A Student / Teacher Relationship, chapter 2
Still My POV:
I arrived late to lunch as I always do and found my lunch buddies eating and having a good time.
"Hi! Where were you?" Nick asked greeting my arrival. "Are you ok?" Oh my god does he know? How could he? I sat down trying to avoid any real eye contact.
"Becky? I know you like to do that whole lipstick thing, but aren't you taking it a bit far?" my friend, Katie said pointing to my lips.
"What do you mean?" I questioned, scrunching my eyebrows. I can hear giggles and snickers from my friends all around me. I reached for my make-up mirror to see what was so funny... Oh fuck! My perfect red lips I started out with this morning, now looked like the artwork of a drunken rodeo clown. It was horribly smudged, there was lipstick all around my lips except on my lips.
"What were you doing?" Nick chimed in.
"Were you giving your teacher head again?" Our metro-friend, Josh yelled. I flashed him a dirty look, but that failed to stop the contagious laughter.
"I better...um..go." I slid away, then ran to the bathroom down the hall. Wow for once there isn't a soul in here.Must be my lucky day, among others... I washed off the lipstick and threw some water on my face. Being alone, the reality of what just happened to me flooded back, hitting me hard. So many questions running through my head. I slumped down against the wall and hid my face in my hands. What just happened? Did that really happen? If so, why did he do that? It couldn't have happened. It's impossible. Amazing things like this don't happen to me.
BJ's POV:
I watched Rebecca run out of my classroom. I don't blame her for that, but I was hoping for a different reaction. Damn, why did I do that? I know planning on telling her how I feel was all hear say & 'what if?' talk, but kissing her? Oh yeah that's real suddle! Oh you got an A, now I'm going to shove my tongue down your throat! What was I thinking? I sunk into my chair, laying my head down on my desk. My next class is in a half hour. How can I teach with this on my mind? Shit....Is she going to tell someone? It was worth it though cuz that kiss confirmed that what I feel is real and I think she felt something too.
My POV:
The rest of the day was a blur. As soon as I got home, I locked myself in my room. If anyone was to come by, I would simply say I was tired and it would be left at that. I must have stayed up half the night trying to distract myself unitl I drifted off to sleep....But wait, what am I going to do 5th period tomorrow?
***
"You don't have a fever," said my mom withdrawing her hand from my forehead.
"But I really hurt!" I gasped, clutching my side. Then for an extra effect, I squeezed out a tear.
"Take some tylenol and get dressed."
"But mom!" I protested, abruptly sitting up in my bed.
"But nothing, you're going to school today," she replied walking out of my room. There's nothing else I can do, so I got dressed.
I'm dreading going to school today, because I know I have to see him. What should I do? Should I skip class? No, we have a test today and if I missed that, I would have to come and meet with him privately to take it.
***
Nick leaned across the aisle of desks and tapped on mine, waking me up from my daydream I was having of Mr. Armstrong.
"What happened yesterday?" he whispered, making sure he didn't catch our teacher's attention.
"Oh it was nothing. I was just tired." I answered flashing him a fake smile. He didn't give up though.
"But why was your lipstick all like that?" he gestured to his mouth.
"Can you please drop it?!" I yelled, slamming my fists down on my desk, glaring at him. I looked around the room to see everyone looking at me.
"Rebecca, is there something you wanted to contribute to our conversation?" Mrs. Miller asked, adjusting her glasses.
"Umm...no, I'm sorry that won't happen again."
"No it won't. because you just volunteered to act out the second act of 'Julius Caesar'."
"I what?"
"Let's give her a hand to encourage her," Mrs. Miller grinned a yellow smile, steadily clapping her hands. Slowly, one by one, the class joined her. I shrunk to about 6 inches tall as I made my way to the front of the room. "Well we're waiting..." So I cleared my throat and began.
I had to act out every part! As soon as the bell rang, I sprinted back to my desk. You'd think experiencing one of the most humilating moments of my life, my friend would try to help me. What does Nick do? He gloats. I return to my desk with him beaming, holding up a pen and paper.
