Alright Hollis, back to reality. I ask her "So, how long have you been a teacher?"

She rolls her eyes and says "It feels like I've been teaching for centuries, but I've only been at this school for 5 years."

"Do you like it here?" I ask hoping to get some information about the school from somewhere other than the website.

"I guess it's not the worst school I've taught at, but the principal and I have a history and it makes things kind of weird for me. I mean, I'm glad she got me this job, but I'm sick of her unreasonable demands."

Wow, maybe I would be better off staying at the bakery. If the principal is really that much of a tyrant then I'm not sure if this school is right for me.

Carmilla interrupts my thoughts "But don't worry, cupcake. She really only treats me that way. As long as you follow the rules, you won't have any problems here."

"Yea, if I even get the job" I say with disappointment in my voice.

Carmilla finally looks up at me. There's an expression on her face that I can't quite figure out.

"What do you mean?"

Wow, Carmilla looks like she is genuinely concerned about me. She doesn't even know me and I mean… look at her!

I finally speak up "I just feel like the principal hated me. She was so intense during the entire interview. At the end, she gave me that typical speech of 'you'll hear from us.' I could have cried right then, but I at least made it out the door and then I ran into you."

"Literally" Carmilla says with that smug grin of hers.

"Yea, sorry about that. I was just a wreck and I didn't know what to do and-"

"Hey" Carmilla interrupts while putting her hand on my knee "she treats everyone like that so please don't take it personally. I would be shocked if she didn't like you because I mean, who wouldn't?"

Ok, she is definitely flirting with me.

After a few hours of classroom organization and casual conversation, it was time that I should be heading home. It's hard to believe that I've been here all day, but time spent with Carmilla seems to almost stop.

As I start to collect my things Carmilla says "Going somewhere without me?"

"Yea, um, I should probably be going home. I don't want to be in a public place when I find out that I didn't get this job and fall apart."

Carmlla grabs my chair and rolls me so close to her that our legs are touching.

"You know, I could put in a good word for you if you want. You seem to really like it here for some reason and I wouldn't mind having you around more often."

My cheeks flush a the thought of Carmilla wanting me for anything. What am I doing? I barely know her.

I say "well, if you don't mind, I would appreciate it so much. You would be saving me."

Carmilla is quick to say "Woah, don't expect any of that heroic teacher crap from me, cupcake. You're just more interesting than most of the lackwits that teach here."

"Oh, well either way, I would still appreciate the help. I really need this job. A career at the bakery just isn't what I want for my life."

"Well cupcake, I'll do what I can. Do you really have to leave right now? I get off in an hour" Carmilla says with her eyes darting down to my mouth and back up.

"Yea, I really should go."

Carmilla slowly grabs my arm, begins unbuttoning the cuff and gently rolling back the sleeve.

"That's too bad. I was hoping we could continue what we started." She says, keeping her eyes locked on mine while grabbing her eyeliner out of her desk.

I feel so drawn to her for some reason. I barely know this woman, but I feel the need to crawl into her arms. She gives off a sense of danger, all while her embrace seems like the only safe place that makes sense anymore. She is unsettling and comforting; soothing and frightening all at the same time. I should make some space between us. I cannot jump into anything with her while I'm so emotional. I need to get my life together before I can let anyone else into it.

While I was busy talking myself out of what could be a good thing, she had written something on my arm, rolled my sleeve back down and buttoned my cuff.

How can anyone be that smooth?

"Read that when you get home, sweetheart."

"Thank you for making my day hurt a little less" I said with a faintest smile on my face.

"Well, thanks for your help I guess" she said, finally breaking eye contact.

"You're welcome, I really should go. I hope to see you again sometime."

"Oh, I think we will see each other very soon. Laura."

"Carmilla" I say as I walk out the door and to my car. I cannot get there fast enough. I'm not sure what all really happened today, but I know I can't wait to get home.

I roll the windows down and open the sun roof as I pull out of the parking lot and head towards home. I still feel numb all over from the emotional roller coaster I was trapped on today, so maybe the wind on my face and in my hair can help me get my feeling back. I turn up the stereo to hear Sara Bareilles' "Uncharted"; a live version that's stripped down to show it's simple beauty. I'm driving down US 17 in without making a sound, just absorbing my surroundings with every sense I have when the lyrics at the end of the bridge hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Compare where you are to where you wanna be and you'll get nowhere."

Damn. I realized in that moment that I have spent my whole life working toward the future. I have never really been able to just live in the moment and actually enjoy myself. I'm always so worried about how I might be perceived. Teachers are to be considered professionals so I have dedicated my entire life to that pursuit and I forgot how to be real. I forgot how to let go, live in the moment and just be Laura. I have a feeling that Carmilla is a 'right now' kinda girl, and that is yet another attractive quality about the mysterious woman that I spent my afternoon with.

Of crap, what the hell did she write on my arm? Then I remember her strict instructions to wait until I got home to read it and subconsciously hit the gas.

I finally pull into the parking space in front of my apartment after checking the mail. Great, more bills and junk mail. Adulthood is really not what it's cracked up to be.

