by Remi Rose
“In prison.” I state, and her eyes flutter closed. Her hand slips from mine, and flies to her chest.
“He’s fine.” I reassure hoping to ease some of her pain. “He’s supposed to be getting out soon.”
She stands there quiet, still clutching her chest but her eyes slowly open.
“Please.” She begs. “I just need a few dollars.”
That's when I noticed her twitching. Her hands are shaky as she tries to control her movements. Back and forth, I watch in horror as my mom, the one who birthed me, the one who was supposed to raise me, stands here in front me, begging her own daughter for money.
It was pathetic but also heartbreaking.
“For what?” I lift my chin, while spiteful words rest on my tongue.
“I’ll come back, I promise.” She smiles, revealing her decaying teeth.
“You’ll come back?” I ask while reaching into my pocket for the five dollar bill I have stuffed inside.
“Yes, I’ll come back.” She eyes the bill like it was gold. “Then I’ll come home.” As I handed it to her, she quickly snatched it from my hold and thanked me over and over. But the words faded in my ears as she continued to speak.
Her lies sliced through my already damaged heart, stab after painful stab, she continued to wound me. As a child it was hard enough that she abandoned me, but now, it felt as though she never even loved me.
She chose this life over me, and now it was my turn to walk away.
Tears began to cascade down my face as I stared into my mother’s eyes one last time. “Goodbye, mom.”
“I’ll come back. I promise.” She ran a finger across my cheek before disappearing into the night.
Falling onto the ground, I let myself cry. For this first time in years, I let it all out. Not just because of my mom, but for everything.
Feeling a hand touch my shoulder, I tense up and immediately think it’s my mom. My head whips in their direction, but it’s not her.
It’s Wes.
Peering down at me in worry, he crouched down low and softly touched my face. His cold fingers wiped the tears that covered my face and I felt myself leaning further into his touch. “It’s me.” He coos. “It’s okay, I’m here.”
My sweet Wes, always there to pick up my broken pieces.
My tears still fell, but I found myself distracted by his gentleness. Wes’s eyes turned sorrowful as he scanned my face, and I tried to turn away from him.
“Look at me.” He whispers softly while placing his fingers under my chin. I let him turn my head, but my eyes were casted downward. “I heard everything.” He admitted.
Lifting my eyes, his face was inches away from mine. His breath was dancing across my wet skin, creating a cool sensation that soothed me.
“I’m here for you.” He promises, and I feel my heart flutter. “Anyone who could leave and abandon someone like you is a stupid motherfucker.”
His words caused me to chuckle, and I let my head fall and crash against his beating chest.
“We don’t need them.” He mumbles while brushing his fingers through my hair. His gentle touch and words stopped my crying and I let the beat of his heart relax me.
“We don’t need them.” I whisper into his shirt.
But I need you.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Becca
I didn’t want to go home.
I didn’t want to lie in bed and overthink what had just happened.
After work, Wes offered to come over and be with me tonight, but I needed some time alone. As much as I loved being with him, I had something else in mind.
As my car came to a stop, I made sure to park in the back of the school so no one would notice me. Stepping out of the car and into the cold of the night, I tiptoed over to the window that looked into the pool.
With Josie being on the swim team, she often told me that the window by the pool was broken and never latched. We tested the theory a couple years ago, and to this day, it still wasn’t fixed.
Using my phone’s flashlight to guide me, I gently grasped the bottom of the window and slowly pulled up. Once it was lifted, I managed to squeeze through and drop down onto the floor. Landing on my feet, I peer around the pool and saunter over to the edge.
It was dark inside, but the glowing of the blueish lights inside the pool seemed to be just enough for me to see. It was eerily quiet inside, and the water was at a standstill. The feeling to jump inside and create a mess of waves was immense.
Kicking off my shoes, I unroll my socks off my feet and dip a toe into the water. It wasn’t too cold or too warm, just the perfect temperature. Lifting my shirt over my head, I tossed it beside my shoes and began dragging my work skirt down my legs. Left only in my bra and underwear, I throw myself into the water.
Sinking to the bottom, I keep my eyes closed and let the water pull me down. I sank for what felt like an eternity, and the minute my feet touched the bottom, I pushed and swam up, breaking the surface.
Brushing the hair out of my eyes, I leaned my head back and stared up into the pitch black ceiling. The silence was relaxing. There were no worries, no problems as I floated across the water.
Right now, everything was forgotten about. My mom, dad, aunt Claire, Wes, Josie, and even Mr. Fitz. And for once, it was only me I had to think about. After a while, my eyes fluttered closed as I continued to float.
“You know, trespassing on school property can get you into serious trouble.” A gruff voice echoed through the pool.
Shit.
Dropping my legs, I quickly glance around to find Mr. Fitz standing near the edge of the pool with his arms stuffed in his pockets. Seeing him wasn’t exactly relieving, but I was glad it wasn’t another teacher.
As I bobbed in the water, I took in his dark jeans and leather jacket that hugged his shoulders and arms.
He looked too sinful to be a teacher.
My eyes then began to scale up his torso, finding his long hair tied back messily, but the second my eyes connected with his, I knew I was fucked.
