Mr. Spencer looked at us amused. I could see he was enjoying my embarrassment once again.
“Why are you happy Cassy?” he asked mockingly.
“Because we're going on trip, obviously,” I said irritated.
He smirked then said “Sure. Listen girls I have to leave you. I still have some things to sort out before our departure.”
He turned around walking away, but after a few steps he stopped and looked at me again. “Cassy I haven't forgot what I promised you,” he said, and with that, he was gone.
Lucy looked at me gaping “What is it that he promised you?”
I was still feeling slightly dizzy after our encounter.“Nothing” I told her dismissively “Just to take me around if he finds time.”
“Only the two of you?” she asked excitedly.
“I... I don't know,” I said confused. Then I remembered I was still supposed to be angry with her after our embarrassing incident. “Why the hell did you tell him that I'm happy?” I snapped.
“Why, aren’t you?” she said and then she rubbed her foot. “And anyway, that hurt.”
CHAPTER 10
Mr Spencer was busy counting the students, talking with the bus drivers and trying to coordinate everything, so we could leave at 7.00pm sharp. He didn't have time for me although I caught him glancing at me once or twice. Ms Leighton was near him all the time and she seemed pissed off. He was ignoring her completely. About half an hour later, he clapped his hands, trying to get everyone’s attention.
“OK guys! It seems that everyone is here. So now choose a coach and put your baggage in the luggage area so we can start our trip,” he shouted.
There was a sudden mad scramble as everyone started walking towards the coaches. I was looking intently at Mr. Spencer, trying to guess on which coach he was riding.
“Let's go Cas.” Lucy said as she picked up her luggage.
“Wait,” I said. He was walking in the direction opposite, to the coaches. Where was he going? In the meantime Lucy was tugging at my shirt.
“Why?” she asked impatiently. “Come on or we won’t find a seat next to each other!”
“I want to go on the same coach he will be on,” I explained while I looked attentively at every step he made.
“Well I don't think he's coming by coach.” Lucy said destroying all my hopes. I turned my gaze towards her and pouted.
“Why?” I asked sadly.
“I saw his car earlier. All his luggage is in it,” she explained.
Just at that moment I saw him walking away with Ms Leighton running after him, then he stopped and turned abruptly to face her. I was close enough to hear them
speaking.
“Where do you think you're coming?” He asked her as she approached.
“With you. Since you decided that you won't come by bus like all of us.”She was standing imperiously in front of him, arms crossed over her chest.
“No. I have my reasons if I decided to come with my car. You're a chaperone and there are 3 coaches to take care of. There should be at least a teacher on each coach so just go OK? I'll see you there.” Mr. Spencer was opening the door to his car now, and he was half in when Ms. Leighton grabbed his arm and said.
“But why? I have already reserved you a seat next to mine!”
“Just give it to someone else,” he replied. He then entered his car and shut the door in her face. I was looking dreamily at his car, a beautiful red sports car and wondering how it would feel to ride next to him, wind in my hair when suddenly I saw Ms. Leighton approaching us.
“Why are you still here?” she shouted angrily at me.
“I'm going,” I replied. “Let's go Luc!” I whispered. “ She's rather pissed off.”
Lucy nodded and we ran to the closest coach. As soon as we sat down I heard Ms Leighton’s voice coming from behind me. She and Mr Daniels were sitting two seats behind us.
“I can't understand him.” Ms. Leighton was saying. “He can be so cruel sometimes, why is he treating me this way?” yelled Ms. Leighton her voice breaking.
“You keep on chasing him. You're bothering him and honestly I think he's in love with someone else.” The principal replied gently. I stared at Lucy and found her looking at me in surprise. From her face I could see that she had heard him too.
“Do you think he has a girlfriend Luc?” I asked her quietly.
“I don't know,” she said thoughtfully .“
“But even if he had how can Mr Daniels know? I don't think Mr. Spencer would talk about these things with him”.
“Shh let's hear what they are saying” she whispered.
“No that’s impossible! I never saw him with anyone else." cried Ms Leighton
“Why are you saying that? Did he tell you something?” she asked him desperately.
I heard Mr Daniels inhale deeply. Ms. Leighton was starting to sound a bit hysteric now.
“No,” he replied his voice impatient “It's just my impression that's all. Listen Lisa, I know I might sound cruel but you can't force anyone to love you. Why don't you just leave him alone and find someone else?”
“No, I don’t want anyone but him,” she insisted, her voice strangled. I knew she was close to crying. Mr Daniels spoke again, his voice gentler this time.
