Three Hundred Words

by Cross, Adelaide

  “I hope it’s all right, I do normally cook my own food. I don’t think I’m abysmal.”

  I stuck my fork in and blew on a piece, so I could offer a meaningful comment after having tried it. “Really good,” I assured him with a grin, trying to hide the fact I’d just burnt the top of my mouth. I was a sucker for doing that, normally with pizza.

  “I’m glad.”

  We both munched on our food and I couldn’t stop my eyebrows knitting together slightly. I watched Mr. Lane and his serene look. It was almost surreal. “What’s your first name?”

  “Oscar.”

  “I won’t say it now, just in case I happen to slip up in class or something.”

  Oscar chuckled. “You don’t speak much in class, anyway.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t speak much in general. I’d rather keep to myself unless I know someone well enough to feel comfortable.”

  “And how comfortable are you feeling right now?”

  My cheeks flamed. “I can safely say I’m tempted to come up with an excuse to leave early.”

  Mr. Lane grinned. “Sorry about that. Even I’m feeling slightly weird. You’re burying the urge, though? That’s good enough for me.”

  “I feel like I should be able to manage a conversation okay considering we were in bed less than half an hour ago.”

  “That’s true, too.” I wondered if he was considering broaching something a bit more uncomfortable, but he didn’t. There was literally no point in asking about my boyfriend, or whether I regretted sleeping with him in the first place. Maybe he wasn’t even thinking about those things.

  “How old are you?” Might as well get all the weird questions out of the way. And I was absurdly curious, anyway.

  “Twenty-eight.” He watched my reaction closely.

  “Oh, cool. I’m normally pretty bad at judging ages, but I was about right this time. I guessed around thirty.”

  “As long as you didn’t guess something much higher I’m happy. You could have guessed twenty to make me feel better.”

  I grinned, making a conscious effort to slow down on my wine intake. Mr. Lane did the same. “Do you live close by? I can stop drinking if you want a lift.”

  I shook my head instantly. “Less than ten minutes, you’re fine. I might borrow a sweater though, if you don’t mind, I misjudged how cold this dress was.”

  “Sure, I’ll definitely have one.” He leant back in his chair, food devoured, whilst half of my plate was still left. I felt slightly uncomfortable with him watching me eat, but the wine was definitely helping my nerves at this point. “Ask me a question.”

  “Anything?”

  “Anything.”

  “Hmm,” I pondered this with a full mouth. It had to be something normal, but also something I really wanted to know. “How come you came to the UK?”

  “I moved with my girlfriend at the time. She got a scholarship here. Of course we broke up two weeks after actually starting our degrees,” Mr. Lane rolled his eyes. “I’m glad I did it, though. I never got the urge to move back and I can afford to go home and see my family on weekends and stuff now, so I don’t really get homesick anymore.”

  “That’s cool, it would have sucked really bad if you hated it here.”

  “Yeah, definitely. Okay, my turn.” He watched me with a devilish smirk. There was going to be something horrible coming out of his mouth. “How many people have you slept with?”

  I gave him a hopeless look. Was there really any need for that? “Two.”

  Which obviously meant I’d only slept with my boyfriend and him. He nodded once and almost looked like he didn’t know how to respond. That was one way to reinforce the age gap. He’d probably slept with loads of women.

  Now I had to think of something equally as mean. Asking him about his family wouldn’t be a good follow up. I tapped my chin. “Have you ever fucked a student before?”

  Mr. Lane raised an eyebrow. “Nope.”

  I narrowed my eyes. He was surely lying to me. Maybe he normally fancied students who didn’t fail or something. “Oh, okay.”

  “You think this is a regular occurrence for me?”

  I shrugged, trying to ignore the smile that threatened to take over my face. I was the only one? “Well, I don’t know, I mean, maybe? Not regular, I guess, I just didn’t think I’d be the first.” Acting pathetic wasn’t the way to charm a man, I definitely knew that. Keeping my insecurities to myself was the way to go.

  Oscar smirked at me. “I don’t just risk my job for anyone.”

  And I had to grin at that, shaking my head. “See, you’re far too smooth.”

  Oscar chuckled. “Seriously, though. I’ve not done this before. It took a lot of debating even asking you if you wanted to.”

  Well, ‘asking me if I wanted to’ was pushing it a bit, but I was happy not to push that line of conversation. We both knew what he meant. We both knew that I’d wanted him far before he’d suggested that we have sex. The word count was just an excuse.

  “Well, I do feel awfully special.” It was a joke, but it was also true. I hated the way that, by beginning to get to know him, I was able to see that he was a really cool guy.

  Maybe my romantic daydreams would be making a comeback.

  And after that, the questions got better. I learnt all about Oscar’s family – he had two brothers that he really missed, but his parents hadn’t spoken to him much since his move to England. It had damaged their relationship. He’d once played the lead role in a school play and fallen off the stage and on top of the head teacher.

