Are we meant to be ?

Chapter six

"Why aren't you sleeping?" I asked her while opening the can of beer. "I don't sleep well in stranger's bed." She smiled and the wind was gently blowing on her face and hair. "Me too." I drank a mouth full of beer and shallow it down my throat. It felt good. "Can I have a sip?" She asked pointing at the can that was on my hand. "And don't say that I'm not old enough to drink." She continues. I chuckled but then I became serious. "How am I going to give it to you? I can't really reach you." Our balcony was far away from each other but not as far.

"Should I climb over?" she said and I almost choke on my beer. "Are you crazy?" I was loud and I turn back to check if I woke anyone up. "No! Don't do that!" She was laughing. "I was just kidding. I wouldn't want to fall and break my neck because of a can of beer." She was looking at me with those innocent dark brown eyes. Suddenly I notice my eyes falls from her eyes to her nose and to her lips. Those beautiful pink lips. Stop, Caleb! What are you doing man? She's your student for god sake!

I quickly looked away and into the beautiful night view. Not much to see but the quiet streets with the street lights and moving cars are quite relaxing. "Are you like... dating Miss Portman?" She suddenly asked. I was stunned by the question, why would she think that I'm dating Lauren? Does she thinks that? "No. Of course not. Who told you that?" I felt myself getting tense, holding onto the beer can tighter. "Nobody. Just my six sense. Feels like Miss Portman likes you." I was about to tell her that there were nothing between Lauren and I. But she beat me to it "Seems like you two were quite close back at the restaurant" What in the world ? What is she talking about?

"No... is not like that... Lauren ... I mean Miss..." I was uttering words but I didn't know what should I say but I want to make sure that she doesn't think I'm dating Lauren. "Hey, is cool. You don't have to explain." She gave me a soft smile and walk back into her room and close the balcony door. I was standing there shocked. Didn't know what to do. I finished my beer and went to sleep but I didn't. I was thinking about her all night. Thinking about how to tell her I'm not dating Lauren at the same time not making it weird when I said it. It seems so hard to talk to her without being judged that I'm over the line because we were in a student and teacher's relationship.

Scarlett's POV

Everyone was sound asleep, I was lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Maybe they are dating, maybe they aren't. What do I care? I was trying to get some sleep but every time I close my eyes I remember how close they were back at the restaurant. Soon, my eyes were getting heavier and the next thing I know it was already morning. We were heading down to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast. I was the last one to walk out from the room when I open the door, I saw Mr.Wallace walking pass my room. We made eye contact.

"Morning." He said, we were both standing in front of the elevator. The elevator door was gold in color and it was a reflective giant mirror. We both look like hell. Dark circles under the eyes but he still looks gorgeous with those little unshaved mustache under his chin. "Sleep well last night?" I asked to clear the awkwardness between us. He suddenly looked up and look at me through the mirror. "No. Couldn't sleep." He chuckles and rubbed his head and neck with his right hand. I didn't know how to continue the conversation so I just look down at my shoes and admired the marble tiled floor.

It took awhile for the elevator to come and soon we were in the elevator alone again. Where is everyone? Where is Grace and the others? "Scarlett..." I heard him calling my name. I slowly looked up to him, it felt like he was trying to say something but he couldn't get the words out from his mouth. He looked back at me, we were making deep eye contact, looking at each other eyes and soon looking at each other's lips.

I felt him coming closer to me, I didn't move just stood there watching him. While he was coming closer, I can smell a hint of cedar wood scent on his shirt mixed with his body wash. It was addicting. Soon we were just few inches away from each other face. I can feel his minty breath on my face, we were practically breathing each other breath. I want to close the gasp between us so bad but I'm scared that one wrong move will ruined what we're having now. In my mind I was ready for him to take my first kiss away but reality wasn't agreeing with me.

Caleb's POV

Ding.

We heard the elevator door opening and she quickly step back away from me. I wanted to kiss her so bad but something stop me from moving. I was worried that one wrong move would make everything worst. We straighten up ourselves and walk out the elevator. We head to the hotel restaurant, not looking at each other, not saying a single word. She walked two steps in front of me and speed up her steps to reach her friends.

