A Proscriptive Relationship Read online

  “Morning,” I mumbled.

  “Morning, Holly!” my best friend of six years, Casey Rivers, returned sounding bright and chipper. Like she did all the time. No matter what ungodly hour it was. “Are you almost ready? I’m outside your house now.”

  “Yep, I’ll be out in a moment.”

  “Kay. See you soon,” Casey responded and I heard a click.

  I closed my cell phone and stuffed it in my pocket, hurrying out of the bathroom and down the hallway. I took the stairs two at a time and stopped in the kitchen quickly to scribble a quick note for my mom. Finally I snatched my house keys off the key hanger and flung on a jacket before I stepped into the cool morning air.

  Casey was waiting on the front steps. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back and swayed gently in the wind as she blew on her hands and rubbed them together to keep warm. She turned when she heard the door open, her brown eyes lighting up excitedly. “Hi,” she greeted me, her cheeks a rosy red and the moisture of her exhale creating fog in the air.

  “It’s cold,” I commented, pulling my jacket tighter around me as the wind nipped at my cheeks.

  “Yeah,” Casey responded, nodding her head vigorously. “Thank god this is our last year of walking to school.”

  I chuckled. “Agreed. But you know you don’t have to walk with me. Don’t you have a car?”

  Casey shrugged. “I get more exercise this way and it’s more fun.”

  I shrugged back at her. “Whatever, I guess, let’s just go. I don’t know how long I can stand being outside.”

  Casey nodded and together we set off down the sidewalk towards our school. It was only a twenty-minute walk, but in the freezing cold it seemed longer than that. I could feel goose bumps on the exposed part of my knee and wished I had worn a different pair of jeans.

  “So,” Casey started, turning to face me with a grin. “Any news about the mysterious stranger you saved?”

  Frowning, I shook my head. “I wish.”

  “That’s too bad. I would have loved to meet him.”

  “I would love to see him again.”

  An eager expression suddenly crossed Casey’s face. “You know what? There’s a new biology teacher this year.”

  “Really? Male or female?”

  “Male,” she responded, stuffing her hands deeper into her pockets. “I don’t know anything about him though, but I was thinking, what if he’s your mystery man?”

  I laughed. “No way. This guy was young.”

  “So?”

  “Too young to be a teacher,” I clarified.

  Casey’s expression dropped immediately. “Bummer. Maybe the teacher’s assistant? Are you taking biology this year?”

  I nodded, pushing away a piece of my chestnut-colored hair that had flown into my face with a gust of wind. “Yeah. I took anatomy last year, so I was forced to take biology this year.”

  Casey laughed. “I’m pretty sure everyone in our grade was forced to take anatomy last year and biology this year.”

  “Probably. I like biology though, so I don’t mind.”

  “I wouldn’t mind if this new biology teacher was young and handsome,” Casey stated, a dreamy look on her face.

  I rolled my eyes. “There’s no way. All science teachers are creepy. They are usually old and bald. Or they have a lot of facial hair. Or they look at their students in inappropriate ways.”

  “Well, one can dream. But you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” I told her with a wink. “I’m omniscient.”

  “Yeah, whatever,” she responded, rolling her eyes at me.

  We came to the gates of our school and the building towered over us. I stared at in slight awe. It had been over two months since I had been this close to it. Casey grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards a group of people. I recognized them as some of my school friends: Sadie, Lance, Danielle, and Willis. They were all huddled together and I could hear them chattering excitedly.

  “Hi guys!” Casey greeted them, catching Danielle in a hug.

  “Holly!” Lance cried, pulling me into a tight hug.

  I laughed, hugging him back. “Lance! Man, have I missed you and your sexy British accent!”

  “So I’m sexy now?” he asked, pulling away from me with a wink.

  “You wish,” I retorted, shaking my head. “I know I just got here, but can we move this little shindig inside? It’s freezing.”

