Illegal Innocence (Student/Teacher Relationship)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I sat under the palm tree, loving the warmth the sun gave me. Hunter was next to me, fiddling with my fingers and talking about something that happened in baseball practice. I wasn't listening, though. For the past week all I could think about was Mr. Taylor. What happened in the classroom, what he said to me... how I felt... everything. It was eating away at me, and I could hardly look at Hunter in the eye. I knew that he knew something was wrong, too, but I told him it was nothing important. Boy, was that an understatement.

"Avery?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Hunter. "Yes?"

"What's wrong? You've been like this all week. Did I do something to upset you?" he asked with a worried face.

"No, of course you didn't. Just family drama is all," I said, reassuring him. He still didn't look like he believed me, so I kissed him, hard and strong. To my relief, there was a spark between us. Not as powerful as the kiss I shared with Mr. Taylor, but there was still a spark. That's all that mattered... right? I pulled back and gave him the best forced smile I could give him. "Satisfied?"

"And wanting more," he replied with a wicked smile. I laughed and kissed him again, but pulled back when I heard a cough from behind me.

"Get a room guys, seriously." Oh joy, it was Chloe.

"Hey, Chloe," I said, giving her a smile. "What's up?"

"Oh, you know," she said, sitting next to me. "School. What about you two lovebirds? Getting into it, I see." She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"We were just kissing," I said.

"Looked like a little more that kissing to me," Daniel said from behind Hunter, who was moving his way around him to sit by us. "Chloe's right, you two need a room." I chuckled when Hunter punched him playfully on the arm.

"Whatever, dude," he said. "Hey, when's our game on Saturday?"

I turned to Chloe as the boys got into a discussion about baseball. I took a French fry from her plate and ate it. "So, how is your quest for love so far?"

Over the past couple of days, Chloe was finally sick and tired of seeing all of the happy couples around her. And when I told her Hunter and I were now together, she finally just snapped. She's been looking for the right guy, but so far, she's had no luck.

"Still on the search," she commented, shoving three fries into her mouth. She motioned me closer, so I edged away from Hunter and leaned closer to Chloe so she could whisper in my ear. "I know this sounds crazy, but I think I might like Daniel."

"What?!" I exclaimed. Both of the boys looked at us with clueless faces, but I waved them away. "It's nothing, it's nothing."

"Shut up, Avery!" she whispered loudly, clearly furious.

"Sorry," I whispered. "But why Daniel?"

"Why Hunter?" she shot back. I opened my mouth to reply, but I was cut off by the loud chimes echoing through the courtyard, dismissing lunch for the students. I sighed furiously, not wanting to have to go to next period. Mr. Taylor hadn't been in class ever since what happened, but still... That was last week and I was sure he'd be in school today.

"Alright," Chloe sighed, picking up her bag from beside us. "Let's get to class. Hopefully we'll have another substitute."

"Yeah," I laughed nervously. "Hopefully." I went to get up, but was pulled back by Hunter grabbing my arm.

"Not so fast," he said. I sat back onto the ground and felt his lips on mine in seconds. I smiled under the kiss, trying not to laugh. Hunter was so sweet, which made me feel even guiltier about what happened. If I ever told him what happened, let alone that I actually liked it, it would break his heart.