Alex
I know I'm a jerk. She was absolutely right about me when she mentioned that during our last fight. I knew that I had been acting like an asshole sincethatday, but I didn't care because no one dared to tell me. My fans thought I was just tired of the fame; they were too blinded by my success to notice the change. My parents and friends felt pity for what I'd been through and ignored it when I was too aggressive. I hated that they did so but was too ashamed to admit it.
Life went by day after day, and I hadn't noticed that I’d become unbearable. Or maybe I had, but I didn't care, even after I lost my connection to all of the people I cared about except for my parents, with whom I rarely talked for more than two minutes anyway.
I knew that if Gabrielle remarked on what an asshole I am, that meant that I’d become an absolute tyrant. And I wish I could say I did not care what she thought about me, but that would be a lie. For some unexplained reason, of all the people in the world, she's the only one whose opinion matters to me, and that's the problem.
It's been a week since our fight. She hasn't come to our after-school practices even once since then. Moreover, she refused to do the school swimming lessons, which are obligatory. I received some stupid medical note that she was unable to attend classes due to her health.
Of course, it's a lie. Moreover, I'm sure that that note is fake, but how can I prove it? I won't go to the principal and complain, and she knows that. What would I say? That we had a fight because I kissed my student two days before school and now I'm angry at her? Why else would I be mad at one of my students?
I close my eyes and start palming them with my fingers. I learned this trick from Fitz a long time ago when I was a student myself. My eyes were so sore from wearing swimming goggles for hours that I told him that I wanted to quit. Of course, it wasn't true; I just needed a day or two off practice. But Fitz's reaction was the opposite of what I'd expected.
At first, he told me that if something so trivial could make me quit, I should definitely do that. And after I promised him that I wouldn’t complain anymore, he showed me the method of how to make my eyes better.
I can't believe it's only been a week since my fight with Gabi. I see her at school every day in the hallways, going to her classes. When she notices my gaze, she immediately looks away without even nodding. I know that I deserve it, but still, it hurts for some reason.
I watch her. Every morning I make my coffee and walk on my terrace, waiting for her to come out of her house. At first, I told myself that I do this only because I need to know if she’s still swimming since she quit our lessons.
It initially happened by accident. I wake up really early; sometimes I only sleep a couple of hours because of my nightmares. The first thing I do in the morning is make my coffee and walk outside to pray. I love doing that in silence before sunrise, asking God to forgive my sins.
And then I saw her, right after the sun came up. She got up early to swim for a couple of hours before school.
She didn't see me. My house is higher on the slope. I can see her through the bushes right from my terrace. And for the first time since I moved in, I’m not complaining that the houses in Malibu are too close to each other. Now I'm grateful for it.
Gabi practices twice a day, before and after school. She really is a hard worker, and I regret calling her 'princess' to piss her off. The truth is, I don't know how to act when she's near, and that's why I act like an asshole. Like a teen who likes a girl but pretends he doesn't so she won’t guess how he feels.
Except that I not only like Gabrielle Marcos, but I'm also attracted to her, more than anyone in my life. It's like I see her and become somebody else, unable to control my craving for her.
And now I've been watching her for about an hour, unable to look away. It's a Saturday morning, and she came out later than usual, letting herself sleep a little longer. I waited for about three hours before she showed herself. I was so anxious to make sure she was okay that I barely stopped myself from going there to check on her.
How can her parents let her live alone in a house like that? It isn't safe. I know she's an adult; I checked her file as soon as I was able to. She's the oldest student in her class, almost nineteen. Which allows me to kiss her as her neighbor but still forbids it because I'm her teacher.
I wash that thought away. I can't do that, not to her. She has a future in swimming—she's really talented. And, as I see now, she's also hardworking, which is a good sign. All of the champions are hardworking. I can't ruin that just because I'm attracted to her. No, I have to stay her coach at least until the end of the school year. And not only because I promised Fitz, but also because she deserves it.
And that's why I have to apologize. She has already finished her practice and is resting on the edge of the cliff, hanging her legs off the rock. My heart stops each time she does that. I do my best not to grab her and spank her harshly for being so irresponsible. I would do that until she screamed for forgiveness.
And then I would tenderly brush my fingers across her naughty little ass, asking for mercy for my actions, kissing her butt cheeks until she came, screaming my name...
My dick jumps at that thought, and I brush it away immediately. That won't be happening, at least not in this life. Gabi is a student, and I am her coach. We don't have a future. Especially not the kind of future I just imagined in my head.
I put down my empty cup on a terrace table and get up from my chair, heading to Gabi's house before I change my mind.
Chapter Thirteen
Alex
"Gabrielle," I say and can see her jump slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"You weren't invited," she responds irritatedly, without even glancing at me.
"Well, I guess since you trespassed on my property, now we're even." I wanted it to sound like a joke, but I'm not a good comedian, and that's why it sounds more like a reproach.
Gabi stays silent, looking into the distance. I want to tell her so much, but it seems like all the words drain out of my mind somehow when I get close to her.
When this girl is near, I stop being myself and lose all my confidence.
"You should come back to our lessons," I continue, coming closer slowly, like a wild animal trying not to frighten his prey. "I won't be yelling at you ever again."