Teach Me (Love Me) - By Alla Kar Page 0,8

not him.

Around thirty minutes later Matt went to get the Chinese. Somewhat relieved that he was gone, I walked out onto our balcony. Zeus followed me and curled up in his bed outside. I watched as the sunset over the woods across the road, and leaned against the railing. The wind blew in my face, and it smelled like rain. When I figured Matt would be on his way back home, I turned and something caught my eye. Running down the road and into our driveway was Liam and Layla. I ducked back into my chair, so he couldn’t see me well. He stopped in front of the building, stretching. I watched as his muscles tightened as he stretched above his head. His brown hair was a sweaty mess, but he pulled it off too well. I bit my lip as he bent over and touched his toes.

This isn’t right. Standing up, I leaned over the railing to get a better look. Layla sat beside him, tongue out and wagging her tail.

Bark. Bark. Oh no. Zeus jumped out of his bed and started barking down at Liam and Layla. Fuck. “Shut up, Zeus,” I mumbled, swatting at his behind.

He continued to bark, loudly.

Liam’s head popped up and he glared up at me. A smile rose from the corner of his lips and he jogged toward us. “Damn it. I hate you,” I mumbled to Zeus.

“Hi, Sarah,” Liam said, craning his neck to get a good look at me. “You spying on me?” he asked.

You have no idea. “Ha. No, just enjoying the sunset. Sorry to interrupt you, Zeus doesn’t have good manners.” I smiled. “Or does he mind,” I mumbled to myself.

Liam waved me off. “No worries, I was just heading back in. It was such a great night for a run. You wouldn’t happen to know how to get to Lake Monticello, would you? I heard they have a great place to run. It’s opened and spacey.”

I gulped and nodded. “Yeah, I do. It’s kind of hard to explain.”

“Would you mind showing me some time?”

My heart began to beat against my ribcage hard. Is this appropriate behavior? Am I supposed to give my teacher directions? After school? In his car with him? My palms were sweaty so I rubbed them against my legs. “Um, sure. Maybe tomorrow or something?” I asked. I knew Matt would be gone tomorrow for his game, and being alone with Liam was starting to consume me.

“Yeah, that’d be great.” He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled. “I’ll come get you.” He laughed. “Next door. What time is good for you? Seven?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“You don’t have work or anything do you? I wouldn’t want to take you away from anything.”

“I have a work study at the writing center. It’s during the day. Seven tomorrow will be fine.”

“Great, I’ll see ya--,”

“Sarah?” I heard and looked down to my right. Matt was getting out of his truck with two arms carrying the food. I was glad his arms were occupied, I didn’t want to have to deal with him hitting Liam. “What are you doing?” he asked, through gritted teeth.

“I was just letting her know that we have a test next week. I’ll see you in class Friday, Sarah. Nice to see you again, Matt.” Liam disappeared into the darkness, and Matt walked up the stairs.

Chapter Four

Liam

What have I done? I sat in my office, looking through my student’s work and thought about Sarah. I couldn’t believe I’d asked her to show me the lake? What possessed me? She is your student, not some random girl.

I was busy wallowing in my stupidity when my phone lit up. Dad. I growled to myself. I answered. “Hello.”

“Hi, it’s Mom.”

I sighed. “What are you doing calling on Dad’s phone?”

“Mine is dead. I told you to call me, Liam. Why haven’t you? Are you okay? Are your classes going alright? Are the kids nice?”

Wow, I’m a teacher not a new student in elementary school. “They’re fine, Mom. It’s going great, but it’s only the second day.”

“I know, I know. Just making sure you’re okay. How is Layla? Is she adjusting to the change okay?”

“She is a dog, she is fine wherever, as long as she is being fed.”

“Well, you don’t have to be so snooty about it, Liam. Is something bothering you?”

Yeah, my dick gets hard every time I see my neighbor/student. I’d say that’s a major problem. “Everything is fine, Mom. I’m grading papers, can I call you