Stephanie lay next to Paul on the sofa; he was running his fingers through her soft brown hair. Paul had been rather quiet today it was unlike him; usually he was laughing and smiling.
"Paul is everything ok" Asked Steph
"It's fine why"
"You just seem quiet" Paul contemplated telling Steph about what happened at the funeral, if they started lying to each other that would begin problems, and that was the last thing they needed on top of everything else. Paul brought her closer to him.
"I don't want you to get mad…..but my mom knows about us" Said Paul
"How" Asked Steph
"Joanie's mom was there, she's like her Daughter, a bitch"
"What did she say?"
"She just needs time….but we'll be fine, she won't split us up" Said Paul kissing the side of her temple.
"Why couldn't have you told me sooner?"
"I didn't want to worry you…we've already been through so much"
"But I could have handled it Paul, I'm not a child" Said Stephanie slightly annoyed.
"I know I'm sorry" Said Paul touching her chin, she looked into his eyes, he gently kissed her on the lips, Stephanie responded resting her hand on his, she couldn't stay mad at him, she knew how hard it was. Paul slipped his hand under her top touching her breast. Paul began to kiss her neck, as his moist lips touched her warm skin; Paul kissed his way up to her ear.
"Let's finish this in my room" Said Paul making Stephanie giggle, she got up and grabbed his hand. Paul led her into the bedroom as he shut the door behind.
Stephanie woke up next to Paul there hands interlinked, she was on her side as Paul's eyes began to open. She touched his face, feeling the roughness from his thin beard.
"How is everything at home?" Asked Paul
"It's ok" Said Stephanie, Paul pulled Stephanie close to him, so her spine was resting against his chest. His beard was tickling her shoulder; they stayed like that for a few minutes.
"We better get up" Said Paul
Paul drove Stephanie home, he stopped the car a few houses down.
"I'll see you tomorrow" Said Paul
"Yeah see you tomorrow love you"
"Love you too" Said Paul kissing her cheek
Stephanie walked down the street waving to Paul; she unlocked the gate and went up the short path. Stephanie unlocked the door taking her coat off, she went in the living room, her parents were sitting on the Sofa.
"Stephanie your Mother and I need to talk to you" Said Vince holding his hands together, Stephanie sat down feeling a little uneasy.
"Who's Paul" Said Vince looking into the eyes of his Daughter
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"Shane saw you get out of the car with a man" Said Vince
"Dad where just friends" Said Stephanie
"If your just friends then why did you kiss him" Said Linda
"How old is he?" Asked Vince
"He's 28"
"Has he touched you, because I swear I'll kill him, no 28 year old is going to make my Daughter pregnant" Shouted Vince
"Vince calm down" Said Linda "We want to meet him, we don't know what he's like so you can invite him over for dinner"
"Ok" Said Stephanie "Can I go now"
"Sure" Said Linda
Stephanie went into her room, she was concerned about her parents meeting Paul, it didn't seem as though they knew he was her Teacher, which she was relieved at. Stephanie couldn't believe Shane would tell her parents, she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in" Shouted Steph, Shane walked in and sat on the bed with her "What do you want?"
"You're probably wondering why I told Mom and Dad aren't you" Said Shane
"Yeah I'd like to know"
"I knew him from the party, he's your Teacher and Mom and Dad know this, when I said Paul, the wheels in there heads started turning" Explained Shane "There real pissed Steph"
"Shane they could stop me from seeing him"
"I know but they where suspicious, anyway I had to be honest" Said Shane "If I didn't tell them, they would have taken you out of the School"
"I love him"
"I know but they'll give it a chance….as long as he's not your Teacher" Said Shane
"He has to quit his job" Shane nodded she was no longer mad at Shane, he told her parents something which would happen anyway, now she had to tell Paul the news, would he quit his job for her?
Stephanie waited in the parking lot, Paul was due out any second, she'd just finished sports practice, since she was one of the girls representing the school in the sports tournament, she had to train everyday.
"Hey Baby" Said Paul "What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you"
"Ok get in" Said Paul, Stephanie pressed her hands together, Paul looked at her.
"My Parents found out" Said Stephanie Paul looked forward; he leaned back in the seat.
"Shane told them"
"And what business does he have saying that" Said Paul
"I don't know, he said they where suspicious so that's why he told them"
"Jesus…..what did they say and how does he know" Asked Paul
"Shane saw me getting out the car, and he saw us kissing"
"What about your parents?"
"They want to meet you" Said Stephanie grabbing his hand, it felt like a block of ice.
"Do they know I'm your Teacher" Asked Paul
"………..Yes"
"And there ok with it" Asked Paul sceptically
"……They want you to quit your job…….Paul I'm sorry" Said Steph as teardrops rolled down her face, Paul should have known this was going to happen, he wouldn't just be able to have her without a price, that being his job. Paul looked into her eyes; he wiped the tears away from cheeks, the expression on her face it was as if she knew what the answer would be. Paul swallowed hard, he knew there was only one thing he could do.
"I guess I better resign" Said Paul
"But you love doing that, how will you afford to live"
"There are more important things than money, we've overcome so much, I promised you I'd never give up on us, and I meant it" Said Paul smiling
Stephanie realised what he was doing, he was giving up something he loved for her, why did her parents have to do this, it wasn't right. Stephanie grabbed his hand tighter; she just hoped after all this her parents would love Paul like she did.
"They want you to come for dinner on Friday" Said Stephanie, Paul nodded.
Paul walked down the corridor, he was going to the Principal's office today, Paul knocked on the door, Paul waited to be shouted before entering.
"Mr Levesque what can I do for you" Said the Principal
"I'd like to resign as Gym Teacher" Said Paul
"Oh….I see have you found another job?"
"I just think it's time for me to move on" Said Paul
"Well I'll be sad to see you leave, as will the Students, they looked up to you" Said the Principal
"Yeah…..me too"
"I'll get the paperwork done for you so you can finish on Friday" Paul smiled
"Thanks…..for everything" Said Paul
"No problem"
Paul left the office, he thought about everything that had happened, he'd quit his job, at least he'd have Stephanie; he hoped everything would be worth it in the end.