Chapter 12
Eleven looked from Clara to Danny, his mouth wide open in shock.
'You're husband...is a maths teacher. At this uni.'
'Yes.'
His head dropped, and he took a moment to retrieve his jeans and replace them with the fez. At the same time Clara did, putting on her clothes silently as she watched Danny nervously.
'Why haven't you taken his name, then? Why don't you wear a ring?'
'We didn't want it to be known we were married.'
'Like you didn't want our affair to be known, either.' He retorted bitterly.
She looked guiltily at him.
Danny stood behind her and pushed his way forwards, trying to hurt him. Clara once again defended him, screaming at her husband to leave him alone.
'You fucked my wife!'
'She doesn't love you!' He retaliated.
He swiped at him, Eleven narrowly ducking.
Danny looked murderous, turning toward Clara and his eyes afire.
'You do love me, don't you?' He told her, taking her shoulders almost forcefully, 'don't you?'
'No, I don't.'
'Say it again.'
'I don't.'
And his hand raised. Eleven threw himself at him, but he only flung him away. He realised that what had caused the bruise on her cheek was the man standing right before him, about to do it again. No wonder she didn't want to talk about it, kept avoiding his questions, wanted to sleep with him so recklessly despite her fear of being caught. She was lonely, she was hurt, both physically and mentally from an abusive and unwanted marriage. He was her comfort, the person she could depend on to bring her a little light back into her life. Despite his efforts and shouts of protest, Danny still managed to hit her across her cheek. Eleven was filled with rage, building up inside him for what he had just done, and for the protection of the woman he loved. Yes, he loved her. He knew it deep down, in every fibre of his being that there was an unconditional love for Clara lying there, waiting to be exposed. And that was what made him do it. Before he could hurt her again, Eleven punched him with all the strength he had in him, and for a moment Danny just looked shocked. He stumbled backwards from the aftermath of the hit and Eleven was immensely surprised it had taken such an effect.
'I never liked maths anyway.' He spat at him, fists clenched.
'Why did you do that?' She exclaimed, turning her gaze to him.
'Did you just see what he did to you? How long have you endured this?'
'It doesn't matter, we need to-'
'It does matter, stop saying that to me!' He shouted, taking her hand away, 'how long?' He asked forcefully.
She looked defeatedly down to the floor and whispered her answer.
'Three years.'
First it came as a shock. And then even more inexplicable anger. How could a person take such advantage of someone so beautiful and unique as Clara? Why would anyone do that to someone else?
'Why didn't you tell me?'
'Because I didn't want to burden you with my own problems. Everyone has enough of their own and all I wanted was someone to be there for me like you have, and for that I am truly grateful.'
Although kind words they were, it didn't sound like Clara; it sounded robotic and formal, like she was addressing him as she would anyone else. He was about to respond, when she silenced him with a raised hand and he felt like a young and foolish school kid.
'We can talk later, Eleven, about all of it, I don't mind.'
'You will pay for this. I will make you're life hell for as long as you continue to stay here, you little shit.' Danny interrupted, his hand wiping away blood.
'Do whatever you want to me, stay away from Clara.'
He laughed manically, 'She's my wife, I can do whatever I want to her.'
'No. I'm not letting her anywhere near you.'
He smirked, beginning to back out with a crazy smile on his face. 'You pay for her shelter and her food and her clothes, then.'
'Gladly.' He replied coldly, following him with hard, staring eyes as he finally turned and walked out the room.
'Why? Why did you marry him in the first place?'
'I made a mistake, Eleven. A mistake that cost me three years of my life-'
She burst into sudden tears and he took her in his arms immediately. He felt close to tears himself at the sight of her crying. He rocked her gently side to side, kissing her lips softly and wiping away her tears.
'I knew I hadn't made a mistake when I met you.' She whispered.
'It's okay. I won't let him hurt you any longer. Never again.'
'But it's like he said, I put up with him for all that time because I had nowhere to run to, he paid for everything as a bribe. He had already threatened to-' she choked on her still flowing tears.
'Don't you worry, I'm taking care of you. I'll always take care of you, from this moment. I don't care what anyone says, like that I'm too young for you. I never want you to feel this pain, ever, ever again.'
'How are you honestly going to do all of this?'
'Why don't you stay at uni with me?' He proposed, taking her hand.
'I couldn't. It would be too risky.'
'I can tell my friends about us, they won't tell anyone.'
'They wouldn't want their bloody English teacher sleeping in the same room as them.'
'Well it's their problem, then. If I told them everything, they would understand.'
'Do you have to tell them everything? I don't want my past known to everyone. I can barely handle it myself.'
'I don't want to lose you, please.'
She responded by kissing him sweetly, and he took her waist and pulled her closer.
'We'll all keep it secret. I promise.'
'I feel so freaking helpless...so vulnerable.'
'You're not. You're strong, stronger than me, stronger than everyone. You kept that hidden for all those years when you must have wanted to tell someone.'
'I'll need to go home before he does...pack some clothes. I'll come back, make up some lie.'
'Let me come with you.'
She shook her head, her hand reaching up to the beginning of his hair like she was holding on from falling.
'I have the day off, remember? Come on, I'll help you.'
