Ahren is right. I may be her teacher, but I can’t deny she’s beautiful, perfect even. Her skin looks as smooth as the finest silk, and my fingertips ache to touch her. Her lips are plump, a perfect bow, and her flowing, honey-colored hair that hangs to the middle of her back has me wanting to wrap it around my fists.
And then there are her curves. Those soft, luscious curves I’d love to learn every inch of with my tongue. I know I must restrain my thoughts, but in this moment, I allow myself the freedom to enjoy the desire that’s risen inside me.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back to normal.
Tonight, I’ll find my release to images of her racing through my mind.6Arabella“So, like I told you before, there’s Alistor, who owns the house. Well, his folks do, but that’s beside the point. They’re never there. And Ahren, his best friend who is…” Marleigh is talking, but I haven’t been all too focused on her explanation of where we’re going tonight. She’s focused on the boys, but I can’t stop thinking about a certain teacher I shouldn’t be thinking of. I wanted to impress him with my love of mythology, and when I handed in my assignment from yesterday, I was sure he noticed me trembling.
I can’t explain why, but he makes me nervous. To the point where the hummingbirds in my stomach wake up and fight a battle with my heart. Both thrumming and tumbling with an endless reminder that I most certainly have a crush.
“Are you listening to me?” Marleigh asks, breaking through the fog that has been caused by Mr. Donati and those endless pools I feel myself getting lost in, making it feel as if he’s attempting to bore a hole right through me with one single stare.
“No. Yes. I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be,” Marleigh tells me earnestly. “This is going to be fun, and by fun, I mean we’ll be able to just forget about school and focus on dancing the night away.” Her enthusiasm is catching, and I have to smile. She’s the complete opposite of me. Her wavy, brown hair with those dark eyes are so far from my gray eyes and honey-hued locks.
“I know. I’ll be fine once we’re actually there and I’m in the throng of people,” I inform her with a wink. I slip on the shiny heels that give me a couple inches of height and take in my appearance in the mirror.
My long hair hangs in a sleek style down to the base of my spine. The shimmery black mini dress would most probably give any parent a heart attack, but my aunt isn’t home, and thankfully, I’ll be able to sneak in before she gets back from her meetings.
At first, I was worried about going back to that life. But this is different. At least, that’s what I tell myself in the hopes of not allowing guilt to wash over me. Emotions are pointless. That’s what I’ve learned from an early age.
Don’t feel them.
Don’t show them.
So even as my heart shatters thinking about what I’ve lost, I haven’t cried. I don’t allow the tears to fall because it’s a sign of weakness. And Dad always taught me weakness is for fools.
“This is so short,” I tell Marleigh, looking at the curve of my ass as the hemline hangs at the top of my thighs. “I mean … I can’t bend over.”
A laugh tumbles from her lips. “Or you could and any guy in his right mind would do anything you ask of him.” Her dark brow arches, and the smirk on her lips tells me she’s already planned how to get attention tonight.
“You’re ridiculous.” I can’t help but laugh. It’s good to have made a connection here. I didn’t think I’d have someone I could call a friend on my first day at the academy, but Marleigh has been spending each lunch with me, and the classes we do share, we’ve sat together, which makes the transition less lonely than I expected it to be.
“And that’s why we’re going to be the best of friends,” she announces as she walks over to me. Her dress is fire-engine red, and it also shimmers under the light as she moves. “Don’t worry about a thing, Ara. You will have the most amazing school year. We’re seniors. We’re meant to cause a little bit of trouble.”
And that’s what worries me.By the time we get to the party, it’s in full swing. There are students filling every available space. The living room has a table set up where guys are playing beer pong, and we move through the house into the kitchen where we find bottles of alcohol strewn along the countertop. Some labels I recognize, others I don’t.
Marleigh grabs two Solo cups, and we fill them with beer from a keg near the sink. The bubbly liquid is bitter tasting, but I sip it down anyway. Marleigh slips her hand in mine, our fingers laced as she pulls me out into the backyard which looks like it could host a music concert it’s so big. I’m not sure how many acres of land this is, but it’s much more than I’m used to coming from the city.