CHAPTER 39
(Chris' POV)
I knew relationships between students and teachers were forbidden and normally I'd never dream of going there but Poppy was different. I felt a need to protect her and look after her, all I wanted was for her to be happy and if that meant I wasn't part of her life then that was okay... I'd watched her go through everything and it killed me inside how much bad stuff happened to that girl, but she got up and carried on and went from strength to strength. When Finn used her like that I wanted to tear him apart. I just wanted to make sure no one could ever hurt her again including Tom and Finn. She waited behind after class as I had asked.
"What about my coursework?" She asked
"I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing? I know you've been off..." I told her
"I'm okay..." She said, giving me a small smile
"Okay" I said
She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, her hand was on the handle and I was about to call her back when she turned.
"Sir... Can I ask you something?" She asked
"Of course..."
"Do you... Umm like me?" Poppy asked
She walked closer and stopped in front of me.
"What do you mean?" I asked
"I think you know... I've seen the way you look at me..." Her hand moved over mine slowly and she looked into my eyes.
"It doesn't matter how I feel, I'm not taking advantage of you..." I told her but it was hard to control myself near her
She came closer until her lips were millimetres from mine.
"You're not... Because I want this too..."
She was so alluring and I found myself questioning how this could possibly be wrong? She took my breathe away and I just wanted to be hers forever. The blinds were down on the windows and I found my hands moving to her waist.
(Poppy's POV)
Chris finally let go and his faced moved closer and I kissed him. It set off fireworks inside me and it was everything a first kiss should be except I could sense the tension in his muscles and feel the caution in his kiss. I broke the kiss looking into his eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked
"We just can't get caught here..." He answered
"Oh..." There was a hint of disappointment in my voice and I backed away
"Let me make it up to you? Come round to mine tonight? We can have dinner and you can have me all to yourself?" He offered
"Okay... I better get to class" I said glumly not really wanting to leave him
He pecked my lips softly and I turned to leave before the part of my mind that wanted to rip his clothes off won the argument.
French dragged so much more than usual although Finn and Amy's stupid little smirks really didn't bother me as much anymore. I pulled out my phone under the table and opened my messages.
To: Rachel
Hi mum, was wonderin cud we do the whole house thing tomoro? Was luckin forward 2 it but Lindsay's bf broke up wiv her and she reali needs a mate? So was gona stay at hers tonite? Marion is fine wiv it. Luv u millions. P xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It didn't take long for me to get a reply from Rachel which was rare for her, she must have been in her office. My phone beeped and I just caught sight of the message.
Rachel
Ok, we can do it tomorrow. Don't stay up all night talking. It's a school night. I love you too xxxxxxxxxxx
I was distracted from the message and just managed to lock my phone before Miss Haydock appeared in front of my desk. She held out her hand.
"Hand it over Poppy" She instructed
"No way!" I argued
"You have 2 choices... Either hand it over and get it back at the end of the lesson or you can sit in detention tonight?" She told me
I sighed and gave in placing my phone in her hand but only because I wanted to spend the night with Chris.
The end of the day couldn't come fast enough and waiting for Lara seemed to take ages. I rushed upstairs changed out of my uniform into my blue skinny jeans, my red checked shirt without a vest top and my white converse shoes. I pulled on my beanie over my dark hair and shoved some stuff in a bag... Phone charger, toothbrush, hairbrush and pyjamas although I wasn't sure if I'd need them and my make up along with a few other essentials.
I slung the bag over my should and rushed out the door shouting a quick goodbye to Lara on the way. Chris had text me the address and I found my way through Rochdale to the block of flats. Even from the outside they looked really posh and sleek and expensive. I took the lift up to the 4th floor and found his door. I rung the bell and waited.
It didn't take long for Chris to answer the door dressed in a perfect black shirt, his jeans and he had a white tea towel over his shoulder. He looked so perfect, I just stood there staring at him for a minute.
"Hi" He smiled and stepped forward kissing my cheek
He moved to the side and I stepped in as he closed the door behind me.
"Can I take your bag?" Chris asked
"Yeah thanks" I smiled handing it to him and I suddenly found myself feeling nervous.
"Take a seat in the living room I'll get you a drink" he said and he disappeared off to another room
I followed the hallway round to the open plan living room. One side was entirely glass and I could see all the lights of Rochdale. There was a huge corner sofa and a flatscreen TV mounted on the wall. He had a cabinet of dvd's and a PS4 which surprised me. I'd never seen Chris as a gamer. He didn't really seem to do pictures. I didn't really get to look round much before Chris brought me in a glass of Rose wine. I scrambled to take my beanie off and sort my hair out.
"Dinner won't be long..." He smiled
DINNER! He was making me dinner! I was overwhelmed with aww. I sipped my drink slowly before putting it on the table. Chris moved closer and I curled into his chest laying back in the soft cushions. It was only now I realised the soft music.
Chris had made a lasagne for dinner, with a side salad and garlic bread which neither of us touched. I ate silently, silence was rare and I enjoyed it between us. I'd had no idea how great a cook Chris was, I guess I didn't really know too much about him. After dinner he cleared the plates and I took my glass of wine into the living room sitting on the large couch.