Chapter Seven Cassian
This weekend has been perfect. I spent the whole weekend with Zenovia.
After Saturday, we didn’t leave the house or the bed for long periods of time.
We spent all Sunday cuddling in bed, making love, and watching movies.
I didn’t want to leave her this morning, but both of us had to work.
I plan on having her over to my house tonight.
Jaylen won’t be home. He’s working on this suicide murder case.
Not that he would mind. We have our own space.
“Morning, Mr. Austin.” Evy smiles as I walk in. She twirls a strand of her hair around her finger while biting her lips. “Did you have a good weekend?” She falls into step next to me.
“I did,” I answer as I stop in front of my classroom.
“See you in the third period.” I open my door and walk into my classroom.
I freeze as the door behind me closes and my eyes land on photos on my blackboard.
It’s photos of me and Jaylen in the backyard, me and Zenovia at the bakery but the ones close to my desk are of me and Zenovia on Saturday.
Someone was watching our most intimate moments.
I grab the photos and pull them off. I can’t let any of my students see this. I can’t even tell the principal about this. I can’t have this on my record. I pull my phone out to send a text to Jaylen.
Someone has been watching us. I have photos in my classroom. They must have been watching us since we moved here. It doesn’t take long for him to send me a text back.
Bring them home with you. That’s all he tells me and I put all the photos into a file to hand over to Jaylen. He won’t be home today so I’ll have to give it to him when I see him.
See you later. Be safe. I answer him before putting my phone away. I take a few deep breaths to calm the raging beast inside me. Mess with me all you want, but don’t bring in my girl. She doesn’t deserve this.
The bell rings and I gather myself. My students need me to give them the best class. I can’t let this affect my work. I have faith in Jaylen and know that he will put a stop to this.
The rest of the day passes by without anything happening.
I spoke to Zenovia at lunchtime, and hearing her sweet voice was just what I needed.
I didn’t tell her about what happened in my classroom.
I didn’t want to spook her until I knew what was going on.
This could have been a prank, for all I know.
I don’t want to worry her unnecessarily.
I grab my bag and some papers I need to grade before I head towards the door. My last class was a bit rowdy and for a good reason. They are getting ready for the homecoming next week. I loved seeing them all excited about something. I walk out of my class and lock my door.
As I walk down the hall, two of the boys from my last class walk up to me. “Mr. Austin,” Jock Remy stops me. He is our star quarterback and he is really good. “Can you arrange some of those delicious cookies for us, please?”
I chuckle as I look at the two boys. They are these big football players but they have a sweet tooth just like me.
“I’m sure I can arrange something. For when did you boys want it?” I pat Jock’s shoulder and they follow me to my truck.
“For homecoming. We would like to hand them out to everyone coming to the game.” Jock says as he stops in front of my truck. He furrows his eyebrows as he points to my windshield. “You have a note, Mr. Austin.”
I lean over the hood of my truck and pluck the note from my wiper. “I’m sure it’s nothing. As for the cookies, I’ll speak to my girlfriend. I’m sure she can make us some.” I unlock my truck and put my stuff in the passenger seat.
“That would be great, thank you.” Jock and his friend run off to the football field, and I jump into the driver's seat of my truck.
I glance at the note before I start my truck.
The note can wait. First I need to see my girl about some cookies.
I’m about to pull out of the parking lot when Valerie knocks on my window.
I lower the window, and she looks down as if she’s shy.
I have seen enough of her to know she’s not shy.
She’s one of the more popular girls in school, or it might just be who she’s hanging out with.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Austin.” She plays with a button on her jacket, and I wait for her to continue.
“I’m supposed to meet Evy and Jenna at the bakery, but my mom is late, and she can’t take me.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip nervously.
“I overheard the guys asking you for some cookies and was wondering if I could get a ride to the bakery… Please…”
She looks up slightly with hope. The bakery is a good seven miles from school, and I’m heading there. I’m sure it will be alright.
“Sure, I was heading that way anyway.” I lean over to grab my stuff and put it on the backseat. She climbs in, and I pull out of the parking lot. She shifts slightly and bumps her knee against my hand on the gears. I pull my hand back, and she looks up at me.
“I’m sorry.” She smiles, and I shake my head.
“It’s alright. We’ll be there soon.” I keep my eyes on the road but can see her lean towards me out of the corner of my eyes.
“You have a very nice truck.” She bites her lip, and the shyness is gone.
“Thanks. I think you need to sit back and not be this close to me.” I make sure to keep both my hands high on the steering wheel.
She leans back in her seat but keeps her legs turned towards me. I pull into the parking lot in front of the bakery, the one Zenovia assigned to me. “You have your own parking?”
“It’s my girlfriend's bakery,” I answer before jumping out of the truck.
I close my door and wait for Valerie to get out as well.
Once she’s out, I lock the truck before heading to the bakery.
Valerie follows close behind me, and I make sure not to wait for her or to have it seem like I’m there with her. Something feels off about her today.
My eyes instantly land on my beautiful girl. Her whole face lights up as soon as she lays eyes on me. I grin as I walk over to her. She leans on her tiptoes to kiss my lips and I wrap my arms around her waist.
“Hey,” she says against my lips, and I can’t help but kiss them again.
“Hey yourself.” I place a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. She looks over my shoulder before pulling away from me. I turn to see Valerie standing behind me and I move to the side to let her get to the counter.
“What can I get for you?” Zenovia asks Valerie.
“Can I have orange juice and chicken salad please?”
She stops talking before she looks over at me with a smirk.
“Would you like anything, Mr. Austin?” Zenovia raises her eyebrow as she looks between the two of us.
“You know, to thank you for earlier.” Valerie bites her lip, and I swear I’m about to die of a heart attack. What the fuck is she up to?
“I’m good, thank you.” I turn my attention to Zenovia. I hope with everything in me she’ll see that I have nothing to do with Valerie. She’s one of my students and that’s it.
“I’ll be right over with your order.” Zenovia turns to grab Valerie’s order, and I sit at the counter. Whatever Valerie’s planning needs to stop. This can become very messy very fast. I’m not planning on losing my job or my reputation over a teenage girl. I have morals.