•Tears Fall By Jacquie Lee•

"Ms. O'Brian, please explain to me what exactly I just saw." I tried not to tremble as her eyes landed on me and narrowed slightly. "I was um about to come and see you for detention and this kid rammed into me and said, "Watch where you're going, slut."

"And when I asked him what he said he started to say it again so I punched him." My voice had changed from being wobbly, to being strong and confident as I spoke. I didn't have anything to fear really. I mean, that asshole was asking for it.

Ms. Thornton's sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through me. "I see. And you just had to hit him for this remark? Why not just walk away?"

Annoyance bubbled in my throat. "He deserved it." I growled out.

Ms. Thornton stood and calmly walked over to the window, clasping her hands behind her back. "Perhaps he did. But that still does not excuse your behavior." She turned to face me, and I tried not to cower in my seat at the clear disappointment in her gaze.

Suddenly I wanted to cry. How stupid am I? I'm almost nineteen, I have a daughter, I'm paying for all my bills and everything, you'd think I'd be a little more mature and walk away from a fight.

I averted my gaze, blinking back tears and twisted my hands nervously in my lap. "Understood." I finally mumbled, not having the courage to look up yet.

I heard her let out a deep sigh, and the squeaking sound that followed a minute later told me she was sitting at her desk. "Perhaps this sudden change of direction in your life has been too much."

My gaze snapped to hers, and every hair on my body stood at attention. "If you're going to kick me out, just get it over with."

Her flinty eyes narrowed on mine slightly. "Why would you think I was kicking you out?" My brows furrowed and my mouth opened and closed as I searched for an answer.

"Um....because I got in a fight my second week of school?"

She raised a brow at me while a smirk played on her lips. I am so freaking confused right now. Is she really being semi-nice to me?

"Yes you did, and for that you have detention the rest of the week."

Ah, there it is.

I didn't bother pressing her on the issue, and I knew Charlotte didn't get out of class until 5. Her class ran more like a daycare. This pre-school to high school thing was weird.

"So, let me get this clear, you're not kicking me out?"

She sighed in exasperation and her mask slipped, letting a "are you stupid" look shine through. "No, I'm not kicking you out."

My face split into a grin and I winced unconsciously as the bruise from a couple days ago made itself known. Her lips narrowed into a straight line, letting me know she'd caught the wince.

"Does it still hurt?"

Her voice was the softest is ever heard it as she looked at me, her eyes probing my face. I shook my head slightly. "Not too bad."

"Did you put ice on it?"

I tried not to laugh as she actually went all "mother-like" on me. I frowned at my use of explanation because I most definitely did not see her as a mother figure.

"Yes."

She nodded, a satisfied look on her face. Her gaze wandered to my arm then and she suddenly shot out of her chair and was in front of me in an instant. "You're bleeding!"

My brows furrowed and glancing down I immediately frowned. I was indeed bleeding from a cut across the inside of my arm. How did I not feel it? That dickhead must've cut me when he rammed me into the lockers. "It's fine." I waved her off. She looked at me incredulously. "No, let me bandage it."

I leaned back in my chair to evade her advances. "It's just a cut, really I'm fine." I insisted. But my assurances fell on deaf ears as she pulled her chair around and took a seat in front of me, gripping my arm in gentle fingers and extending it out slowly. I sucked in a breath as a sharp pain shot up my arm and I tried to pull my arm back but she held on.

"Does it hurt?" She asked me, I had to snap my mind out of the blissful haze as her thumb was rubbing over the skin of my arm gently, screwing with my senses.

My breathing was uneven and she wasn't even touching me romantically. Get a grip Scout. I growled at myself.

"Um....a little." I admitted slowly. I wasn't the type to succumb or voice my pain. I'd always thought it made me weaker to do so.

Her touch disappeared suddenly and my skin seemed to want to follow her. I shifted in my seat and roamed my eyes over her office as she dug around in her desk for something.

She returned a moment later with a box of hello-kitty bandaids. I snorted with laughter and she gave me a questioning look. "My um......" I cursed internally as I stumbled over my words.

"Charlotte would love those." I finally decided. A small smile cracked on her face as she re-took her spot in front of me and grabbed my arm, igniting my skin all over again.

"First, you get hit by a volleyball, then you punch someone and get a cut." She shook her head as she peeled the bandaid away from the plastic. My lips twitched in a scowl. "Hey, I didn't ask to be hit with that volleyball!"

Her eyes flashed amusement at me. "No, but it seems you are just a....what is the word-" I tried not to giggle as her brows furrowed. "Ah, magnet. You are just a magnet for trouble."

"Not all trouble is bad." I replied quietly, feeling sentimental all of the sudden. Her eyes met mine and the genuine softness in them made my heart pump faster.

We didn't speak for a few minutes and I let her be as she worked on repairing me arm with the cuteness that was hello-kitty. I took the time to study her. My eyes dipped over the curve of her neck where a few hairs had fallen loose from her up-do and now caressed the skin there.

Her brows formed a sharp 'v' as she concentrated. The lines in her forehead deepening. Her plump lips were pursed. Her grey eyes, framed with ridiculously long lashes that could rival fake lashes, peered at me steadily.

"How is Charlotte doing?" I started at her question before her words registered in my brain. "Good. She likes it here." A soft turn up of her lips was the only indication of the pleasure she felt at my words. The band-aid was on my arm but she hadn't let go of me yet.

That was fine with me. I didn't want her to let go of me yet.

I'd never felt like this around someone before. I'd always known I was gay. But that didn't mean I was a pro at it. I mean sure, I'd had flings with women before, but most of them were just that; flings. I know, I'm horrible or whatever. But the way she was making me feel right now was unlike anything any woman has ever given me before.

"You're beautiful." I breathed out, not being able to stop myself. Her eyes widened in surprise and pleasure coursed through me as her cheeks pinked slightly.

"Sunteţi frumoasă."

My eyes widened in wonder as the beautiful language rolled off her tongue in lilting tones. Her eyes bored into mine intently and again I felt myself start to gravitate towards her, my body responding to her alluring pull.

Her eyes seemed to widen even further and her lips automatically parted, her tongue darting out to wet them. Her fingers were suddenly tapping along my knee, and a heat like I'd never felt before started to build in my chest.

Her eyelids lowered slightly and her breath fanned across my face softly. I hovered there, above her lips. I so wanted to close the distance but I wanted to see what she'd do.

I nearly moaned as her soft lips barely brushed mine before the shrieking sound of the bell pierced the room.

We flew apart, me leaning as far back in the chair as I could, and her almost on top of her desk. She stared at me wide-eyed, lust and wonder swirled in her gaze.

Then her infamous mask slid back into place and she retreated to the other side of her desk. "You don't need to come in for detention today. Go home, Ms. O'Brian."

Hurt and shock flashed through me. How could she do that? How could she look and treat me with so much tenderness and then turn around and act like I was nothing?

I slid my own mask into place as I glared back at her, feeling incredibly naive and stupid. Of course she didn't care about me. I was her student and she probably just felt bad for me or something. Regardless, the hurt stayed with me long after I'd gone home.

😂