“No problem Cassidy. I was looking for you as a matter of fact. Are you OK? I've been told about what happened to you.”He was looking at me with a concerned look on his face.
“Oh.. I'm fine now,” I said trying to convince him. It seemed that all I was doing lately was reassuring everyone that I was OK.
“I'm glad of that,” he said “Do you think you need to be visited by a doctor? I can arrange it for you if you want.”
“No there's no need,” I said hastily. The last thing I needed was to get my holiday totally ruined by a medical check up. “I'm OK, just a little shocked that's all. I was going to my room to get some rest.”
Mr. Daniels was still looking doubtful “If you say so... But if you need anything just let me know,” he started walking away but then he stopped and looked in my eyes.
“I look at you Cassidy, and I see worry in your eyes. Is anything wrong? Can I help
you?”
I didn't reply for a moment, I was too stunned to say anything. Then I decided that it was worth telling him since he was the one asking after all.
“It's just-“ I began, then paused “Mr. Daniels, is Mr. Spencer in trouble?” I said all in one breath.
He looked at me in surprise. “In trouble? Why should he be? He's a hero.”
I wasn’t sure of how to go on, then I said,
“I heard that something happened between him and Julian that’s all.”
“Ah so that’s it,” he said sighing. “Well, I was in my room’s balcony and saw the whole scene, so I know what happened. I'll close one eye this time. I know Mr. Spencer was under shock. He wasn't thinking straight so don't worry he'll be fine,” he told me.
I felt my chest heave in relief. My face brightened and Mr. Daniels smiled.
“Thanks Mr. Daniels,” I said cheerfully.
“It's OK. Now, Cassidy can you tell me which room is Julian Campbell in? I need to talk to him.”
“304 Sir,” I replied. I wondered what he wanted with Julian. Mr. Daniels didn’t look like he was about to give me further information though. He just smiled at me and said “Thanks. Now go.”
I went into my room and entered gratefully into the shower. The warm water was making me feel much better. All that fear and the shock was slowly fading away. I brushed my hair and
then I lay down on my bed. How could I ever thank Mr. Spencer? I wished I could give him something. Maybe I could go and buy him a gift but I didn't have a lot of money and even if I did get him something he probably wouldn't accept it, I thought. Then all of a sudden my art equipment came into my mind.
I pulled it out and began to draw. That's it a drawing, that's what I was going to give him, but this time I didn’t want to give him a plain portrait. I closed my eyes and thought about him. I loved him with every fibre in my being. And I wanted to put all that love in my painting. I began to paint his beautiful face, those features I now knew by heart, every stroke I did was like a caress on his face. Could I express what I felt for him by the way I painted? I had to try. I had thought so much about him that his face was crystal clear in my mind. It was as if he was there in front of me. I paid special attention when I began to paint his eyes. I wanted to portray the expression he had yesterday when we had met in front of the school. The moment when he had turned around and our eyes had met. He had looked at me with love, or at least, that’s the way I had interpreted it. Like he had missed me after spending two days without seeing me. An hour later it was nearly ready. I did the final touches and left it to dry. Thank God for acrylics, I thought. They dried up really fast. In the meantime I got ready, dressing up and applying some mascara. I softly touched the painting and saw that it had dried. Perfect. I checked out his room number from the chaperone list, and saw that it was room 606. Opposite to where I was now. I grabbed the painting and put it in a folder, then I left my room.
Mr. Spencer's POV
I was feeling better now. I had taken a shower, washing both the salt and the pain and now I was laying on my bed thinking about her. About how she had felt in my arms... I never thought I could feel this way. Today I had realized how much she meant to me and how difficult it was going to be to keep hiding the truth. A knock on the door brought me back to reality. I got up and went to open to door hoping it could be Cassidy but I was disappointed to see that it was only Lisa. She barged inside and I reluctantly closed the door after her.
“Were you expecting someone else?” she asked as soon as she saw my disappointed face.
“No,” I said annoyed that she could read my face.“What do you want?”
“I just came to see if you're OK,” she said sitting down on the bed. “I never saw you like that before. You were devastated.” She gave me a suggestive glance.
I felt my stomach churn in anger.
“I was worried. She was so pale I thought she had died,” I said. “Listen, it's been an awful day so far and I really do not wish to talk about it anymore. She's my student. Don't you care about your students Lisa?” I asked her indignantly.
She looked at me frowning and said:
“Sure I do, but you were crying. It seemed-“
“What?” I said interrupting her.
