by Cindy Wilder
By Thursday night, I was beat. Homework was taking its toll and I was tired. Maybe I shouldn't have taken so many classes, I thought. No, it would be worth it later. I fell back onto my bed and closed my eyes.
On a better note, I hadn't seen Alex. Everything was working out perfectly. None of my classes took me anywhere near the frat house I had been to for that party. He was most likely still living there. We hadn't crossed paths once the entire week. As long as I stayed in on the weekends, I wouldn't run into him. It would be easy to forget about him. Yes, it was going to be an amazing first year of college, and I was feeling relieved.
I only had one more class for the week. Fridays were going to be great. One class early in the morning. Then, the rest of the day to myself. I could do that, I thought. It would be easy.
My eyes fought to stay open as I finished reading a chapter that had been assigned in an earlier class. I wanted to finish it before going to bed.
I opened my eyes to the sun shining through the window. When I looked down, I was still in my clothes from the day before. Oh shit, I thought! I must have fallen asleep while I was reading. When I looked at the clock on my desk, I jumped off of the bed like a crazy person. It was ten o'clock in the morning. My class started in fifteen minutes.
I had made it on time to every class that week. My alarm had gone off in enough time for me to shower, get dressed, and put makeup on. I was on a role. Until that morning anyway.
I didn't have time to shower or do my hair. It was a good fifteen minute walk to my class. I grabbed a pair of jeans and pulled them on. The brush went through my hair fast. I reached over, grabbed the sweatshirt I had on the bottom of my bed, and pulled it over head. My books were on my desk. I shoved them into the backpack, swung it over my shoulder, grabbed a hair tie, my phone, and my keys and took off out the door.
I shoved my phone into one pocket and my keys into the other while I ran down the stairs. As I ran through the front door of the dorms, I pulled my hair up and wrapped the tie around it. Shit! What a morning. I just had to get through the one class, I told myself. My feet took off for the building my class was in.
On the way there, I grabbed my phone out and looked through it. I had fallen asleep and wanted to make sure I hadn't missed anything from my mom. She would have been on my ass if I had. Quickly, I slid through the classroom door and into the first chair I saw. It was at the back of the room. There were two girls sitting right in front of me. They were going on and on about how hot they heard the teacher was. One of them turned to me.
“Have you seen the teacher? His name is Mr. Jones. I heard he was very good looking,” the girl said.
“I doubt that,” I answered, never looking up from my phone. “He's a college teacher. I bet he's old and wrinkly.”
A few people walked past, but I continued to check my email and messages. Sally had sent one about her first few days at school. We weren't happy about being at different places. I heard some writing on the chalkboard and hurried to finish my text.
“My name is Mr. Jones,” a deep voice spoke from the front.
His voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't place from where. The two girls in front of me were giggling like children. I shook my head.
Mr. Jones began taking attendance. I didn't think they still did that in college.
“It's very important that you show up for class, and that you arrive on time. If you're going to walk in late and disrupt my class, don't bother coming at all,” he said.
I let out a small laugh before I could stop it. Crap! What an ass, I thought. I sunk down deeper into my chair.
“Does someone think that's funny?” he asked.
The classroom was quiet. I hurried to finish my text to Sally before he started class.
“Sarah Reynolds,” the voice called out.
I stuck my hand up in the air.
“Here,” I said, as I hit send for the text on my phone.
I shivered as I felt a tingle run up my arm. What the heck, I thought? A few moments later I felt another shiver. How could I be cold, I wondered?
“Excuse me, Ms. Reynolds,” the voice spoke, much closer that time. “Do you think you could put your phone down when I speak to you? Are you always so rude?”
I let out a sigh.
“I'm sorry, sir,” I said, as I hit the button on my phone, shoved it into my pocket, and moved to look up at him. “I didn't mean to.”
I froze and the rest of my words stuck in my throat. My eyes connected with the sexiest, darkest brown eyes.
“I'm sorry,” I said again, as I bit my lower lip and looked down at my desk.
I felt my hands shaking so badly. Without a word, he turned and walked away. The only thing that went through my mind in that moment was What The Fuck. I took deep breaths in and out, as I tried to the hold back the tears that were threatening to spill out. How could he be a teacher?
He rambled on about the class and what he expected. I couldn't concentrate for one second. What the hell was I going to do? Maybe he was making an example out of me. He probably didn't even recognize me. I looked down at the sweatshirt I was wearing, and my eyes widened. Why did that have to be the shirt I grabbed? He would know it for sure. It was his fraternity shirt I took that night. As soon as he finished talking, I needed to get out of that classroom.
My books were packed in my bag, and I was ready to bolt as soon as he gave the word. If I went out a moment to early, I knew he would make an example out of me yet again. He closed the book in front of him and announced the homework. I didn't even take the time to write it down. He took a breath, and I stood up to leave. Before I could grab my bag from the floor, he called out.
“Ms. Reynolds,” he said.
I looked up to the front of the room.
“Could you please stay after class? I need to talk to you about using your phone during my class.”
