20

JEREMY

I let out a loud sigh, running my fingers through my hair as I looked at my four friends who stared back at me with eager expressions on their faces.

I was left with no choice but to tell them. If I didn’t, they would force it out of me one way or another.

“Fine,” I said, my expression turning agitated and the eager looks on my friends' faces intensified even more. “I only pretended to date Amber to make someone jealous.”

The boys fell silent as they looked at me with utter confusion written on their faces.

“What?” Dean said, his eyebrows rising in confusion. “Why would you want to make someone jealous, and who is this someone?”

I let out a loud sigh, pressing my fingers to my forehead. This was the part that was going to shock them all, and I had no idea how they would take the news.

“It’s a woman, and I did it because I’m in love with her.”

“What?!” The four of them exclaimed in unison, their eyes growing wide as loud gasps escaped their lips.

“You’re in love?!” Jack yelled, his eyes growing so wide that I was afraid they would fall out of their sockets.

“With a woman?!” It was Tyler’s turn to yell, and I was afraid his loud voice was going to burst my damn ear drum.

“Who is she? Come on. Tell us!” Ryan said, his voice glinting with curiosity and anticipation.

“Would you keep it down, guys?! Jeez!” I whisper yelled, my eyes darting towards the door with worry.

With the way the boys yelled, it would pose a huge problem if someone were to overhear us as the topic of discussion was extremely sensitive.

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Now tell us!” Dean demanded, and I shook my head, nearly letting out a laugh.

“Fine. I’ll tell you. Just calm down, okay?”

“Tell us. Tell us right now!” Jack grabbed the front of my clothes, shaking me violently, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh as I rolled my eyes.

“If you keep this attitude of yours up, I’ll keep my damn mouth shut.” I threatened, and that was enough for him to let go of my clothes.

“Sorry. Just tell us right now. Please?”

I let out a sigh, shaking my head. “Fine. I’ll tell you,” I said before my expression turned serious and slightly pleading.

“You four have to promise to keep it a secret no matter what. Please?”

Dean patted my arm gently. “Of course. If that’s what you want, then we promise to keep this a secret, right guys?” He said, turning to the rest of the boys.

“Of course. Your secret is always safe with us. You know that.” Ryan chipped in, his expression softening, and the rest of the guys nodded in affirmation.

He was right. I knew that. I trusted my friends with my life. I knew my secret was safe with them. I knew they would not rat me out for any reason whatsoever, and that instantly gave me the confidence to speak.

“Guys. I’m in love with one of our professors. Professor Darwin.” I announced.

The room fell completely silent as the boys completely froze, looking at me like I had grown a third head.

“What?! You have feelings for our professor?!” I cringed as Ryan yelled at the top of his voice.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Dean whisper-yelled, hitting Ryan on the arm. “Why are you yelling when he said he wants this to be a secret? Are you trying to announce this to the whole damn world, you dork?”

Ryan’s expression instantly turned sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, Jeremy. I was so shocked that I couldn’t help it.”

I waved my hand dismissively at that. “It’s alright. It’s understandable, I guess.”

Dean’s eyes were unreadable as he studied me for a second before he spoke. “So you’re serious about this? You’re really in love with our professor.”

I gulped, nodding. “I am. I’ve never been sure about something in my entire life.”

“But how did this happen? She is a professor. I’m sure a relationship between a professor and a student is against the school rules.” Tyler chipped in, his expression filled with slight concern.

“You’ve not confessed your feelings to her yet, have you?” Jack asked, and I gulped, my face falling instantly.

“We’ve had sex twice, actually.” I said in an extremely low voice, and their eyes grew extremely wide once again.

It was clear that Ryan was going to scream again, but thankfully, Dean covered his mouth forcefully before he could form any words.

“Damn, man. I don’t even know who you are anymore.” Jack said with a loud chuckle, which showed off his pearly white teeth.

“I can’t believe this. You really slept with our professor?” Dean asked, his expression filled with disbelief as he still held onto Ryan whose yelling was still muffled by his hand.

“Twice? At that?” Tyler gasped, looking at me like he had seen a ghost.

“How did this even happen?” Dean asked, finally letting go of Ryan, who thankfully wasn’t yelling anymore.

“Yeah, I would like to know too.” He chipped in, his eyes still wide with shock.

I let out another sigh, unable to help the smile, which made its way onto my face as I slowly recalled the sweet memory of the first time I met Lucia.

“We first met at the wedding. The one I told you guys about, where I performed.” I said, and the four of them nodded, listening intently.

“Oh right,” Ryan answered with a nod. “But did she not resume at our school after the wedding?”

“She did. I slept with her at the wedding with no idea she was going to be my professor. Imagine my shock when I saw her in class just a few days after.” I answered, and the boys whistled amongst themselves while Tyler let out a small laugh.

“And you still slept with her after you knew she was your professor?” Dean asked, his eyebrows furrowing with slight worry.

I let out deep breaths, running my finger through my hair in a slightly agitated manner.

“I couldn’t help it, man. I really like her. I want her. But she wants nothing to do with me now.” I explained, unable to help the dejected sigh, which escaped my lips.

“So you tried to get her back by faking a relationship with Amber?” Jack asked, and I slowly nodded, marvelling at how well they understood and knew me.

“So that’s why you’ve been sad? Because she wants nothing to do with you?”

“Yeah. I’ve tried everything, but she wouldn’t speak to me.”

“Why not try climbing up her window or something?” Ryan suggested, and Dean shook his head before hitting his arm once again.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ryan!” He chastised him before turning to me.

“How about sending her a sweet text or maybe buying her some flowers and chocolates? I heard women like that.”

“I don’t have her number. I don’t know her address either.” I couldn’t help but admit, feeling shame swam my insides.

Jack let out a sigh. “That could be a problem then. We have to find a way to get the professor’s address.”

I instantly shook my head. “There’s no way. Don’t worry about it. I’ll just keep trying to talk to her.”

“Are you sure?” Tyler asked, his face filled with concern. I nodded in reply.

“Are you sure no one else knows about this too? You and the professor could be in serious trouble with the school board if it gets out.” Dean noted, concern etched all over his features and tone.

“No one else knows. We were very careful.” I replied.

Dean gave a satisfied nod, and soon, their conversation turned lighthearted till it was time for my friends to leave.

I saw them off, and after they had gone, I stuck my hands in my pockets before making my way back inside the house.

Just as I was about to enter my room, I heard my brother call me.

“Jeremy.” Aaron said sternly, and I instantly froze in my tracks before slowly turning to him, a scowl creeping onto my face.

Conversations with my brother were never pleasant. It was never something I looked forward to, and that moment was not an exception.

“What do you want?” I growled, unable to bring myself to be civil.

How could I be civil with him when he was never civil with me? All he did was look down on me and demean me every chance he got, and I honestly was sick of it.

He stepped out of the shadows, and that was when I noticed that his expression was grave.

“I overheard the conversation between you and your friends.” Aaron announced, and I froze as my blood ran cold instantly.

“What?” I gasped, feeling my hands clenched into fists by my sides.

“I heard everything, Jeremy.” He repeated, his expression turning displeased.