Her Teacher's Temptation Read online

  "I am impressed," Meg declared seriously. "So, seeing Mr. Wright this morning is going to be awkward, right?"

  "Definitely," I whined, dreading seeing his pissed off face when I walked into class. "I'm tempted to just ditch again."

  Meg chuckled. "Even you might actually fail if you don't go to any of his lessons."

  "I know. I just really don't want to do this. I wish I was still drunk."

  Flashing a grin at me, Meg stumped out her cigarette and gestured for us to head inside. We'd had to find a new place to smoke in and this one was significantly further away from the main doorway - actually just outside campus this time (though we weren't supposed to be seen by anyone smoking in our uniforms at all) which meant we had to hurry up.

  "That tattooed guy is the dad, by the way," I informed Meg with a slight grimace. She seemed happy enough, though, which was what spurred me to keep talking about the things I was classing as misfortunes.

  "No way," Meg breathed. "I wasn't even serious about that."

  "Yeah, I know. Neither was I. Apparently my mum was, though."

  "Impressive."

  I paled slightly as we got to Ollie's door. Though it had been easy to tease him mercilessly when I had been off my head, walking into his classroom sober, when he was the person most definitely in charge, was much harder. I almost backed out. "Let's go," Meg taunted, opening the door and sauntering in as though nothing was amiss. I took back what I'd said about teasing her. She was enjoying this far too much.

  "You're late," Ollie's flat voice snapped at us as we sat down.

  "Sorry sir," Meg answered immediately, the tone of voice giving away that she knew the situation entirely. Ollie grimaced at her, and then doubly at me, before starting the lesson.

  "He doesn't look impressed," Meg chimed in a whisper. Her cheeks must have been hurting from smiling so much.

  I almost buried my head in my arms when he glared at me. "Stop talking," his voice was just as angry as his gaze and I felt sure that the rest of the class must be aware something was wrong with him. He could have been a bit more subtle.

  "I just want this to be over," I muttered when his back was turned to write something on the board.

  The lesson did not pass without more incidents. I was forced to read the character with the most lines, which I stumbled over many times due to the harsh look I was receiving from him. I hadn't thought he'd be this angry. He asked me all the hardest questions - I was sure he'd come up with some of them just to attempt to embarrass me. And it worked.

  "I think I have to stay and talk to him." My stomach was doing flips as I packed my things away and stared at Ollie, who was hunched over his desk marking papers.

  "Good luck." Meg had sat smug throughout the lesson. It almost annoyed me how much she fed off my misfortune. But I supposed I'd have been the same if the situation had been reversed.

  "What do you want?" Ollie demanded when I lagged behind and approached his desk warily.

  "You know you could have been a bit more subtle." I tried not to show much I didn't want to have this conversation. "I'm pretty sure the whole class thinks you have some vendetta against me."

  Ollie rolled his eyes. "I'm sure no one cares."

  "Professional." I'd commented before I could help myself.

  Ollie finally looked up from the paper he was marking. "What do you want, Maddie?" He repeated, sounding even more unimpressed.

  I flushed. "I kind of wanted to apologise.” Clasping my hands together, I resisted the urge to use my sad face on him. If he really hated me that might destroy me a little bit.

  Ollie didn't look particularly like he forgave me. "Right," he stated, apparently still wanting me to leave.

  I scowled, my temper flaring. "Not that it's really me who should be apologising. You have a girlfriend, remember? I made the right decision and you know it, so stop being stroppy about it."

  With a sigh, Ollie gestured to the table in front of my desk for me to sit down. "I know," he conceded, running a hand through his hair and looking at me properly for the first time. There were bags under his tired eyes that I hadn’t noticed during the lesson. How men got by without make-up I had no idea. "I'm not really angry at you, I'm more angry at myself. I don't think being drunk excuses me at all for what I did."

  I was surprised by his admission, and struggled to think of what to say. "It's not really a big deal," I tried to tell him. "I only stayed behind because I felt bad about how annoyed you were."

  "I was completely ready to cheat on my girlfriend, Maddie," Ollie deadpanned. "Obviously I'm feeling a bit guilty and seeing you didn't really help."

  I twiddled my thumbs whilst I considered a response. "There's no need to beat yourself up about it," I attempted to console him, though really, he was completely right in everything he was saying. "It's not like anything actually did happen. Not really. Plus, I was really high, so it was probably my fault."

  Ollie snorted. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still annoyed at you too," he commented with a slight smirk. "You were quite a bitch."

  I gasped comically. "But Mr. Wright, how could you say that?" I teased.

  Ollie only groaned. "This whole situation is so stupid. Look at us." Then his eyes narrowed further. "Oh yeah, I was supposed to tell you that you got into the finals for some writing competition you entered."

  My eyes widened. "Really?" I couldn't help my grin. During the summer, I'd entered a competition hosted by the University of Newcastle where you had to write a 2,000 word short story titled 'Journey'. I of course hadn't expected to get anywhere with it. "That's so cool."

