I put my hand to my mouth and push back the thought. No, I'm crazy. He wouldn't want me. Not for real, right?? I mean, he's a teacher! And it's probably illegal or something. Or immoral. Yes, immoral. That's what it is.
Maybe that's what makes me want it so bad.
Michael comes back, his face clearly flustered. "Sorry. Uh..." He runs two hands through his hair and looks at me distractedly. "I should really run you back to the school to get your car. You feel better now?"
I nod numbly and stand up. He takes my hand in his and we go out to his car like we're actually together or something.
◆◆◆
Michael stops me before I get out of his car at school. "You sure you're okay now? I didn't mean to rush you out or anything...it's just..." He glances at his phone. I get it. Stupid Ava.
"No, it's fine, I understand." I grab my back pack and open my door just as he lays a hand on my thigh.
"Taryn..."
I stare at his hand; I can't fucking breathe. His hand. On my thigh. I can feel the warm pressure of his palm.
Finally, I look up at him and he's giving me a little, kind of wistful smile. And then he leans over and kisses me, on the corner of my mouth. It's a very tiny kiss and he pulls back and looks away from me. But it's a real kiss. I can feel that.
"You better go." His voice is very quiet and firm.
I start to get out of his car.
"You can text."
I stare down at him and his blue eyes are round and earnest. I feel my heart swell. My lips slide into a grateful, happy smile and I give him a little wave, flushing as I watch him pull away.
I love my teacher. I can barely process the thought, but it's there. It's there and it's true and my insides are a mass of jelly. I want to cry I'm so happy.
But Ryan...
Fuck. This isn't right. I'm not supposed to love my teacher. I'm supposed to love the boy my own age, the one I've been crushing on since I was a little kid, the one I've just dumped my boyfriend for.
I have to go home. I'll be able to think clearer there. In my bathtub, with the bubbles and the warmth, I'll be able to figure it out all out.
I slowly unlock my car and then I look up. Manny is standing just a few yards away, leaning against his car, glaring at me with his dark brown eyes. He's seen everything.
Chapter Eight
I'm staring at Manny and he's staring at me, and neither of us are happy. I walk over to him slowly, clutching my keys in my hand.
"It's not what you think-" I begin.
"Right!" He smiles and shakes his head. "It's never what a person thinks, is it? So, you and Hayes? Seriously?"
I want to slug him. Why was he even still at school at this hour? Was he freaking spying on me or something??
"I told you, there's nothing going on. He just gave me a ride back to school."
"Back to school from where?" Manny's mouth twists into a smirk. "From his place?"
"Fuck you, Manny!" I turn to walk away.
"I heard what Patrick did. Coach put him on suspension, for the next two matches. I saw your car was still in the lot and I got worried. Searched all over for you and was just getting ready to leave when you drove up with Hayes."
I look back at Manny over my shoulder.
"You were worried?"
He nods and shrugs. "Yeah. I also punched Pat in the face, so next time you see him he might look a little different."
"Thanks. I guess." I turn back to him, not sure what else to say.
"But I see I didn't need to worry after all."
"Nothing happened." I insist.
"He fucking kissed you!" Manny exclaims, his eyebrows raising. "I saw the whole thing, Taryn. I saw our English Lit teacher kiss you right on the mouth in his car. God knows what I didn't see."
This is so not the day for him to be doing this to me. All I want is to hop into my car and fucking leave.
"Which is none of your freaking business, Manny!" I shout at him. "You don't even like me, so what do you care?"
"Who says I don't like you?" He shoots back, closing the distance between us. "You annoy the shit out of me but I've never said I didn't like you. Or if I did, I don't remember it."
"Oh my God!" I point my keys in his face. "You treated me like shit today in front of your crappy friends! You laughed at me, and made fun of me!"
Manny knocks my hand away. "You were flirting in front of my crew, in front of Gina, what did you expect me to do? Bow down and worship at your stuck-up feet?"
It's too much. His anger and the look of disgust on his face send me over the edge. I start to cry again, covering my face with one hand.
"You were so nice to me yesterday, I thought...I thought..."
"You thought we were friends?" Manny laughs and I hit him hard on the chest.
"I hate you!" I hit him again and he just stands there and takes it. "You're a real piece of shit, you know that?! I should quit right now; I can't stand the thought of working with you anymore. I wish you'd just disappear!"
I reach up to slap his face this time and he grabs my hand and then grabs me and the next thing I know his mouth is on mine and he's kissing me, holding me tightly against his rock-hard frame.
The kiss goes on forever and it's not a mean kiss, or a rough kiss, just a longing kiss, his lips exploring mine, his tongue caressing the
