Jen's chapter - part 3 of 3
The soon to be hired teacher had gone for a walk after the conversation in the kitchen. The weather offers a rare break from rain, in a summer that has barely shown at all. She finally stops upon the wooden bridge that crosses the village pond; she checks her phone again but there is still is no word from Tilly.
She knows she can text the red-head first, however, she is conflicted at what to say. In hours she would be receiving a call from Keeler and accepting his offer, she could hardly text Tilly saying she missed her and needed her touch; even if it is true. Her conscience would not be clear because the text would be inappropriate. Plus what she really should be texting is to arrange a meet up, so she can tell Tilly the truth face to face; she is too afraid. In her current mood she does not have a strength, to break the heart of the woman she is so deeply in love with.
She stares into the murky water, a brown leaf floats on the surface next to her wavy reflection; spelling the first signs that the summer will soon be coming to an end. The summer holidays always sweeps by at an unstoppable speed; this one in particular seemed to be disappearing far too quickly.
She thinks back to her arrival in Hollyoaks, she had been so excited and full of enthusiasm at her new teaching placement; eager to finally put her years of university into action. She even sensed some potential for the tiny village, when she saw that a local art exhibition was being held only a day after her arrival. She remembered texting Ky 'I think I'm gonna like it here.' to which she expected and got a characteristic jibe reply 'what? pulled already...haven't you only just manage to escape from your last fucking U-haul' she had rolled her eyes and giggled; the truth was she had not met a women and she did not intend to either. She was genuinely thrilled at the prospect of some single and independent soul-searching; she wanted no distractions during her first year placement.
As if by a Ky premonition, at the art event she had unexpectedly bumped into the beautiful and charismatic organizer. She did not assume she was gay but felt drawn to her instantly, she saw a possible friend among the strangers in the town; after all she was alone here. however, the thought of evening catch ups over coffee with her new friend, had soon come crashing down, when her critical analysis had been misinterpreted as a critical attack.
A few days later, however, she had been given a second chance and the opportunity to explain to the stranger. She tried to use her charm to win over the stubborn red-head, however, it was her who had became bewitched. She was mesmerized by the strength and yet fragile beauty of the woman in front of her, at times strongly independent and then suddenly shy; in an urge to get to know her better she had invited her to Crosby beach.
It was there she found herself flirting with the stranger, it was all so effortless; plus the red-head had inadvertently shown her sexuality through secret glances from her expressive eyes. When she had admitted that her ex was female; their smiles had cemented their fate. Later, circumstances had found them staring deep into each others souls and in that moment she knew she had no choice but to Kiss her, it was beyond her control; it felt like destiny. Did love at first sight exist?
She hears footsteps coming along the tiny bridge; she turns in anticipation, half hoping to see Tilly approach.
"I've been looking for you everywhere…I need a word!" One of Tilly's friends, Neil, announces whilst walking towards her. The last thing Jen wants do is to talk to a student, further reminding her of her school role.
"Can it wait?…I've got a lot on my mind" she replies, completely dismissing the teen.
"What like Tilly, ruining her life because of you?!" Neil spits back in anger at Jen's lack of politeness. 'You can dismiss me all you want but not tills' he thinks to himself annoyed.
Finally getting the teachers attention she stares at him almost in a daze "what do you mean?"she asks.
"You know Tilly...your girlfriend? Not ringing any bells?" Neil knows he has slightly broken his friends trust with this last comment, however, he believes he is acting in her best interests.
"Shhhh…how do you know about that?"Jen replies in sudden panic, standing and addressing him; finally giving Neil the attention he thinks he deserves.
"Look it doesn't matter…now I've known Tilly for some years and the Tilly I know don't quit college for no one." Neil stares at the confused teacher and realises that she does not seem to know what is going on. He thinks back to the conversation he had with his friend, then explains to the brunette, that the red-head had spoken to him earlier that day. Telling of her plans to quit college and not return to Hollyoaks in September.
"Is it because of you?" He finally asks.
Jen is still slightly concerned that she is having this conversation with another pupil and even more perplexed by the information he is sharing. This situation is spiralling out of control and the sooner she speaks to Tilly the better; she really hopes he has misinterpreted the situation.
"There is no way Tilly would quit college…you under-estimate her...She's her own woman…I've got no power over her." She replies, defending both herself and her absent lover. She says it with confidence but even she doubts it, Tilly has power over her actions; why wouldn't it be the same be in reverse. After all, everything that she has been planning to do over the last few days has been for Tilly; maybe she was trying to do the same for her.