He was staring at me with his eyes narrowed and his body stiff. I dropped my body back into my chair with my head in my arms, as I waited for everyone to leave.
“I'm screwed,” I mumbled to myself.
My Stepbrother the Teacher #2
I sat in my chair with my head in my arms hoping it really was my phone that was getting me in trouble. Maybe there was a chance he wouldn't remember me after all. I could hear everyone collecting their stuff and leaving the room. The one class I had to go to looking like I had just woken up had to be his. I still couldn't figure out how he was a teacher there when he lived in a frat house. That just didn't seem right. I was deep in thought when his voice broke through the air.
“Ms. Reynolds,” he called out.
I looked up over my arms to see him staring straight at me. The room was empty. It was only the two of us. I had to pretend that I didn't know who he was. That was it. I didn't have many options.
“Can you come here please,” he said.
I let out a sigh, as I stood up, grabbed my bag, and walked to the front of the room.
“Yes, sir,” I said. “I'm really sorry about my phone. I won't have it out in your class again. I'll be sure to always be on time as well. Again, I am truly sorry.”
I turned to walk away hoping it was over.
“While it does piss me off to have someone play on their phone while I teach a class, it pisses me off even more to have someone walk out on me.”
I wasn't sure if he meant that moment or the night we had been together. How was I supposed to respond, I wondered? I decided to play it safe and turn back around.
“I'm sorry, I thought you just wanted an apology.”
“That's not what I'm talking about,” he snapped.
“I'm not sure what you mean,” I said, playing dumb.
“Why are you in my class?” he asked.
“It's required,” I answered.
“You know what I mean,” he snapped, as he took a step closer to me.
“Why are you my teacher?” I asked. “I wasn't aware that teachers lived in frat houses.”
“I was a
senior,” he said. “Now I teach here. Why are you in a freshman class?”
I couldn't help what came out of my mouth next.
“And you're the teacher?” I asked.
I noticed a smirk cross his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it had shown up.
“What were you doing at that party?” he asked in a deep yet sexy tone.
I don't know why, but I wanted to grab the back of his head and kiss him. Even in casual dress clothes he was so gorgeous.
“I told you I was there with a friend. She was invited by some guy that was there,” I answered.
What the fuck did he care why I was there, I wondered? I knew how the college party scene went. Do them and boot them. He got what he wanted. I left before he told me to. There's nothing wrong with that. It wasn't like he was going to profess his love after one night.
Alex reached out and took both of my arms in his hands. That damn jolt went straight through my body, and I pulled out of his grasp. Could he feel it, I wondered?
“What the fuck. Please tell me you were at least eighteen,” he snapped nervously.
“Of course I was eighteen. What kind of girl do you think I am? Believe me, I had no intention of doing anything with anyone. I told you I didn't go to parties. The only reason I was there was for my friend. I didn't even know it was a college party we were going to. By the time I figured it out, I was over an hour away from home in her car. I was by myself, minding my own business, when you came outside,” I said with an accusing tone.
“Love the shirt,” he said sarcastically.
“Mine was ripped. I had to have something to wear home. I'll wash it and give it back to you. Should I bring it to class?” I asked, thinking it would piss him off.
He was acting as if I was some underage slut that wanted to fuck a college guy. That was not the case at all.
“Keep it,” he said in a snotty tone, as he leaned forward and looked me in the eye.
“I'll be sure to put it with my other souvenirs.”
“What?” he asked with narrowed eyes.
“You know, the ones I got from all my frat house one night stands,” I snapped.
I heard a growl vibrate from deep in his chest. It was seriously the sexiest thing I had ever heard. I could have come right there from that alone if I wasn't so nervous.
“Why did you sneak out?” he asked.
“I didn't sneak out. I got out of bed, got dressed, and left. What was I supposed to do?” I asked. “Obviously, I had never done anything like that before. You figured out that I was a virgin. Was I supposed to wait for you to tell me to leave as soon as you woke up?”
I took a deep breath and moved closer to him. Our noses were an inch apart. It took all I had not to kiss him. I don't know what it was about him, but my body reacted crazy when he was around.
“I didn't want to make it any more uncomfortable than it needed to be. It wasn't something I planned on doing. You can be sure it won't happen again. I can't fucking believe this. I shouldn't have been there.”
I'm not sure what I wanted him to say to that. Did I want him to tell me it wasn't a mistake? Maybe. I knew that was ridiculous and would never happen. My mind was spinning, and I could smell him right in front of me. He smelled so good. It was like clean soap, mixed with cologne, mixed with him. I don't know what I thought was going to happen.
“No, you shouldn't have,” he responded.
I'm not sure why, but I felt like he had stabbed me in the chest. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I knew I had to get out of there before I made a fool of myself. It was all I could do to pull away from him.
“Screw you,” I yelled.
I took a huge breath, turned around, and stormed out of the classroom.
I was so glad that my classes with Mr. Jones or Alex was only once a week. Every Friday I knew I would have to see him. It felt like torture, but I had to do it. The class was required, and there was no way I could get another class to fill the same spot. It was important that I get enough credits in if I wanted to graduate early.
