boston {h.s.}

dix-huit.*

"YOU COMING OVER soon?" On the other end of the phone, Asher sounds distracted. In the background, I can hear the unmistakable sound of an aggressive chopping. That alone indicative enough that he is cooking. Out of the two of us, Asher is more handy in the kitchen. Though, out of the two of us, Asher is the one that hates being there. Cooking is always a bore for him. Ironically enough, it can never manage to keep his interest in the way that a riveting documentary can.

I told myself that I wouldn't stay at school too late today, but the setting sun outside is begging to differ. A purple glow hangs over the city as the moon begins to dominate the sky. Closing in on six in the evening, I still show no sign of preparing to leave any time soon. Instead, I remain firmly planted in place with a red pen caught between my teeth as I pore over student essays from The Great Gatsby. Today marked the end of our study on the novel and, accordingly, this assignment was due. As a teacher I like to get essays back as soon as possible—keeping the information fresh on their mind as well as beneficial to them. They're not going to learn from something that they see as outdated.

My response is a sigh as I pull the pen from my mouth, aggressively clicking it out of my own frustration. "Ash, I'm still grading. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Theoretically, I can be productive outside of my work environment, outside of my classroom. After all, Asher and I frequently go to The Hideout to do work together. I bring papers to grade at Bruins games, and I love nothing more than sitting down with a glass of wine on the couch in our living room as I begin to sift through student assignments. All that being said: all bets are off at Asher's place. Once there, a sort of spell is cast over me and all I can think of is seducing this man. The effect of his apartment over me is inexplicable. Accordingly, I know that I cannot go there until my work for the day is done.

"Want me to save something for you?"

"You're sweet," I coo, my bottom lip pouting outward as I grab a new paper from the pile and position it in front of me. The stack of papers is still at least ten essays thick. All of this time spent correcting essays and I'm still only halfway done. The thought is a bit uninspiring. "I think I'll just pick something up on the way. I'll be fine."

"Okay," his agreement comes slowly, hesitantly. I can tell that he is not convinced. "But if you're not here by seven thirty I'm going to the school and dragging you out of there. They won't care if they don't have their essays back tomorrow."

"They might not, but I will."

From just the echoing sound of his groan, I can tell that he is rolling his eyes at me—rather nonplussed by my lame attempt at humor. "Margeaux, I'm being serious."

"Alright, alright," I concede. Times like these, I am overwhelmed by my love for him. His obvious care for me is tangible. He preoccupies himself with my wellbeing in a way that I've never really experienced with anyone who isn't strictly related to me before. In instances such as these, shame is equally consuming. It is with a remarkable and swift ease that I find myself able to disregard the ferocity of his love as I instead floor the pedal of Harry's car without a seatbelt on. I've never known myself to be one for danger, but there is something about Harry that makes the word so sweet. "That sounds like a plan. I'll see you later."

"I'll let you get back to work," he allows and in the background I can hear something sizzle as he drops it in a pan. "Bye, babe. I love you."

"I love you, too," I echo before ending the call. Once the line clicks dead, I place my phone face down on the desk beside me, intent on making the most of the next ninety minutes before I am forcefully removed from my position at my desk. If there are eleven papers left to grade—including this newest one set in front of me—I have approximately eight minutes to dedicate to each of the papers in the stack. Obviously, that is not nearly enough time, but I plan on making the most of it for the time being.