In a moment, anything can change and nothing is ever the same. Tarrlok's one moment of weakness becomes bitter as lives become intertwined with his.
She stood out amongst the crowd of uniformed clad students. She did not hike up her skirt like the other girls. She kept her skirt at it's true length and buttoned her ivory colored shirt up to the top button and she wasn't caked with makeup. The only alteration she had with her uniform was that she wore fingerless blue and black striped gloves. He found her the prettiest compared to the others. He was unable to look away. Chocolate brown hair in a ponytail with short side layers. Her hair was spilling out of her ponytail. She must have been the kind of person to take a shower before she went to sleep. She must have been sixteen years old...he had sex with a little girl. Tarrlok sneakily peered from his roster sheet, watching her focus on her test.
Korra, her name was Korra.
She was only a child. Prostitution was illegal to begin with - but having a child being one was even worse. He wondered, why was she caught up with it? She looked harmless...innocent...and someone with no values wouldn't be taking an A.P. class. It never occurred to him how young she appeared. Tarrlok figured she was in early twenties at least...although what she was wearing made her look older...a short strapless black lace dress, with a sweetheart neckline...her chocolate brown hair in dampen waves...He felt his face burning with embarrassment.
What was going to happen? Will she tell her friends that she slept with her teacher? Will he get fired or worse end up in jail?
He wondered...did anyone know she was selling her body outside of school? What was her reason for doing something so degrading?
She was the last to turn in her test. He watched her from the corner of his eye. She focused on the papers, doing her best to ignore him. He knew that she was uncomfortable too. Korra raised her eyebrow in frustration before she placed her paper. She grabbed the tests and began to put them in order.
"You don't have to do that," he cleared his throat. He was pleased that at least someone understood how he felt about tests being out of order but what he did to her...he couldn't forgive himself. He took advantage of her and yet she was being kind to him.
Korra looked at him, "It's okay. I just really hate when people can follow simple directions." She laughed unevenly.
The bell rang and the students scattered out for lunch. She remained in his class, still organizing the tests.
"Thank you," he managed the courage to say. He watched her collect her things to leave.
She blushed, her eyes were unable to look at him. "You're welcome."
For weeks his life continued to be normal but he was unable to stop thinking about her. He wanted to know about her, wanted to know her reasons for prostitution, wondered why she hadn't tell anyone about their night. Tarrlok didn't feel like he deserved to continue living without any consequences. He was living his life as it was good and yet he knew by heart that she was probably sleeping with men still.
Korra was a mystery to him. She was a good student. He looked up her transcript and her grades were near perfect - and she was the only A in his class. Most students received A's at the end of the year if they passed their A.P. state exams.
And yet she was going around sleeping with sleazy men.
He had to help her. She always looked so tired, her eyes laced with dark circles. She looked shaken up and sick. The whole thing about her was so depressing. She didn't deserve to be part of that life. He had to steer her straight to a good path. She had so much potential for things than to have a shameful life.
"Can I speak to you?" he asked, preventing her to leave for lunch one day. He quickly moved his hand from her shoulder blade. Tarrlok didn't want to cross any boundary that would confuse her.
Her eyes widened. "Sure," she painted a smile upon her startled face. He could see through her face and he saw nothing but adrenaline and her fear. Korra clutched on tightly to her binder that was at her chest. He knew she was trying to cover herself because she felt mentally naked around him. He wasn't stupid. Every time he would call her in class to answer a question, she would quickly have her binder covering her chest. It was awkward for the both of them. Tarrlok was unable to look at anything but her face. Every time he tried to look at her, he imagined her either in what she wore on that night or naked.
Tarrlok pulled at his collar. How was he supposed to ask her? What was the right thing to say? "Um," he swallowed down a lump. "About -
"Oh!" she interrupted, laughing nervously. Her cheeks were burning madly. "I forgot that I have to make up a t-test for a teacher," she forced a frown. "It's my last day to make it up."
Tarrlok nodded. He saw through her lie. "Very well," he suppressed a sigh.
He let her leave. He wanted to stop her - to tell her he was sorry for his behavior - to beg her not to continue being a toy but what was he supposed to do? She didn't want to talk about it. If he went to the police she might informed the police he slept with her. Tarrlok didn't want to be selfish but he couldn't help it. He had to find a way to get to her indirectly before she considered of contacting the police but it was difficult. It was obvious that she wanted the whole night to be forgotten. Despite that,t he had to do something. He couldn't let her continue her unhealthy lifestyle. She was going to get hurt and he wouldn't let it happen.
Korra's POV.
Every day he would try to speak to her in private. Korra would make up an excuse to avoid him. She was afraid of him. She knew nothing about him except that he was a good teacher. She felt guilty for avoiding him but it was for her own safety.