“Do as you wish, but you'll only suffer this way. We don't choose who to love, sometimes it just happens.” I craned my neck to see them and saw Mr Daniels standing up and walking towards the driver. Ms Leighton had buried her face in her hands, and was crying. Lucy was peeking too, but we stopped spying as Ms. Leighton raised her head, her eyes all red and looked towards us.
“Mr Daniels knows something." Lucy said sitting back down. "Didn’t you hear what he said?" Her tone was serious now.
I nodded. “Yes I did.“
“Could it be that he noticed what's been going on between you and Mr. Spencer?” she whispered concerned.
I felt nauseated all of a sudden. No it couldn't be, although thinking back I remembered his strange gaze when he had come in class and saw that I was still
there.
“No Lucy. I don't think he was referring to me, and anyway Mr Spencer is not in love with me,” I said although deep down I still hoped that he was.
“We don't know that. He feels something for you for sure. I don't know if it's love but-”
“No it can't be,” I said interrupting her.
“Just be more careful from now on. If Mr Daniels suspects something he will be more attentive to both your actions and those of Mr Spencer,”she said resting her head on her seat.
“Nothing happened between us Luce,” I said shifting uncomfortably.
“No not yet ,but in the future it might”. She said shrugging.
“OK,” I said resigned “I promise I'll be more careful,” I assured her.
“Good girl,” she said. Then Lucy turned around to talk to Logan, a boy she fancied madly, but who still hadn’t asked her out. I leaned against the window and looked out. I was feeling confused all of a sudden. Maybe it wasn’t right, trying to make a teacher fall for me. I didn't want him to lose his job. Maybe I should just give up on him and try to think of him as just my teacher. But how could I, when I was in love with him? The driver turned on the engine and began to drive. We had a three hour journey ahead of us. I kept quiet during the whole drive. Thankfully Lucy didn’t notice anything as she was too busy flirting with Logan. I just wanted to be left alone with my thoughts.
We arrived at Lagoon Beach exactly at ten o'clock. It was pitch dark and I couldn’t see much of the beach. I could only hear the sound of the waves as they hit the sand. We checked in at the Blue hotel
and we were assigned the rooms. I was amazed to see that I was with Lucy.
“Thank God I'm with you Luce!” I said happily as we walked down the corridor.
“It's not a coincidence you know,” she said smiling slyly.
“What do you mean?” I asked surprised.
She giggled as I stared at her.“I
talked to a friend of mine, he's a member of the student's council and I begged him to do me this favor. Luckily he has a soft spot for me so... Here we are.”
“Oh Lucy, you're the best,” I said hugging her.
“I know that honey,” she said laughing. I looked around me automatically, trying to see Mr. Spencer but there was no sign of him. We went into our small room and I clapped enthusiastically.
“Look! We have a balcony!”
I ran towards the glass doors and opened them, letting the gentle breeze caress my face. I leaned against the railings and looked around me. I could see there was a beautiful view of the beach although I couldn’t actually see anything in the dark. I went back inside and saw that Lucy had put her luggage on her bed.
“Are you going to unpack now Luce?” I asked her.
“No way! I'm far too tired..,” she said yawning .“I will take a shower and go to sleep, tomorrow it’s going to be a long
day.”
I nodded in agreement. I didn’t have the energy to unpack either. After an hour or so we had both taken a shower and went to bed. I lay there, in the darkness, my mind unable to shut down and take some rest. Lucy on the other hand was sleeping blissfully and snoring as well to say it all. After tossing and turning in vain I decided to get out of bed and went on the balcony. Outside was beautiful, the sky was full of stars, and the moon shone bright in the sky. Suddenly I glimpsed something moving down on the beach. At first I couldn’t make out what it was but finally I realized that it was the silhouette of a guy walking on the sand. Apparently I wasn't the only one with insomnia tonight. I saw him getting nearer and when he was just in front of the hotel I recognised him. My heart missed a beat... it was Mr Spencer. I shifted, trying to get a better look but he heard my movements and looked up.
“Cassidy... is that you?” he asked in a whisper.
“Hi.. yes,” I answered embarrassed. I hoped he didn’t think I had been spying on him. I could see his eyes glittering in the dark as he looked up at me.
“How come you're still awake? Can't you sleep?” He asked again.
“No I can't. What about you?”
“I can’t sleep either. Too many thoughts I suppose.”
We looked at each other in the darkness. He seemed like a prince glowing under the moonlight.
“Uhm, are you going for a walk or something?” I asked regretting it immediately. He was definitely going to make some scathing comment in return.
