Page 43 of Unsupervised
“Tonight at seven?”
She nods, and I sit up, putting some space between us before I decide I don’t give two shits about her brother. “We don’t have to go out anywhere. Dinner at your place sounds perfect. So does breakfast.”
The school can go to hell. I want her.
Kelly takes a moment to show me her new scooter her brother got her for her birthday, and I make a quick exit before he shows up. I’m not planning to hide the fact we’re seeing each other—outside of school at least—but considering we haven’t even had an actual date yet, it’s a little early for either of us to meet family.
Just when I think my week can’t get any more eventful, an email pushes me toward a decision I’ve been considering for a long time.
Ransing Corp, the company Travis said he recommended me to, is looking for a freelance consultant. The offer is extremely lucrative. It blows my teacher salary out of the water—not that that’s difficult to manage—but it also shows me what I could probably make by offering these services to other companies as well. If I decided to make this leap, to be an independent contractor, I’d have so much freedom.
The ability to set my own hours, to do the type of work I really enjoy. Analysis would be my specialty. There’s something so satisfying about creating mathematical and statistical models to make predictions on the economic impact of certain actions or decisions. It feels like a superpower, predicting the future, then watching to see if it falls the way I thought it would. So far, I’ve mostly used these skills to build my own stock portfolio. Doing it on a grander scale would be exciting. I’d also be open to auditing, and I know there are plenty of opportunities out there for that as well.
There are downsides, of course. There’s always going to be uncertainty in going to work for yourself, but if this is what I really want, I don’t see a reason to wait.
The email asks for a copy of my resume, and I don’t waste any time sending it to them. If they want me to start right away, I’m sure I can juggle both jobs until the end of the semester. One thing I know for sure. Teaching isn’t for me. It’s not just that the students don’t seem to have much enthusiasm for my subject. I don’t particularly enjoy teaching it either and maybe that shows in their lack of interest.
We’ll see how it goes. Right now, all I can think about is seeing Kelly tonight.
Chapter Twelve
Kelly
I’m spending the night at Layton’s place. It’s necessary to keep telling myself because I barely believe it. Tonight is the night I lose my virginity. I’m going to see what all the fuss is about and while I’m so nervous I could throw up, I’m also excited.
Just the thought of seeing him naked, of him seeing me naked, touching him, his hands on me. My stomach is full of butterflies.
Worry tries to seep in. What if I’m not good at it? Even for my first time? How badly will it hurt? Should I even tell him I’ve never done it before?
No, I’m not going to let anxiety take over. Tonight is going to be great. What Serena and Zara said about losing your virginity is true. It may not be some big leap into womanhood or change who I am, but it will be a milestone. A night I’ll always remember.
Zara grins at me when I walk into the living room with my overnight bag slung over my shoulder. “You look great.”
“Thanks…um, I’m going to be out for the night so don’t worry when I don’t come home.”
Serena sits up straight. “You’re going to fuck your teacher.” Before I can say anything, she grins, adding, “Those slutty shorts are perfect. I’m so proud.”
Damn her perceptive self.
“His name is Layton, and these aren’t slutty shorts.” I smile at my reflection in the mirror across the room, turning sideways to get a better look. “They do make my ass look good.”
Remee regards me from her spot on the couch. “Are you sure about this, Kelly?”
A smile forms on my face. “I am. I found my starter penis.” The word penis brings back a foggy memory of last night. Oh my god, did I rant at him about wanting his penis? Then correct myself that it’s a cock? Was it out loud or did it only happen in my head? I have no idea.
“Hello, earth to Kelly,” Zara laughs, snapping her fingers. Great, I’m just standing here grinning like an idiot.
“Yeah, she’s sure,” Serena says, “Look at that smile.”
My face heats as all three of them stare at me. “Listen, Layton isn’t my teacher anymore, but for now, I don’t want to advertise that we’re seeing each other. We aren’t breaking any laws, but he’d lose his job. Not to mention having a reputation for sleeping with students would guarantee he wouldn’t teach again.”
They’re quick to agree. After Remee questions me to make sure I have condoms in case he doesn’t, I escape outside where my Rideshare waits.
I’m grateful the driver isn’t talkative because I can barely keep a thought in my head. When he lets me out at Layton’s house, a hyper black lab bounds up to me, tail wagging like crazy. He’s young, still a puppy, and I giggle as he licks my fingers when I offer my hand for him to sniff.
“Well, hi. What’s your name?” I ask, crouching to pet the wiggling mass of dark fur.
“Midnight. He doesn’t recognize it yet.” Layton stands over me, his arms crossed over his chest, a lazy smile on his face. The flutters in my stomach instantly spring to life.