Page 8 of The Prom

Up close, he is a perfect example of mankind. I’m guessing he must be in his late twenties. Tall, dark and handsome were words invented to describe him, from his gorgeous blue eyes to his strong jaw, his mouth set in an easy grin and his body the result of meticulous training.

It’s awkward as I surreptitiously attempt to sear this moment into my mind for eternity without appearing too interested in a man who is strictly off limits.

“You mentioned peer pressure.”

His statement comes from out of nowhere and I nod, my despondent sigh his only answer.

His eyes burn into mine as he whispers huskily, “You only get one life and there is no point in using it to please others above yourself. If you do, you will be cheating yourself and them by covering the truth and altering your destiny.”

I swear I could listen to his husky voice all day and I am desperate to learn more about him, but it would be overstepping the boundary.

Instead, I nod my acceptance of his statement.

“I know you’re right, but it’s complicated.”

“Not really.”

There is nowhere to hide from his searing gaze, as he apparently reads every thought in my mind.

I don’t miss how he is holding my ankle carefully in his strong hands as he stares deep into my eyes and as moments go, this one will be revisited several times as a memory I still can’t believe I can call mine. As I smile back at him, I notice a flicker ofconcern, or is it apprehension, that quickly passes when he says with regret, “We should go. Your ankle should be strapped and you could probably use some painkillers.”

“I suppose.”

As he stands, my breath halts as I stare at his awesome body and before I can object, he swings me back into his arms and heads off at speed, as if I weigh nothing at all.

FOUR

IMOGEN

Drake Bellingham must be superhuman. I conclude that because he hardly even breaks a sweat as he covers the distance to the academy,

As we break through the tree line, he leans down and whispers, “It’s probably best if we stop at my house while I grab a t-shirt before I take you to the medical room.”

I see the sense in his statement but my mouth dries at the idea of spending any time at his home.

I hate how desolate I am when I realize my time with him is over as he says softly, “I’ll set you down and if you place your arm around my shoulders, I’ll help you hobble. I’m not sure it would be appropriate to carry you to the medical room while I’m half dressed. We would have some explaining to do, and it would attract unwelcome gossip on both our parts.”

“Of course.” He isn’t wrong and as I leave his safe arms, I taste regret as reality brings me back to our current situation. He is a teacher. I am a student. It will never be anything more and he was merely doing what was right at the time.

We hobble what turns out to be the short distance to his house set on the end of a line of teacher’s accommodation andyet it is hidden behind a few strategically placed trees that ensure privacy.

We reach the wooden steps leading up to his small veranda and he guides me down to sit on one of the steps.

“Wait here. I won’t be long.”

As he heads inside, I attempt to breathe again and shake myself back to reality and accept what this is. It strikes me that Jesse hasn’t crossed my mind once this entire time and yet I don’t feel guilty about that.

I’m not alone for long and Drake reappears, a fresh t-shirt stretching across his toned body, carrying a welcome glass of water in his strong hands.

“I guessed you could use this.”

He offers it to me and I gulp it down gratefully, not realizing just how thirsty I was.

“I would give you some painkillers, but it’s probably best if you get those from the nurse.”

“Probably.”

I hand him the empty glass with a smile.

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