Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Despite them all now yelling apologies, I get up and convince the lady who sits outside the cafeteria, monitoring those who go in and out, to give me a pass to my locker.
I didn’t expect to run into Mr. Harrington as I pass the main office. My heart does that stupid racing thing and I actually keep on walking, deciding I don’t want him to see me with makeup on after all. In fact, it was stupid of me to do this, to think I could impress him this way. I have to wash it off, and I quickly look down, trying to pass by him unnoticed.
“Hey, Luci,” he calls.
I cringe and stop walking. I don’t look his way as I wait for him to catch up with me, and once I feel the heat of his body radiating off him and onto me, I continue my path.
“What are you doing?” I ask, still staring at the floor, annoyed. I don’t mean to come across so rude, but I really don’t want him to see me like this.
He laughs in response, even though I wasn’t trying to be funny.
It does crazy things to my insides.
“I think I’m supposed to be asking you that,” he chuckles softly. “Like if you have a pass or something?”
“Oh,” I fumble in my pocket, trying to find where I stuffed it.
“I don’t need to see it,” he grabs my arm, the contact catching me off guard. I look at his hand on me, his gentle hold, and he lets go.
I stop when we reach my locker, and so does he. It’s a weird moment, where he’s just staring, but I can’t complain because I do the same thing all the damn time.
“Um, don’t you have class?” I break the silence, embarrassed because he sees the makeup.
“It’s my lunch period,” he sounds far away, and I watch as he examines me. Now I really feel like the mascara is clumped on. My rosy pink cheeks have probably only intensified to an obnoxious deep color, thanks to him being next to me.
I bite my bottom lip out of nerves, releasing once his eyes peer at it, his stare slowly moving from my eyes to my cheeks before returning to my lips for a second time.
“I’m glad you left them as is,” he whispers.
I take this as his way of saying I really shouldn’t try so hard, which is essentially what I was doing.
So foolish!
“It’s…” I pause, trying to think of what to say. “It’s… it’s stupid, silly, really.” He smiles and I attempt to mask my humiliation by opening my locker. “I was just trying this… experiment,” I add, rolling my eyes.
“Oh, no, Luci,” his brow line creases and a frown forms on the sides of his mouth. “I didn’t mean anything like that… You’re…I think you’re…”
For a brief moment I think I recognize his struggle, and it takes me aback. I want to tell him, hey I get it, either before or after the extraordinary sex we’re destined to have, but his next statement completely bursts my bubble.
“You’re great just the way you are.”
And there we have it.
Gee, thanks Mr.
I run my fingers through my hair, brushing the long brown strands away from my face. I slam my locker door shut and start walking away. I mine as well get to study hall early. I pause before reaching the stairs and look back at him. He’s just standing there, in the exact same place, with his face in his hands.
I try to console myself as I wait for the bell to ring. What did I expect him to say? Hey you look hot, Luci? Love the new look, Luci? We clearly have this weird, unexplainable connection, let’s see where it takes us?
He’s my teacher.
I’m his student.
I take back my earlier statement - I clearly am delusional.
I decide to leave the makeup on after all. I don’t need him to tell me I’m great just the way I am.
Whatever that hell means.
Screw that and screw him!
I couldn’t even tell you what happened in chemistry. I was so focused on my notebook the entire time that when the bell rings, I’m caught by surprise. Still, I’m the first one out the door.
I walk into public speaking earlier than usual, but the room is already full. Everyone loves the class and all are eager to get here.
“Nick!” I call as I take my seat behind him. He turns around and I watch his eyes widen at my new look. “Hannah and I are going to the movies next weekend. If you want to come, we can all go.”
“Yes!” He shouts, practically bouncing off his chair.
“It’s not a date,” I confirm. “Hannah is coming too,” I remind him, just as Hannah enters the room. She waves to us and we both smile.