I stare back at my teacher petulantly, tapping my pencil rather saucily against my desk. He gazes back at me, a slight smile curling around the corners of his mouth.
"As I was saying." He raises an eyebrow at me. "Between the years of 1585 and 1592 we know nothing for certain about what Shakespeare was really up to. These were his 'lost years'. So, your assignment is to write me a paper about what you think he was doing. Use your imagination but stay within the bounds of reality please. No papers saying the guy was abducted by aliens or any of that crap."
The class titters but I refuse to smile when Michael shoots another glance at me. Seriously, who does he think he is?? Sending me a flirty text and kissing me on the fucking forehead?? Maybe I won't write his stupid paper.
When the bell rings I grab my stuff and start to shuttle past when Michael stops me, taking my arm gently.
"You okay?"
I refuse to look at his handsome face. I don't like you. AndI don't like how cute you look in those khaki's and plaid button-down shirt and that fawn colored vest. Not at all.
"I'm fine." I pull my arm away and look at his shoes. Damn, even his shoes are pretty.
"Taryn, are you upset about the other night? My bringing you home?"
When I still refuse to look at him, he takes my chin in his hand and raises it up. My eyes slowly rise to his and my breath catches. Oh, his eyes. His beautiful fucking blue eyes. I could drown in them.
"No..." I finally find my voice and he lowers his hand. "I've just had a bad day so far. That's all."
He nods, perching on the edge of his desk. "Bad days suck. I certainly know that." He gives me a tired smile. "Okay, I won't keep you, I was just worried when I didn't see your pretty smile. It's the highlight of my day." He gives me a wink and stands up, walking me to the door.
Holy crap. I'm the highlight of his day! I somehow manage to leave the room and walk dreamily to my next class.
◆◆◆
At the end of the day I find Patrick in the gym, lifting weights. I wasn't able to spend any time with Ryan because he went on a field trip for his botany class. But in a way that’s okay because then Kim doesn’t have another reason to not speak to me today.
Patrick smiles when I come into the gym and shows off for a bit, flexing his sweaty muscle for me. Actually, he's sweaty all over, his brown hair wet and hanging over his slick red face.
Patrick is wearing his workout gear, a mesh sleeveless tank and gym shorts. He looks good, aside from the gross sweat. He'll make someone a nice boyfriend. Just not me.
"Baby, check this out." He comes over to me, flexing his bicep. "Feel that. Rock hard. Iron, baby."
I don't want to touch his clammy skin but I sort of poke at the muscle. "Awesome!" I smile tightly. "Um, Pat, can we talk?"
"Sure, babe!" He grabs a towel and leads me out of the gym into the deserted hallway. "But first, a kiss."
I try to dodge him but grabs me by the chin, harder than Michael did, and plants a big kiss on my lips.
"So, what's up?" He runs the towel over his damp hair and under his hairy pits.
I stare up at him. I've never done this before. Guys have sure done it to me, but I've never had to hurt someone like this and suddenly I want to cry. Patrick looks so sweet and boyish right now, his dark brown eyes gazing down at me, a half smile on his lips.
I take a deep breath. "We have to break up."
He jolts back, like I've just stabbed him with a knife. "What?"
I wince, taking his big hands in mine. "I'm sorry. It just isn't working for me. I mean, you're sweet and nice, and we've had a lot of fun -"
Patrick yanks his hands from mine and backs away a few steps. "What...what are you talking about, Taryn? We love each other! Is this about the stupid YouTube channel? Because if it is, I'll tell Jason we have to take it down. I promise."
I shake my head and put my hand to the back of my neck, which is aching from tension. "No, it's not the channel, Patrick. It's us. We just don't work. I'm not the girl for you. You want physical stuff and I'm just not ready. I need more than that."
He huffs a big sigh and thins his lips. I can tell he's getting mad. Really mad. He glares down at me.
"Well, fuck that!" he shouts, his voice reverberating off the cinder block walls. "Fuck that, and fuck you!"
"Pat..." I reach out to touch him but he moves further away.
"No! Don't fucking touch me! You know, I coulda gone out with anyone, I coulda had any girl but I picked you! What a dumb ass I am! I thought you were the perfect girl. Perfect girl who won't even put out! You suck!"
I stand there silently, letting him spew his fury.
"Your loss, bitch!" He looks at me like he wants to slam my head into the wall.
"Yep, I'm sure you're right." I turn away and suddenly I'm grabbed from behind and find myself pinned against the wall by Patrick's massive frame.
"Let me go!" I try to scream but he has his hand around my throat, his furious face against mine.
"You're a fucking tease, Taryn!" He pushes himself hard against me and I can't believe the asshole even has a hard on. I never thought he'd do this, get this rough with me. I need to get my knee between his legs somehow but he's
