Smile For Me (Student/Teacher)

Loving The Skeptic

"Charlie?" I said early in the morning, us lying together in his bed with clothes thrown across the floor.

He grunted in response.

"Do you know why your father left?" I asked shyly, curiosity taking over.

His eyes fluttered open and he looked right at me. "No."

He seemed blunt, so I just held in my questions, knowing it indeed was not the best topic for him.

He reached out and brushed a finger against my eyelashes. "What is it?" He asked with a sad sigh, and I shook my head.

No, I didn't want to bring him down with my questions. He was just so happy, and I didn't want to ruin that. "It's okay, talk to me." He said softly and I felt terrible because I gave into my dangerous curiosity.

"Do you think it's because he didn't love your mom?" I asked quietly.

Suddenly he smirked a little, but it seemed bitter. "I think it's because that jackass didn't believe in love."

I sighed out, thinking of my parents, then he asked. "Do you think your parents did?"

I grinned, "Oh yes. My father was in complete utter and helpless love with my mother. He'd tell me all the time, 'Diana, you're beautiful, just like your beautiful mother.' and 'I still can't believe it was me she loved back.'" I giggled. "They loved each other so much. That's what my brothers would tell me."

He smiled softly at me, touching my hair and I admired his face once more; running my fingers over his stubble. I loved this man, wow.

"Do you think your mother loved him?"

He thought. "I'm sure she thought she did." Then he shrugged, "And maybe she realized it was pointless."

What was?

"What was?" I asked aloud.

"Their relationship."

My insides calmed in relief. Maybe I'd tell him. Maybe he'd love me back. I'm so confident. It was a giddy and happy feeling that came to me, and I was ready to finally hear him say it back. But maybe he wouldn't. I panicked, then backed out.

No, if he didn't then I'd make him. And after all, I was in love with him. That would have to open his eyes to something.

"Do you think she believes?"

"In love? I don't know." He said nonchalantly.

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Believe in love?" I blushed in the dark, feeling embarrassed at the cliché line I'd never thought I'd ever repeat.

"No." He scoffed as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

It was like my whole world collapsed, and my hope vanished into thin air. It shot up with the fireworks and exploded into tiny pieces that would never come back. It felt like he had rejected me, and it's because even if he didn't notice... He had.

What kind of person was I if I believed he'd loved me back? I was a fool. He didn't even believe in the concept, so how on earth could he ever look at me like I looked at him?

No stop, he'll know if you start crying.

I held it in and switched to the most casual subject I could, holding my heavy heart in shaking hands. "Thanks for taking me again." I laughed quietly, knowing how he'd either see through me completely or be oblivious to the pain I so suddenly felt all within two seconds.