"Gosh! Cccan-eh-I-have-ya-your-auto-grrraph?! Ple-ple-please?!"
"Shut up!" I pushed his head. He followed me out of the classroom and gently punched me in the arm.
"You are going to tell me what's up later. K? Bye."
"Sure," I waved goodbye and headed towards my second class. I just underwent a traumatizing event that only occupied my thoughts all for 5 minutes unitl I was back on the upcoming events of 5th period.
***
The end of 4th period bell just rang and I am definitely going to take my time getting to class. No rush to awkwardness...
I arrive with only a minute to spare. Everyone'ss in their seats and he's leaning against his desk with a stack of papers that I'll assume are the tests.We made brief eye contact as I hurried to my seat. Damn, he looks better than yesterday.
20 minutes later after he passed out the tests, I walked up and placed my paper on his desk in front of him. He looked up to see who was already done. Once he saw it was me, he forced a grin. "Thank you," he whispered, adjusting my paper for no apparent reason at all.
I sat back down, got out my iPod, and pretended I was asleep.
***
During the last 10 minutes of class, I was counting down and planning my escape route. All of the tests were turned in, so Mr. Armstrong struck up some casual conversation. I paused my iPod to hear what he was saying.
"So was it hard?" he questioned, looking across the room, pausing on me, and continuing on. "Bring your books tomorrow. We're starting a new chapter on WW1." There was some 'oks' and nods and most carried on with their other conversations. I thought that was the end of it, but then a girl who looks like she lives in Hollister, walks up to him.
"Hey like Mr. Armstrong?" she said, flipping her blonde hair back.
"Yeah Jamie?" Mr. Armstrong answered turning around.
"Um, I was like wondering if I could like come in afterschool and maybe you could like help me with the like chapter?"
"I would, but we haven't even started the chapter." he said crossing his arms. I could tell she was trying to think of a good excuse. Why should I care?
Yesterday was a mistake, right? Even though I don't care, apart of me still feels a little jealous that Jamie's flirting with him. After what seems like a very long time by conversation standards, she finally comes up with an answer.
"Well, I always like extra help," Holy shit did she just wink?
"Jamie, how about... We start the chapter and if you need help, I'll match you up with Adam as a tutor." A look of disgust flashed across her face, and frankly I don't blame her. Sure Adam is probably the smartest kid in our class, but he is awful to be around. Everything about him screams pyscho killer. You can't eat anything around him without having to vomit, because he'll tell you what it came from. Not to mention he's a total perve.
"I think I'll be fine on my own," Jamie said, walking back to her desk, looking disappointed.
***
Yes! 5-4-3-2-1. Run! From being all the way in the back, I was a sure front runner out the door. My foot crossed the barrier. Yay! Home free!
"Rebecca? Can I see you for a moment?" Mr. Armstrong called from behind a pack of students. Shit! I turned around and tried to make my way back inside.
"Rebecca, we need to talk about yesterday," he said closing the door behind the last student. Damn him! Why does he have to look so good?
"No, I don't, no I don't think we need to talk about that. I understand."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you thought I was someone else or toxic fumes came through the AC. Ya know the school's so cheap," I slid past him and had my hand on the door knob.
"No, wait, you don't understand," he said putting his hand on my shoulder, turning me around to face him. "I did what I did, because I freaked."
"You freaked? About what?"
"You."
"Oh that's comforting."
"No, it's not like that. Ever since you walked into my classroom, I thought you were.....special. I know that sounds lame, but there's something about you..."
"Ok what does this have anything to do about yesterday?"
"I'm getting to that. Remember the day you accidentally left your notebook here?"
"Yeah but I don't see how-"
"Please don't get mad at me, but I read some of your poems," Oh god! He read those?! They were really personal. Personal like he was the last one I wanted to see them.
"You did?" I squeaked.
"Yeah and I have to say they were really good. I didn't know anyone else felt the same way as I do sometimes....And that's what sealed it for me."
