"The central nervous system does contain the brain and spinal cord." Mr. Mendes' voice projected as he went through his lesson.
I continued to glance back and forth between the board and my journal, scribbling down notes as quickly as I could, before I felt the pressure of someone's foot on my chair.
Turning around, I realized it was Chase, who had succeeded in trying to get my attention. He flashed me a playful smile before I turned in my chair as he leaned over to talk to me.
"Hey, Friday night is an away game, upstate. The drive is about an hour. Do you think you'd be down to come?" He whispered, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Although our chemistry was odd, Chase was a sweet guy and I wanted to make him happy. If that meant driving an hour for him, I could do that.
"I wouldn't miss it." I whispered back, giving him a playful wink before turning around and continuing to take my notes.
When I looked up to the board again, Mr. Mendes was still lecturing on the nervous system, but his gaze was somewhat intense and focused on me.
I could feel my heart beginning to beat just a bit faster as we held eye contact; neither of us looking away as he continued to talk.
Finally, I picked my pencil up again and looked away, scribbling into my notebook as I crossed one leg over the other, shaking my head.
Get your shit together, Julianna.
[]
"Chase said you're coming to the game with us?" Jack said as we, excluding Sasha because she had to study, stood talking in the parking lot once their practice had ended.
"Really? Nice, baby J!" Johnson cheered, flashing me a grin. "It'll be a fun car ride with all of us. You won't regret it."
"Oh, we're all going in one car?" I asked, trying to ignore the bubble of comfort I felt from knowing I wouldn't awkwardly be alone with Chase.
"Well, two cars. I figured you and I, Sasha, and Arizona in one car? Then the four guys in the other?" Caroline spoke, nodding her head at the plan.
"Oh! I won't be able to make it. I, um, got some stuff to do Friday night." Arizona said, shaking her head with a tiny smile.
"Why are you lying to us?" Jack said, raising a brow at the petite girl.
"Yeah, Arizona, we've known you for years," Johnson nodded, leaning against his car. "We know when you're bullshitting us."
"I'm not!" Arizona cried, shaking her head. "Text Sasha! She's got stuff to do, too!"
"You and Sasha being suspicious? Interesting." Chase teased, flashing her a smile.
"You're all assholes." She pouted, crossing her arms childishly.
"You love us," Sammy added, wrapping an arm playfully around her shoulder.
"Hey, isn't that Mendes? Whoa, the dude drives a Porsche?" Johnson's eyes widened, his head motioning to where Mr. Mendes was walking out.
For some reason, the way he looked drove me crazy. He had sunglasses on, his teaching bag slung over his shoulder, and he was on the phone, laughing with whoever was on the other line.
"God, he looks good." Caroline sighed dramatically, making a small whine as Jack playfully nudged her shoulder.
"Hellooo, I'm right here." He frowned at her, shaking his head.
"It's just a fact! Even Jules thinks he's hot." Caroline protested, switching her gaze to me.
"You do?" Sammy asked, laughing as if he couldn't believe it. "You never think anyone is hot, J."
"You do?" Chase asked, a brow perked as he looked down at me.
I could feel myself flushing under the attention, trying to find words when my phone dinged with a text.
"Saved by the bell," Johnson teased, while I flipped him off and checked my texts.
Shawn is joining us for Thursday family dinner night!!! Be home ASAP so we can all eat together xx
"I've gotta get going," I said, locking my phone as my head raced with thoughts. "I forgot it's family night."
"We better go, too. It's getting late, babe," Caroline said to Jack, nodding as she hugged everyone else goodbye.
I said goodbye to everyone and let Chase walk me further down the parking lot to my car. We stopped once there, my hand on the handle to open the door as I felt his hand on my waist.
"Hey, get home safe, okay?" He smiled, leaning down to kiss my lips.
In the last second, I turned my head, giving him a cheek kiss instead before I pulled back and gave him a somewhat forced smile. "Yeah, you too."
He looked confused as I got into my car as casually as I could, but returned the wave I gave him as I backed out before driving off.
[]
"Hi, darling," My mother kissed my forehead as I set my keys down, along with my school bag once I stepped inside. "You're just in time. We're about to sit down and eat. C'mon,"
I could hear laughter coming from the kitchen and the smell of pizza filled the air.
I followed her, feeling a bit nervous to see Mr. Mendes. We had agreed for it not to be awkward, but I still felt as if it was.
"Hi, dad," I waved as I pushed my hair back, taking in the sight that surrounded the room.
Boxes of pizza were opened, and a pack of beer sat on the counter. My father stood on one side of the counter, beer in hand, and Mr. Mendes stood the same on the opposite side.
"Jules! Perfect timing, grab a plate, yeah?" He squeezed my shoulder gently, offering a grin as he walked towards the table.
Once my dad was away from us, I looked up to Mr. Mendes, my gaze freezing on his long fingers wrapped around the bottle in his hand.
"Drinking on a school night, Mr. Mendes?" I teased, tilting my head. "If you're sluggish tomorrow, perhaps I'll know why."
Mr. Mendes tossed his head back, laughing as he set his drink down. "You can't tell me you've never done it, Julianna."
Leaning forward, I rested my elbow on the counter, pressing my chin into my palm. I blinked my lashes slowly and sweetly as I whispered softly, "Promise you won't tell my parents."