After breakfast, we all got on the bus and I called out the student names. Soon we reach the campus and everyone went their separate ways. "Are you okay?" Lauren walked beside me, putting her hand on my shoulder and rubbing my back. I was not in the mood to talk so I just shrugged my shoulder and walked to my car. "Thanks for chaperoning the kids. I'm gonna head back." I gave her a vague smile and got in my car and drove home.

Beep. "Caleb, we're having a party this Saturday. Come and join us."

Beep. "Son. Make sure you take care all the students and get them back safely."

Beep. "Hey, man. Peter here. Sarah and I want to invite you to dinner after you're back from the trip. Call me if you get this message."

Beep. All Message deleted.

I went into my bathroom and took a long hot shower. Closing my eyes, water streaming down my back. All I could think of is her, her face, her lips and her sweet scent. A hint of floral, mainly lavender. Why didn't I kiss her? What's stopping me? Maybe is because she's your student, if someone found out you may lose your job and you may not see her again. Mother may expel her and you will not see her again.

Not see her again...

I walked out from the shower and dried myself. I went into my bedroom and find myself some comfy cloths to wear and went to get myself some water. I decided to go for a jog to clear my head and stop thinking about her. I grabbed my backpack and out I went to the nearby park.

I jogged for more than an hour, I stopped by a water fountain and I sat down. I came to a decision that I want to stop whatever this is between us. I know how I feel about her, I know what I feel may cost us bad consequences. I need to prevent those consequences from happening before both of us gets hurt.

I got home and gave Peter a call about the dinner. "Hey, man! How's the trip?" Peter picks up the phone after two rings. "Yeah. It was fine." I didn't want to get into detail. "So, about the dinner..." I was about to tell him I would love to have dinner with them. "You're coming to dinner tomorrow right?" He asked. "Yeah,man. I love to come. Send me the address." We chat for a bit and we hung up the phone.

Scarlett's POV

I reached home and the first thing I could think of is Boston. I asked Sarah to take care of Boston for me when I was on the trip. She came to feed him and take care of his needs and she done a great job. Boston was so happy to see me, he was jumping and running in circles. "Hey buddy. How's my baby boy?" I rubbed him head and hug him. He lied down and turn over on his tummy, gesturing me to rub his belly. "You deserve all the belly rubs you want."

I took Boston out for a walk and let him do his business. I exchange dog conversations with other dog owners at the park and they even invite Boston to a play date. It was cute. I sat down on a bench near a big tree and done some thinking. I didn't even notice I sat there for almost 30 minutes. I decided that I should stay away from Mr.Wallace, I think what we have or had between us is nothing but trouble. He may lose he's job and I may get expelled. I gone through too much to get here and I can't afford to lose it.

I just need to stay away.

The sun was setting, people are leaving the park. Soon it was dark and I finally stood up and walked home with Boston. Sarah was standing outside the cafe, I was about to greet her. "Scarlett." She waved at me with a worried face. I walk towards her "Where were you?" She hugged me like I was gone for several days. "I've been calling you and I went upstairs to look for you but you weren't there."

I hugged her back and she felt something was wrong with me. "What happened my dear? Tell me. I'm here for you." I didn't know why but tears just came down my cheeks and I was sobbing in her arms. Sarah took me back to my apartment and sat me down on my couch. She went back down stairs and got some food and beer.

"Here. Peter made pizza today. Eat and we'll talk when you feel like it." I ate some pizza and drank a lot of beer. "Hey. Slow down on the beer. What's wrong?" She took the beer away from me and put in down on the coffee table. I hiccuped and starting laughing like a crazy person. "Are you okay? Don't go all cuckoo on me." I took a deep breath and lean back on the couch. "I think I have feelings for someone that I shouldn't have feeling with." Sarah look at me with excitement. She grab my hand and turn me to face her. "Who? Which lucky guy?"