"What? That I'm a depressing freak?"
"No, that I like you a lot," he breathed as he stared into my eyes. "So I have to know. Do you feel the same way or are you going to press charges?"I was absolutely speechless. How do you respond to a dream come true? I have to give him an answer, but I can't seem to swallow the huge lump in my throat.
"Ar-are you sure?"
"Yes!" he smiled looking relieved. Right then and there I would have jumped into his arms and try to live happily ever after. Mr. Armstrong being my teacher wasn't stopping me, nor the fact he's more than twice my age. His only major flaw was that he was...
"But you're married?" I said pointing to the ring on his finger.
"...True... But I feel like it's been over. I love my kids, I always will, But Adrienne and I... It's like we're not there for eachother anymore." Is he for real? Could he really be telling me the truth? "Well?" I know I should just do the right thing and get as far away as I can from him, but I don't care. I can't say anything though. I just stared into those big, green eyes.
"I see..." He whispered turning away from me. No! Wait! I gotta do something!
"Wait!" I blurted and grabbed his hand. As soon as he turned back towards me, I pressed my lips hard against his. After kissing for a long time, we pulled apart for a second.
"You scared me for a moment there!" he giggled and we continued on.
"You do know this is crazy right?" I asked.
"Yeah, but....oh well!" he smiled back, shrugging his shoulders. I glaned at the clock... 1:02!
"I have to go." I said pulling away. Good thing I didn't wear lipstick today!
"But why?" he fake whimpered.
"I have to get to physics in a couple minutes."
"Oh yeah I have a class..."
"We're both booked."
"Ok...bye," He grinned leaning in for a goodbye kiss.
"See ya tomorrow Mr. Armstrong." I said pushing on the door handle.
"It's Billie Joe, k?"
"Ok," and I closed the door behind me. I slumped against some lockers, because I needed to absorb what just happened.
"Billie Joe," I sighed grinning to myself. I was forced to get up when I saw a dean at the end of the hall and I didn't want to answer any questions. I had to get to physics anyways.
I arrived late to lunch as I always do and found my lunch buddies eating and having a good time.
"Hi! Where were you?" Nick asked greeting my arrival. "Are you ok?" Oh my god does he know? How could he? I sat down trying to avoid any real eye contact.
"Becky? I know you like to do that whole lipstick thing, but aren't you taking it a bit far?" my friend, Katie said pointing to my lips.
"What do you mean?" I questioned, scrunching my eyebrows. I can hear giggles and snickers from my friends all around me. I reached for my make-up mirror to see what was so funny... Oh fuck! My perfect red lips I started out with this morning, now looked like the artwork of a drunken rodeo clown. It was horribly smudged, there was lipstick all around my lips except on my lips.
"What were you doing?" Nick chimed in.
"Were you giving your teacher head again?" Our metro-friend, Josh yelled. I flashed him a dirty look, but that failed to stop the contagious laughter.
"I better...um..go." I slid away, then ran to the bathroom down the hall. Wow for once there isn't a soul in here.Must be my lucky day, among others... I washed off the lipstick and threw some water on my face. Being alone, the reality of what just happened to me flooded back, hitting me hard. So many questions running through my head. I slumped down against the wall and hid my face in my hands. What just happened? Did that really happen? If so, why did he do that? It couldn't have happened. It's impossible. Amazing things like this don't happen to me.
BJ's POV:
I watched Rebecca run out of my classroom. I don't blame her for that, but I was hoping for a different reaction. Damn, why did I do that? I know planning on telling her how I feel was all hear say & 'what if?' talk, but kissing her? Oh yeah that's real suddle! Oh you got an A, now I'm going to shove my tongue down your throat! What was I thinking? I sunk into my chair, laying my head down on my desk. My next class is in a half hour. How can I teach with this on my mind? Shit....Is she going to tell someone? It was worth it though cuz that kiss confirmed that what I feel is real and I think she felt something too.
