Beautiful Dream (19 page)

Chapter 14

-Josh-

“Josh?” I hear Luci’s bare, quiet footsteps against the wood in my otherwise silent apartment. Her hair is a jumbled, beautiful mess, and my white sheet is wrapped tightly around her.

“Good morning,” I smile.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You looked so peaceful,” I shrug.

“I thought you would be there when I woke up,” she laughs. “Creepily watching me sleep like they do in books.”

“Oh, I did that,” I joke. “But only for about an hour. Then you got sort of boring.”

She laughs and the sheet drops, exposing her perfect breasts before she quickly covers them, blushing.

“You know I’ve seen them before,” I smile at her shyness as she sits at the table. “So,” I put the paper I was reading down. “I woke up, showered, creepily watched you sleep, did some work, and picked up fresh bagels from downstairs. You hungry? I also got eggs yesterday if you want that instead?”

She narrows her eyes at my joke. “Bagel is fine.”

I get up and pour her a glass of juice, bringing her a bagel, as well as butter and cream cheese to choose from. I set everything down, taking the seat opposite her. I grab a second bagel for myself, since I already had one earlier, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“So where are my clothes?” She hesitates, having trouble keeping the sheet in place while she cream cheeses her bagel.

“In the dryer,” I can’t stop smiling. “I washed them for you.”

“Oh,” she’s surprised. “Thank you.” She takes a bite. “By the way, I’m stealing your bed.”

“You’re welcome in my bed any time. Last night was…” My voice trails off, trying to find the right words. “I wished time would stop.”

“Shit!” Her face twists into a horrific expression.

“What?” I almost don’t want to ask.

“You came in me,” she whispers. “A lot.”

“I’m sorry,” I swallow. I was bracing myself all morning for her regret, but the sadness still hits me hard.

“No, I’m not on the pill anymore,” she explains. “There was no need.”

“I can run to the pharmacy and get you the morning after pill,” I offer, standing to get my wallet just as her phone buzzes in her purse. “I think your purse is on the couch. It’s been doing that all morning.”

“Fuck,” she mumbles, jumping up, altering the sheet around her, and I go and grab her clothes from the laundry, so she doesn’t have to keep wrestling with the fabric.

“Everything okay?” I hand them to her.

“No,” she grabs them from me, dropping her sheet and hastily dressing, no longer caring that she’s naked. “It’s Gracie. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming here, and they’re worried. She’s covering for me, but it’s sort of a mess. I gotta run!”

With that she’s out the door, before I even get a word out.

I honestly have no idea what just happened. If I did something wrong, if she’s mad, or if this has nothing to do with me at all, and she really is in trouble at home. It just seems weird that someone her age would be in trouble with her parents. I search for my phone, so I can at least text her to call me later.

I find it on my nightstand, with a ton of missed calls from Brittney.

Shit, I wonder if she saw this and that’s what upset her?

I sit on the bed, thinking.

I got to share a bed with her for an entire night.

I smile to myself, concocting an idea in my head, and by late afternoon I text Luci, asking if everything is okay, but get no response.

Chapter 15

-Luci-

The weekend was daunting. I can’t believe I let that happen between Josh and I, but more so, I can’t get over the fact that it was better than I ever imagined. For years I only dreamed of doing that with him again, and I can’t get over how right it felt.

On Monday morning, my car won’t start, so I’m forced to ride with Gracie and her friends.

“What are you going to do about your car?” Gracie asks as we wait outside her friend’s house.

“How the hell am I supposed to buy a new car? I have no money!” I sigh. “Even worse, Ren is supposed to be coming up for Spring Break! I can’t be stuck at home with her!” I cringe a lost hope.

“I thought you’d be spending all break with your boyfriend,” she teases.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I correct her.

“Luci, you spent the night with him,” she laughs. “You spend practically all your time together. Neither of you are seeing anyone else. That’s a boyfriend.”

“No,” I shake my head. “He went on a date with Brittney St. James this weekend.”

“What?” Her eyes widen. “You know she’s like the biggest slut among the teachers.”

“She sort of knows our secret and is blackmailing him,” I start to tell her, but we both fall quiet as soon as the door opens and her friend gets in.

As soon as we arrive at school, someone runs up to Gracie and whispers in her ear while staring at me. I watch her shocked look, and I already have an idea of what they’re telling her, but I don’t understand why. We followed Brittney’s terms.

I run to my classroom, but the door is locked, so I impatiently wait just outside.

A minute later, I see Brittney bounding down the hall looking all too happy.

“Hi,” I’m wary, lowering my voice. “What the hell?” I accuse.

