Teaching love

3: Wrong feelings and the right song

1 month later

*Paige*

I keep my eyes down as I check the test against the fact sheet. Too aware the he is sitting almost right in front of me, behind his desk. I don't have to look to know that he is sitting with those long legs far apart, his pink tongue poking slightly out between his lips as he focus and his glasses having slid a bit down on his nose.

It can easily be said that I have spend way to much time studying him, my latin teacher Will. I help him twice a week with grading tests and other paperwork. I love doing it, both because I learn a lot and well I get to spend time alone with him.

He is the most intelligent and interesting man I have ever met. And he is sweet and gracious at the same time, there is nothing pretentious or snobbish about him. I only find him more handsome and sexy each time I look at him, even though I shouldn't.

I guess it can easily be said that I have a major crush on my teacher. Even if it is as wrong as it can be, not only because he is my teacher. He is also 37 years old, almost twice my age and he has a girlfriend he lives with. So these feelings are just something I have to ignore and then they will go away.

"How are those coming along ?" I hadn't heard him get up from his chair, but suddenly he stands behind me. He is leaning over me, one hand beside me on the desk the other resting on my shoulder and I find it that I can't breathe.

I try to focus. To not let him know how he affects me. It would be so embarrassing. "I am almost done Mr Servaes". I don't know why I insist on using his last name. Probably to distance myself from him in some way.

*Will*

"Paige, how many times do I have to ask you to call me Will ?" I ask her softly, seeing how my breath on her ear gives her goosebumps down the neck.

She blushes and keep her eyes on the paper in front of her, biting her lip in away that makes me swallow. "Probably many more times Mr Servaes".

I sigh and stand up. "Thank you for your help as always Paige, you better go get ready for the audition". We are having auditions for the school musical.

"I don't think I am going to audition for the musical". She says as she places the last paper in the pile and get up from the chair.

I whip around, forgetting for a moment that I am her teacher and she is my student, my way to young student. I step up to her, grabbing her chin to tilt her head, forcing her to look into my eyes. "You have to audition Paige, you are really talented. We need you for the musical".

She looks lost for words, blinking with her mouth slightly open. I am once again hit by this compelling feeling. It would be so easy to just take a step forward and lower my head to kiss her. Her lips looks so inviting. Would she let me ? Would she slap me ? Would she go to the headmaster ? Stop yourself Will, seriously. Yes she is a very pretty girl, and she seems sweet and caring. She is also a very smart girl and you enjoy talking to her. But it's just that right, I mean she is a student, she is 19 years old and I have a girlfriend that I love right ? I can't have feelings for this girl, I am not allowed to.

I let go of her, trying to get myself under control and push those budding feelings away. Not only would it be wrong and illegal, she would probably think me an old pervert if she knew. "Just promise to audition".

"Okay then". She says, taking a deep shaky breath. "I promise to come to the audition, but I better get on my way then". She says walking towards the door.

"See you there then". I call after her. I shake my head to myself. It has to be the feeling lonely and hurt that makes these thoughts emerge. It must be the idea of her never being to busy, because she is a high school student your wanker, that feels enticing.

*Harmony*

I walk into the school. I have come to watch River audition for the school musical. I have arrived a bit early, I wanted a chance to have a chat with his music teacher.

River is always speaking so highly of him and now I am to curious, I have to meet this man that my son sees as a hero.

I have no idea what he looks like, I didn't ask River as it didn't really matter. But of course I got some idea in my head from what my son has told. I don't know why I am expecting someone middle aged with a grey ponytail, maybe because my music teacher looked like that.

As I walk into the music department I hear a guitar playing and a soft voice singing along. The voice is enticing and reminds me of the old crooners like Sinatra and Dean Martin, but younger and softer. It is a voice I could listen to forever.

I still can't see the person or persons singing and playing, as there is a tall speaker in the way. He is singing 'Cry me a river' and I feel pulled in.

