate this sentence."

I focused on the neat purple words that read: Elle veut se marier au printemps.

A certain situation going down under kept me in seat. I took a deep breath and let it out, saying, "I can't."

From around me, my fellow classmates snickered while McClain laughed shortly. "Why not?" she asked, raising her brow. It drooped as a thought dawned on her. But it wasn't the right one.

She added with a slight hinting tone, "Tired?"

Yes, but no. I live to impress this girl. Getting up there and proving I paid attention to what she taught us was my goal every day. I'd participate in this class even if I was dead tired. Even if didn't know what she wanted me to translate - which I did.

It read 'She wants to get married in the Spring.'

No. My issue was something I wanted just her to see. Not the entire class.

The room sat waiting for my excuse, so after giving McClain a brief look-over - the true reason why - I told them.

I said flatly, "I have a boner."

The class erupted into loud laughs. Her eyes widened and I saw them give a quick glimpse to the area. She pushed out a small laugh.

"Seriously?"

I skidded my chair back and motioned to it. There was a slight bulge making itself known. In case she didn't see, I smirked. "Wanna check for yourself?" The class laughed louder. McClain tried to hold back her smile, but it still came through.

Her eyes zipped back up to my face and she said, "No, I believe you."

Though I was bummed she didn't say yes, I scooted back in. After the laughter died down, she translated the sentence herself, then handed out tonight's homework.

Ugh. The only thing I wanted to do tonight was her. How dare she give me this?

Nonetheless, I folded the white sheet of paper two times before stuffing it into my Nike drawstring backpack.

We had a few minutes to waste before first period ended, so I got up and dragged a chair along with me over to her desk. Upon hearing it drop to the ground, only a few feet away from her, McClain twisted her swivel chair around to face me.

"May I help you?" she asked, grinning up at me. As I took a seat, I gave a smile to her and the few people who had their eyes on me. I do this every day. They should be used to it by now.

"Just wanted to say hi," I told her, leaning to rest my chin on my hand.

"Well, hello," she said laughing, giving her attention to the little Post-it note she had in front of her. On it were the names of people who neglected to turn in last night's homework. I was not one of those people. Her class is the only class I give a consistent effort with involving homework and such.

Good grades mean impressing her - and I don't know if you've noticed, but impressing people and making them proud to know me is something I strive for daily. Well - it's not a set goal, but more of a side mission.

Plus, I really wanted to do her.

No, she wouldn't be the first teacher I slept with, but...I don't know. I didn't care about the others as much as I did about her. Maybe because I have told her so much about my life. She's close to knowing everything about me.