She looked into his eyes and they were full of warmth, glimmering in the light and making him feel like melting into the ground. She had the most beautiful, persuading eyes he had ever seen.
'Okay.' She allowed, and kissed him again, for so long that the bell had already gone. Clara told the attendance assistant that she was going back home to get her much needed medication, so a cover could teach her next class for her. Together, they climbed on Clara's motorbike and Eleven felt a rush go through him as he wrapped his hands round her waist. He comfortingly leaned into her while she drove, kissing her shoulders and somewhat making her distracted. Her laugh caught on the wind, her smile lit up the trees and he rested his head on her shoulder, admiring her and smiling in turn.
They finally parked in the driveway, and with a look to the house, Eleven could see how sickeningly perfect it was. It looked so innocent and beautiful like it wasn't capable of holding such pain in its walls.
He could see her hands shaking as she slipped her key into the lock, and he held them steady, caressing the trembling skin soothingly. They made their way to the bedroom, where she hurriedly packed a set of clothes and essentials into a fitting bag that could be concealed more or less with ease at uni.
'Hey, let me help.' He said softly, taking her hand, 'low down, darling.'
He slid his fingers through hers as she watched her stare fixedly at the clothes that were bundled up in the bag.
'I don't want to be here long,' she explained, 'too many memories.'
'I understand.' He said, hugging her from behind. He rubbed her skin, warming her with his hands as she continued packing until she was finished.
She turned and greeted his lips, shutting her eyes tight closed, holding onto this dream that was also a reality, touching this beautiful man in front of her, feel him press further and kiss harder.
They stayed that way for a while, until he walked backwards blindly and hit the bed. Lowering down on it she pushed him downwards even more until he was looking up at her. Taking her in his arms, she kissed his lips slowly, kinetically, letting him fall apart under her as she touched him. For a while after they just laid there, heartbeats set against each other and her breath tickling his ear as he held her on top of him.
'New memories.' He whispered, and she smiled, blindly stroking his cheek while she concentrated on the beating of his heart.
'We've been here a long time.' She said, examining the clock that told her they had spent two hours there.'
'I want to stay longer.' He told her , wiggling his eyebrows, 'round two?'
Giggling, she lowered her lips to his in a long and tender kiss.
••••
By the time they got back, everyone was at dinner, and Eleven realised just how much he now appreciated Twelve's motive of getting him on the rugby team. He wouldn't have done any of this if it wasn't for him. Clara told the staff she had run out of medication and had had to go to the doctors in explanation of her long-winded absence while Eleven took her bag upstairs to sit beside his bed.
A few minutes later she came up, and her arms drew round his waist peacefully.
'Thank you so, so much. I can't tell you how grateful I am.'
'Anything for you.'
Yes, she was a married woman. But right now, as they packed away her clothes in his drawers, it felt so domestic, like she was married to him. They certainly acted like a married couple, and she decided she didn't mind this at all.
'That's all done.' He said, rubbing his hands together in finality as she hugged his side.
Just then, Twelve, Nine and Ten walked in, laughing, and stopping dead in tracks as they saw them there. He turned his head, letting go of Clara and walking toward them.
'Eleven, what the fuck is going on?' Ten asked.
'I need to tell you something. Sit down, don't say anything, just listen.'
They obeyed him, each sitting on their bed and their eyes swivelling from Clara to him with confusion and bewilderment.
And he began to tell them, tell them everything. Everything he had wanted to say but couldn't. A pause of silence followed soon after his speech, in which he had never seen them so quiet.
'I know it's weird. I know she's our English teacher. But she needs to stay here, with me. After everything that's happened. I hope that's alright.'
'I can't believe this.' Ten laughed.
'It does explain a lot, though. Like why you wouldn't tell us who had been sleeping in you're bed. Nice underwear, by the way.' Twelve said, to which Clara blushed violently.
'Is it okay, though? I know it's strange, that she will be staying here but I've wanted it for a long time.' Eleven said, looking at each of them with pleading eyes.
'Yeah, sure,' Nine said, 'it is fucking strange, very strange, but we can tolerate it. Unless,' he said, averting his eyes to her, 'she's going to stop us from doing certain things 'cause she's a teacher.'
Eleven's nonexistent eyebrows raised. He hadn't though about that. He turned to Clara, as did everyone else.
'I'm only you're teacher in the classroom. I'll pretend not to see.' She smiled.
'Brilliant.' Nine said, flipping up a box of cigarettes.
'Cool.' Twelve said, playing a chord on his guitar.
'I can't believe our maths teacher did that to you,' Ten said, 'he's a real dickhead.'
Twelve smiled down at Ten, a cigarette between his lips, 'I reckon he needs punishing.'
'No, no please don't do anything.' Clara interrupted.
They all agreed not to, but to Eleven's relief he saw the wink Twelve gave him. That man deserved whatever was coming for him for what he had done. He nodded in approval, and Twelve smiled.
'Fine by me. But for the sake of our sanity, try not to do anything disturbing. Just keep it down, alright?' He smirked, turning away and collapsing onto his bed.
Clara blushed again, but when she turned to him she threw her arms round him and held him tight. Eleven laughed at her many praises, and kissed her lingeringly.
'That counts as disturbing.' Twelve called, and they broke apart immediately, both blushing this time.