“Oh don’t even,” she immediately jumps down my throat.

“I’m sorry, what?” I follow her into the classroom.

“Like you don’t even know!” She laughs. “You had to know this was coming if I didn’t get what I wanted.”

“You got what you wanted!” I shout.

“I didn’t,” she crosses her arms. “And I don’t appreciate being stood up at the last minute.”

What?

“So you didn’t go on a date with Josh Harrington this weekend?”

“Like you don’t know,” she rolls her eyes.

“What’s your problem with me?” I demand. “I never did anything to you!”

“You have something I want,” she spits. “And now you’re going to pay for it.”

“Why?” I narrow my eyes.

“He’s chairman of departments. He has
pull
around here. More so, he has money,” she shrugs.

“So? Is he not giving your department enough money or something, because if so, that seems ridiculous, or is it his personal money you’re after? I ask, dumbfounded. “Because he doesn’t have any. It’s his parents money, not his.”

“You’re so obtuse,” she shakes his head. “Have you never heard of a trust fund?” She laughs. “He also makes a ton on his own through private research, and if you don’t know that than maybe you don’t know him as well as you thought.”

“But-”

“He’s hot
and
smart,” she interrupts. “He’s an entire package.”

“Are you even for real?” The words rush out of my mouth, because this simply isn’t real life. “You realize you’re threatening us both. On something that’s not even true.”

“Not true?” She laughs.

“I don’t-”

“Spare me,” she holds her hand up. “I finished grad school when some of your little high school friends were freshman. I heard the stories.”

“What? Who?” I ask. Surely Chloe and Ashley, two of my ex-high school best friends wouldn’t make up something like that.

“I don’t remember who,” she says. “I just know they attended this school.”

“They are just rumors,” I tell her. “Rumors!” I stare at her expectantly, but all she does is smile. “Just like the ones floating around about you!”

“Oh, honey,” her cold eyes narrow in. “Those aren’t rumors. I most likely did whatever you heard,” she pauses. “You know the only reason you got this last minute position is so I wouldn’t tell Mr. Oliver I slept with his wife?”

“Why would you do that?”

“Sleep with him or tell her?”

I shake my head angrily.

“I wanted a student teacher,” she shrugs. “It comes with more responsibility and I want to leave my mark. I do what I need to do to get what I want.”

“That’s cruel!”

“Cruel, maybe, but it comes with a pay raise and it brings me one step closer to becoming the math department head, which means more time with Josh.”

I storm out of the classroom, enraged.

This is crazy!

My phone lights up with a text from Gracie, and I start down the stairs, pacing the halls. People are staring, and I take a deep breath, trying to hide anything that wouldn’t be construed as normal.

“Luci Cunningham?” I spin around, hearing my name. “Right?” Principal Finch smiles. “Can we speak?”

I nod, my heart pounding as I follow her into the main office and down the hall.

“You attended here as a student?” She asks, opening her office door for me as we step inside.

“Yes,” my voice croaks.

“Look,” she smiles, taking a seat behind her large oak desk. “I’m going to be blunt, since I can tell by your face you’ve heard what’s happening.” I swallow hard as she continues. “I don’t know you, which is a good thing. You clearly didn’t get into trouble during your time here.”

I shake my head, watching as she cups her hands in front of her.

“I received a call from Josh Harrington this weekend, warning me about overhearing a bunch of students and faculty talking about a rumor involving you and him. I’m having a hard time tracing down where these rumors began, and quite frankly, it’s not something I’m going to tolerate in my school.”

I nod, understanding.

“So first I’m going to ask you if there’s any truth to them, and if so, if you’d like to report anything?”

“No!” I jump. “Absolutely not! Yes, he was my teacher, but that’s all he was.”

“And now?” She raises an eye.

“Now we’re friends,” I choose my words carefully.

“He tells me now you’re dating now.” She leans back in her chair, and I sink into mine, rolling my eyes.

“I can assure you, we’re not.”

“You’re just a student teacher here,” her mouth presses into a heavy line. “Personally, I’d simply rather have you go-”

My eyes widen, and I open my mouth to say something, but she shoots her hand up, stopping me.

“Personally, I’d simply rather have you go- with full credit of course,” she finishes. “I can’t afford to have this going around the district.”

I nod again, fully understanding.

“Unfortunately,” her voice perks up. “When I discussed this with my chairman of departments, he said he’d leave if I did that.” Her expression turns almost soft. “He came here early this morning, pulling records of every one of your past semesters here, showing me your college resume, and gave a very promising argument.”

I sit forward in my chair as she points to the stack of papers on her desk.

“I’m sorry, what?”

Of course he’d do something like this for me.