“Nothing,” she said looking at her feet
“It's just that you seem very fond of her.”
I shivered. I knew she suspected something. Lisa wasn’t stupid.
“Of course I am. but honestly I don't know what you are getting at. She's a student. It could have been anyone and I would have reacted in the same way,” I said.
“Sorry,” she said finally. “Maybe I was mistaken.” Then she looked at me again “By the way Mr Daniels asked me about Julian Campbell.”
My heart skipped a beat. I hoped I wasn’t going to get into trouble because of that bastard. “And what did you tell him?”
“Well, the truth,” she said sighing “I skipped the part where you were about to punch him though.”
“Thanks” I replied quietly. Lisa stood up and came just in front of me.
“Now why don't we talk about us?” she said caressing my face. This really bothered me.
“Lisa there's no us,” I said pulling back.
“Why do you treat me so badly?” she asked looking at me sadly. “I thought you liked me. I thought we were a couple,” she continued.
“Listen Lisa. We only went out twice, as friends. I never promised you a relationship, did I?”
“No,” she said moving even closer to me
“But you kissed me remember? Do you usually kiss your friends?”
“No I don’t, that’s why it was a mistake. I was drunk that night. Lisa we can't be a couple,” I said running my fingers through my hair.
“Why not? I like you! I'm sure that if you get to know me better you'll like me too!” she insisted, grabbing my arm.
“How can I tell you this without hurting you?” I said frustrated “Look, I don’t want to know you better. It's just that I don't feel anything for you. We can be nothing more than friends,” I continued.
She was looking at me with the expression of a hurt puppy. I couldn’t stand her sad eyes but I needed to tell her the truth. I was feeling stalked, with her always running after me.
“Is there someone else?” She asked me her eyes filling up with tears.
“Does it really matter?” I asked quietly.
“Yes it matters to me. Mr Daniels said there might be.”
I looked at her alarmed.
“What does Mr. Daniels have to do with all this?” I asked her trying to hide my anxiety.
“Well I needed someone to talk to,so I spoke to him about you. He said he thinks you're in love with someone else,” she said tears now openly flowing down from her dark eyes. “So, are you?” she asked.
I felt my head throbbing. Was Mr. Daniels suspecting something?
“There is no one else,” I said firmly, “It's just that I don't want a relationship at the moment that's all.”
“So there’s no one else huh
?” she said eying me sexily. Then she reached out for my shirt and started playing with the buttons, trying to undo them.
“What are you doing?” I asked confused.
“Well it’s fine for me if you don't want to be in a relationship. But it doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun together does it?”
She caressed my cheek and pulled me to her. This woman was as stubborn as a mule. Luckily at that moment someone knocked at the door. We jumped in shock and she sat down on my bed, crossing her legs and winking at me. I gave her my back and stood up as I went to open. My heart missed a beat when I saw her standing there, she was beautiful. I went out and closed the door behind me I didn't want Lisa to see her...
CHAPTER 13
Mr. Spencer's POV
We looked at each other in silence for what seemed like an eternity. She was looking so sweet with that sun dress on. Her hair was still wet and her cheeks were pink, she was blushing.
“How are you Cassy?” I asked her gently.
“I'm OK... thanks to you," she answered softly.
I smiled at her. I wished I could hug her but I didn't dare especially knowing that Lisa was on the other side. Instead I stepped closer to her and said: “I didn't do anything special. Anyone in my place would have done the same."
She shook her head, her hair swaying around her angelic face.
“No, not anyone would have done that. You risked your life to save mine. How can I ever thank you?” she said looking up at me.
“There's no need to thank me Cassy. Seeing you here in front of me is enough."
She looked down and shifted on her feet. It was as if she was contemplating on her next words. Finally, still looking at her shoes, she said, “Sir, can I hug you?”.
I was expecting anything but that. I was doubtful whether it would be a good idea, but I didn’t have it in me to refuse. She was looking so vulnerable, there in front of me. Instead of responding I moved towards her and grabbed her pulling her into my arms to hug her. She gasped and put her arms around me, hugging me back. It was such a simple gesture and yet it felt so good. We parted slowly, both red in the face.
“Thanks Mr Spencer,” she said quietly. Then she met my gaze and said, “I brought you something. It's not much but I hope you like it.”
She gave me a folder and I took it in. I already had a good idea of what it might be.
“Is it a painting?” I asked her smiling.