  I was forced to tell him all about the one time I’d fallen asleep in class and sworn at a teacher in my half drowsy state. How I was an only child, but I had a good relationship with my parents.

  Luke was never mentioned and I definitely never brought him up.

  So all in all I’d had a fantastic evening.

  I slipped into the jumper Mr. Lane handed me and appreciated the warmth. “Hey, will you spray some aftershave on this? I really like the one you wear.” I’d noticed it tonight – a strong smell that I couldn’t quite place, mint and vanilla, and something else. All I knew was that I really liked it.

  “Oh, sure, give me a second.” He disappeared upstairs and I was left in his hallway with a big grin. We’d finished off the bottle of wine over dinner and chatted until I was red in the face from laughing so much.

  He returned, bottle in hand, and I made a note of the name as thought I might actually want to gift it to him at some point. He sprayed the hoody four times, which was generous, before replacing the lid. “Good?”

  “Really good,” I snuggled into the material and knew it was a shame I was going to have to shove it in my cupboard until I’d broken up with Luke. That was a shame, the cologne would have faded by then. “Thank you.”

  “I had a fun evening tonight,” Oscar leant forwards and locked his lips to mine. It was only a goodnight kiss, but I still wrapped my arms around his neck and became lost in it. Nothing could stop my desire rearing its head. “I’m sure we can do this another three times,” he teased.

  I grinned. “I’m sure we can.”

  He pecked my lips once more before I opened the door. “Have a safe walk home. I’ll walk with you if you want.”

  We knew that was a bad idea, though. Going out together in public was too much of a risk. “I’m good. It’s really not far at all.”

  Mr. Lane still hesitated before nodding. “Okay, well, see you at school, then.”

  I walked out of the door, wrapped up warm and completely content. “See you then.”

  Chapter Four

  My excuses had fallen on deaf ears today and that was how I’d found myself laying on Luke’s bed, watching reruns of something I’d seen a thousand times. I wasn’t sure why he was so keen for me to come around tonight, I’d figured we’d be doing something out of the ordinary.

  Either that, or I’d been hoping he was planning on breaking up with me.

  Instead, we were laid, like
normal, chatting about mundane things. “How’s your essay rewrite going?”

  I shrugged against his chest, for once not feeling the slightest bit aroused. I felt bad, in every way. “Okay, I think. Hopefully the redone one will be good.”

  Luke nodded, his fingers massaging my hips. “I’m sure it’ll be great. Now you’ve got the comments he made on your other one, writing a good version will be easy.”

  “Yeah, I’ve definitely been finding it easier.” The essay had been the first one in a long time that I’d found difficult. Things must have been stressing me out in regards to my relationship and badminton practise more than I’d thought.

  His hands had been dancing around my hips for nearly five minutes now, fingertips brushing gently and then digging in. I had an awful feeling what his surprise was going to be and I just didn’t want it. That was going to make this entire thing even worse. I could have dealt with sitting and watching TV and chatting, but I couldn’t sleep with him. Not now.

  Memories of Mr. Lane still addled my brain at every waking moment and the only time Luke entered my thoughts was when I was feeling guilty. I didn’t want to be with him anymore. I just needed to wait a couple more days and Emma’s party would have been and gone.

  Emma and Luke got on well enough and he always made her laugh, I knew she’d be disappointed if he didn’t show up. I was surprised she hadn’t roasted me for cheating on him.

  I ignored Luke’s subtle advances and hoped that would be enough to deter him.

  Eventually, he turned over to press his lips to mine. They were soft, so soft that I was sure he must go to sleep with a litre of Vaseline on them every night. They moulded against mine without an inch of urgency – it was almost lethargic and definitely not arousing.

  I returned his kiss, to see if I could get into it. Luke making an effort to be sexually active with me was all I’d wanted – this should have been perfect. My stomach should have been flipping up and down excitedly whilst desire flooded my body.

  Instead, I felt wooden.

  Luke dragged me closer against his body, large hands on my back, as the kiss picked up gusto. He pried my mouth open, but there was still no really desire there.

  He was doing it to try and please me, not because he actually wanted to sleep with me.

  When his fingers began working at the front of my jeans, I was horrified to find tears gathering in my eyes. I was a mess and I wasn’t fit to be in Luke’s company. He was making all this effort to make me happy when I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way.

  I pushed him away, standing up and facing the other way with hot trails on my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Luke, I really have to go.”

  I fled the room without looking back, grateful no one was in to attempt to talk to me on my way out.

  I was a complete bitch and no one deserved to put up with that. Luke had only ever been good to me, and I threw it back in his face.

  Wrapping my arms around myself, I started the long walk home. I made it even longer by taking a detour, just in case Luke decided to drive after me.