  He gave me the first genuine smile of the day. "Yeah, only I'm the one who has to go with you to the finals,” he pouted. "I get stuck with all the rubbish jobs since I'm new."

  "It's going to be so fun," I chimed. "And what, is it just a day thing? I thought it'd take too long to drive there for that."

  "They're putting all the finalists and the teachers that accompany them up in a hotel for the night. So at least we get free meals."

  I raised an eyebrow. "But do we get free drinks?" Was what I really needed to know.

  Ollie shook his head vehemently. "Drinking with you is always going to end badly, I've realised."

  "Oh, come on. We've only tried it twice. I'm sure we can be civil if we really put our minds to it," I taunted, glad that I'd managed to cheer him up a bit.

  I received a small smile. "I don't think it's worth risking. I read your piece by the way. I'm surprised they put it through to the finals. Not that it isn’t good,” he quickly backtracked. “Just because of what it’s about."

  "Me too." I'd written mine based on the experience I had whilst tripping on acid. "I wasn't really expecting to hear anything back at all, maybe they like missed the point, or something."

  Ollie shrugged. "Or maybe they thought it was a clever interpretation of the prompt," He suggested, causing me to grin.

  "Perhaps," I allowed. "So, when is this thing? I hope I didn't have some mad weekend planned."

  "Two weeks. You get to miss a whole day of school. We go on Friday morning, when school should start. Then we have to listen to a seminar," he fake yawned, "about creative writing."

  I snorted. "Aren't you supposed to be all for the education?"

  "I would be, but I know the person who's lecturing, he's the most monotonous person ever. We're going to die," he told me bluntly. "Then the readings and final are on the Saturday. Then we drive home Saturday night. I'm pretty sure you have to sign a letter," he began rustling about on his desk, "to say that I'm allowed to drive you and stuff."

  Nodding, I took it from him. "How many other finalists are there?"

  "6. I think they give out prizes for the top 3."

  "Sweet," I breathed, though really I knew that I didn't have much of a chance. I was sure most of the other finalists were probably from private schools and had had theirs written by their teachers.

  "I could think of better ways to spend my weekend," he taunted, though I g
ot the feeling he was pretty happy I'd done this well. His dead eyes had come back to life a bit during our conversation.

  "Yeah, yeah," I replied. "Sure you can. I hope you're not just going to bring essays to mark. I'm sure part of this whole chaperoning thing is keeping me entertained."

  Ollie raised an eyebrow at me. "That's definitely not part of it. You'd better bring a book, or something." Then he ran a hand through his hair. "You should probably go and get some lunch."

  Glancing at the clock, my eyes widened. I hadn't realised how long we'd spent talking. Time just seemed to fly when we were in this teasing mood. "Right," I agreed. "I'm glad you don't hate me."

  I received a chuckle in response. "I don't hate you,” he admitted. "But I am still annoyed at you, even if it doesn't seem like it." His attempt at a scowl failed.

  I smirked and leaned slightly closer to him. "I did almost scream your name, if that makes you feel any better."

  I turned and walked out the door before he could give a proper response, but I didn't miss just how red his cheeks had gone before I did.

  Chapter Eight

  Meg sighed wistfully. "I can't believe you're going to Newcastle with Mr. Wright tomorrow. How'd you get so lucky?"

  I chuckled. "We're going to listen to some boring lecture. And it's not like we're staying in the same room or anything. In fact, they probably have like separate teachers and students’ wings or something.” Not that that should have made any difference. I wasn’t going to be going into his room for anything. “Plus, he said he's bringing loads of marking."

  Meg was looking sceptical. "You really don't think anything is going to happen? Even after when we went out?"

  I shook my head. The last two weeks had been surprisingly normal. Ollie and I hadn't conversed at all out of the classroom except the time he'd shown up at the restaurant with Jemma. It had been slightly awkward for both of us, but nothing noticeable.

  I'd realised that he was actually a pretty good teacher, once I'd gotten over Miss Taylor leaving. I still couldn't quite see him as my teacher, though, and it was probably due to the large percentage of the lesson I spent ogling him.

  "Nothing will happen. We haven't even spoken since then. It was just because we were both a bit out of it last time, and that situation is never going to arise again."

  I wasn't sure how Meg could still look so doubtful. I wanted something to happen, but I knew it wasn't going to. Ollie had been too worked up after the last time to ever go there again. Never mind the fact it was just wrong on practically every level. Illegal, the age difference, the fact he had a girlfriend. It just wasn't something good to be getting into.

  "Well, I got hold of some pills this weekend," Meg chimed. "So I think you're missing out, even if you are getting to stare at Mr. Wright whilst pretending to watch a lecture."

  I raised an eyebrow. "You know I wouldn't be doing it anyway." I had a general rule of waiting three months before doing ecstasy again; it was when you started doing it regularly that it could mess you up. "How come you're doing it again?" Meg generally agreed with me on this rule. I didn't want her to be doing this just because I wasn't going to be there this weekend to keep her occupied. I also didn't want to sound like I was judging her.