What if he demanded her to sleep with him so he wouldn't inform the police? What if he had her sleep with him often? She didn't want to sleep with him again.
She wanted to leave the class but she didn't want to go down to regular history...it was her junior year. She can't go down a class level, not when applying for college was next year but every day she could feel his eyes undressing her. She knew each time he would sneak a glance at her. Animal. He was a sick pedophile just like the others. She would do everything to try to cover herself up in front of him but she felt naked.
On a stage.
For everyone to see.
No matter how much she tried, she was unable to erase her memories. She remembered his scent, the way he touched her, the way he felt. She usually forgets all the men that would come but she can't forget him. There was something different about him. He looked guilty when he was having sex with her. He did not kiss her like others or have her in positions that were extreme or even declared love for her. The last thing he did was fix her hair and help her find her clothes...it was almost sincere.
It was like...he wasn't like all the scum men she encountered. The two hundred dollar tip he gave her wasn't out of the ordinary for her. Some that she knew even gave girls they like even more. Most men gave her extra money as a way to buy her affection but she wasn't the kind of person. Even though it was strange for her to say with her situation...but she had her reasons.
Korra jerked up, quickly waking up to the sound of her alarm on her phone. It was Tuesday, one of her days to go work. She worked three days a week; Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. She dragged herself. It was time for her to go to work.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Hi Shady Shin," she waved, forcing a smile.
He smiled back, winking at her. "Hello Korra." He was a good looking man with tan skin, a narrow nose, mischievous blue eyes, and dark brown sleeked back hair with sideburns. He had facial hair, a few wrinkles, but he still looked handsome to her.
He stayed in the room, watching her change out of her normal clothes and into clothes she wore when she was working. Korra tried her best not to pay attention. She got out of her sweats and quickly changed into a short, baby blue dress with lace at the sides. She pulled down her pony tail and shook her hair a couple times and applied makeup. She only put on mascara and gloss. She wasn't good on putting on makeup and putting on lip gloss was all she knew.
"There you are," he smirked, wrapping her arms around her.
She remained still, letting her boss hug her. He smelt like cigarettes and hard liquor.
She hated his guts. She wanted to beat him to the ground but she had to make money. She sighed. Come on Korra. Keep it together. Doing this isn't permanent. Soon I won't have to work for this psychopath man anymore.
"So...did anyone request me?" she whispered meekly. She would never be able to ask this question without feeling embarrassed. Korra crossed her fingers mentally that no one did ask her.
"Yes." He moved away from her and wiped her mascara smear. He leaned and kissed her lips. She shuddered in disgust. He was the only person that knew of her other life and knew that she was underage. Even though he knew, he still flirted with her the way he flirted with the other prostitutes. Korra, control yourself. Don't rip his head out. "Someone did ask for you. He should be coming soon."
She felt her heart fall. "R-really?" she croaked.
"Yes. He was really taken by you that he had called this morning and requested for you."
She turned pale. This couldn't be happening. She took several steps back, her eyes focusing on the floor, "Oh." The last time he told her this the person turned out to be Shin and he used her until she could no longer walk.
He snickered. "Don't worry. I wouldn't waste my money on you again." Shady Shin said as he pinched her cheek. "You're expressions are really cute." He winked. He looked up, smirking. "Korra, your customer is here to see you."
She looked up, her eyes widening in fear.
No.
It couldn't be.
Her teacher was here.
What was going on? What is he going to do to her? Why is he here? What does he want with her? She felt all the blood rushing to her head. She felt her eyes burn. He was going to touch her. She didn't want this. She would rather have an old filthy man touch her than to confront him.
Shady Shin pushed her towards him, cackling. "She's all yours sir."
"Thank you," her teacher smiled politely. She could tell he did his best not to look below her face. He took her by the arm firmly. "Does she have any other sessions this week?' he asked, staring at Shady Shin with bright eyes.
Shady Shin shook his head, raising his eyebrow suspiciously. "No. Why?"
She watched in silence as the two men negotiated sessions. Her teacher filled in her whole schedule for the whole week. Three days with him...for eight hours a night. Korra turned pale.
"Korra," Shady Shin smiled through gritted teeth. "Go take him to your room."
Korra swallowed hard and nodded. The room Shady Shin meant was her room she had working. It was literally a prostitute hotel for men. She took her teacher by the wrist and led him to her room. She sat on the bed as if she was a still doll. She didn't know what to do but to be obedient. For three nights, her teacher owned her.
Her skin tightened, watching him lock the door, his hands reaching for the top button of his coat.
a/n: to be continued! Obviously Korra has a reason but it won't be revealed until later! please review! :)