“He threatened to quit if I termed your position early,” she smiles. “He’s a major asset to this school, and I can’t let that happen. He’s awarded millions of dollars for the district through his private research, not to mention personally funded the renovation of our library without taking a single credit for it.”

I nod again, swallowing hard.

“So as you can see,” Principal Finch sighs. “I cannot afford to loose him, however his actions raise unbelievable suspicion, so I ask you again - did he ever force himself upon you, woman to woman?”

“No! Of course not!” I shake my head.

“Very well,” she pauses. “I believe you, however, I also believe that there is something going on now between the two of you,” her stare is intense. “More than just friends. Alas, you are an adult now, and I cannot stop what you do in your personal time, however, as I told him, I ask that you keep your personal lives and what you do during your personal time out of this school. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I nod. “Of course!”

“Then that will be all,” she smiles, and I start to stand. “Oh!” Her words stop me. “I want you to know that I will do my best to make this a comfortable place for you again. Letters will be sent home with the students, as we obviously have to address this with parents. We will also have an assembly, explaining the severity of what is being accused.”

I thank her, before making my way back to my classroom.

First period is already underway, and I can’t help but smile at Brittney’s shocked face when she sees me come back in. I refuse to feel threatened anymore, and I’ll continue being her student teacher no matter how many copies she has me make.

By second period the halls are buzzing, and I make my way back to the office to make more copies, and to get staples.

“Luci!” Deb is waving from the other end of the hall. I smile as I walk towards her, pushing aside the small conversations and stares.

“News travels fast, huh?” I shrug.

“It’s high school, what do you expect?” She laughs.

“Ladies,” we both turn around to see Josh, and I wonder if he can read the confusion on my face. I mean, what the hell went wrong?

“What did you do?” I accuse him under my breath, completely ignoring Deb.

“I cancelled,” he shrugs.

“Why would you do that?” I shout. “You’ve risked your job, my job-”

“How could you even ask that?” I’ve never heard anyone shout so quietly before.

I notice the large stack of papers in his hands, but they’re moving so quickly I can’t see what they say. Deb’s trying to do the same, but manages to grab one.

“I spoke to Principal Finch,” he states what I already know. “I have a school-wide letter that will be going home with everyone today explaining the severity of the claims.”

“I heard what you did,” I accuse, briefly hearing Deb mumble as she reads the paper. “This wasn’t what we talked about!” My voice is low and stern.

“I couldn’t do it,” he sighs. “I made a different decision.”

I’m angry, furious even, but I try not to let it show right now.

“You told the Principal that we’re dating!”

“Are you stupid?” Deb sighs as she hands the paper back to him. “I really hope you know what you’re doing, brother.”

I give him another dirty look. “Anyway,” Deb turns to me. “I spoke to Matt, and I wanted to invite you over for dinner tonight.”

“Luci?” Josh asks, just as I question, “Me?”

“It can't be easy moving back here, and I thought it could be nice for us to get to know one another better,” she sighs. “Plus, with all that’s going on, I thought maybe you could use a friend.”

I give Josh another dirty look.

“Oh he won’t be there,” Deb laughs.

“What?” He interjects.

“You're not invited,” she shrugs, and I turn back towards her, ignore his gaping look.

“It wouldn’t be weird right? Since you were my teacher and all?” I ask, in light of all that’s going on.

“According to the rumors,” she laughs. “There are worse things you’ve done with your teacher.”

I hear Josh chuckle as Deb grabs me by the elbow and ushers us away.

“Sorry,” Deb apologizes. “Bad joke, but I couldn’t resist.”

“No,” I breathe. “It’s okay. I’d love to come. Thank you for the invite.”

Gracie threw out the letter that went home, and after a disgruntled mumble, Mom agrees to let me borrow her car. I practically had to beg her. After she had no idea where I was on Friday night, she’s still pretty upset.

Dad reminds her I’m an adult, but she reminds him that I’m still living under their roof. It’s a constant conundrum that has me realizing I need to get a job and a place of my own fast.

Needless to say, there was a lot of tension this past weekend, despite Gracie telling them I was at a friend’s house. Problem was, Gracie couldn’t think of my friend’s name quick enough, plus she was worried herself.

I grab a bottle of wine from the store, before making my way to Deb and her fiancé’s house.

The first thing I see is
his
car, which isn’t all that surprising. We haven’t spoke all weekend, and I knew he couldn’t stay away.

I ring the bell, and Deb’s fiancé answers.

“Matt, right?” I offer my hand.

“Hi, Luci,” he places his hand in mine. “I’m so glad you came.”

“Luci!” Deb walks over.