Faith stops in front of Mr. Daniels, and I can tell by the toss of her hair over her shoulder that she’s flirting with him. He replies and she laughs, reaching out to place a manicured hand on his forearm.
My hands ball into fists and something cracks under the force. Glancing down, it’s the pen I’ve been writing with since I got here to the school. There’s another laugh as Faith wanders out of the classroom. Her leaving means that Mr. Daniels and I are completely alone. I feel embarrassed and shove the broken pen into the pocket of my pencil plaid skirt.
“Do you need another?”
My head snaps up. “What?”
Mr. Daniels’ dark eyebrow is arched as he remains where he is, poised like a supermodel. “Another pen.”
“Oh.” My face grows hot as I fiddle with the strap of my book bag. “No. I think I can manage.” I immediately look down.
Good job Kota, just keep making a fool out of yourself! How are you going to write the rest of the day with a broken pen?
“Dakota.” When I look up, he’s a space away from me. I hadn’t heard him move, hadn’t seen him until my breath catches in my throat. Mr. Daniels hand is tracing the curve of my jaw and my knees threaten to buckle. I don’t want him to stop. My pulse thrums in anticipation. “Why don’t you look at me?” He sounds hurt.
I swallow hard, “I…I can’t.”
His thumb stops tracing the outer edge of my bottom lip. “Why?”
I shut my eyes, unable to stare at his face.
If I do, I’ll surely spring myself on him and we can’t have that. It’s not just because he’s a vampire, Mr. Daniels is also, well, myteacher.
“You’re ashamed of me.”
My eyes snap open and I gawk at him. “No! That’s not it at all!”
He’s giving me a level-headed stare. “Then what is?”
“We can’t— I mean, we shouldn’t—” Why am I fumbling with words that normally come so swift to me?
Mr. Daniels leans toward me and catches me by surprise when his cool lips touch my forehead. “I know. It’s hard for me too.”
My shoulders slump and I nearly drop my bag. “It is?”
“For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams.” His breath fans my face and I lean against him, his hand still cups my cheek with the gentlest touch.
“Who wrote that?” I breathe out, closing my eyes for a brief moment.
If only we could remain like this, knowing together that we’re fighting an attraction that could’ve been the fates way of telling us off.
“Edgar Allan Poe.” Mr. Daniels says and drops his hand, taking a step away as I open my eyes to look up at his face. He’s withdrawing and I want something, anything to hold onto him and never let him go. He turns and holds up a pen. “Here. You’ll need this to complete your studies.”
I feel flushed all over as I accept the pen. “Thanks.”
The bell rings, signaling the beginning of second period. “I’ll write you a pass.” He turns and scribbles on a piece of paper, before handing it to me. I swallow hard as I accept it, unable to meet his dark eyes. “Please know that there are no others.”
“Others?” I look at him this time, feeling myself begin to frown.What is he talking about?
He gives me a crooked smile. “You’ll understand some day. Now go, before you’re late.” I open my mouth, then close it, shaking my head. I turn to go but he adds something that sendsmy heart fluttering in my chest. “And when we’re alone, call me Max.”
“There’s an assembly?” I balk as I trail behind Faith, Kendra, and Gertrude.
Alex keeps himself in step beside me. “We don’t live under a rock Kota.”
I roll my eyes and shove my shoulder playfully against his. “Whatever.”
I hadn’t exactly expected an assembly, but that’s where we’re headed. First the assembly and then midterms. I’m nervous because I admit I haven’t made attention in class with Mr. Daniels teaching.