And Then I Met My Teacher

“You're up.'' He pointed out coldly.
''I am.'' I answered, nervously fidgeting my hands. It was awkward. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable.
''You changed my clothes?'' I asked timidly.
''I didn't have much of a choice, you just threw up all over yourself.'' He said, clearly irritated by my presence.
''So we didn't-''
''You passed out on me.'' He answered bitterly.
''And you didn't..?''
''I didn't what? Abuse you? I don't fuck limp bodies, if that's what you're asking.'' He spat, disgruntled.
''Sorry'', I muttered, embarrassed by my own question. I felt the skin of my cheeks flushing shamefully. My face felt insanely warm and my head was pounding. I just wanted to go... Well, I didn't know where I wanted to go, but I sure as hell didn't want to be here.
''I'll lend you one of my brother's shirts. I washed and dried your pants, but your shirt is still wet. I had to wash it twice to get all the vomit out." He said, disgusted. Fuck, I got the point. I puked everywhere and ruined your night. I'm embarrassed enough, can you fucking stop already?
"You should get going if you don't want to be late for class.'' He added coldly.
''My first class is Introduction to visual arts'' I said.
''And?'' He asked, flustered.
''And it's your class. You're teaching it.'' I added.
''Please, get to the point, Frank. I don't have all day.'' He snapped.
''I was just thinking that maybe we could go together? It's freezing outsi-''
''Because you think I am going to risk getting caught with a student in my car? I could lose my job is someone found out about what happened! You should be grateful I didn't let you sleep in your puke in the bar's bathroom. I'm not taking you anywhere, you can walk." He barked, running his hand through his messy hair, clearly agitated.
''Okay. Can I get my shirt? I want to leave.'' I said, holding back tears. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction to make me cry, but the quiver in bottom lip was getting harder and harder to hide. I think he noticed the anguished expression on my face because he carefully softened his voice.
''Don't be ridiculous, it's soaking wet. You'll get cold. I'll lend you one.'' He insisted.
''No. I want mine.'' I mumbled.
''You don't wanna have anything for breakfast?''
''No, just my shirt'' I said, avoiding to make eye contact with him.
''Alright, I'll go get it.” He answered, exiting the room. His voice was calmer now, but I could see he was still tensed. He might have thrown me off with his heavenly looks yesterday, but I now knew firsthand he was far from perfect. He came back a few minutes later with Sam's shirt and handed it to me. I quickly put it on and I felt the cold wet fabric sticking to my skin. It didn’t smell like Sam anymore. It was just another shirt that smelled like laundry detergent. Like HIS laundry detergent. As if I needed that smell to remind me of that god awful night all day long. I was ready to leave, quietly making my way to the door when he stopped me.
''Frank?'' He hesitated.
''Yes?''
''I wish things were different, I really do.'' He sighed wistfully.
''It's fine. I don't.'' I retorted, exasperated. I knew deep down I was lying. I knew I that even if he hurt me, I still couldn’t get his damn smirk and his gorgeous hazel eyes out of my head. But he didn’t need to know that. I walked closer to the door, put my black Converse on and left.

It was early in the morning, and the cold September air was stinging my face. The walk to school seemed to last for hours, and it probably did, but I didn’t have any money to pay for a cab so I kept walking. I made it to class a few minutes late. I could see Mr. Way teaching, perched on his desk, from the small door window. I tried to walk in discreetly, but he stopped talking as soon as he noticed me, watching my every moves until I sat down in the empty seat next to James.
''Do you have a note that justifies your being late?'' He asked obnoxiously.
''No.'' I mumbled.
''I will let it slide for this time, but don't make a habit out of it.'' He said flatly, before resuming his lesson. A few minutes later, he asked the class take out our coursepacks and go to page seventy-one. Of course, I didn't have mine since I had left my bag at home the night before. He glanced at the room to see if everyone had the book and noticed my empty desk. He sighed loudly.
''Again, Mr. Iero?'' He asked. I nodded.
''First, you come in late, then you forget to bring your material. We’re not making any improvements, are we?” He asked rhetorically. I gulped, nervously, ignoring the question. “When does your last class end today?'' He inquired. He didn't sound angry. He actually looked pretty indifferent, but I was fully aware he was purposely picking on me. He knew exactly why I was late and didn't have my coursepack. He had no valid reason to be so bristling. I checked my schedule to give him an answer.
''3:00 PM'', I grunted.
''Great. I will expect you to be here by 3:15.''
''What for?'' I asked, perplexed.
''Detention.'' He answered. I knew he was just trying to get under my skin. He was clearly seeking some kind of revenge for my comment from earlier. He had seemed pretty dispirited when I said I didn't wish that things were different. He was undoubtedly not used to rejection and didn’t quite know how to deal with it. He turned away to face the blackboard he’d been writing on and continued teaching. James looked at me, puzzled.
''What?'' I asked.
''Did you do something to him?'' I obviously couldn't tell him anything about our little fling at the bar, or about the night I had spent at his house, so I just played dumb.
''Not that I know of, why?''
''I don’t know, he's really harsh on you.'' He pointed out. I shrugged innocently at his comment and turned away to look at the board.