Now you say you're lonely

You cry the long night through

Well, you can cry me a river

Cry me a river

I cried a river over you

Now you say you're sorry

For being so untrue

Well, you can cry me a river

Cry me a river

'Cause I cried, I cried, I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head

While you never shed a tear

Remember, I remember, all that you said?

You told me love was too plebeian

Told me you were through with me and

And now you say, you say you love me

Well, just to prove you do

Come on and cry me a river

Cry me a river

'Cause I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head

While you never shed a tear

Remember, I remember, all that you said?

Told me love was too plebeian

Told me you were through with me and

Now, now you say you love me

Well, just to prove you do

Come on and cry, cry, cry me a river

Cry me a river

'Cause I cried a river over you

If my pillow could talk, imagine what it would have said

Could it be a river of tears I cried instead?

So you can cry me a river

Daddy, go ahead and cry me a river

'Cause I cried, how I cried a river over you

How I cried a river over you

I slowly walk closer, feeling called to the voice. There is something in that voice that speak to me, to my soul. And I know I need to get to know the soul that can convey so much feeling through a single song. I don't care how he looks or how old he is. All I know is that his soul is calling out to mine.

As I step around the speaker I firstly think that it might be a student sitting there with a guitar, singing to himself. He just look so much younger than expected, but looking closer I see that he is around my own age.

His lips forming the words are so perfect and soft looking. Lips made for kissing and for whispering words of passion. His hand moving so effortlessly over the strings are big, hands made for heated caresses. His face has to be the most handsome I ever saw, a face made for the silver screen, and young girls dreams. And his eyes, they are hazel and so soul full they draw you in.

He looks up, realising that I am watching him and the most beautiful smile spreads on his face, before he finishes up the last lines. He put down his guitar and gets up, and I realises how incredibly tall he is. "Hi there, can I help you with something ?"

*Alex*

As I finish the song I notice a woman watching me very intently, but somehow it doesn't feel weird, it feels natural and I can't help smiling at her. I know she isn't a teacher, I would most definitely have noticed her. She looks to old to be a student but to young to be the mother of one, maybe an older sister ?

She has long wavy hair the colour of milk chocolate and mesmerising green eyes, that seems to see right through me and into my soul. She is wearing a yellow flowing dress, kind of hippie style but short to show off tan very shapely legs. She is also wearing some big hoop earrings with yellow pearls and a long matching necklace.

I put my guitar down and stands up, intrigued to know why she is here. "Hi there, can I help you with something ?"

"You must be Mr. Hoctor right ? The music teacher". She says and I nod, there is something about her that makes me feel a bit short of breath. "Hi I am Harmony, River's mom. I just wanted to come by before the auditions. River always speaks so highly of you".

Harmony is a very unusual name, but it fits her. Now that she say it I can see that River looks like her, but she must have gotten him at a young age. "River is a great kid and very talented. We are really happy to have him here". I offer her my hand. "And please call me Alex".

"A pleasure meeting you Alex and thanks. Yeah he is a great kid, if a mother is allowed to say so". She says with a smile and grabs my hand. It feels like a fuzzy warmth spreads from her hand and up through my arm.

I am literally drowning in her eye, keeping her hand in mine, until she giggles softly and I shakes my head slightly. "A pleasure meeting you too and of course you are, you should be proud of him, both you and his.. father ?!"

"His father is .. well he has never been in the picture. So I have raised him all by myself". She says softly. She makes no attempt to pull her hand away from mine.

I try not to smile, I mean it isn't really appropriate to smile at that, is it ? "Even more reason to be proud then. I am sorry that you had to do it alone".

"Thanks". She says and gently pulls her hand away. "I better get down to watch the auditions now, guess you have to get ready too". She says with a knowing smile.

"s**t !" I clamp a hand over my mouth. "Sorry, I forgot everything about time. It was nice talking to you". I send her a last smile, hating to go, but Will is going to be pissed if I am late and leave it all to him.