The two months went by rather quick. I worked by ass of every single night on homework. There was no way I was going to hook up with a random guy. A couple of guys in my classes would talk to me before or after class, but it was nothing worth considering. There was a cute guy in Alex's class that decided to sit next to me each week. When we talked, he seemed nice enough. On a couple of occasions, he rubbed against me for one reason or another. I never felt anything like when Alex had touched me. Even the day he talked to me in the front of his classroom I felt a spark. Someone should have told me having sex did that. I might have held out longer.
I made sure to get up extra early on Fridays so I could properly prepare. My makeup was on and my hair was done. I usually wore jeans and a t-shirt. I always made sure to wear Alex's sweatshirt just to irritate him. He never said a word, but I was sure he noticed.
Alex was actually a very good teacher. It shocked me that he was so knowledgeable. I guess I expected the frat guy to be different than he was. He answered everyone's questions and encouraged us to learn or ask more. I was surprised he wasn't the hard ass he came off to be that first class. The girls in the class thought he was the cutest teacher. Those two girls in front of me got on my nerves every week. I had no claim to him, but I couldn't stand to hear them talk about how sexy he was or how good he probably was in bed. I knew how good he was in bed, and they weren't even close. He was amazing. Yes, I didn't have anyone else to compare him too, but that didn't matter.
I paid careful attention in his class. There was no way I was giving him a reason to make an example of me again. I could have sworn that I saw him looking at the guy next to me when he would say something in my direction. I'm sure I was wrong though. If he asked me a question, I answered quickly without looking up from my book. Eye contact was not something I wanted to make with him. We hadn't run into each other in the halls or anywhere on campus. At the end of each class, I would be packed and ready. As soon as he quit talking, I grabbed my bag and was the first one out the door. There was no way I wanted to draw attention to myself.
Things hadn't gotten any better with getting him out of my mind though. I tried not to think about him, but it didn't work. Since I had my own room, I was able to rub him out of my mind if you know what I mean. Every time I left his class, I was so stressed that I needed a release. The least he could have done was dress bad or something. Why did he have to look so damn good?
I had even taken up running to try and get him out of my mind. When I ran, I would listen to music and not think about anything except for the fresh air and pavement. It was actually pretty refreshing. When I finished with a run, I had more energy than I thought possible.
My Friday class had just ended, and the guy next to followed me out. He stopped me in the hallway and asked if I wanted to go to dinner with him. I wasn't sure what to say. He was cute and all, but I wasn't sure I wanted to be any more than friends with him. Come up with something, I thought to myself. I told him I had plans but the next week we could have dinner. At least I could put it off for one week. Maybe I could come up with something by then, or maybe going with him wouldn't be that bad of an idea.
I dropped my backpack off in my room and changed into running shorts and a tank top. I threw Alex's sweatshirt on since it was getting a little chilly out. My shoes were by my door, so I grabbed them and pulled them on. With music pumping into my ears from my phone, I shoved some money in my pocket, got my keys, and left my room.
It felt awesome as my feet hit the pavement over and over. I was in my flow when I heard the beep in my ear. Who the hell was calling me, I wondered? Sally had later classes on Friday, and my mom would have been at work. They were the only two people that ever called my phone. I pulled it out of my pocket to see my mom's number. She could wait a few minutes. I planned on taking a break around the coffee shop, so I would call her back then.
When I stopped to take my break, I ordered a coffee, sat down
in a booth by the window, and dialed my mom's number. I couldn't imagine what she wanted to say. Hopefully, she wasn't going to try and talk me into going home for the weekend. It was not happening. I had gotten used to having nag free weekends. Again, I loved my mother very much. She just wasn't the easiest person to get along with.
“How's your day going?” she asked, as soon as she answered.
I was surprised by the upbeat tone in her voice. Crap!
“Okay, I guess,” I answered. “I went to class, and now I'm out for a run. How about yours?”
I was sure that was what I was supposed to ask. It was a game of figuring out exactly what she wanted me to say.
“Do you have plans this weekend?” she asked.
“I have a ton of studying to do, why?”
“I was hoping I could come pick you up and bring you home for the weekend. I wanted to talk to you about something,” she said.
What could she want to talk about, I wondered? I hadn't done anything wrong at school for her to know about.
“You don't have to do all that driving just to talk to me. I would be in my room, buried in my books anyway.”
I knew that was a good answer. She loved that I studied so much. There would be no arguing that one.
“Can we talk about it over the phone?” I asked.
My mom proceeded to calmly tell me what it was she had to say. I was livid at what she was saying. It might not have been fair of me, but I didn't care. I was so mad. I thought my head was going to explode.
“What? You can't be serious,” I snapped into the phone.
“I knew you would react this way. That was why I wanted to pick you up. Can't you be happy for me? He's a good man,” she said.
“Did you even love dad?” I asked.
“Of course I did. How can you ask me that?” she answered.
“When?” I demanded.
“Over Christmas break,” she answered. “I want you to be there. His son will be here too. We want to spend time together. You're going to be step siblings.”
“No, we won't,” I snapped. “I have a father. I don't need another one.”