BE QUIET
MIA
Idabbed my cheeks with a tissue for the last time and took a deep breath when James unlocked the door. He had calmed me down and demanded me to drink water from the bottle he offered. I thought I had creeped him out after sobbing like that, but he seemed closer to me than before, clutching my hand in his palm as we both stepped out of the room.
He had promised that the cleaning crew would clean them and there was nothing to worry about. I trusted him.
“Mia,” Emma whispered, her face pale as she looked between me and James. “I…wait—are you crying?”
James didn’t let go of my hand when I tried to pull away. My heart thundered in my ribs, heat creeping up my neck. I didn’t know what to say. She must have already figured everything out.
“No, I-I…” I looked closer at her face, her glistening eyes. “Are you crying?”
She sniffed and looked away. Emma never cried. She was the type of person who’d say ‘Oh, well’ if she got into a car accident and try to go about her day. Seeing her eyes red and the tears streaked on her cheeks made me concerned.
“Did something happen?” I asked softly, stepping closer to her.
“It’s nothing,” she snapped and glared at James, crossing her arms. “I knew it washim. Did he make you cry?”
“Long answer, no. But short answer, ye—”
I cut him off. “You’re not helping.”
“Is he taking advantage of you?” Emma demanded, trying to step between me and him. Despite being shorter than me, she still managed to look down at James. It was incredible.Shewas incredible.
“Tell her, Princess,” James said, tilting his head and offering my friend a cool look. “Did I take advantage of you?”
My body heated at his teasing words. I held Emma’s arm, “He’s not, Em. You can calm down.”
She clenched her jaw and looked at me, her eyes softening. “I’m interrogating you about this later. I want to get home now.”
“I’ll drop you off.”
Emma glared at James again, but surprisingly, it was ineffective to him. “All three of you had alcohol and I’m taking Mia home, anyway. Come on.”
She must be shaken up by whatever had made her cry that she didn’t further argue with James. Summer was frowning at her phone and I felt bad about leaving her alone, but when she took one look at me and James, she let out a wolf-whistle.
“You made me fifty dollars rich, M!” She opened her palm at Emma, who scowled and passed her a fifty-dollar bill while I gaped at them.
“Did you put a bet on us?”
“We both knew you had a crush on your hot, dad’s bestfriend—hello James, but when he started teaching at our school and moved into your house, it was as easy as one plus one equals to one scandalous, forbidden romance!” Summer was definitely happy about it.
Emma rolled her eyes. “I thought you’d tell us sooner, considering we are your friends. Summer won because she knew you would be shy about it.”
James cleared his throat and tugged at his collar, making my breath hitch. Of course, it was obvious that I had fucked my hot teacher. My red lipstick had smudged his shirt and his neck.
“Shall we leave or you want to eat something more?”
I closed my eyes, praying that we would reach home safely.
* * *
Callingthe drive back home awkward would be an understatement. I kept squirming in the passenger seat for two main reasons.
1. James had torn my panties, and I had to go commando under the dress.
2. My two best friends were silent in the back seats, and I could feel their burning stare on my thigh where James had entwined our hands.