  The six of us trooped our way inside the school building, the warm air defrosting our frozen bodies. Students filled the entrance hall, chattering with friends; some were walking around with schedules in their hands, comparing their pieces of paper to the others’.

  “Let’s meet up in the hall after we get our schedules,” I suggested, wanting to drop my jacket off in my locker.

  “Sounds good to me,” Casey responded, pulling off her hat and running a hand through her hair. “See you in a bit.”

  The six of us split up and headed to our assigned homeroom. Lance and I were in the same homeroom, so we went off together. He babbled on about his summer and how he visited his friends back in England. He had moved to Massachusetts a few years back, when we were freshman, and we had been best friends since.

  I entered my homeroom and walked to where my seat was for the past three years and wasn’t surprised to find my schedule on the desk. I picked it up and scanned it quickly. The only name that stood out from the rest, and that I didn’t recognize, was Mr. Heywood. He must be the new biology teacher, I thought.

  “What periods do you have double biology?” Lance called from across the room.

  “Fourth and fifth,” I returned, scanning down the sheet of paper for my locker combination. I located it and read it a few times to memorize it.

  “So do I!”

  “Awesome,” I responded, stuffing my schedule into my pocket. “I’m going to my locker.”

  “Have fun.”

  I left Lance in the classroom and headed out into the jammed hallway. A few of my friends called out greetings to me as I passed by them. Maneuvering around the crowds of students, I finally managed to make it to the back hall where my locket was located. Right on the corner. I spun the combo slowly and surprisingly opened it on my first try. A laugh left my lips when I noticed the small drawing off a muffin I had drawn back in ninth grade was still on the door. The janitors still couldn’t get it off. I let go of the locker door and began to pull my arms out of my jacket, only having a little difficulty. Suddenly, there was a quiet thud and my locker banged shut, catching the edge of my nose.

  “Ow!” I cried, slapping a hand to my nose.

  There quick intake of air from beside me and I twirled around to come face-to-chest with someone. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a young man with umber hair. My eyes widened when I recognized the familiar, attractive gray eyes of my mystery man. He looked just as surprised, if not more, to see me. My mouth went dry and my mind blank. I definitely was not expecting to see him here.

  We continued our mini staring contest for a few more moments. Once again my eyes were glued to his, focused on their unusual color. Eventually he came out of his shock, and a small smirk slipped onto his face. “Don’t go falling for my good looks already,” he commented, flicking my forehead.

  I winced from the sudden contact and rubbed my forehead, glaring at the man while a light blush spread to my cheeks. “I—I’m not. I just wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

  He furrowed his eyebrows. “Neither was I . . .”

  I frowned at his annoyed expression. Why was this guy at my school? Was he a transfer student? There was no way he could be a freshman—he looked way too old. My eyebrows knitted as I tried to figure out his grade based on looks. Definitely not a sophomore. Maybe a junior, but most likely a senior like me. Maybe he was a transfer student!

  “Hey.”

  I snapped out of my thoughts and looked back up at the handsome transfer student. “Yeah?”

  “Can you tell me how to get to roo
m 1054?” he requested, his eyes never leaving my face. They held some kind of emotion I couldn’t recognize in them. Maybe he was nervous. I’d be nervous if I was the new kid during senior year.

  I shook my head, repeating his question in my head. 1054. The room corresponded with my locker number. Smiling slightly, I nodded to him and pointed the way he had just come. “You go down this hallway, and take a right into the hallway that’s painted blue. It’ll be the last door before the stairs.”

  He clicked his tongue and frowned. “I must have passed it. Oh well. Thanks.”

  “Sure thing,” I responded, finally peeling my eyes away from his handsome face to look at my locker. It was rude to stare.

  After a few seconds I heard him start walking away, and I spun the combo to my locker and opened it again. I stuffed my jacket inside and frowned, still miffed at the appearance of the man. We didn’t usually get transfer students. The school was small, and not many people lived around here.