Dark and dingy, they were filled with anger and irritation. But something else lingered in their depths, something that sparked intrigue and perhaps rebellion inside of me.
“Only if I get caught.” I throw back, causing his lips to twitch. “You gonna tell on me, teach?” I wade through the pool but make sure to keep my gaze locked on his.
“What are you doing here?” He asks in annoyance, but follows my every move.
“I could ask you the same thing.” My voice sounds strong and sure but my shaky hands say otherwise. His presence alone sets my nerves to sky high, but this time it was different.
We were alone.
An empty school with no witnesses, it was the perfect scenario for someone who didn’t want to get caught doing something bad.
And Mr. Fitz had bad written all over him.
“I was working.” He huffed, as I swam closer to him.
“This late?” I raised a brow, but his face soon contorted in anger. Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he curled his finger in a “come here” motion.
But I was tired of bossiness, and his need to control our every interaction.
“Get out of the pool, O’Connor.” He demands. Glaring up into his hooded eyes, I purposely begin floating backwards. My chest breaching the surface, not caring that I was exposing myself to him.
“No.” I challenge, ready for a fight.
Once I’ve floated to the middle of the pool, I return my focus to Mr. Fitz. His chest was heaving, in and out and he appeared to be fighting something within himself. My gaze dropped down to his hands that were clenching and unclenching at his sides, and I was reminded of the dream. His large hand enclosed around my small neck, while his eyes showed me all the sinful things he wanted to do to me.
And I was more than willing to let him corrupt me.
“I’m not gonna tell you again, Becca. Get out of the fucking pool.” He growled vibrating the water but I could only grin in response.<
br />
“If you want me out, you’ll have to come and get me.” I taunted, while sinking under the water and coming back up.
I wanted to enrage him, to push his buttons until he finally exploded. He was always right on the edge, but I could never push him over. But the way he was watching me right now, he might finally be ready to fall.
“When I count to three, your ass better be out of that pool.” He snarls, with fire in his eyes.
“One.”
I take a deep breath, and start kicking my feet in the opposite direction of him.
“Two.” His voice cracks, and my heart picks up speed. Tugging off his jacket, he seems to already know my decision. Letting it fall to the ground in a thud, he begins to strip off his shirt, revealing every muscle, and every tattoo that runs up his chest. Sinking lower into the water, I hide my agape mouth as my eyes roam his body. Pure raw desire oozed from my fierce stare, while his eyes seemed to mirror mine. There was no denying this strange attraction between us. Even if he tried his hardest to push me away, I was always going to fight back.
The clanking sound of his belt hit my ears, and I swear I lost all my ability to think. My eyes immediately drop down as he roughly pulls the belt from his pants and tosses it aside.
“Three.”
And just like that, his pants were gone.
Left only in a dark pair of boxers, he crouched down low until his legs dropped into the water and eventually his whole body. He disappeared under the water for only a few seconds before coming up and fixing his attention back on me.
Before a lion killed, they stalked their prey. Quiet and calculated, they crept up slowly, keeping their hungry eyes on the kill. And right now, I was the meal.
My words seemed caught in the back of my throat, as I watched Mr. Fitz make a beeline towards me. He took his time, slowly moving throughout the pool without a care in the world, but his eyes read different.
“You really think being alone with a student in the pool is the best way to get me out?” I joke while swimming backwards. “Just imagine what the other teachers would think.”
“I don’t fucking care what they think.” He growls, intent on making me squirm. “If they only knew how this student was stubborn as hell and found pleasure in defying me, maybe then they’d understand.”
There’s no way anyone would understand a teacher and his student swimming practically naked in a pool alone together.
“Maybe this student wouldn’t be so stubborn if her teacher wasn’t such an asshole to her.” I argue when I feel my back hit the side of the pool. “What are you gonna do? Drag me out of here?”
He stops a few feet away from me, his eyes glowing from the blue light as he scowls from annoyance. “If I have to.”
Frustrated, I lean my head back, holding back the tears that threaten to fall. I hated how emotional I was. I didn’t want him to see me as weak, I wanted to keep my strong facade up whenever he was around but after today, my emotions were in a vulnerable state.
“What happened?” He asked with a hint of concern laced in his voice.
“What do you mean?” I pretend to be clueless but his glare told me he wasn’t buying it.
“What are you doing here?” He repeats his question from earlier, but this time he’s softer in his approach.
Swallowing, I study his eyes, confused by the slight worry in his tone. His hair was slicked back out of his face, and the tattoos I was once curious about, were now on full display. He had more than I initially thought, and I found myself distracted by the ink that wrapped around his firm torso.
“Stop.” He groans like he’s in pain. He inches closer, almost like he’s contradicting his own words.
“Stop what?” I flutter my lashes innocently.
“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll do more than just drag your ass out of this pool.” He grunted, stopping directly in front of me. “Now, tell me what happened.”
“Like you care.” I spat, knowing he most likely didn’t give a damn about my problems. “You can hardly stand the sight of me.”
