My Teacher's Heartbeat

Chapter 5

Clara’s POV

My heart started pounding hard as the bell went off for schools closing. I didn’t for once pay attention to any lectures we had for the day as all my mind was on Rowan.

I didn’t know how it would go so strongly and I didn’t want it to end. It dawned on me that it was day seven which means after today everything would have gone back to normal.

I didn’t know how exactly I wanted to deal with the fact that we would have to look at each other like nothing happened and nothing more would ever happen.

I packed my books gently into my bags as I walked slowly out of the class. Why did it have to end already?

Just as I got out of the class I met Bella as she stared at me with a very blunt look.

“Ohh look who it is..”

“Shut up Bella and for the first time in your boring life, get a life and leave me alone. Do you have to rely on me to cause a scene? Are you that much of an attention seeker?” I blurted out at her not minding the repercussions.

I felt so bold as everyone stared at me in awe and busted out laughing hard at Bella. Her face flushed as she turned around to see everyone was laughing at her including Annie and Linda.

Embarrassed, she ran away through the corridors and I knew she was going to the restroom. So now she knew what it felt like to be treated that way. Staying with Rowan has made me so bold that I faced my high school bully.

Feeling proud, I walked in the direction of his office and knocked.

“Come in.” The voice ushered from inside as I walked in and locked the door after getting in.

“You should have seen how I shut Bella up today,” I said in excitement, walking into his open arms as he laid a soft peck on my forehead.

“Oh really? So what did she do next?”

“Nothing, she ran to the restroom, as the whole school was laughing at her, even her friends,” I said like a child who was so excited about something.

“It’s good to see that you’re finally standing up for yourself. Staying with me more would have built your confidence well but today is the last day.” He muttered Coldly and I felt a harsh wind blow right through my face.

I pulled myself out of the hug as I dawned back on the reality that he was right. We won’t see each other during the closing period, recess, or any time at all. It was going to be as if those times never even existed.

“You don’t have to act that way, we enjoyed it because we could.” He said gently patting my hair backwards.

I sighed deeply as I gathered up the courage to say what I wanted to.

“Can I say something?” I inquired calmly.

“Yes, go on.” He said, staring keenly at me with a soft smile plastered at the corner of his lips. How could I live without seeing this smile every day?

“I know you said nothing can happen between us but I love you so much and I don’t know how it’s going to be without you. Why does it have to end? We can be very careful and see each other at other places apart from school..”

“I told you before Clara , me and you can’t work and I’m your teacher and you’re my student and the relationship can be nothing more than that. You don’t know how much I want this to continue, but it just can’t.” He muttered in a tone of finality.

I felt tears gathering up at the corner of my eyes as I sniffled hard trying to stop myself from crying.

He leaned closer to me and landed a soft kiss on me, less aggressive as he acted like I was going to disappear if he added any more force.

“I’ll miss this, but this just has to end right now.”

“So you’re going to start treating me just like everyone in the class, you’re going to forget about the camera incident, and the seven days I used to please you, no one must know anything about what happened,” I said calmly, making sure I didn’t miss out any details.

“I am not a child, what happened won’t get out, it’s going to be like nothing happened.” He replied calmly, arranging his desk.

“I guess that’s all, I have to go now,” I said, turning my back but I stopped at the door.

“I love you Rowan and I don’t think the feelings I have towards you are ever going to change,” I yelled out staring at him as tears finally fell freely from my face trickling down my cheeks.

“I love you too, don't you know? But this can’t work and if it could I don’t think I would put you at any risk because of me.”

I ran over to him and hugged him very tight, placing my last peck on his soft, warm cheek.

“Bye Clara , stay safe.” He muttered and it was evident that he forced those words out of his mouth.

I forced a smile onto my face and walked out of his office into the restroom as I finally broke down in tears staring at myself in the mirror.

“I know how hard it can be to be rejected.” I heard a familiar voice whisper behind me which startled me. I looked into the mirror and saw Bella stare at me with a. Smirk at the corner of her lips.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shunned her, wiping my tears off my face.

“Oh please, I was standing at the door of the office all that time, I heard everything, Clara !” She yelled out with a very bright smile on her face like she just achieved something big, making my life miserable.

My heart started pounding wondering if it was one of her schemes or if she did hear us.

“Leave me alone Bella.”

“So you spent seven days with the teacher pleasing him to have good grades, I didn’t know you were not only ugly but also shameless. What do you think would happen to you and your lover if everyone finds out about this.” She said gently, sarcastically patting my head.

“No, you can’t..” my voice trailed off.

“Don’t worry, no one would know, as long as you do all I want, I would be glad to keep your little secret ” She said with a smile as I looked at her through the reflection of the mirror.