Mr. Mendes

chapter 6 - storm clouds

I walked into English with a huge smile branded my face, possibly because of the budding romance between myself and a man whom I had drooled over for so long. As I took my seat, Hannah noticed my outlandish smile.

"What's gotten into you?" She asked, matching my smile, while whispering loudly.

"Oh it's nothing!" I replied, trying to shrug her off, because who's going to announce in class,

"hey, I kissed my teacher last night!"

Hannah furrowed her brows so tightly that they almost became knitted together.

"You seriously think I'm gonna let you not tell me, after 10 years of friendship", she says jokingly, "I've seen you in pyjamas, food all over your top, while having the messiest hair known to man! So come on, spill!"

I glanced over to Mr. Mendes and I could have sworn he was listening in; he had a huge smile on his face, I guess he was picturing me when I looked like a homeless man.

"I, um, got my mock exam back for german." I lied.

"And?"

"I got an A*!"

"Oh my gosh that's amazing!" She squealed, once again bringing the attention of Mr. Mendes back toward us. Hopefully she bought it.

"Ladies, can you quiet down, class will be starting shortly." He says sternly, firmly opposing the soft, sweet personality that he showed last night.

Just before he turned back to the board, he flashed me a cheeky smile, as if to make sure I knew he was just putting on a front for my classmates and to let me know that I hadn't actually annoyed him.

After another 50 minutes of Mr. Mendes' usual lesson plan, class was soon over and we were instructed to pack our things away. Obviously, I did so slowly to extend the limited amount of time I could spend with him.

While I was focused on sluggishly putting my pencils into their case, I heard a male voice. Sadly the voice wasn't that of my teacher, but Jack's.

"Hey Eleanor, I was just wondering whether we could talk about the project for history."

This again

"Um sure, what time? I might be busy." I replied, discreetly looking over to Mr. Mendes while trying to read his face, I could see he had become a little less comfortable but nothing out of the ordinary.

"I was thinking maybe 6 at my house?" He asked, seeming hopeful that I would agree.

"That should be okay, I'll see you then!" I said quickly, trying to terminate this awkward conversation.

"Great, thank you."

He did seem genuinely grateful, whether that was for the help with history or me agreeing to come to his home, I couldn't figure out why. He quickly exited the room after slinging his rucksack over one shoulder.

As the door closed over I let out a sigh and turned towards Mr. Mendes.

Whilst mine and Jack's conversation was underway, he must have busied himself with marking our papers.

"Hey." I mused quietly, trying to bring his attention towards me

Nothing.

Time to turn this up a notch.

I lightly placed my palm on his shoulder, only to be returned with the swift movement of him pulling away.

What was his game?

"Shawn, I'm sorry, what was I supposed to say?" I asked getting slightly irritated

He was still grading papers, not even bothering to look at me.

"Well, if you're gonna be like this then I'm just gonna leave, and you can grade papers all on your lonesome." I retorted, turning towards the door.

Suddenly there were two strong arms at my waist, pulling me down onto the lap of the body that the arms belonged to.

Shawn let out a loud laugh. He snuggled his face into the crook of my neck.

"You're so gullible." He whispered into my ear between laughs.

"God how did I fall for that?" Turning around to straddle him, making us obtain eye contact for the first time in a while

"I don't know, it must be my magical powers of persuasion."

"Hmm, we'll have to see about that. This isn't Harry Potter." I said jokingly but pausing for a while afterwards, "You are okay with me going to Jack's though aren't you?"

"Of course I am, I can't tell you where you can and can't go," he said reassuringly, "but I would be careful."

"How come?" I asked, feeling perplexed

"You're gonna be alone with a teenage boy." He said laughing

"The most gruesome monster of them all!"

"You know what, you should have my number in case you do wanna come home early, I can give you a lift." He kindly offered

"Okay, give me your phone."

Once he does I enter my number and give him back his iPhone. As I do, the bell rings.

"See you soon Mendes, can't be late, punctuality is key to a great education!" I said teasingly, walking towards the door.

"Text me when you get to Jack's." He hummed while watching me leave.

As I pulled the door open he gave me a light smile and a small wave goodbye, then slowly he turned his attention back to grading papers while I exited the classroom and walked back out onto the corridor.