The 4th CRIME

Chapter 13

It's been three days since Mr Kim apologised, cancelled the detention and told me that I didn't have to be his class assistant anymore, and I was more than glad. I was happy to finally just be a student, no detention, no being a teacher's pet, none of that, just Natalya Hutcherson. 

What I can't take are the longer than usual stares in each other's direction. The eye contact while he's talking, and the subtle touches whenever I get a worksheet from him. I find myself unable to stop looking in his direction, I find myself unable to get him out of my mind, I find myself staring at him when he's talking in class and reading along with the Shakespeare's drama. I find myself looking away from his eyes when he does look at me and I can't help but stare at his lips when he's smiling or laughing along with some of the students in the class. 

I don't know what I'm doing right now. 

I don't understand it. 

A few days ago, one of the girls asked him when his birthday was and he had told us it was actually on Friday. I was paying full attention to this new information and I don't know why but I just was. 

I stayed absent on Friday because I didn't want to see him. I don't know why but I didn't want to go to school because I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to feel tempted to sing along with the class and I didn't want to buy a present for him like I'm certain the whole class is going to do. 

They buy presents not to celebrate your birthday but to one up each other and see who'll buy the best gift for the teacher. It's why teachers always look forward to their birthdays. 

Now I don't know why I'm walking in the empty hallways of the school, holding a neatly wrapped box containing Arturo Fuente Opus X cigars worth $30,000. My heels clicked on the ground with each step, echoing in the silent halls as I nervously reached his door. Praying that he wasn't here, praying that he already left and I would open the door to an empty classroom, scoff at my stupidity and be grateful that I wasn't embarrassed, close the door and go back home or go smoke some weed, or whatever the hell I'd find Czar smoking. I prayed even though I saw his car in the parking lot and parked my car besides it. 

I let out a breath as I lightly knocked on the door, and opened it, without waiting for a response. When I did, I wished I hadn't. Mr Kim was sitting on his desk, his desk which was covered in gifts and balloons along with some gifts even placed on top of the students tables, he was reading a gift card when he looked up and met my eyes. 

It was deadly silent before I licked my bottom lip, "Mr Kim..." I found myself saying softly as he looked at me. 

His eyes strayed from mine to look at what I was wearing. 

I was wearing a yellow pencil dress that reached just above my calf with a yellow oversized fur coat that matched in colour with the dress. I had my braids in high ponytail and I wore a pair of yellow pencil heels to create a bright and eye capturing outfit.

I always dressed my best, mostly because 1) my mother wouldn't allow me to look anything less than perfect, and 2) I really do love to look my best. 

His eyes met mine again and I watched as he straightened up, "Natalya..." He said back with the same tone and same hesitation as I did. 

I closed the door behind me. I don't know why but it just happened as I walked further into the classroom and I watched as he got off the teacher’s desk. He looked like he always did- he wore a suit which was ironed to perfection and there wasn't a single wrinkle or even a speck of dust on it and my eyes are trained. 

"I wanted to wish you a happy birthday," I said to him as I cleared my throat, "and bring you a birthday present." 

"You did?" He asked me, sounding surprised as he looked at my hand where I held the present, "I didn't think you cared," he chuckled as he took a step towards me, taking the present slowly from my hands. 

"I don't," I said, "I just wanted to be nice." 

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised before looking down at the box, "what is it?" He asked me. 

"Cigars," I replied, "I don't know if you smoke, but even if you don't, you can just brag about receiving Arturo Fuente Opus X cigars from me." 

"And brag about it I will," he said chuckling and I rolled my eyes. "Thank you, Natalya..." 

"It's nothing big, really, just a small gesture." 

He paused and placed the gift on the table as he looked down at me, placing both his hands in his pockets, "why didn't you come to school today? You don't look sick." 

I just shrugged, and walked to his desk, leaning against it as I looked at the gold balloons in his class. 

"Well, I wanted to hear you sing happy birthday to me," he said with a chuckle, "I was sad that you didn't." 

I tilted my head and looked up at him, "I don't sing." 

"Well, I don't want to be "that person"," he began, using air quotes around that person, "but it is my birthday and the least you can do is sing happy birthday to me." 

"Well way to spit all over my present." 

He burst out laughing, "oh, sorry, I really do appreciate it. I just want you to sing for me, that's all." 

"Happy birthday Mr Kim," I said dumbly and with a straight expression. 

He frowned, shaking his head, "just sing it a little bit." 

"No." 

"Why not?" 

"Because I don't sing." 

"Why are you like this?" 

"Like what?" 

"Why are you so stuck up?"

"And why are so childish?" 

"I most certainly am not childish." 

"I don't even know why I'm arguing with you right now," I said irritated as I let go of the two balloons I was holding, shaking my head. I got down from the table, taking it as my cue to leave, "I don't even know what I'm doing here."

Mr Kim stepped in front of me, stopping me from walking and I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow, "what are you doing?" He asked me and I rolled my eyes, glad that I was wearing the sunglasses. 

I chose to not response because I think it was quite obvious what I wanted to do. 

"Are you leaving?" He asked and my lips thinned into a line as I took off my sunglasses, trying hard to not slap this man. 

"Are you a moron?" I asked him as I looked up at him, my sunglasses in my hands as I finally looked at him without having my eyes covered. 

"No," he said as he shook his head, "just a man with a little forbidden feelings." 

Then, he kissed me.