Page 21 of Jain

What was Harley’s problem?!

I was early, but I didn’t want to stand in the hallway looking like a loner.

Sarah was off sick today, and I knew Arden wouldn’t make it judging by his early morning antics. I walked in, surprised to see it was only me in the class. I paused in the doorway as Mr Silver glanced up at me in surprise.

“Can I help you?” He said before shuffling the papers on his desk.

“I’ve got English?”

“No, you have a free period. Revision period, remember?” He arched his eyebrow at me as a smile played on his lips.

“Oh, shit. Yeah. Oops—”

“You can study here if you want. I’m marking essays,” Mr Silver said breezily, sinking into his chair as he nodded at the door behind me. “You’ll need to leave that open, or there will be all sorts of ridiculous rumours flying around.”

There it was again, that soft tone. Playful, yet sensual. He never spoke like that in class.

“Are you sure? I can head to the library—” I began when he shook his head, glancing over his glasses at me.

“I like your company. Sit.”

This sounded more like an invitation I could accept as I dropped my bag to the floor.

His eyes fell to my boots before he quickly glanced away.

I shrugged my jacket off before pulling my hair over one shoulder. I was lost in these simple acts when I felt him watching me. I didn’t look at him—I found myself crossing my legs, tapping my pencil against my lips.

Was I seriously trying to appeal to myteacher?

We sat in silence for a while before I found myself gazing at him when he wasn’t looking.

He was frowning, tipping his head to the side as he read, the only sound the scraping of his pen against the paper as he made notes. His shirt was buttoned up, complete with a tie. I couldn’t help but notice the way his lips pouted naturally as he concentrated, wondering what he would taste like.

Focus, you harlot!

Before I could look away, he glanced up as though he knew I was watching him. A smile played at his lips as he dropped his pen onto the table.

“Are you alright, Jain? You look kind of...flushed?”

I was flushed. I was onfire.

Oh God, I had a crush on my fucking teacher.

“I’m just warm.”

“In that?” Mr Silver smirked, his eyes trailing down my thin dress.

I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe, all the air suddenly held by an invisible fist. I opened my mouth to speak as he sank his teeth into his lip.

“Yeah, it’s thicker than it looks,” I said, and our eyesmet as he glanced at the open door. I followed his gaze, expecting to see someone there yet seeing no one.

“It looks just fine to me.”

Was he...flirtingwith me? Surely not.

“Thank you.”

“So, after school, did you want to ride with me? It seems pointless walking when we are both heading in the same direction.”