  “Holly!” someone cried and I turned to see Casey running towards me. “Holly, oh my god!”

  “What?”

  “I just saw the new biology teacher!” she exclaimed, eyes bright and looking excited. “He is hot!”

  “Eh? Where’d you see him?” I asked, looking down the hall. “Is he still there?”

  “No! He walked this way. Didn’t you see him?”

  “No, but listen—”

  “Oh boy. Your thoughts about science teachers will be changing now. Wait until you see him. He looks so young!” Casey gushed, her eyes wide with excitement. “What period do you have bio?”

  I laughed at her excitement. “Fourth and fifth.”

  Casey groaned. “You have to wait that long to see him?”

  “Apparently so,” I responded, shaking my head. “Listen to this—”

  The homeroom bell rung overhead, interrupting me, and I scowled. Now I would have to wait until I could tell Casey that I saw my mystery man. If she was that excited over a teacher, I could just imagine her excitement over a new hot transfer student. Transfer students were datable, unlike teachers.

  I sighed and started off toward my homeroom, waving to Casey as she left in the opposite direction. I had to admit I was kind of excited to see the new biology teacher and that it was kind of disappointing how I had to wait until fourth period, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. He was just a teacher.

  I entered my homeroom and searched for the transfer student. A frown spread across my face when I couldn’t locate him. Hopefully I’d at least be able to see him again today. It’d be great if I had some classes with him too . . . The announcements came on and I quickly hurried towards my seat next to Lance. He grinned up at me and I smiled back. I just had to wait and find out.

  LESSON TWO

  “Holly!”

  I turned when I heard my name being called from across the boisterous cafeteria. My friend James was waving me over to him where he sat with a few of my other friends. I clutched my tray tighter and began to maneuver my way through the throng of students to get to him. He patted to a seat next to him. “Sit, sit!”

  I smiled at him and shook my head. “Sorry. I’m going to sit with Casey and them. I already promised. It’s nice to see you again though.”

  He faked a pout. “That’s too bad. Maybe tomorrow?”

  “Maybe tomorrow,” I agreed, turning to walk away.

  “Wait!” a girl named Allison stopped me. “Have you seen the biology teacher yet?”

  I frowned slightly. What was up with everyone making a commotion about the new biology teacher? Was he really that good looking? “Not yet . . .”

  Allison clicked her tongue. “He’s very handsome.”

  “So I’ve heard,” I responded wearily. I could see it now. Some scandal about a student dating the new handsome biology teacher. “About one hundred times today. But I’m going to go eat now.”

  I made my way back across the cafeteria to where Casey was and took a seat next to Willis, setting down my tray.

  “How’s your day been, Holly?” Willis asked, picking up his French bread pizza and sniffing it cautiously.

  “Pretty normal,” I responded, grabbing my own piece of pizza and prodding it. A disgusting oil liquid drooled out from the edge. I made a face, setting the slice back down on my tray. It was the first day of school and I didn’t want to risk dying from food poisoning.

  “That’s because she hasn’t had biology yet,” Casey interjected, absolutely glowing. I opened my mouth to complain, but she held up her hand. “Just wait! Not only is he hot, he’s funny, nice and he has the most attractive voice. I don’t ever think I’ll be falling asleep in that class.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “Someone has a crush.”

  “Hey,” Willis interrupted, frowning at me. “Boyfriend present.”

  “For a boyfriend, you sure are calm about your girlfriend basically drooling over another guy,” Lance commented, shaking his head.

  “She is drooling,” I muttered, taking a look at Casey, who was wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

  Willis shrugged. “He’s a teacher. Teacher-student relationships can never happen. It’s basically illegal.”

  “It is illegal,” Lance corrected him. “In some states.”

  “I’d be a little jealous if I were you,” Sadie warned. “He’s one good-looking guy.”

  “See!” Casey cried, pointing at Sadie. “Just wait!”