  Letting the cold seep into my skin as I desperately tried to stop the sobs wracking my body kept me grounded. It stopped me just sitting on a bench and crying to my heart’s content.

  In two days, I’d have left Luke and maybe my guilt would start to disperse. In two days, I’d probably swear off relationships for a long time.

  When I had my A secured, I could start the long road to forgiving myself for what I’d done.

  Chapter Five

  Emma was a mess and keeping up with her was becoming incredibly hard work. We’d made it to our final destination without much of a hiccup, but someone had just fed her some more of the drug, despite me warning her not to take it, and her saucer-wide eyes were sparkling with happiness.

  She’d danced with and hugged practically everyone in the club by this point and I knew she’d got some pretty funny looks. Plenty of people knew exactly what was wrong with her and some had tried to take advantage. I’d been the good friend and stepped in when some older guy had put two hands on her bum.

  Emma had thanked me profusely afterwards and insisted that I dance with her.

  I’d drank my fair share, too, but nothing was going to be enough to help me ignore the pressure of Luke’s presence. He hadn’t tried to talk to me tonight, but I’d seen him fixing me with plenty of puzzled, sad stares throughout the night. Being occupied by Emma had almost been a godsend.

  We were dancing together now, Emma grinding against me in a far too explicit manner. She was definitely completely out of it. Still, I was forced to move with her to avoid looking awkward, and she definitely looked like she was having the best birthday possible. “What’s up with you and Luke?”

  I blinked. “I thought you were too far gone to notice,” I chuckled.

  “Never. So, you didn’t break up with him yet, but something’s gone off.”

  “He tried to sleep with me and I kind of ran out,” I went to scratch the back of my head in embarrassment, but Emma caught my hand and linked her fingers through it. “It was stupid. I haven’t talked to him since it happened. I’m breaking up with him tomorrow.”

  “Ah, good. Don’t keep him hanging. He’s a good guy.”

  My mood hadn’t been spectacular anyway, but this was a sure-fire way to kill it. “Yeah, I know.”

  “Hey, there’s Maurice,” that was the guy who’d given her the drugs tonight. “Let’s go dance with him.”

  I was dragged along the dance floor and past Luke. He attempted to grab my arm and stop me, but I dodged and gave an apologetic shrug. Emma was probably fine with this guy, she knew him from ballet, but I was quite happy to avoid Luke for as long as possible.

  We moved easily in time with the music. Dancing had always been one thing I felt pretty comfortable with, because I only ever did it when I was wasted. Had I been sober, I’d have been stood in the corner wishing desperately that I could go home.

  Part of me wondered if being the state Emma was in would be perfect for me. I’d have no inhibitions, then, just complete euphoria. She did look awfully happy. “Hi!” She hugged Maurice before starting up a horribly intimate dance with him. He’d not taken anything tonight, but he was smashed off trebles and returned her grinding immediately.

  I danced by myself, trying not to feel too awkward. When I felt fingertips brushing against my own, I jumped. It was Mr. Lane, but he’d already turned to walk in the opposite direction, apparently implying that I should follow. I spared Emma a final glance, but she couldn’t do anything too bad in the few minutes I’d be gone. Maurice was her friend, too. He could spend some time looking after her.

  Mr. Lane led me to the edge of the building by weaving through the crowds and not looking back. It was quieter out here and he appraised my appearance when I finally got to him. I’d of course gone all out for Emma’s birthday party – a burgundy bodycon dress that didn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination. My mum had been a bit horrified when I asked her to give me a lift wearing it.

  If Oscar was drunk, he didn’t show it. His expression was as controlled as ever, just the smallest of quirks at the corner of his lips. “You look very promiscuous tonight.”

  I grinned. “It appears it’s worked, have I caught your attention?”

  Mr. Lane raised an eyebrow. “It definitely has.” He brought me closer to him by placing two hands on my hips. The fact he was willing to do this in a packed out club was the only indication that he must have drank. I stepped into him with heated skin.

  Luke couldn’t even get a reaction out of me when he was trying now, but Mr. Lane turned me on just by the simplest of touches. “How do you feel like cashing in another three hundred words tonight?” He whispered into the shell of my ear and a tangible shiver ran down my spine.

  I reached up and dared to press a kiss to his jaw. “I think I’d very much like that.”

  He grinned, but dropped his hands and I took a step backwards, too. That was enough risk for public
– we’d established that we could do all the touching we wanted when we got home tonight. “Give me your number,” he instructed, thrusting his phone towards me and beckoning for me to give him mine. “Then we can make sure we meet up before one of us goes home. Good?”

  I smirked. “Very good.” I had to reread my number multiple times to check I’d put the right one in and felt validated when I noticed him doing the same. “I’ll catch you later, then. I hope you don’t find someone better!”