When the lesson was finally over, I waited for James to gather his thing while checking my phone. ''Don't forget about me, Frank. You wouldn't like the consequences.'' Mr. Way reiterated as we were walking out.

''He really has something against you.'' James said, as soon as we had reached the hallway.
''I guess so. I don't really care, though.'' I lied. He smiled.
''You're strong. I probably would’ve broken down in front of everyone.'' He giggled, squeezing my arm lightly. Was he gay? And if he was, was he flirting with me? Although he was pretty good looking, I already had my hands full with Sam and Mr. Way. Not that I was seriously considering either of them, but they’re were still both occupying my mind to its full capacity.
''Is that eyeliner that you're wearing?'' He asked, brushing my upper cheek with his thumb.
''Yeah,”
''It really suits you. It makes your eyes look even greener.'' He said, still touching my face. He was definitely gay.
''Uh, thanks.'' I said hesitantly. He smiled timidly. He wasn't Mr. Way, but he was still kind of cute. His long dark-brown locks were framing his chiselled face nicely.
''Come on, I'll introduce you to my friends.'' He said, pulling on my arm and dragging me through the crowded cafeteria. He sat me down at one of the tables, across from a tall blond guy, and sat next to me. Three other guys were sitting at the table, having an animated conversation. They didn't seem to have noticed us until James cleared his throat loudly to get their attention.
''Guys, I would like to introduce you to someone.'' He paused to give them a chance to look at me. With their nine eyes locked on me, he continued speaking.
''This is Frank. He just moved here and we have the same schedule. Frank, this is Avery, Matthew and Sidney.'' He said cheerfully, pointing out every one of them as he said their names. I smiled, a little uncomfortable. They looked like nice guys and they included me very quickly. James seemed to be really excited to see that I was getting along with his friends because he wouldn't stop grinning. Matt was clearly the introvert of the group. He was barely talking, but he seemed genuinely interested in the conversation, listening carefully to every word. Sid and Avery were the exact opposite. They were both very loud and outgoing, and seemed to take great pleasure in embarrassing James, as they kept picking on him playfully.

We had time to chat a little and to eat before James and I had to leave for our next class. Right when I was about to get up, Sid pulled me towards him and circled my ear with both his hands to form a soundproof little wall.
''I think he likes you.'' He murmured, looking at James. I felt my cheeks getting warmer and Sid winked at me.
''We should probably get going if we don't want to late.'' James said, completely oblivious to what Sid had just said. I nodded and got up. He told the three guys that he would meet them after class.
''Why don't you come hang out with us too, Frank?'' Matthew asked.
''I can't. I have detention with Mr. Way.'' I answered.
''Lucky bastard. Having a detention with the sexy teacher.'' Sid said, raising his eyebrows at James, whom I assumed had mentioned Mr.Way’s looks to his friends before. So, I wasn't the only one to think he was sexy? That was interesting.

Class went by as one big blur and before I knew it, I found myself waiting in front of Mr. Way's classroom. The last thing I wanted to do was to knock on that damn door, but I knew I had to. I knocked three times and I heard footsteps approaching from the other side of the door.
''Frank, come in.'' He said firmly. I walked passed the door and noticed we were alone in the room.
''Am I too early?'' I asked.
''No. Actually, there won't be anyone else.'' He said as he closed the door behind me. I shivered. What was going on? Him and I, alone in his classroom; that sounded like a recipe for disaster. I was feeling kind of nervous, but I successfully calmed myself down, thinking that nothing could happen at school. I was wrong.

Notes

Hey lovelies! I hope you're enjoying the story so far! Thank you to everyone who voted/commented/subscribed!
I hope you like the new chapter! Let me know what y'all think! <3

xox
-T.