The Jerk Of A Science Teacher

The Moment I Knew

"What the hell did you say no for?' Sam asked, as I told him the whole story about Mark. I had asked him to meet me at a cafe nearby so I could talk to him about Mark's question.

"I told you, I'm scared. Travelling around the world is big. You can't just opt out and go home the next day. It's a whole year, what if something happens? What if we get tired of each other?"

"Then it happens." He shrugged.

"That's great advice, thank you, Sam."

"You both love each other and have a great relationship, why worry about something like that." He was right.

"Why are you always the voice of wisdom?" I asked him. Although he could act like a fool, he really did have some great advice.

"I guess I'm just a genius." He joked as I rolled my eyes. "But seriously, remember I'm not in this relationship, so I have an outside view. Although I know you both, only you know what you want to do.

Sam had given me a lot to think about. I was grateful that I could count on him for an unbiased opinion. I knew what I wanted, I guess I always had, as soon as he asked the question, but I was scared to take the jump.

"Have you spoken to him recently?" I asked Sam, as I stirred my milkshake with my straw.

"Yeah, after you ran out he called me to ask if he did anything wrong with asking you."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that although you may love him, it's a big step, for any couple let alone you two. You thought he loved his job as a teacher, then suddenly he declares that he's going to quit, that would be quite a shock." I nodded. Sam got it perfect.

"I guess I should talk to him then." I sighed.

"Give it a few days, let me talk to him to see where his head is at. He's mad at himself, and he's a little hurt. He thought you would say yes, and it was a blow when you ran out."

"I didn't mean to run out."

"But you did. And to Mark, it seems like you were trying to not so subtly break up with him. He's got a chink in his armour, he'll be fine. The whole situation will be fine Scarlett. I promise you."

"Thank you, Sam. For everything, really."

"No problem Scar, you better head home, you've got school tomorrow."

"It's only 8 o'clock."

"I know but still."

"When did you turn 40?"

"Haha very funny, see you later Scarlett." I took that as a hint and got up and left the cafe. He had given me a lot to think about while he talked to Mark. I just hope everything goes smoothly, we deserve some smooth sailing in our relationship.

~~~~~~~

I watched him as he excitedly stood in front of the class, talking about our latest subject. That's what I couldn't get. If he liked teaching so much, why would he drop it to go travelling with me? But maybe I was being selfish, I keep on saying he's doing it for me, but he loves travelling, he just wants me there with him. It was a great opportunity I was just scared to take the leap into the unknown.

Riley was sat next to me, watching him also. I could tell she still liked him. It was clear in her eyes, but she tried. For me. Was I selfish in this relationship? Mark wanted to travel with me and Riley was willing to conceal her feelings for Mark for me. Was I being a bad friend and girlfriend? I needed reassurance, that too was selfish. I had run out on Mark and I needed reassurance to whether I'm a bad girlfriend or not. I knew I needed to speak to him, I couldn't wait for Sam to have his 'man to man' talk with him. He finally made eye contact with me, for the first time in days. I gave him a small smile which he returned with an eyebrow raise. I knew I wasn't going to be easily forgiven. I had hurt him, but I needed to try.

~~~~~~

"Can I speak to you about my latest test results?" I asked Mr Harris as the last of the class left. He sighed before nodding, not wanting to look unprofessional, although he knew what I really wanted to talk about.

"Sit." He nodded at his desk.

"I just wanted to apologise for everything," I said as I sat on top of his desk, moving some of his papers out of the way.

"Mmm," He said, as he shuffled papers around. He was avoiding eye contact and it was making it more awkward than necessary.

"Mark."

"It's Mr Harris." That hurt. Him denying me calling him Mark was like him denying our relationship out of school. Of course, I had hurt him, I just never knew it would be like this.

"You're Mark to me."

"Go away, Scarlett." He sighed.

"No."

"Scarlett go away."

"Or what? I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. Can't I explain myself to you? you got mad when I didn't allow you to explain yourself with the bumblebee, how the hell is it fair that you don't allow me? I need to explain. I still haven't given you your answer."

"That's because you ran out before you could say it." He snarled. "Then you got Sam to do your dirty work and ask how I was feeling. How the hell do you think I was feeling after my girlfriend ran out on me? It's not like I proposed, I just asked to travel the world."

"Why can't you see that's a massive thing for me? It's not just something to be taken lightly."

"We shouldn't have this conversation in school. Come 'round tonight. We'll talk then." I nodded, standing up to leave.

"Can I just do one thing?" He looked at me for the first time in the conversation, questioning what I meant. Before he could ask I slowly encased his lips with mine. Almost instinctively his hands grabbed my waist pulling me closer as my hands went into his hair. Pulling away slowly I studied him. His now red lips, flushed cheeks, messy hair and eyes filled with lust reminded me why I fell for him in the first place. I knew I might have sacrificed our relationship with what I had done. But I knew, looking at the man in front of me, I would do anything to keep what we have.

Before I walked out the classroom I turned back to him.

"Bye Mark." I knew I would see him tonight but I didn't know if those two words would have a different meaning to them then.

A/N- I'm back! Prelims have been a pain in the ***. Only Higher History and Higher Human Biology left. Also, thank you for 29k! I never thought that would happen, so thank you!