My POV:
The rest of the day was a blur. As soon as I got home, I locked myself in my room. If anyone was to come by, I would simply say I was tired and it would be left at that. I must have stayed up half the night trying to distract myself unitl I drifted off to sleep....But wait, what am I going to do 5th period tomorrow?
***
"You don't have a fever," said my mom withdrawing her hand from my forehead.
"But I really hurt!" I gasped, clutching my side. Then for an extra effect, I squeezed out a tear.
"Take some tylenol and get dressed."
"But mom!" I protested, abruptly sitting up in my bed.
"But nothing, you're going to school today," she replied walking out of my room. There's nothing else I can do, so I got dressed.
I'm dreading going to school today, because I know I have to see him. What should I do? Should I skip class? No, we have a test today and if I missed that, I would have to come and meet with him privately to take it.
***
Nick leaned across the aisle of desks and tapped on mine, waking me up from my daydream I was having of Mr. Armstrong.
"What happened yesterday?" he whispered, making sure he didn't catch our teacher's attention.
"Oh it was nothing. I was just tired." I answered flashing him a fake smile. He didn't give up though.
"But why was your lipstick all like that?" he gestured to his mouth.
"Can you please drop it?!" I yelled, slamming my fists down on my desk, glaring at him. I looked around the room to see everyone looking at me.
"Rebecca, is there something you wanted to contribute to our conversation?" Mrs. Miller asked, adjusting her glasses.
"Umm...no, I'm sorry that won't happen again."
"No it won't. because you just volunteered to act out the second act of 'Julius Caesar'."
"I what?"
"Let's give her a hand to encourage her," Mrs. Miller grinned a yellow smile, steadily clapping her hands. Slowly, one by one, the class joined her. I shrunk to about 6 inches tall as I made my way to the front of the room. "Well we're waiting..." So I cleared my throat and began.
I had to act out every part! As soon as the bell rang, I sprinted back to my desk. You'd think experiencing one of the most humilating moments of my life, my friend would try to help me. What does Nick do? He gloats. I return to my desk with him beaming, holding up a pen and paper.
"Gosh! Cccan-eh-I-have-ya-your-auto-grrraph?! Ple-ple-please?!"
"Shut up!" I pushed his head. He followed me out of the classroom and gently punched me in the arm.
"You are going to tell me what's up later. K? Bye."
"Sure," I waved goodbye and headed towards my second class. I just underwent a traumatizing event that only occupied my thoughts all for 5 minutes unitl I was back on the upcoming events of 5th period.
***
The end of 4th period bell just rang and I am definitely going to take my time getting to class. No rush to awkwardness...
I arrive with only a minute to spare. Everyone'ss in their seats and he's leaning against his desk with a stack of papers that I'll assume are the tests.We made brief eye contact as I hurried to my seat. Damn, he looks better than yesterday.
20 minutes later after he passed out the tests, I walked up and placed my paper on his desk in front of him. He looked up to see who was already done. Once he saw it was me, he forced a grin. "Thank you," he whispered, adjusting my paper for no apparent reason at all.
I sat back down, got out my iPod, and pretended I was asleep.
***
During the last 10 minutes of class, I was counting down and planning my escape route. All of the tests were turned in, so Mr. Armstrong struck up some casual conversation. I paused my iPod to hear what he was saying.
"So was it hard?" he questioned, looking across the room, pausing on me, and continuing on. "Bring your books tomorrow. We're starting a new chapter on WW1." There was some 'oks' and nods and most carried on with their other conversations. I thought that was the end of it, but then a girl who looks like she lives in Hollister, walks up to him.
"Hey like Mr. Armstrong?" she said, flipping her blonde hair back.
"Yeah Jamie?" Mr. Armstrong answered turning around.
"Um, I was like wondering if I could like come in afterschool and maybe you could like help me with the like chapter?"
"I would, but we haven't even started the chapter." he said crossing his arms. I could tell she was trying to think of a good excuse. Why should I care?