  Lance snorted. “I really doubt Holly is interested in teachers, Casey.”

  “Actually, I’m kind of interested,” I admitted. “Everyone is making such a big deal about him.”

  “No way,” Lance responded, frowning at me. “Don’t tell me you are going to fall head over heels for him when you see him.”

  “Someone’s getting a little jealous,” Sadie teased, winking at Lance.

  Lance sent a glare at her. “I am not!”

  “It’s hard to take Lance seriously with his accent,” she commented, rolling her eyes.

  “Not fair,” he said, crossing his arms.

  “Come on Sadie, leave Lance alone,” I said, laughing. “I like his accent.”

  “Same,” Casey agreed immediately.

  “It’s sexy,” Lance said with a wink.

  “Now don’t be too modest,” I told him sarcastically, turning my attention back to my food. “But Casey, I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “What?”

  “Remember mystery man?”

  She nodded.

  “He’s a new student here.”

  Casey’s eyes widened significantly. “Serious?”

  I nodded. “Completely.”

  A grin spread across her face. “You have to point him out to me, okay? Is he in this lunch?”

  “Nope,” I responded glumly. “I haven’t seen him since this morning.”

  “I’m sure you’ll see him again,” Casey assured me.

  “See who again?” Lance interjected quickly.

  Casey pursed her lips at him. “Never mind. Eat your lunch, Lance.”

  The rest of lunch passed by quickly. So quickly in fact, I didn’t bring up my tray before the bell rang. Lance laughed as I quickly jumped up, heading towards the front of the cafeteria.

  “I’ll see you in bio!” he called after me.

  I struggled to navigate my way around the swarm of students exiting the cafeteria. One kid bumped into me, sending my tray onto the ground. A groan of frustration escaped my lips, and I quickly picked up the tray, retrieving the trash that had fallen off it. By now, the cafeteria was empty. I hurried to the trash cans and dumped my tray, handing it off to the lunch lady.

  I grit my teeth as I made my way out of the cafeteria. I had to get my backpack from my locker, which was on the other side of the school, and make it back to the science wing before the bell rang. Hastening down the hall, I avoided the other students who were also scurrying to get to class on time. By the time I go
t to my locker, I hazarded a guess that I had about a minute left to make it to the biology room on time. I pulled my backpack out of my locker and shut it, just as the bell signaled.

  “Crap,” I muttered, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and speeding down the hallway toward the science wing.

  Great. I was late to class on my first day of school. Not only that, but it was with a new teacher—a handsome new teacher, apparently. I cursed myself and rushed down the hallway and into the classroom.

  “Sorry I’m late,” I apologized, my eyes on the floor. “My locker—”

  My mind went blank when I looked up, making me forget my excuse. It felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. Staring back at me was the same handsome umber-haired guy that had run into my locker earlier—my mystery man. I blinked as I stared at him in surprise.

  So he really was a new student.

  He glanced down at a paper in his hands, and once again a shocked look appeared on his face. Looking bewildered, he turned to me, then back to the paper, and back to me again. “You must be Ms. Evers,” he said finally. “Glad you managed to join us.”

  Now it felt like a freight train had run into my gut. My heart sunk low in my chest. This man wasn’t a student. He was a teacher, the new handsome biology teacher.

  I felt my face grow hot and I looked at the floor. “Ah . . . sorry.”

  He chuckled, but it sounded somewhat forced. “It’s quite alright. The first day can be hectic. But let’s not make this a habit, alright?”

  “Y-yeah,” I stammered, willing the blush from my face to go away.

  “Why don’t you take a seat?”

  I looked around the classroom to see Lance sitting in the back, frowning at me. All spots around him were taken. And so were the spots around the spots around him. I slowly realized the only spot available was the front seat in the middle row. Front and center. I bit my lip and made my way over to the desk, slinking into it. The teacher’s name was written on the board. Mr. Heywood. I repeated the name in my head in a few times. It was an unusual last name.