“Yes, I did it today and-“
We were interrupted by Lisa's voice asking what was taking me so long. I looked at Cassy and was horrified to see that her face had fallen at the sound of Lisa’s voice.
“I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company. I must go,” she said her voice breaking. She turned away, trying to run away before she broke down crying. Fortunately I was faster than her, and I managed to grab her by the wrist.
“No! Wait Cassidy please,” I said, tightening my grip. I could see her eyes becoming all watery. She was on the brink of crying, although she was trying hard to keep it all inside.
Look at me!” I ordered.
“No,” she said her voice pitching higher.
“Please let me go. I have to go,” she said sobbing.
“Cassy! I did not invite her to come, I just found her at my door!” I groaned. “It's not as it seems.”
Just as I said it I immediately found myself in an internal conflict. Why was I telling her all this? She was my student after all, not my girlfriend.
“You don't owe me an explanation. I'm only a student,” she replied sadly.
I could feel her hand tremble in mine. I wished I could explain better to her but I couldn't.
“I just wanted you to know, that’s all.”
Then I cupped her face in my hand and tilted her face towards me, “Cassy, why are you crying?” I asked gently.
She didn't respond. Instead she pulled away and ran down the corridor, away from me.
“Damn it!”
I punched the wall. I hadn’t expected this to happen! I opened the door and went into my room. Lisa was lying on my bed, covered only by some lacy underwear. What the hell was wrong with this woman? Didn’t she understand that I wasn’t interested in her?
“What are you doing?” I asked annoyed.
“Waiting for you maybe?” she replied sarcastically.
I shot her a nasty look. “Get up and put something on!” I said turning away from her bare body. “And go away!” I continued harshly. I couldn’t be patient with her anymore. She was getting on my nerves. She seemed shocked by my reaction, and looked up at me with wide
eyes.
“What? Why? You were going to kiss me before we were interrupted,” she said huffily.
“I wasn't. You were.“ I replied sighing.
She sat up and smoothed her hair. “Who was at the door anyway?”
“A student,” I said truthfully “She brought me her homework.” Even this wasn’t strictly a lie.
“Homework? Here on vacation?” she said scornfully.
“Tyler you have some really dedicated students I must say.”
Her tone was annoying me.
“This student was suppose to give me this assignment 3 days ago but since she didn't, I told her to bring it here that's all,” I said tensely. Now I was lying.“Now please get dressed and go away. I want to be alone,” I said again.
Lisa looked at me from beneath her eye lashes and stroked her thigh.“Tyler, I'm offering you my body. Don't you want it?”
“I didn't ask for it Lisa please. You're getting on my nerves. I told you before and I'm gonna tell you again. I don't want you in any way!!”
“Fine!” she snapped. “It’s your loss then.”
She stood up and threw her dress over her head, quickly sliding into it. Then she gave me a glare, and stormed out of my room, banging the door behind her.
I fell back on my bed sighing with relief. God she was worse than lice. I sat down on the edge of my bed and opened the folder Cassy had given me. I gasped as I looked at her work. It was beautiful. It portrayed a splitting image of me but in a way which revealed the inner me, the real me. As I looked at myself on the paper, I saw the sensitive part of me, the part I tried to hide so much. How could this girl see this in me? The expression in my eyes was soft, loving , caring. Was this the way I looked at her? And how did she manage to paint this without even having me in front of her? Oh Cassy... I had to do something about her, and now.
Cassidy's POV
How could I have been so stupid? What was I expecting? To see him fall on his knees and confess his everlasting love? I am only a stupid little girl while he is a man. A man who wants a woman,his age. I was crying like a total idiot. I ran, my head ducked until I arrived to my room. I threw myself on my bed and buried my face in the pillow. I kept thinking about him, about the way he had hugged me and about the words he had told me. Why did he try to explain her presence there? It wasn't my business but he had explained it just the same. He said he wanted me to know. Why? Did he know that I loved him? Was it that obvious? I sat down and stopped crying. Those words gave me a new hope. Maybe he wasn't lying, maybe it was true that he hadn't invited her. In that moment the phone rang making me jump. Who was calling me in my room? Maybe it was Lucy to see if I was OK... But she was on the beach, how could she call me? Anyway I got up and picked up the phone.
“Hello!” I said, my voice still weak from all that crying.
"Cassidy are you alone?” the voice on the other end said. My heart jumped as I recognized his melodic voice.
“Mr. Spencer?” I whispered in disbelief.
“Yeah, it's me,” he replied.
“Yes I'm alone why?” I said returning to his previous question.
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