I watched as his gazed dropped to where my shirt had fallen open, the press of my breasts together catching his attention before his eyes made way back up to my face. He let his tongue glide against his lips, and I felt a rush of heat zip through my body.
"It'll be our secret then, hm?"
I flashed him a sweet, sultry smirk, nodding my head as I pushed off the counter and grabbed a bottle of water.
"I'll eat later," I announced while making my way out of the room. "I've got to study for a bit, then I'll come back down."
[]
Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel securely around my body as I wiped away the steam from the mirror. I wiped the excess makeup off from under my eyes, before opening the door and making my way out of the bathroom.
Just as I had rounded the corner of the hallway, my body collided with someone and I almost fell, only to be caught by two strong hands.
"Shit! I'm so sorry, I- oh, god," Mr. Mendes stuttered, holding onto me while squeezing his eyes shut.
"Oh! I thought you were gone already!" I cried, tightening my grip on the towel as he let me go.
"No, I- your parents said there was an emergency at your mom's work and asked me to stay here with you. I was coming up here to tell you and... yeah."
I glanced at him, taking in how young he looked with his eyes shut and the nervous, pink twinge clinging to his cheeks.
"Okay, um, well, I'm gonna go change and then I'll meet you downstairs." I mumbled, turning on my heel and rushing to my room.
Once I had shut my bedroom door, I leaned against it and let out a loud sigh, trying to calm my pounding heart.
I dressed quickly before making my way downstairs, spotting Mr. Mendes on the couch, watching the news. I sat on the cushion across from him, tucking my legs beneath me.
"So much for no more awkwardness," I mumbled quietly, glancing up at him with a small smile.
My attempt to clear the air worked; his head tilted forward as he chuckled then looked up to me. "I'm really sorry, Julianna. That was really... weird."
"Let's just forget about it then, okay?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
"Okay, good," I nodded, clicking on my phone to check the time. "I'm okay here by myself, if you want to leave. It's almost eleven."
"It's okay, Julianna. I don't mind staying." He said, now ignoring the news and focusing his attention on me.
"Are you sure? What about your girlfriend?" I tilted my head forward, moving my attention to him and away from my phone.
"The one I talked about the first day? It was a lie," He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "I tend to have students, you know, flirt with me, so saying I'm in a relationship makes them back off."
"Boys or girls?" I teased, a small giggle falling from my lips.
"Both," He shot back, a playful smile on his lips. "I wish I were kidding, too."
"No!" I gasped, my head falling back as I laughed. "You're lying!"
"I'm not, actually. I've had male students in the past make moves on me." He chuckled, nodding his head. "Not that I had a problem with them, but I just don't play for that team."
I couldn't help but laugh harder, one of my hands covering my mouth to try to silence myself.
"You have a lovely laugh and beautiful smile, Julianna." His eyes roamed my face, a sincere look on his own.
"Thank you, sir," My voice was soft as I glanced down to my fingers, playing with them to distract myself.
After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, this time almost hesitantly. "Are you seeing Chase?"
"I... don't know." I spoke truthfully, shrugging my shoulders with a small exhale of breath. "I've never liked guys in school. I tend to be into, um, older guys."
His head snapped up at my words, brows raising as his eyes scanned my body before coming back up to my face.
"Have you ever been with someone older?"
"I, um-"
"I won't tell, Julianna."
"Yes. He was twenty three and I had just turned seventeen." I glanced up to him, licking my lips slowly. "It didn't last. It was mostly an, um, friends with benefits, thing."
For some reason, it was so simple and easy to talk to Mr. Mendes, even if it was weird on so many levels.
"Oh, I see. Well, if you're unhappy with Chase, you shouldn't be with him." He paused, scooting closer before setting a hand on my knee. "You should be with someone who makes you happy. Even if it's just for fun."
His warm hand on my skin caused a dull aching sensation between my thighs, my gaze falling onto his fingers.
"Yeah, maybe I will." I flashed him a small smile, just as an alarm on my phone went off; the one I had set daily to remind me to go to bed.
"You should go. Really. It's late and I'll be fine." I nodded, standing from the couch and stretching slightly.
"I guess you're right," He got up also, gathering his phone, keys, and jacket before following me to the front door.
Don't do it, Julianna. It'll be so wrong to do.
"Hey," I reached for his phone, typing my number in and adding it to his contact list then handing it back. "Text me when you get home safe, okay?"
Damn you, Jules! That was so inappropriate to do!
"Yeah," He smiled, nodding as he opened the door. "I will. Call me if you need anything."
"Will do." I leaned against the door, holding it open for him. "Goodnight, Mr. Mendes."
"Sweet dreams, Julianna."
I watched as he walked down the front porch and got into his car before shutting the door with a smile.
I locked up the doors and set the alarms, then made my way upstairs to prepare my bag for class tomorrow.
Ten minutes later, my phone chimed and a text popped up from an unknown number.
Home safe. Everything tonight stays between us, too. A secret, yeah? ;)
I knew he was teasing me for the conversation about drinking, but I couldn't help but giggle as shake my head.
A secret. Goodnight, sir
Knowing it'd be too risky to save his number as his name, I set the wine emoji as his contact before locking my phone and falling onto my bed.
Our little secret.
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this chapter was a looot longer than I planned! but, I hope it was worth the read. I plan to update soon, because from here, the story is really going to pick up.
thank you for reading! be sure to vote, comment, and even share this story if you're enjoying it! x
-n