I walk in the door, throw my bag on the ground, hang my keys up, set my phone on the kitchen counter and head for the bathroom. I begin to draw a bath and then head down the hall to my bedroom. I put on some music and get out a tank top and some shorts to sleep in and lay them on my bed. I head back to the bathroom, undressing on the way. I'm usually more organized than this, but today has been anything but normal. The bath water is a bit too hot, but I climb into the scalding tub anyway. Like I said before, this numb feeling of defeat is overwhelming and even burning water is welcomed at this point.

I slowly slide down into the water, acting as if it will wash away the pain I feel. This job was my last chance for happiness and I might have blown it. Although, I'm not sure what I did wrong. That principal just seems to be angry by nature and I couldn't tell if she hated me or liked me.

I look over at the note Carmilla left on the inside of my forearm.

"Hey cutie, text me the next time you think of me. 670-8807 – Carmilla"

Wow, that's a little much don't you think? She acts like after meeting her one time, that I would spend my time thinking of her. I close my eyes and submerge my head the rest of the way under water.

After some normal grooming and a little bit of crying, I drag myself out of the tub. I wrap up my hair in a towel and my body in another and make my way to my room to change. I put on the clothes I laid out earlier, dried my hair and made my way to the kitchen.

I see my phone on the counter and it makes me think of Carmilla. How did she? Should I really text her? She could be trouble, but I could probably use a bit of that right now. I'm so tired of living out this grand plan that I made for myself twenty years ago. I want more.

I pick up the phone and open up messages.

"Just thinking of you. Thanks again for your help today. – Laura"

Sent. I set the phone back down and make a snack of cut up apples, peanut butter and grape soda. I know, it's not the healthiest option, but it's my go-to starving student snack. I grab everything and head outside to the front porch where I have the swing that my father made for my mother before I was born. My dad told me that my mom would sit on this swing and sing to me while she was pregnant with me. This is my safe place when I've had a rough day.

My phone lights up and scrolls New Message across the lock screen. I wipe the peanut butter off my hands and swipe it open. It's a message from Carmilla.

"How did I know you would be texting me tonight, not that I'm mad about it. I'm glad to hear from you, cupcake. Although we met under messy circumstances, I'm glad you ran into me. Feeling any better?"

God, she can be so full of herself. I don't really hate that about her though. Her confidence is completely intoxicating. I type out my most calculated response.

"I'm glad I ran into you too. Even though it was completely unintentional, I'm glad I did it. It caused you to invite me back to your classroom and we were able to get to know each other a little. Good ending to a bad day."

With my heart trying to jump out of my chest, I hit send. How can this woman make me feel this way? She makes me feel like everything is brand new and I am experiencing all these emotions for the first time. Every time she touches my skin, every nerve ending in my body stands at attention and I come alive with desire. It scares me a little to think that I could be feeling this way after only talking to her for a few hours. But, I'm tired of always being so careful. I'm tired of always doing what I should and not doing what I want. I'm tired of being alone.

I go inside to brush my teeth and climb into bed. I turn on the TV to find something boring on Netflix. I just like having background noise on while I fall asleep, but I despise commercials so this is usual for me. As I roll over to plug in my phone, I notice I have another message. It's from Carmilla.

"Well, you're probably getting ready for bed, so I don't want to keep you up unless you want me to. I had a great time with you today and I wish it hadn't ended when it did. Text me tomorrow if you would like to meet up again. Try not to dream of me. – Carmilla."

Try not to dream of you? Calm down there. I roll over and close my eyes, feeling the weight of the day melt into my pillow.

I really hope that I'm wrong about the interview. Maybe the principal is just that way all the time and I'll get a phone call in the morning telling me that I have the job. One can dream. Just as I feel the grip of slumber tightening, I hear a knock at the door.

"Who the hell could that be at this hour?"

I roll out of bed, moaning in disappointment with every step I take toward the door. I look out the peep hole to find Carmilla on the other side. I almost scream in a panic. I have my sleep clothes on, I look like I've been crying all day and I have no make-up on! Our first encounter wasn't that great, but I can't have the second time she sees me be like this.

"Um, hold on a sec!" I say as I frantically try to make myself more presentable.

I slap on a bit of make-up, put some better clothes on and rinse with some mouth wash. I finally open the door to find Carmilla looking hotter than she did before. Instead of her more professional blazer and jeans, she traded for skin-tight leather pants, a tattered Janis Joplin t-shirt with a loose flannel over top with boots that can slay anything I've ever had in my closet. She stands there holding what looks like ludicrously expensive champagne looking like she could eat me alive.

"Would you like to come in?" I say softly.

"That's why I'm here, cupcake. Oh, and I have some good news for you too" Carmilla says with a smile.

"Please, come in and sit down. Would you like me to get some glasses for that?" I ask while I close the door and lock it.

"Yes, that would be great. We have some celebrating to do" Carmilla says as she begins to unwrap the cork of the champagne.