"What kind of person lets an A* student drop out?"Neil finally announces before walking away, he has made his point. Jen understands his concern and it is not something she plans on letting happen either. She heads home herself, she needs to call Keeler immediately; she needs to accept the post before Tilly does something stupid.
When she arrives back home, everyone has gone out, she makes a beeline for the phone. Suddenly there is knock at the door, she opens it, Tilly stands in the door way with a huge beam on her face.
"I saw you arrive home." She announces.
"Tilly, someone will see you." Jen states, in shock to see her lover standing in the doorway. The red-head pushes past her and strolls into the house. "Tilly, you can't be in here" she pleads.
"Phoning someone?" Tilly responds, pointing at the phone in Jens hand.
"What?! I mean no. Tilly you need to leave!" she says more urgently and moving to the door.
"Not until we talk." The teen replies with a mischievous smile. Jen knows Tilly means it, she puts the phone back in its holdall, grabs the red-head by the arm and drags her upstairs. She shuffles the teenager into her bedroom and slams the door shut in a panic.
The Array of colour that hit Tilly's senses is exactly how she imagined the teacher's room to look; the duvet spoke more about art than sleep; the teen smiles thinking she would want to do many other things than sleep in this bed anyway. She sits herself on top on the covers, as if she is completely comfortable being there; her face successfully hids the excitement she is experiencing from being in Jen's bedroom.
Jen interrupt her thought pattern by challenging her about Neil's knowledge of their relationship. Tilly dismisses Jens concerns, none of that matters anymore, she tell her of the empowerment she is feeling and hands over her mobile to read.
Jen's heart begins to sink as she reads out loud Tilly's email to Mr Keeler; her beautiful and intelligent lover has beaten her to it, telling the head teacher she would not be returning to college. She falls against the door and clutches the mobile to her heart. 'No babe, stop trying to save us.' She states in her head.
"What about your education...your life...your future?" Jen pleads, 'don't throw your life away for me, I'm not worth it.' She continues in her mind.
Tilly raises from the bed and walks towards her, she stands inches from her face "you are all those things to me" she states.
Jen seals her lips together and looks away trying to hide her eyes from Tilly, her heart had just skipped a beat at the teens words.
"Me and you, we are together in this" Tilly continues. Jen cannot resist eye contact any longer; her adorable lover is saying everything right "We can start again." She concludes.
Tilly stares longingly at the brunette's mouth, holding her face in her hands, she leans in and kisses Jen. The teacher refuses and pushing the teen away. The red-head stares deep into Jen's hazel eyes, then back longingly at her beautiful rouge lips; she kisses her again. This time the teacher accepts, pulling Tilly into her body, falling against the door; the teen wraps her arms around her neck as the kiss deepens.
Tilly lowers her right hand; she finds Jen's nipple through the material and rolls it gently in her thumb and fore finger. The brunettes breathing gets faster and she breaks from the kiss; she places her hand over the teens to stop her.
"Tilly...wait...we can't. Anyone of them could come home at any minute." Jen pleads trying hard to resist the arousal coursing through her thighs. Tilly ignores her and begins to suck along the brunettes exposed collar-bone. Her body is succumbing; it had weakened at the mere sight of her red-head; it now trembles at her touch.
"We'll have to be quiet." Jen compromises in her obvious defeat.
"Quite huh?" the teen whispers mischievously into the teachers ear. "Think you can handle that Jen?" she teases. She pushes the brunette further against the door. "Think you can be quiet for me?" she continues and grabs Jen groin forcefully; Jen gasps with a small release of sound at the grope.
"Breaking your own rules again, tut tut."Adds the playful teen.
Jen lifts the younger woman by her bum, carries her backwards and throws her onto the bed. Both women stare at each other, breathless and longing to touch. The teacher watches the red-head lying on her own bed with a welcoming grin, she is over-come with the love she feels for this jovial beauty; able to seduce her within a second and melt her resolve with a single kiss. She closes her eyes in frustration and Ky's words echo in her head 'You know...'from a distance'...is a lot easier in theory don't you?'
"What's wrong Jen?" Tilly asks suddenly concerned.
"I don't want this?" she replies, as if the sudden separation had broken Tilly's spell over her.
"You don't want me?" The teen replies; sitting up on the bed in panic.
"oh no, I definitely want you." Jen responds realising her vagueness. "I mean I don't want you quitting college." She adds.
"I promise I'll sit down and talk to you about it. Ok?" Tilly lies to reassure her. "but do you know, what I want now?" she adds beginning to lean back on the bed again, rested on her elbows behind her back.
"What?" replies the brunette, knowing full well she is about to get seduced again.
"I want you to stay there and slowly remove your clothes for me." Tilly adds. She bites her bottom lip in excitement as Jen begins to undo her top button.