Imagines with Ben Fankhauser (REQUESTS OPEN AND REALLY NEEDED!)

The editor (pt 2)

I had yet another dream about my teacher last night. I know its wrong, i mean hes gotta be like 10, 15 years older than me. Anywho, in my dream i stayed after again to help Mr. Fankhauser with his novel. He hasnt yet shared with me every detail of what its going to be about, but i imagine its a romance novel about a shy girl and an older man who simply cares about her like shes never been cared for before. I had another session with him after school today and decided id dress up some. If it were a boy at school i were impressing, i might go with my purple mini skirt and white crop top, but this is a man. And a man that listens to 60s music i should add. I chose my blue blazer and skirt set, channeling my inner Jackie Kennedy. I thought i looked good and i hoped to get a compliment out of my teacher.

4th period rolled around and as usual i was first in my seat. Mr Fankhauser looked up from his papers and flashed me a smile, surely causing my cheeks to go rosy before he turned his attention back to his work. I tried not to stare as to not give my feelings away, but he looked great. Not to mention he was wearing a blue tie, matching my outfit. Its like it was fate.

"Okay everyone, i expect everyone to study the characters tonight for our othello test in 2 days. You guys have the plot down but you need to make sure you have the deeper understanding of everyone, and try to get that vocabulary memorized! Have a good day" he exclaimed as the bell rung. He motioned for me to come to his desk.

"Y/N, i know i said i would have you home by 4 today but i have an excellent idea so it might be longer. Is that okay?"

"Yep! See you at 2:30!" I said, hoping it didnt come out as the squeal I imagined as i left for my next class. Had i stayed much longer i mightve burst, I love getting to spend more time with him.

My next classes flew by, and before i knew it I was walking back to the blue mustang in the parking lot. Mr.Fankhauser turned on the radio and began to sing along, our usual routine. Today, while he was driving, I guess he was reaching for the gear shift or something because surely he didnt mean it, but he placed his hand just above my knee. It was just a second, but it felt so nice. I felt my body tense and butterflies erupt in my stomach.

"Sorry about that" he said, moving to the gear shift.

"No, no, its okay."

"I thought you looked really nice today, very Kennedy. Did you have a presentation or something?"

"Oh, uh, no. I just thought id dress up a little."

"Oh, well. You looked nice."

He seemed nervous or something, probably just awkward after grabbing my leg. We pulled into his driveway and i rushed inside to get started.

"So, this excellent idea of yours?"

"Right, well, um, nevermind it's probably stupid"

"We'll never know until you say it"

I inched my chair closer to his, hoping to get a glance of his notes. He closed the book before i could make out any of the words he scratched out, and he stood up quickly, sheilding his face with his hands.

"I dont know if i can continue allowing you to be my editor"

My heart sunk. "Oh...did i do something wrong? I didnt mean to over step or anything i was just tryi-"

"No, y/n. You didnt do anything wrong. Its all my fault."

"I mean im sure we can work past it, the first chapter is coming along really nicely and your writing is just beautiful."

"Y/n, go get back in the car. I have to take you home now." His voice was sharp and unforgiving.

I obeyed, hesitantly, as tears began to roll down my face.  I wiped them before he could get in the car, turning my body away from him.

"Im really sorry."

"For what?"

"I know you were really excited about working on this, and im sorry for yelling."

I nodded my head, still turned away from him.

"Y/n, would you please look at me?"

I slowly turned, forgetting to dry the tear stains on my cheek.

"Y/n...I-I-Im so sorry I never meant to-"

He pulled the car into a nearby parking lot, giving me his full attention.

"Y/n, I dont want to make this awkward. I really dont. I love having you as a student and I loved having you to help me write. The problem is, though, I think if i spend much more time around you, I'm going to start loving you as more than a student or co-writer."

"W-what?" I said, looking back up towards his face.

"Im sorry, i shouldnt have said anything. Just forget what i said. I can get the office to move you to another english class and we can both just-"

I interrupted his rant, grabbing his hand in mine. I just stared at him for a minute, his face had gone completely pale and his body frozen except his left knee bobbing up and down. Eventually i just started to giggle.

"Are you serious?"

"Y/n, please just forget it. I know i just made this whole thing so inconvenient and-"

I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, unsure of what his reaction would be. Id hoped it would be a happy one, maybe a smile or a kiss back.

"Y/n, what are you doing."

"Wow, no wonder you needed someone to analyze situations"

"What do you mean?"

"Well ive kinda had a crush on you for...oh, i dont know....the entire school year."

"Y/n, I could lose my job. I could go to jail."

"I dont need anything to be public. Besides, im 18, and school will be out in 8 weeks."

He threw his head back and groaned.

"Ugh, youre gonna get me in so much trouble."

He started the car again and began to drive back to my house. This time, Im pretty sure he meant it when he put his hand on my knee. We pulled into my driveway probably 15 minutes later, and it was the best 15 minute drive id had in my life.

"Sooo....does this mean...?"

"Still come after school. We'll continue to work on the book, and we'll see what happens."

My face lit up and a huge smile spread from cheek to cheek.

"Okay! See you tomorrow, Mr. Fankhauser!"

"Hey! If you think anything is gonna happen here i cnat have you call me that outside of class! Its weird!" He shouted out as i was closing my car door. I turned back around and walked to the drivers side of his car.

"Bye, Ben."

He just smiled and shook his head, rolling his eyes. As he backed out of the driveway, my heart was pounding. These next 8 weeks could not go by soon enough.