I moan and put my hand to my eyes. I hope I don't hurl. I'd never be able to face him again!
Mr. Hayes stands up and motions to the coffee table. "I put the Ibuprofen right next to your glass. Try to take a couple soon. You're gonna be hurtin' in the morning. I hate to leave you, but I really need to get back to Jason's and check on the others. Get some sleep if you can."
Then he leans down and smooths the hair back from my head and gently presses his lips to my forehead.
Ohhhhh... he has the softest lips! I knew he would! Somehow a kiss on the forehead seems so much hotter than one on my lips.
I close my eyes and then he's gone. I wonder if he was ever even there?
Chapter Five
I wake up with a head ache. And that is putting it mildly. I feel like my brain is going to burst from my eyeballs into a bloody mass of goo. That thought makes me want to hurl but thankfully it passes. I lie still on the couch and moan, putting my hand over my eyes. What happened last night? Did Mr. Hayes really carry me into my house and kiss my forehead? Oh my God! I'm hot for my teacher! I'm going to hell!
"How you feeling?"
Mom is beside me, gently stroking my hair.
"Ugghhhh..." Is that a word?
She laughs softly and sits down in the easy chair next to the couch.
"Well, it was quite a shock to come home last night and find my daughter throwing up in a bucket. Not really a sight a parent wants to see."
I lower my hand and give her a quick look. She's smiling though, so I don't think she's completely pissed.
"I'm sorry, Mom." There's a really gross sour taste in my mouth. The bucket beside me is empty and clean, which is good. I don't think I could have handled seeing what came up during the night.
"Well, all's well that ends well. I'm just glad you made it home safe and sound. Did someone bring you home? Patrick?"
I struggle to sit up a little and wince. There's a sledgehammer in my head.
"I think my English teacher brought me home."
Mom's eyebrows shoot up. "What? There was a teacher at this party?!"
"He just came to check on everyone, he's really nice that way. He wasn't partying with us or anything."
"Thank God for that." Mom still looks a little shocked. "I hate to leave you, Taryn, but I have two open houses today. I should be home by four. Will you be alright?"
"I'll be fine, Mom." It's not like I'm not used to taking care of myself after all. I practically live here alone most of the time.
Mom stands and strokes my head again.
"You have my cell number, so you can text me anytime. I've brought you some orange juice, it might help. Feel better, darling."
After Mom leaves, I just sit there for a bit and make myself drink a little juice. I think about watching Netflix but the effort of reaching for the remote seems like too much work
My phone chimes and I've got a text. Groaning, I grab my phone and open the text. I sit up, ignoring my whirling head. It's from Mr. Hayes!
"Hey, Taryn! Just checking to see if you're still alive. I hope you aren't feeling too bad. Remember to drink plenty of water, take some more Ibuprofen and make yourself eat some breakfast. I promise it works. - yes, I speak from experience! Take it easy, sweetie!"
It's signed "Michael" not Mr. Hayes. Michael. Like an angel from Heaven.
I lean against the back of the couch and say his name out loud.
"Michael." And he called me 'sweetie'!
Before I can send a reply my phone chimes again. Another text. But it's not Michael this time, it's Ryan.
I frown. Ryan. Hmmm. Damn, I am lusting after Michael but I am also wanting Ryan. This is complicated. I look down at Ryan's text.
"Awesome day today! Lots of sun and warm temps. Wanna play some tennis? Or frisbee? We can do Ultimate!"
The last thing I want to do right now is sports. But I hesitate before responding, remembering Ryan's irritation about the party. I tap out a response.
"Can't. I'm not feeling very well." I add a sad face and hit send.
Now for Michael. What does one text to their super-hot teacher when they've just called you "sweetie"? Something like, 'I love you too, hot stuff!'? Probably not. Play it cool, Taryn, play it cool.
I write: "Feeling kind of lousy, thank you so much for bringing me home last night." I pause, then either bravely or stupidly, I put, 'Love, Taryn'.
As soon as I send it my stomach lurches, and not from the alcohol. I shouldn't have said 'love'. Oh God, what will he think about that????
Ding! Another text. Ryan again.
"Bummer! Party I'm guessing. Okay, well maybe you'll feel better later and I can come over and keep you company."
I smile. Dear, sweet Ryan. I quickly send another text, telling him I'd love it if he comes over later. And I mean it. Mr. Hayes – Michael - is sexy as hell but Ryan is the one I actually have a chance with. The one I've been crushing on for so long.
There's no response text from Michael, which bums me out. But what did I expect? The guy isn't going to go around texting mushy love stuff to his students after all. He could get in serious trouble.
Pushing that disturbing thought aside, I force myself up from the couch to go make some breakfast.
◆◆◆
A bit later I don't feel as horrible and decide to go lay out. That turns out to be a stupid idea
