Page 13 of The Teacher of Nothing
Mr. Park’s eyes narrow. “You arenotbaggage.”
His fierce tone sends currents of buzzing electricity through every nerve ending. I shift on my feet and chew on my bottom lip. The copy room is completely silent aside from our breathing that seems to be heavier than before. It feels as though all the air has been sucked from the room, leaving me hot and desperate for a cool breath.
The door bumps into my ass and I yelp in surprise. Mr. Park’s features harden and he barks out, “May I help you?”
“Callum?”
Mr. Park’s nostrils flare and he curses under his breath. Not like he’s ashamed of being in here with me, but as if he’s annoyed we’ve been interrupted. I give him a knowing smile. This moment feels like our little secret and I want him to know I won’t give him away.
“I’m teaching Miss Reyes to use this dinosaur of a machine, Miss Collins. You’d think Mr. Erickson could find a way to budget for a better copier machine,” Mr. Park says. “Do you need in here?”
Mr. Park grabs a handful of papers off the shelf and pushes them into my hand. He motions with his head for me to go over to the copy machine. I wriggle past him, my body brushing against his in the process. He stiffens and I can feel the heat of his stare burning into me. As soon as I’m at the machine, he opens the door.
With my back to them, I try not to look guilty. But I am guilty. I’ve been flirting with my teacher all alone. Given the time, who knows what would have happened. My skin flushes as they talk in friendly voices behind me.
“Let’s get you back to Mr. Erickson, Miss Reyes.”
I jolt at being addressed and set the papers down on a shelf. If I don’t make eye contact, maybe Miss Collins won’t see how badly my mind is still racing with steamy fantasies about Mr. Park.
Once we’re in the hallway and traded places with Miss Collins, I shoot him a questioning look. I’m not sure why I need reassurance, but I need it. I need to know what I felt in that room wasn’t my imagination. That he felt it too.
His penetrating stare bores into me, his expression giving nothing away. My heart sinks until he tugs at the knot on his tie.
“They should also see about fixing the air conditioner in there too,” he grumbles, though it sounds teasing. “We could have suffocated in there.”
My skin flushes and I fight a smile. “I did find it hard to breathe.”
Oh my God.
We’re absolutely flirting.
Shamelessly and in the hallway. At school.
“It’s probably good we escaped when we did then.” He winks at me again before growing serious. “Are you going to be okay? At home?”
I deflate like a balloon, dropping my attention to the scuffed linoleum. “I will.”
He steps closer, enveloping me with his faint cinnamon and apple aroma, until his shiny dress shoes come into view. “You’ll tell me if you feel…unsafe?”
I tilt my head up, searching for his eyes, to discover him towering in front of me. So close it feels intimate. So close the heat of his body washes over mine.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I promise.”
His nostrils flare and he leans closer. My eyes flutter closed as I imagine him dipping for a kiss. Instead, his murmured words tickle over my face rather than his lips. “Good girl.”
Male voices from down the hall have Mr. Park stepping away from me. I pop open my eyes just in time to see Darren and Mr. Erickson round the corner.
“Willa,” Darren calls out. “I’ve checked you both out for the rest of the day.”
I wince at the thought of riding home with both Levi and Darren after everything that’s transpired today. But it’s not like I have a choice. Nodding, I quickly make my way over to him. Darren places a heavy hand on my shoulder and squeezes.It makes my skin crawl. He’s not exactly the fatherly or affectionate type.
Feeling helpless, I glance at Mr. Park. He watches with a blank expression that leaves me hollow inside.
Darren ushers me out of the school and away from Mr. Park. The cold, wintery air blasts into me, making me wish I’d worn a coat today. His suped-up black Camaro is parked in the fire lane out front. Levi is leaning against the car, arms crossed as he waits.
“In the car. Both of you,” Darren growls, releasing his hold on me. “I’ve had enough bullshit today without having to deal with this.”
He hits the fob, unlocking the vehicle. Levi opens the door and lifts the seat, motioning for me to sit in the back. “Ladies first.”