To my surprise, he replied...
“Why, would you like to join me?”
If I wanted to join him? A romantic walk on the beach all by ourselves was just what I had been hoping for! I was all ready to say yes when suddenly I remembered Mr. Daniels’ words. We would surely get into trouble if someone saw us together in the dark. I couldn't risk it.
“That would be really nice,” I said softly.
“But we’d better not. It's dark and...” I paused. Mr. Spencer looked down at the ground and said..
“You're right. We'll do it another time don't worry. Goodnight Cas. See you tomorrow.” Then he walked away.
“Goodnight Sir.” I called out after him. Then I returned to my room, knowing that I was going to get even less sleep now.
CHAPTER 11
The next day I woke up really tired. I had spent the worst night ever. I kept waking up, sweaty and agitated without knowing why. I must have looked worse for wear because Lucy was immediately on my case when she saw me in the morning.
“Cassidy, aren’t you feeling well? Haven't you slept?” she asked me looking narrowly at me.
“Just a little,” I answered, stifling a yawn.
"Why? Was it because I snored?” she asked me worried.
I couldn’t help laughing. “No Luce. I just kept thinking about Mr. Daniels,” I responded.
“Oh... don't worry too much about that Cas. Maybe he doesn't know anything after all,” she said dismissively “Now come on, go and take a shower. We must have our breakfast and then off to the beach. I have already put on my bikini.”she said.
“OK miss, I'm going,” I said mockingly. Lucy could be really bossy sometimes.
Ten minutes later I was feeling much better. I was feeling fresh and much more relaxed. We went down to the restaurant to have our breakfast. As soon as we entered the dining hall I was distracted from my thoughts by all the commotion around us. Every table was occupied with students talking and laughing and the waiters were dashing around the room, busy serving everyone. I felt my stomach rumble as soon as the aroma of fried bacon hit us. We took a seat and I looked around me, trying to spot his gorgeous face. Lucy noticed my little search and said:
“I don’t think he’s here. He’s probably at the beach organizing all the activities.”
I nodded and ate my breakfast silently. Then we went straight to the beach and fortunately Lucy was right. I saw him as soon as we went out. He was wearing a white T-shirt which defined the abs he hid beneath them. I scanned him from head to toe, noticing his glistening hair, wet from a swim no doubt, and his light blue shorts. Magically he turned around in my direction as if he had felt my presence. I shivered as our eyes locked. He smiled at me and waved. I smiled back. Oh how I wished I could be alone with him. How I wished I could touch that body, tracing his perfect six pack. All these thoughts were making me excited.
“Hey Cas! You’re blushing. What are you thinking?” I bet it’ something about Mr. Spencer,” she said.
I felt myself getting redder.
“Busted!” she said laughing. “Was it a naughty thought?”
I decided that it was no use trying to hide anything from her. “Can't a girl dream?” I asked her.
“Of course,” she said tossing her dark hair. “But not in the middle of a beach, in broad daylight where anyone can see her staring passionately at her teacher,” she added.
I looked shocked at her.
“Was I looking at him that way?”
“Oh yes,” she giggled. Then she said;
“There was desire in your look. A physical thing, you know. Like if only I could I would strip you down and...”
“Lucy!” I shouted mortified “I was not having those kind of thoughts!”
She laughed as she looked at my embarrassed face. “I got it right didn’t I?” she asked amused.
“Nearly,” I admitted finally and we both laughed.
“Why don't we go and find our friends?” she said suddenly “You can't stand here all day staring at him. He won't have time to talk you ,not now at least.”
She was right, of course. There were about fifty students in front of him. I followed Lucy who had just seen Logan...
“Oh Cas, there's Logan and he's talking with Julian.
“Let's go near them” she said happily.
Julian came to hug me as soon as he saw me.
“Good morning sunshine. You look beautiful this morning,” he said.
I thanked him and he caressed my face. He was looking at me with desire but I was feeling nothing. I couldn't even concentrate on what he was telling me. My eyes continued to go in search of Mr. Spencer. The morning was passing quickly, and surprisingly enough, in spite of all my worries, I was having fun. We had joked and laughed all the time but now Julian was teasing me. His hands were on my body all the time. He continued to give me glances full of lust, and I could see that he wanted some time alone with me.
“Jul...we're not alone,” I said trying to pull back.
“We could be if you wanted. Why don't we go to my room? There's no one there,” he whispered in my ear.
“No... Jul.... I-”
I felt his hand slide under my skirt, and sensed his fingers touching my thighs and bottom.
Against All Odds Page 7