“I better get saving for a ring then,” I said as our mouths met again.
“Would youreallywant to marry me?” Annabelle asked, eyes searching my face as if she were the lucky one.
“Would I allow myself the eternal happiness of being your husband? Of course, I fucking would,” I muttered as I pulled her close, kissing her deeply.
I fucking adore her.
“Is that a proposal?” She teased as I laughed.
“Nah, babe. That will be more memorable than post fuck, I promise you.” I winked at her as her face flushed a deeper red. "I fucking love you, Annabelle Aurelle."
Thirty-Four
Exposure
Iwalked into history, the feeling of dread in my stomach at having to watch my perverted teacher and slutty classmate making goo-goo eyes at each other. I couldn't believe Elena was pregnant. You read about teens getting pregnant young and dropping out of school, but with a teacher? I hated the knowledge; although I suppose it gave me some power, I didn't want to use it.
Ray sat beside me, frantically texting someone as she beamed at her phone, glancing over at me and catching me mid-stare.
"I hope you are free Friday night." She smiled slyly as I stopped to think.
"Yeah, I guess so. Why?"
"It's Elijah's birthday, and your mom and I thought it would be nice if we all went for dinner. Eek!" She squealed excitedly, her hands clapping together. "Bring Bailey."
Wow, they were super serious. Planning family meals out now, very adult of them. I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Bailey.
ANNABELLE:
Friday night my brother's birthday dinner. Family & Ray. You don't have to come, but I'd love you to be there.
BAILEY:
Food, the hottest woman in the world, and the night in bed with you? Yesssss. I'm there.
I turned to see Ray looking at me expectantly as I nodded. The door to the classroom opened, and in walked a teacher I'd never seen before as she stared over her horn-rimmed glasses at us curiously. Her hair was in a tight bun, and she wore a floaty summer dress despite today's chilly weather. There were whispers around the class surrounding the obvious absence of Mr. Herbert, but the teacher chose to gloss over the logistics.
"Good day! I'm Penny, your substitute teacher for history! We're making it right now, folks. Forget your books; that's not how I do lessons. Instead, I want each of you to tell me a historical event that you find fascinating and why. Let's start at the back row with the sleepy young man. Will someone kindly give him a nudge?"
Despite myself, I laughed, and we all exchanged bemused looks, turning to see Eddie Green passed out on the desk. Someone nudged him carefully, and he sat upright, almost standing to attention.
"Yes, sir?"
The whole room erupted in laughter as the teacher smiled knowingly. Eddie blinked a few times, his hair sticking up from his desk pillow snooze.
"I have nothing against women who look like men, but I'm afraid I am a Miss." She scolded as she moved to the next person, advising Eddie to try resting at home instead of school. I listened to my classmates as they stammered out their poorly thought-out answers as I racked my brains for something I found fascinating about history. I had always been interested in World War II, so when my turn came, I shared a few interesting facts. Instead of grilling me further, the teacher moved on, and I found the knot of anxiety in my stomach released slightly. Maybe I could handle the whole Elena thing if Mr. Herbert wasn't in school anymore. I glanced in her direction to see a scowl; her arms folded as she glared at Penny. Something had gone down, and I wanted to find out what.
BAILEY
I slammed the locker door, pulling my jersey from my sweaty body. God, I needed a shower. It was the end of the day, so I was going to find my girl and hopefully convince her to shower with me. I smirked to myself as I imagined the expression on her face when I proposed such a plan. But, unfortunately, my fantasy was interrupted by Chase, who had turned into a miserable bastard as of late.
"She won't even fucking talk to me. I'm that kid's father, and she won't talk to me." He stared at his phone as he tapped away angrily. I had an internal battle with this. I just wanted to tell him she'd been fucking the teacher and was apparently in love with him, which was a joke if I'd ever heard one. But instead, I sprayed deodorant over my body before pulling my hoodie on, turning to look at him.
"My advice would be to make her talk to you. It's fucking odd behavior."
"I've tried, but she just ignores me."
"Go to her house then. Tell her fucking parents. Call her out on being a prize bitch."
