Chemical Attraction (Student/Teacher Relationship)

Chemical Attraction Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

He was beautiful, no doubt about it. His golden-brown hair gently curled down to the nape of his neck, shining in the sun. I imagined how soft it would feel to run my fingers through it, and my hands tingled at the mere thought. He was dressed smart in a blue shirt and tie, but I could still see the muscular definition hinted at underneath. His features were firm, yet still somehow delicate, maybe due to his inviting smile. He was tall too, about a head higher than me, though it was hard to tell as he was leaning casually against the doorway.

But it wasn’t so much his appearance, as his expression. His warm brown eyes sparkled at me with interest, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. I felt breathless and my chest tightened as I took him in. Never before had I experienced a reaction as immense as this towards a guy. My whole body flooded with sparks and my stomach quivered. Suddenly, I felt chastened. ‘Look at yourself, Phoebe! Your family has just died, and here you are checking out a guy! What is wrong with you?’ I tore my eyes away from him and studied the floor, flushing with shame.

“You must be Phoebe Miller,” he continued in that same sexy voice. I nodded my head and scuffed my feet on the ground, fighting the temptation to look at him. Failing miserably, I risked a quick glace in his direction, biting my lip nervously. One of his eyebrows was arched and he was smirking with amusement at my behaviour. He clearly thought I was crazy.

“If you wouldn’t mind following me, the Head would like to speak with you before you get settled in. Don’t worry about your luggage; our handyman will be along shortly to take it to your room.” He turned around and gestured through the door with one hand, holding it open with the other. Mumbling my thanks, I stumbled past him, my knees going slightly weak as I breathed in his scent. He smelt so amazing, yet I couldn’t describe it at all. It was completely unique.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I raised my eyebrows and my jaw slightly dropped. The foyer was grand and majestic with an ornate staircase leading upwards in the middle, its banisters decorated with intricately carved designs.

“Wow, posh much?” I blurted out, immediately blushing furiously. He chuckled loudly, his laughter echoing round the hall.

“I guess so,” he admitted, “I’ve been here so long I don’t really notice it anymore. This way, please.” He led me through an archway to the side and started walking down a long hallway with classroom doors on both sides.

“So are you Head boy or something?” I asked, thinking he was probably in his last year. He laughed even louder this time, his grin showing his even, white teeth and slowly shook his head at me.

“No, I’m a teacher actually. I’ll take that as a compliment though.”

I stopped in my tracks and stared at him in disbelief. ‘No way, he looks so young and is seriously handsome!’ Then it hit me, I was crushing on my teacher! How embarrassing! I shook my head quickly, trying to clear my thoughts as I moved quickly down the hall, trying to catch up.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise,” I muttered. “You look very young for your age...” I trailed off before I said something else really stupid.

“No worries. I guess I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Mr Cooper, but you can call me Jared outside of lessons,” he said, winking at me. Wait, was he flirting with me or just messing about? Before I could puzzle it out, he stopped abruptly outside an oak door, causing me to bump into his back. He snickered slightly and turned to face me, steadying me with his hands on my shoulders. His touch sent little shivers down my spine.

“Well, I hope to see you around school soon. I might even be teaching you this year. I hope you like chemistry,” he joked, and knocked loudly upon the door before striding away. I followed him longingly with my eyes, until the door opened and a voice called, “Ah, Phoebe Miller, isn’t it? Do come in.”

Hesitantly, I stepped inside the office. A grey-haired man with a welcoming expression was holding open the door, which he promptly shut behind me. He ushered me towards a seat in front of his desk, before sitting in his own at the other side. He sat forward with his elbows on the desk, chin resting in his hands, while he studied my expression carefully.

“Now then, Miss Miller, I am very pleased to accept you into Chinsworth Academy. My name is Mr Jackman and I’m the Headmaster here. There are a few things that I feel the need to ask you about before you get settled in, due to your, well… unusual circumstances,” he began tentatively.

“I see…” I replied, slightly apprehensive.

“First things first, I have yet to inform the staff here about your situation.” He gazed at me seriously, concern visible in his eyes. So that explains Mr Cooper’s nonchalant attitude towards me. I had been wondering about that. He didn't know about my family.

“I felt that it was your choice whether to disclose that information, or not,” he continued, “It’s a private matter which I am sure you are very sensitive about and I am very sorry for your loss. I am prepared to make exceptions for you in your schoolwork for a while, as naturally this is a difficult time for you. Would you like the staff to be informed of this too?”

I considered the question carefully. Telling them would mean they would be careful not to upset me and would be understanding of my difficulties; however, the one thing I hated above all was seeing pity for me in people’s eyes. I didn’t need or want that. I decided I wasn’t quite ready for that yet. I hadn’t finished grieving for Mum, Dad and Jamie myself yet, without the world knowing how I felt.

“I think I would prefer it if it was kept private for at least a few more weeks,” I replied thoughtfully, “If that’s alright?”

“That would be perfectly fine, Miss Miller.” He smiled sadly at me and then started to rummage through the papers on his desk. “Now then, here is a map of the school and here is your timetable for lessons,” he said, handing over two pieces of paper into my outstretched hands. “It’s very easy to understand, but if you do get a little lost or confused, I would hope that all the students here would be happy to help. Good luck, Miss Miller, and take care. My office is always open to you if you have any problems.”

He showed me out of the door and pointed me back up the hallway where I had come. He nodded respectfully at me, before closing the door. As I walked up the hallway I studied the map carefully, noticing that my dorm room had been highlighted and was located on the second floor. I smiled happily as I realised it was a single. I wasn’t used to sharing and with my nightmares; I needed privacy more at night than anyone. My smile faded as I thought of this and I sighed. The flashback replayed in my head, over and over again. The breaks squealing, the car swerving, and worst of all, Jamie’s screaming, loud in my ear. And then the silence. And the realisation of what that silence meant. It was terrible. ‘I miss you all so much,’ I thought, longing for their laughter and embrace. I slowly climbed up the stairs, my footsteps weighing heavily on the marble steps. This school was a fresh start for me; a whole new life. But my memories would haunt me forever.