His eyes darkened, and his large arms grabbed onto the edge of the pool, caging me in. I was trapped, not only by his arms but by his ravenous stare. He was so close, I could taste his sweet breath. Arching forward I was eager for more, anything that he was willing to give me.
“I care more than I should.”
My eyes popped open, and my heart danced from his kind words. Peering down at me, he scanned my face for answers as I did the same.
“I had a shitty day.” I admit.
“We all have shitty days.” He scoffs and once again, we’re back to square one.
Rolling my eyes, I push on his chest to get him away from me but he doesn’t bulge. “Get off.” I begin to pound, but his hand immediately clamps around my wrist and stops me. “You and my mom can both go to hell.” I cry out and his grip loosens. A single tear falls from my face and drops into the pool.
“What happened with your mom?” He sounds interested while dropping both his arms from the pool's edge.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” I wipe at my face and he follows my movement. “She's gone for good this time.”
His chest drops and so does the tension in the room. In its place is pity, and his normally black eyes don’t look so dark anymore.
“You’re better off without her.” His stare drops down to my chest, and I find myself moving towards him. I needed a change in subject, something other than my miserable life.
“Why are your eyes so dark?” I swim closer to him, testing the waters. I wanted to see if I could get close to him, like he could with me. “Is it true what they say?”
He doesn’t back down, but his face tells me he knows this is wrong. Everything about our strange relationship was wrong, but I didn’t care.
“Is what true?” He barks, as I float directly in front of him.
“That you're really the devil disguised as a teacher.”
Okay, maybe not everyone thought that, but I did.
“The devil?” His lip turned up into a half smile in disbelief.
“The devil’s cunning, vicious, a good liar... many attributes that you yourself have.” I mutter while striking a nerve in him.
Feeling a hand grab onto my calf, I’m dragged towards his body until he purposely entwines my legs around his torso. At first I was shocked by his aggression, but then realized I was wrapped around my teacher like a snake on a tree. Both his hands held me up by my thighs while my arms circled around his neck. Chest to chest, I felt his every ragged breath and pounding heartbeat as I tightened my legs around his waist.
It felt exhilarating to be in his arms, yet so very wrong.
My eyes were casted downward, afraid to glance up, but the feel of his fingers digging into my skin caused me to finally look up.
“You think I’m the devil?” He asks while both our breathings increase. The feel of his skin was too much and I began comparing him to Wes. Wes was sweet with his touch, never crossing the line. But deep down, I always wanted something more. Something rough, that caused pain but also pleasure.
Sweet was never going to be enough for me. I needed the darkness.
“To me you are.” I groan, staring down at his lips.
He’s silent for only a moment, tracking his eyes down the center of my chest, lingering on the black bra that fits me tightly.
“Maybe I am.” He agrees, walking us backwards till his back hits the side of the pool. “You’ll never know.”
I wanted to know. I wanted to know every deep dark secret he kept hidden inside.
“Tell me why you hate me so much.” I urge, searching for the answers in his eyes but I get nothing in return.
“Would I have this if I hated you so much?” Rotating his hips, I feel his hard bulge dig into skin, dragging it achingly slow along my panty covered slit. My head instantly fell back, and a low moan escaped from my lips.
My skin was on fire, despite being in a pool of water, and the only
thing that could put out the flames was Mr. Fitz. I needed his touch, his lips tasting me until I was a pile of mush in his arms.
“You can still hate me even if you wanna fuck me.” I moan, and I feel his body stiffen, like my words made him realize how wrong this was.
“Do it.” I encourage, circling my hips around his still hard cock. “I want you too.”
I try to pull myself closer to him, but his hands drop my thighs and I fall into the pool.
“You don’t know what the fuck you want.” He curses while dragging a hand through his damp hair.
Glaring, I cross my arms, trying to conceal myself and the hurt I feel from his rejection. “I know that even though you’re an asshole who doesn’t deserve me, I can’t stop thinking about you.” I shout, causing his stare to go wild with rage.
“It’s not happening.” He growls. “We’re not happening.” He turns around and begins to pull himself out of the pool and I’m half tempted to drag him back.
“So you’re just going to what? Lead me on like that and leave?” I yell fuming. “I’m eighteen now, fuck the rules. And for once, tell me how I know you feel about me and stop lying.”
He pretends to not hear me as he begins stepping into his jeans and pulling them up his legs.
“I’m talking to you!” I splash water in his direction and he finally acknowledges me.
“I’m still you’re fucking teacher. I could lose everything because of this.” He points between us. “I don’t know what you think you know about how I feel, but you don’t. You have no fucking clue.” His chest heaves in and out. “Whatever happened here stays between us, and I can promise you, it’ll never happen again.”
And with that, he continues to dress as my paralyzed body watches him in complete disgust.
“You really are the devil.” I spit.
With his jacket in his grip, he gives me one last glance. “I never said I wasn't.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Wes
Something was off with Becca.
I was normally good at reading her, but this time was different. She continued to go on like nothing was wrong, smiling, laughing and even cracking jokes with me. Her once bright green eyes were now a gloomy shade, but every time they connected with mine, I lost all ability to breathe.
