Language of Love

Gracias Tibi Ago

I wrap my arms around his neck. He presses his forehead to mine. Our lips touch, his kiss is passionate.

I slowly pull away after a few moments. I feel so safe in his arms. His hands rest on the curve of my back, just above my hips.

"Will you stay? I don't want to be alone." I ask. His eyes soften, sympathy pouring through them.
"Of course. I'll sleep on the couch, do you have an extra blanket?" He asks.
"Yeah, but I'd rather you share mine. Look, I have trust issues, but I have this immense trust for you already. I don't know if it's because you saved my life or if it's because I trust everyone even less and the slightest bit of trust made me need you. But please, stay. I'm not ready for a lot of things.... some of those involving beds, but I want you to stay to be there." I answer.

"Okay. I promise I'm not trying to hurt you." He says. I lean my head against his chest.
"I know."

I show him to my room. He nods.
"Do you mind if I take off my shirt? I don't like to have it on when I sleep." He asks.
"Not at all," I answer. He reaches his left arm back and pulls it off in a swift movement. I stare at his chest. He's got a strong build and the chest of Hercules.
"Is something wrong?" He asks. I giggle.
"No, nothing at all."

I peel back the sheets and he crawls in on the opposite side. I lie away from him, but find myself scooting closer. I feel his skin against mine. I tuck my head under his chin. I take a deep breath, smelling him. His cologne smells amazing. He rubs my back, lulling me to sleep.

I wake up, halfway on top of Fitz. My head rests on his chest, my leg is hiked up above his waistline, my arms are wrapped around his chest. I slam my hand on the alarm.
"Good morning," He says.
"Thank you," I say.
"For what?" He asks.
"This, all of this. Waiting, staying, everything." I say.
     "Of course. Thank you for trusting me." He responds.

"I should go, my roommates might not be up yet." He says.
"Um, my car is still at the school," I mutter.
"I'll drive you. Be ready by 7?" He asks.
"Mhm."

I walk into my bathroom and peel away the bandages. After my shower, I replace them. The nurse taught me how. I pick out a dress that'll cover up the bandages. After putting on my make-up and braiding my hair, I check the time. I still have time for breakfast. I blend myself a protein shake and put it in a bottle.

     Soon, there's a knock at my door. I open it.
     "You ready?" Fitz asks.
     "Yep," I say grabbing my bag. He unlocks his truck and we get in. I like watching him drive. He drives slow, never misses a chance to put on his blinker, and always checks his mirrors. I'm impressed. To be fair, I taught myself to drive while my mother took shots in the passenger seat. That was right after my father's death.

      At lunch, I walk into the teacher workroom. Mr. Coleman sits in a chair eating a tuna sandwich packed with a napkin note from his wife. I smile at the sight, it reminds me of what my mother used to do. She would make my father either tuna salad or egg salad and write him a note every day.
        "Hey," Fitz says from behind me. I smile.
        "Are you two going to sit down or just stare at each other?" Mr. Coleman asks between bites of sand which. I slide into a seat. Fitz pulls out the one next to me. Mr. Marx chuckles.

       The door swings open. I look back to see Courtney.
      "Did you guys hear?" She asks.
      "Hear what?" Fitz asks.
      "The orchestra teacher got fired." She answers.
      "Already? It's like the third day of school." I comment. She nods.
      "What'd she do?" Mr. Coleman asks.
      "I don't know," Courtney responds.
      "I do." A woman's voice says. I look around. I gasp. The Russian teacher sits in a corner.
       "What?" Courtney asks.
       "Porn. I think." She says.
       "Oh...ew. Wait. How long have you been in here?" I ask.
       "The whole time. I watched you stare at his tuna longingly. I watched you two stare at each other with the most sexual tension I've ever seen. I could almost feel it. Then, she busted in." The teacher says.
        "Da hell?" Mr. Marx says.
"I also watched you eat those M&M's and then read the packet, so you put the Oreo's back." She says.

"So anyway, they are calling a few of the interviewees back. I wonder who'll land the job." She says.
"Hm," I mutter.

Fitz leans to me, "We have planning in 6th. Meet me in here." Butterflies fill my stomach. I take a glance at him. He's already facing forward. After lunch, I teach my 5th period.

"Welcome back, guys. Today, we'll be reviewing Present Participles. You should have learned these at the end of the year in Latin II, but if you didn't or if you forgot here's a refresher. I open a slideshow and flip to the third slide. I eventually make it through all 20, with little student participation. After the hallways clear, I make my way to the workroom.

      My heart beats. I'm afraid. I've been trusting him recently. What if he ruins it? I swing open the door and Fitz stands up. He smirks and motions for me to follow him on the opposite side of the vending machine. I walk over to him and he grabs my ribs. He lifts me up in a motion and pins me against the wall. My heart beats. I'm not ready.
       "What are you doing?" I ask.
      "Kissing you." He says. I breathe out a little.
      "Nothing more?" I ask.
      "Not unless you want more. Last night you made the moves, it's my turn. Let me do my thing." He whispers.

       He presses his lips to mine. His hand reaches to just below my butt. He taps lightly, signaling for me to jump on his hips. I hop up and straddle his waist, my weight on his hips. I tighten my legs and he pushes me against the wall some more. His kisses move from my lips to my neck. I small groan escapes my lips. His giggles and continues to kiss me. His hands slide up my torso. They get dangerously close to my breasts, but end up in my hair instead. The danger swings open and slams shut. We pause, being as silent as we can. That's when we realize the kissing sounds weren't coming for us.

     He backs up. I peak my head around the machine. In front of me stands Courtney and a woman making out.
      "Oh my god." I blurt.
      "You're a lesbian?" Fitz blurts from behind me. The women look up. I now recognize the second woman. The Russian teacher....
"Yeah," Courtney mutters, blushing. "I'm not out completely yet. Please don't tell anyone."
"We won't." Fitz answers. I nod in agreement. The Russian teacher cocks her head.
"Mr. Kennedy, you have lipstick all over your face." Ms. Pruitt says. He frantically tries to wipe it off. Courtney gives me a, "really?" look. I give her one right back.

      After a minute of awkward silence, Ms. Pruitt opens her mouth.
     "Clearly, you know me well. Um, call me Devin." She says, "Um, we weren't done, so if you'd like to leave or go back behind the vending machine. We're going to continue."
      "Well, be behind the vending machine." Fitz answers.

      He pushes me back against the wall. I feel his breath on my neck. After I press my lips to his the door swings open again.

       "Da hell?" Comments Mr. Marx when he wanders in. I look up to Fitz who wears the same "Oh shit." Expression. He holds a "shh" finger to his lip and presses his whole body against me. He flattens us beside the vending machine so we're clear from the door. He stands there, holding me. Every breath I breathe in smells like him.