"Don't get too excited. Nothings gonna happen." Lines was forming on Sarah's forehead. "What? Why?" I took my hand away and place in on my temples to message it. "I dunno." Sarah shake her head and pull me into her arms. "Well. Everything will be alright. Don't think about it too much." She pat my back and we sat there for a good 5 minutes.

"Tomorrow we're having a small dinner party at our house. Is a housewarming and engagement party." I was cleaning up the bottles and Sarah was washing the dishes. "I want you to come. Meet some new friends, eat some good food and relax." She wipe her hands clean and stood there waiting for my answer.

"If I go who would work on the night shirt?" I asked. "Don't worry. We'll close up the cafe for tomorrow. I need to go grocery shopping, prepare everything, cook everything and I need all the time I get. So I may need your help." I smiled and nodded. "Okay."

I had a very good sleep last night. Maybe is because all the beers I drank. I woke up and went for a jog around the park with Boston. I felt refreshed and my mind was clear. Today is going to be a good day. I done some cleaning around the apartment and I even baked a moist chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. One of my famous cake to bake back at home, everyone would line up for seconds. I offered to bake the dessert for Sarah's dinner tonight. So I won't have to go empty handed.

I cleaned up and went to get some homework done. By the time I finish, it was almost 1:30 in the afternoon. I called Sarah to check up on her. "Scarlett. I need you!" The second she pick up the phone, she was already screaming for help. I laughed and told her I'm on my way.

I never been to Sarah and Peter's new place before. But luckily it was not hard to find. I press their apartment's number and Sarah's voice came out from the intercom. "Who it's?" I told her it was me and she buzzed me in. I took the elevator up to the 11th floor.

Sarah was standing at her door waiting for me. I smiled at her and gave her a hug. "Thanks for getting here so quick." I went in and put down the cake before I took my coat off. "Not a problem. What can I help you with?" Sarah was in the kitchen preparing the chicken. "I need you to peel the carrots and potatoes. Cut them into thirds and put them in the pan over there." I followed her instructions and soon everything was ready and all there's left to do was wait for the guest to arrive.

Peter was putting on some music and Sarah was getting herself ready. "Scarlett can you come her for a sec?" I heard Sarah calling me from her room. I went in and saw her in a red sleeveless halter dress. It shows off her waist line and her slender figure. "Sarah... you look amazing in that dress." I asked her to turn for me and she did. "Do you think I'm overdress?" I shake my head to disagree. "No. You look perfect!" She smiled and hugged me. Peter came in and saw Sarah in the dress. "Hi. Did you see my fiancée? I'm looking for her." We all laughed. Peter came in and kissed Sarah on the lips. "Okay... I'll wait outside."

"No wait. I want you to try on something." Sarah said. Pulling me back into the room. "What? " I was confused. "Bae. Could you leave us?" Sarah gently patted on Peter's chest and ask him to leave the room. "Sure." Peter went out and closed the door behind him. "Here. Try this on." Sarah gave me a box wrapped with a beautiful pink bow. "What it's?" I wasn't sure what it was. "Just open it and try it on."

I open the box and I saw a white dress neatly folded inside the box. "I bought this for you when I bought this red dress. I want you wear it tonight." I was in daze. "No... I can't. This is too much." I didn't know what to say. Sarah came to sit beside me on the bed "Yes. You can. Now hurry. I will be waiting outside." She stood up and walk to the door then she turned around "Don't you dare walk out this door without that dress." She gave me a grin and walked out the room.

I changed into the dress and I stood in front of the mirror. I couldn't believe how beautiful the dress was. Sarah definitely have taste in fashion. I fix my hair and put on some light makeup. I didn't have the confidence to walk out that door because I don't usually wear something so revealing. I sat on the bed for awhile and I heard someone knocking on the door.

"Scarlett. Are you okay? You need my help?" It was Sarah. Maybe she thinks I'm taking too long so she came to check on me. "No. I'm good. I'll be out in a minute." I stood up and smooth off my dress. I heard some people talking outside, maybe some guest have already arrived. I take a last look in the mirror and I walked out from the room. Everyone was looking at me. Especially him.