"What on earth could we have to celebrate right now? It's almost midnight and we met just a few hours ago" I say while standing on my foot stool to reach the top shelf of my cabinet to grab the champagne classes I never get to use.

As I'm walking toward her, Carmilla pops the cork spilling champagne all over my table. "Shit, I'm sorry" she says while running to the kitchen sink. I run behind her so she can pour some in the glasses before it all runs down the sink. As I'm grabbing a towel to clean up the mess, she hands me a glass and says "we are celebrating you getting a new job" she says like it's no big deal.

"Wait, what do you mean new job? How could you know that?"

"Well, after you left me today, I realized that I didn't want to lose you that easily. I went down to the principal's office and had a conversation with her. I simply convinced her that you were the best person for the job. I guess it worked so you should expect a call from her secretary in the morning" Carmilla says with this sideways smile on her face."

In one swift motion, I set my glass down on the counter and jump into her arms. With my arms wrapped around her back and my head on her chest I say "thank you so much! I don't think you realize what you've done for me. I mean, I'm not sure that you did it entirely for me, but-"

She grabs my shoulders and pushes me back so she can look into my eyes. "Don't be an idiot, of course I did it for you" she says while sliding her hands down my arms. I rise up on my toes and kiss her.

I immediately stop and say "I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that. It's just that no one ever really does anything nice for me-"

Carmilla interrupts me by putting her hand on the small of my back and the other on the side of my face and pulling me against her like her life depended on it. She kissed me in a way that clearly communicated that she needed me just as much as I wanted her. I grab her face, melting into her embrace while I part my lips as an invitation to her. She takes the hint and begins to explore me inch by inch, beginning with my tongue. This sensation makes me moan into her mouth which causes her to pull me even tighter, sliding her other hand down my body ever so slowly.

She slowly pushes my backward until I can feel the edge of the kitchen counter on my back. She breaks the connection of our lips which is devastating until I realize that she's trailing kisses across my jawline and down my neck. I move my head to the side, exposing my neck so she has more room to work. Once she gets to my collar bone, I can't take it anymore and I grab her and pull her back into me. Our lips meet like an explosion of pain and pleasure. She pushes her knee upward in between my legs and into my center. The contact is earth-shattering and it takes all my concentration to not fall apart. I moan into her again which just makes her smile against my lips.

God, I didn't think that anything could feel this good. She runs her fingers across the skin between my shirt and shorts, wanting her to just go for it, she pulls back and just smiles at me instead.

"All good things in time, cutie. Arms up."

I smile wickedly and raise my arms above my head. She grabs the hem of my tank top and begins to take it off, running her fingertips up the length of my body and up my arms making me shiver with anticipation. Carmilla stands back and looks me up and down. I cannot figure out the expression on her face.

"Everything ok?" I ask.

"Everything is more than ok. I'm just admiring you before things get a bit crazy in here" Carmilla says with a raised eyebrow.

I bite my lip in a desperate effort to prevent myself from gasping aloud. I have never been with anyone like this. She is so damn sexy and I don't know where to begin. She takes her shirt off, throws it to the side and her hands find their way back to me before I realize what's happened. She starts kissing me with her hands tangled up in my hair.

I grip onto the counter to prevent my knees from giving way, and she must have sensed my uneasiness. In one swift motion, Carmilla picks me up and swings me around to set me on the kitchen table. She does this without ever breaking the connection of our kiss. She starts to push me backward while crawling onto the table to eventually straddle me. She slides down so that we're chest to chest and finally pulls back to look into my eyes.

She lightly kisses me on the corner of my mouth, then my jaw and then she melts into my neck all while her hand slowly drifts down my torso. I raise my hips in anticipation, and Carmilla smiles into my neck in response. She lightly traces the skin above my shorts to tease me and it works. I raise my hips even more which makes her pull back again and look at me. With one hand behind my head and the other close to pushing me over the edge, she looks into my eyes and raises her eyebrow in a challenge. I set my hips back on the table, pull my head closer to hers and said "please."

That one word is all that Carmilla needed. All at once, she began kissing me, grinding her hips into me and her hand slipped under my shorts finding my sex without any hesitation. I moan so loudly, it makes Carmilla go even harder and I find myself almost there in no time. My god, she is so good at this. The slow and delicious circles of her fingers and her hips were so intoxicating, I'm surprised I've lasted this long.

Just as about to tumble over the edge, this bright light shines onto my face and I hear alarms beginning to go off. I ignore them as long as I can, pulling Carmilla even closer to me. I never want to be away from her again. Then, just as quickly as it all begins, it all ends with me waking up to open curtains and the brightest version of the sun I have seen in a long time. Damn, that was just a dream? I hit the alarm clock so hard, I thought I might have broken it. I have never had a dream like that; it all felt so real.

Once reality set back in, I make my way to the bathroom to go through my morning routine when I hear my phone go off to indicate a text. I trip over the clothes I had thrown on the floor the previous night while running to see if it's from Carmilla. It is.

"Hey cutie, call me when you get up. I have some great news for you."