Yesterday was a mistake, right? Even though I don't care, apart of me still feels a little jealous that Jamie's flirting with him. After what seems like a very long time by conversation standards, she finally comes up with an answer.
"Well, I always like extra help," Holy shit did she just wink?
"Jamie, how about... We start the chapter and if you need help, I'll match you up with Adam as a tutor." A look of disgust flashed across her face, and frankly I don't blame her. Sure Adam is probably the smartest kid in our class, but he is awful to be around. Everything about him screams pyscho killer. You can't eat anything around him without having to vomit, because he'll tell you what it came from. Not to mention he's a total perve.
"I think I'll be fine on my own," Jamie said, walking back to her desk, looking disappointed.
***
Yes! 5-4-3-2-1. Run! From being all the way in the back, I was a sure front runner out the door. My foot crossed the barrier. Yay! Home free!
"Rebecca? Can I see you for a moment?" Mr. Armstrong called from behind a pack of students. Shit! I turned around and tried to make my way back inside.
"Rebecca, we need to talk about yesterday," he said closing the door behind the last student. Damn him! Why does he have to look so good?
"No, I don't, no I don't think we need to talk about that. I understand."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you thought I was someone else or toxic fumes came through the AC. Ya know the school's so cheap," I slid past him and had my hand on the door knob.
"No, wait, you don't understand," he said putting his hand on my shoulder, turning me around to face him. "I did what I did, because I freaked."
"You freaked? About what?"
"You."
"Oh that's comforting."
"No, it's not like that. Ever since you walked into my classroom, I thought you were.....special. I know that sounds lame, but there's something about you..."
"Ok what does this have anything to do about yesterday?"
"I'm getting to that. Remember the day you accidentally left your notebook here?"
"Yeah but I don't see how-"
"Please don't get mad at me, but I read some of your poems," Oh god! He read those?! They were really personal. Personal like he was the last one I wanted to see them.
"You did?" I squeaked.
"Yeah and I have to say they were really good. I didn't know anyone else felt the same way as I do sometimes....And that's what sealed it for me."
"What? That I'm a depressing freak?"
"No, that I like you a lot," he breathed as he stared into my eyes. "So I have to know. Do you feel the same way or are you going to press charges?"I was absolutely speechless. How do you respond to a dream come true? I have to give him an answer, but I can't seem to swallow the huge lump in my throat.
"Ar-are you sure?"
"Yes!" he smiled looking relieved. Right then and there I would have jumped into his arms and try to live happily ever after. Mr. Armstrong being my teacher wasn't stopping me, nor the fact he's more than twice my age. His only major flaw was that he was...
"But you're married?" I said pointing to the ring on his finger.
"...True... But I feel like it's been over. I love my kids, I always will, But Adrienne and I... It's like we're not there for eachother anymore." Is he for real? Could he really be telling me the truth? "Well?" I know I should just do the right thing and get as far away as I can from him, but I don't care. I can't say anything though. I just stared into those big, green eyes.
"I see..." He whispered turning away from me. No! Wait! I gotta do something!
"Wait!" I blurted and grabbed his hand. As soon as he turned back towards me, I pressed my lips hard against his. After kissing for a long time, we pulled apart for a second.
"You scared me for a moment there!" he giggled and we continued on.
"You do know this is crazy right?" I asked.
"Yeah, but....oh well!" he smiled back, shrugging his shoulders. I glaned at the clock... 1:02!
"I have to go." I said pulling away. Good thing I didn't wear lipstick today!
"But why?" he fake whimpered.
"I have to get to physics in a couple minutes."
"Oh yeah I have a class..."
"We're both booked."
"Ok...bye," He grinned leaning in for a goodbye kiss.
"See ya tomorrow Mr. Armstrong." I said pushing on the door handle.
"It's Billie Joe, k?"
"Ok," and I closed the door behind me. I slumped against some lockers, because I needed to absorb what just happened.
"Billie Joe," I sighed grinning to myself. I was forced to get up when I saw a dean at the end of the hall and I didn't want to answer any questions. I had to get to physics anyways.
