"Is that a hickey on your neck?"

"What?" I said snapping out of my daze.

"On your neck. Is that a hickey?" Chloe asked brushing my hair away from my neck.

"No," I said, trying to not seem suspicious. "I burned myself with a flat iron," I held up the flat iron on the table.

"Ooh, that must've hurt."

"Like hell," I responded, letting out a breath. "Can you put my hair up in a bun for me please?"

"Sure," she picked up an elastic band.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about what happened. Did I really just lose my virginity to my English teacher? All over grades? I felt fifty-fifty on whether I regretted it. On one hand, it was one less class that I had to worry about, less time on homework, a guaranteed perfect grade, and it wasn't a bad experience, to say the least. On the other hand, I just had sex with my teacher, and whenever I went to his class that would be all that was on my mind. It would be awkward whenever we had to talk. I decided I would keep the talking to a minimum. After all, I didn't NEED to talk to him anymore since I didn't have any work to turn in.

"All done," Chloe said, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Thanks," I said standing up and brushing myself off.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem really out of it." She had a concerned look.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous that's all," I reassured her.

"Okay, just don't mess up on stage," she smiled.

Should I tell her what happened? She was my best friend and she told me everything. Doesn't that mean that I should tell her everything too? No. I shouldn't. I know how she is. She judges first then thinks things through and I don't need her judgment right now. I'll tell her when the time is right.

"Everybody places!" Our dance instructor said.

I took a deep breath and got ready. Dancing was a way to clear my mind. I didn't have to think about anything. Just move my body to music.

.

.

.

I was talking with Chloe by my locker. The one-minute bell rang and I finally processed whose class I was going to. My breathing started to quicken as we started nearing the door.

"Hey, Lydia!" I turned around to see that Asher was running towards me. "Wait up." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we were walking through the door and I pushed it off.

"Hi Asher," I said, giving him a small, quick smile. I avoided making eye contact with Mr. Hudson. The bell rang just as we sat in our seats.

"Okay, class! Get out the homework that was due today. Elizabeth, can you please collect it," Mr. Hudson said to start the class.

I dug in my bag for the homework assignment and gave it to Elizabeth as she passed by. I looked up and caught Mr. Hudson's eyes and quickly looked away.

Asher tapped my shoulder. "Did you hear about the camping trip field trip?"

"No," Chloe responded. I shook my head.

"I got you two permission slips. Rumor has it that students are sleeping in tents and teachers are sleeping in cabins. And that means it's gonna be a party all night long. You two should come."

"I'll think about it," I said reading the paper.

"Oh, I'll be there!" Chloe said, tucking the paper in her folder. She looked up at me, "Tell your mom that I'll be there and we'll share a tent. She thinks I'm responsible so she'll have to let you go."

"One, she knows you're a party girl. It's all over your aura, Chloe," I giggled. "And two, I'll tell her anyway because she wouldn't want me sleeping in a tent with a boy."

"She knows you have to have sex sometime, right?"

I slapped her arm. "Shut up." That came out a little louder than I intended for it.

"Miss Rose." I looked over at Mr. Hudson. "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?" I shook my head. "Can you give your input on the topic we're discussing?" He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Um," I looked at the board. "Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Essential Question: Were Romeo and Juliet truly in love? Is love at first sight real?" I thought back a couple of sentences I subconsciously heard him say. It was, "Romeo and Juliet's love. Was it true love from the moment they met? Or were they just dumb kids who killed themselves for nothing?"

"Well," I began, "At the beginning of the play, Romeo had just left another girl and then immediately "falls for" Juliet. Juliet clearly has mommy and daddy issues, so she probably just enjoyed the attention that Romeo was giving her. I think they were infatuated with the idea of being with each other, but they knew nothing about each other. If they hadn't killed themselves, they most definitely would not have worked out. Them splitting apart was inevitable. So no, they were not really in love, and love, at first sight, does not exist. It's just a bit of dopamine from finding someone attractive. You can't truly love someone without knowing them on a deeper level. So as you said, they were dumb kids who killed themselves for nothing."

The whole class was quiet. "That was a great analysis," Mr. Hudson said, raising his eyebrows and nodding his head. "Although we all know you're a prodigy who doesn't need to work hard to get good grades," he paused and smirked, "There are some people who do have to work for their grades, and that requires listening to their teacher. So if you don't mind, keep talking to a minimum."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Was he trying to guilt me for what we did? Or was it a joke? Either way, I didn't like it. I looked back down at my desk. I started picking at my nails, something I did when I got embarrassed.

Just then the bell rang. "Hey, don't forget about the camping trip," Asher said, turning to me.

"I won't," I said smiling.

"See you two tomorrow," he said walking away.

I was about to walk out of the class when I heard Mr. Hudson say, "Lydia, can you stay behind for a second?"

"Uh, sure," I turned around, "Chloe, wait for me okay."

"Yeah. I'll be in my car."

I slowly walk towards Mr. Hudson without looking up at him. The door closed and the class was now empty. I remember how the last time we were alone together things escalated quickly.

"I noticed that you gave a homework assignment to Elizabeth despite our agreement," he sat down at his desk.

"Yeah. I finished it like a week ago so I thought I might as well turn it in."

He nodded his head.

"How do you do that?" I looked up to see Mr. Hudson staring at me intently.

"Do what?" I asked, looking back down and picking my nails.

"You know. Not listen to me but somehow always know the answer to questions."

"It's a mixture of finding context clues and subconsciously listening. I looked at the board and answered the essential question and tried to remember what you said last."

"How could you remember what I said if you were talking?"

"Subconsciously listening."

"So you can listen and talk at the same time."

"When I want to. I've been able to do it since I was 5. And whenever I don't pay attention to something or what someone's saying I can rewind it in my head to figure stuff out."

I started to get excited. People barely wanted to hear about how smart I was or what I could do or my interests. So, whenever people asked I tended to get carried away. But, they would usually get bored within the first five seconds.

"So do you have an eidetic memory?" He genuinely seemed interested.

I looked up at him, "I don't really know how it works because I can't remember everything I've seen or heard, but I remember a lot more of my childhood than most people would. Oh, and sometimes when I need information for a test that I don't think I remember, it will magically pop up in my head. And I don't need to study much. Also, it's really convenient for blackmail," I laughed.

He let out a little chuckle and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked good. What! Don't think that Lydia.

"Sorry, I got a bit excited," I tucked a hair behind my ear and looked at the floor.

"No, it's fine. It was quite interesting honestly."

"Really?" I looked up at him again.

"Yes. I always wondered how you were able to pick up things so easily. Now I know your secret." I just nodded. "How was your recital?"

"Hmm?"

"Your recital! On Saturday?"

"Oh, it went well I guess," I shrugged.

"Anyway, I gotta go. Chloe's waiting on me."

"Of course," he said. "Have a good day, Lydia."

"You too." I walked out of the classroom

How could he be so calm about things? He acted as if nothing had happened. I decided if he was calm, then I should be too.