  "I know what you're thinking, but I'm not being stupid, honest. It's just because they got some really good stuff that's hard to get hold of. I just want to try it out whilst it's available."

  "Okay." I decided I'd take her word for it. She'd never overdone the drugs before, so I trusted her this time. I couldn't stop it nagging me that she was not exactly in the best mental state right now, though.

  "Look who it is," Meg suddenly chimed. I scowled when I recognised Ollie and his girlfriend walking towards us.

  "Shouldn't you be working?" Mr. Wright questioned, eyeing my coat which was hiding my uniform and the cigarette in my hand.

  I checked my watch. "Yeah, my break's just finished,” I realised. Meg had come in for a discounted meal and a chance to talk to me before it got too busy, but the restaurant was starting to fill up now. "See you later Meg." I really hoped she wouldn't say something embarrassing.

  She settled for a smug "have fun," as she stubbed her own cigarette out and began walking off. She only lived a five minute walk away from the restaurant.

  I followed them inside and my boss decided I would be serving them, naturally. It was still a bit awkward being around them together. Probably because I still couldn't quite bring myself to get over Ollie. I knew this was probably fine for him.

  Collecting their menus and taking their orders, I wondered whether Meg was right. I seriously doubted anything would happen in Newcastle though. And I definitely shouldn't push for anything to happen. I had to try and control myself if the temptation occurred.

  Work managed to distract me for the most part, though. Having to constantly serve tables and concentrate on not dropping the several plates I had on my arm stopped my eyes being allowed to drift to Ollie's table.

  When they'd finished their meals, I was half curious and half reluctant to go to their table. I was pretty interested in their relationship, to be honest. From what I'd seen of Jemma, which wasn't a lot, she didn't really seem like Ollie's cup of tea. I'd gotten more information from his friends when we were in town that they all thought she was pretty bitchy.

  I was probably just going along with that opinion because it made me feel better, though.

  “Would you like any desserts?” I inquired as professionally as I could whilst stacking their empty plates on top of each other. It was kind of comical to be doing this to Ollie, but I didn't really have a choice.

  “Two chocolate mousses,” Jemma stated, not looking up from her menu.

  I would have teased Ollie for his good choice if Jemma hadn't been there. “Coming right up.”

  “Girl.” I had to really bite my tongue on a sarcastic comment when Jemma called me back with the derogatory term. I was wearing a name tag. “Can we also have a cappuccino?”

  “Of course.” I was sure the bitterness in my voice was obvious this time, but Jemma didn't appear to pick up on it. Ollie was skilfully avoiding my gaze.

  She leant forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Just nipping to the ladies’.”

  Ollie ran an apologetic hand through his hair when Jemma was out of earshot. “Sorry.”

  I shrugged. “It's fine. You'd be surprised how often it happens.” Which was true. Working in a fancy restaurant meant that stuck up guests were a frequent occurrence. The only reason this annoyed me in particular was that someone like her definitely didn't deserve to be going out with Mr. Wright.

  “Yeah, but,” he shook his head. “Never mind, I guess.”

  I gave him a small smile. “My dad went back to Dubai, by the way.” I doubted he'd even thought about the incident with my dad since it had happened, but I thought it was worth letting him know in the rare case that it had been bugging him.

  Ollie raised a slightly surprised eyebrow. “He got over it, then?”

  I shrugged. “I think he probably just had to go back to work,” I admitted. “I don't really care. I'll be at uni by the time he next comes back probably.” He'd left without speaking to me again, which I was somewhat grateful for. He had managed to not cause too much trouble for my mum and I despite his attempts to.

  "I'm glad, anyway," Ollie replied. "He seemed like a complete arsehole."

  I chuckled. "It's weird hearing teachers swear. Though I guess you still don't really seem like my teacher."

  Mr. Wright grinned. “Yeah, trust me, I know what you mean.”

  I noticed that Jemma was coming back then and repressed the urge to scowl. I was supposed to retain a certain amount of professionalism. “Well, I'll see you tomorrow.” My arms were starting to hurt from carrying the plates, anyway.

  “Right,” Ollie agreed, sounding almost wary. “This weekend is going to be fun.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Try not to sound too enthusiastic,” was my last comment
before Jemma returned and I set my face back into a mask of indifference.

  *^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

  “You're only going for a night,” my mum said sceptically as I rolled my small suitcase out towards Ollie's car.

  “I have a different outfit for my reading, and I brought some homework to do,” I explained, conveniently failing to mention the vodka and coke, going out clothes and shoes I'd stuffed into the cramped bag. Even if Ollie wasn't going to have fun with me, I'd heard how good the nightlife in Newcastle was and I really wanted to see if the rumours were true.

  Ollie also raised an eyebrow at my bag, but I ignored him. “Good luck honey.” She gave me a quick hug and I gave my dog an affectionate scratch as he pottered around the front garden, hoping that he was about to be taken on a walk. “I'm sure you'll do really well.”