Bending the Rules

By: BrendaBites

Ana wasn't sure what to do after that. She began to doodle in her notebook, not caring that Mr. Grey would probably see and be angry.

She tried to listen to his lesson but it was hard to even look at him without thinking about the kiss. Ana could feel her heart flutter, only to have it fall quickly. She guessed she really was like all those silly girls who liked someone too quickly.

Her attention didn't focus on the class until she heard the phone ring. Mr. Grey walked over to his desk and answered it, "Mr. Grey." he paused, "Yes, she's here. I'll send her over." Once he hung up, he looked up at Ana with a strange look in his eyes. "Do you know where Flynn's class is?"

"Uh," Ana opened her mouth to reply, but his eyes distracted her. She wasn't sure if they were almost apologetic or still angry, but she did know they were still the most beautiful eyes she'd ever seen. He raised an eyebrow at her and was about to ask if someone else in the class could go show her, but she nodded, "Yes, I know where it's at."

Ana was about to put her things away, but decided she shouldn't have to carry it if it was only for a quick visit. "Should I leave my stuff?" she asked Mr. Grey.

He didn't look too interested in what she did, but still, he nodded, "It shouldn't be too long. "

Ana ignored the looks from her classmate as she walked out the door. She wondered what she needed from her counselor, but she mostly wondered what Mr. Grey was thinking.

She made her way downstairs and when she entered the office, she was relieved to see Mr. Flynn didn't seem to have a serious conversation in mind. "Hello Ana," he said with a smile, motioning to the only chair in his small office. "Have a seat."

Ana took the seat and murmured a polite, "Hello."

"How have you been settling down?" he asked.

"Pretty good," she answered, tucking away a strand of her hair.

He nodded and cleared his throat, "Well, I've been looking up a few things, and I know you're a little behind," Ana nearly scoffed at that. A little? She wished. "Now, there's computer courses the school offers, but they're usually meant for students who have already taken the course. I was thinking we could make an exception," he reached for a paper on his desk. "I've seen your grades, and you seem like an intelliegent girl. If your teachers think it appropriate, we can switch you to computer courses. They'll be quicker, and you'll be able to take your senior classes sooner. You don't have to decide now, in fact, you're going to have to ask your father first."

This was the chance Ana had been waiting for. She would have the opportunity to catch up on her work.

"That would be great," she smiled, forgetting about the incident with Mr. Grey.

"I'm glad you think so," he nodded and waited for a couple of papers to print before handing them to her.

"Thank you," she told him, as she began to stand up.

"Actually- Well, I was hoping we could talk a little more. I know you had a tough time back with your mother.."

Ana already knew where this was going, Ray had been asking if she wanted to see a therapist, which she responded with, "It wasn't a big deal. I'm just glad I'm here."

"I understand if you don't want to talk much about it, but it would put your dad at ease just to know you're talking about something. We can talk about anything here Anastasia-"

"You can just call me Ana," she said quietly. Was her dad really worried about her? But why? He knew she was safe here.

"Okay, Ana. Is there anything you'd like to say? Something you've wanted to talk about but haven't had anyone to talk with?"

Ana shook her head, there wasn't anything at all she wanted to say to this guy, even if he did seem nice.

"That's fine," he replied gently, "Can I ask you a few things?"

"Sure," she answered, though she was nervous about what he would ask.

It surprised her when he asked, not something about her mom's new husband, but things about herself.

Though their conversation had started off stiff and forced, it became almost an easy going conversation with a friend. It wasn't until the bell rang that she realized how long they had been taking.

Flynn smiled almost sheepishly, "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to be that long. You left your things in your class right?"

"Yeah, I should go get them.." Ana stood up.

"Come talk to me tomorrow, or whenever you have the chance," Flynn said. "Don't make me have to call you in again," he half teased.

Ana smiled warily, "Right. I'll see you soon then," when they finished their goodbyes, Ana rushed back upstairs. The halls were emptying out, and she avoided a few shoves before she finally reached Mr. Greys class.

Just grab your things and go, Ana told herself, though she couldn't possibly think it would be that easy.

She reached for the door, and since it was unlocked, she opened it and walked in.

Mr. Grey was sitting in his desk as usual, only he had his head in his hands. It wasn't until the door shut loudly behind Ana, that he looked up.

His eyes were wide, and he opened his mouth to say something, only Ana beat him to it. "I'm just getting my stuff.. I'll be out in a sec."

She hurried to her desk to grab her things.

"Wait, Ana I-"

"Don't worry about it, everything is forgotten. Flynn just called to talk about my mom and stuff."

"I wasn't worried about that I just-"

"Well. Good," she stuffed her things in her bag.

"Ana, we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about Mr. Grey. We did something we shouldn't have, but it doesn't matter, we just won't mention it ever again." Ana had all her things ready and was about to start leaving. "And on that note, I'll see you next class."

This time, Mr. Grey stood up, dropping something from his desk along the way. "I don't know what the kiss was for you Ana, but I do know, it wasn't just a silly mistake to me. It isn't something I can or will just forget but if that's what you want to do, then fine, but please, let's just talk about it for a minute."

Ana bit her lip, she should have left right there and then, but instead she said, "I don't know what you want me to say."

"Anything," he answered too quickly. "I want to know what that kiss meant to you.. What I mean to you."

"Mr. Grey-"

"Christian," he breathed. "Call me Christian."

Ana shouldn't have called him by his first name, but she did. "Christian," she said tentatively, "I.. I like you, I'll admit that but this shouldn't be happening. You're a teacher and I-"

"What if I wasn't a teacher Ana?" he asked quietly.

"But you are-"

"But what if I wasn't.. anymore?" his voice hinted that he was impying something bigger than just a hypothetical situation.

"I don't- I don't know."

He took the few steps towards Ana and took her hand. "Just give me a few weeks- less than that even. You know, teaching wasn't my first choice."

"What was your first choice?"

"I always dreamed of helping those in need," he admitted with a wry smile. "I didn't have the best childhood.. I'd dream about being someone with lots of power, except I'd use that power for something great." He shook his head, "It may sound delusional, but I have a few ideas running around, some I've started on, but I just need a little time to really get things started."

"I don't think it's delusional to think you can help people," Ana said, looking down at the hand that held hers. She squeezed it slightly, "I think thats great..." she paused before asking in a whisper, "What happened to you?"

"My childhood kind of sucked," he said with a crooked smile, trying to make the topic sound lighter.

"You've said that, but I mean, what really happened?"

"I don't like to talk about it," he answered gently.

There were quiet for a few minutes until Christian pulled his hand back, "You were right. We should just forget about this."

Ana concidered saying something along the lines of, "Screw it. Screw it all," and then pressing her lips against his, but instead she nodded.

"But Anastasia?" he called out when she began to hurry to the door.

"Yeah?" she answered, not looking back, as she reached for the door handle.

"I like you too. More than I can understand."

Sorry this took so long, but it's here now. You may notice I kind of lost my way as I typed, so I'm sorry about that too.

I've taken a psychology course before, but as you can see with the whole Flynn situation, it didn't really help me 'help others'. If you have any suggestions on how the story should advance, review or send me a message.

Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter, all were appreciated.