Jane slams the book shut, feeling her chest rise and fall as she tries to control her harsh breaths.
'What the hell?'
She looks around the field to see if anyone could have been reading along with her. But Grace is busy with her tennis match and everyone else seems too busy.
She scoffs at her paranoia. No one could have seen. But she did.
It started off as a cold mystery story, and its about an actual serial killer, but she has just read the scene where he has sex with one of his victims.
No, it's not sex. It's more than that. He says all kinds of perverted things to her. Things she hasn't heard before. Things she is enjoying way too much.
She looks at the cover again. It's named after the girl in the story, 'Scarlet'. The girl that is treated in unspeakable ways that should not at all be appealing to her. But she can't seem to pull herself together.
All the way on the other side of the field, a few staff are seated on one of the benches having a discussion, including the headmaster. She hadn't noticed him with her nose buried in her book all this while. And now that she has, she is conscious of him. She wonders if he has noticed her. If he knows what she has been reading.
Of course he does. He gave her the book. Right?
She decides to do something that she has never done in her life. Confrontation.
She takes a stroll around the field, watching him, until the teachers around him leave and he's sitting alone in a T-shirt taking long sips from his water bottle.
It's a warm Friday afternoon and the sporty girls are practicing for the sport-day events. But Jane is only there to support her friend.
She approaches him with a scowl, folding her arms as she stops in front of him, casting a small shade over his eyes. He looks up at her, waiting patiently.
"Are you aware of the contents of this book?"
"It's good to see you too, Jane," mutters sarcasticslly, taking another sip from his bottle.
"You too, Headmaster. Now answer the question."
He frowns. He's never seen her like this, confidently demanding for something. He's surprised, but he doesn't let it show. But only because he doesn't want her to go back to being timid.
"Yes."
It means he has read it. Of course Jane was not aware of what she was getting herself into when she took it, but he was. In fact, she remebers him being slightly amused by her choice.
She notices how well his casual shirt outlines his muscles. His perfect arms and perfect chest. And his shoulders. It's hard not to stare.
"Then why did you let me have it?" She asks.
"You're an adult. I may be your teacher but I don't care if you like to read smut."
She almost chokes on air. "I…I don't." She flushes.
He smirks, stading up and towering over her. It's her turn to look up at him now.
"No?" He chuckles.
She shakes her head.
"Finish the book Jane," he says, giving her a pat on the head before walking away.
She sinks onto the bench, watching him leave.
***
On Saturday morning, only hours before the Sports Day events begin, Jane gets up early just in time for the headmaster's usual morning run.
She joins him on the track field.
"Jane?" he pants, glancing between her and the path in front of him, and then looking around to see if anyone else is around. It's 4am. Everyone else must be asleep.
"I thought I'd join you," she says, jogging beside him with a small smile.
"Jane I don't think that's appropriate," he says through heavy breaths. He has been running longer than her and he's almmost at his limit.
"Why not?"
"Well, because I'm off duty. This is long before school hours and I require my privacy," he replies, jogging faster to lose her.
She catches up. "I wanted some exercise too," she says simply. He sighs, although it is not so obvious behind his ragged breaths.
"What do you want?" he says.
"I finished the book!"
He stops suddenly, turning to face her.
"Did you?"
She nods. "Last night."
"And?"
"It felt like finishing a marathon. It must have been all the suspense," she says.
She has only admitted that reading it caused a reaction from her entire body. She must have been breathless, flustered, and maybe a little embarrassed. The image of her lying in bed, cheeks flushed, breathing heavily after all the excitement flashes through his mind, and it doesn't go away.
"Did you have fun?" He asks.
She hesitates, wondering what he's implying. "Yes," she says finally, flashing him a small smile.
He gives her a pat on the head, before running up to finish his laps for the morning.
***
Jane sits among the crowd and watches game after game. And although there is so much excitement that the girls cannot stop cheering, she can't wait for it to be over.
Ever since she returned to her room this morning, she has thought of one thing.
'I need another book.'
She decided she needs another distraction. Something to get her mind off the one she just finished because she has thought about it more than she can boldly admit.
The boys from Brighthorn Boys High squabble around, trying to secure their dates for the quarterly dinner party.
But she has no time to mingle. She must come up with the perfect plan to get what she wants tonight without getting caught.
After what seems like forever, the events wrap up with a closing ceremony while Jane navigates the crowd of teenagers to find her friend, Grace.
It doesn't help that the entire field is filled with them but Jane pushes through, even shoving a few boys and girls out of her way. But the crowd only thickens and soon she can barely breathe.
"Grace!" She calls out, growing desperate and anxious to get out of the crowd. But it's no use.
Just when she is about to give up and return to her room alone, she trips on an unknown object, face-planting into the carpet grass.
"Argh," she groans, struggling to get up, but people are barely giving her enough room to stand now.
"Woah, hey, are you okay?" A voice comes from above her.
She feels a pair of hands on her shoulders, guiding her as she finally manages to stand on her feet, coming face-to-face with the stranger.
It's a boy. She jumps out of his hold at that realisation, backing away only to trip again. But this time, he's quick enough to grab onto her waist, saving her from another mortifying fall.
"You have a talent for losing your balance, don't you?" He says, amused. She lets out a nervous laugh. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Let's get you seated."
He leads her away from the crowd with ease, stopping at one of the field benches. "You can sit here," he says.
She does and he sits beside her, offering her his water bottle. "Here, you must be exhausted," he says.
"That's okay. I didn't do any sports today," she replies.
"Not the athletic type?" He looks her over. "You look fit to me."
She blushes. "Thanks but I can't even throw a ball without getting sent to the ER."
He laughs. "I'm Tony by the way."
It's such a generic name for a cute, brown-haired boy with soft eyes and a soft smile that she almost laughs.
'Of course you are.'
"I'm Jane."
"I happened to hear you call out to someone earlier. Looking for a friend?"
"Yeah. I get nervous when I'm left alone in a crowd like this," she replies.
"Well, Jane, I don't mind keeping you company before you find her. I can help you look too," he offers.
"I… that's very kind of you but…" she tries to think of an excuse. "But?" He says with a smile.
"Well, shouldn't you be trying to find a date like the rest of the guys from your school?" She says.
"I'm sure I'll be fine," he says with a shrug. He stands. "Now, come on. Let me help?" He says, holding out his hand for her.
She takes it, standing up from the bench with a smile. "Okay."
They take a walk across the field. "You played volleyball, didn't you?' She says.
"You noticed me?" He replies with a shy smile.
"Well, yeah. Everyone did. You were the best player out there," she admits.
He chuckles. "You're too sweet, Jane. I was just lucky. The other guys might have just been nervous because we haven't has to play in front of so many girls in a while," he says.
"And you? Weren't you nervous?"
She shakes his head, turning briefly to look at her. "Not at all."
Moments later, Grace calls out to her.
"Jane," she shouts, waving frantically. And when their eyes meet, they run towards each other.
"I'm sorry. The locker rooms are so crowded. I tried to hurry but…" Grace explains, knowing how much Jane dislikes being left alone.
"It's okay. You were really good out there today," Jane replies.
"Thanks," she says, holding up the gold medal around her neck. "Another one for my collection," she adds with a cocky smile. They giggle as Tony approaches.
"Oh this is Tony by the way. He helped me find you," Jane says, flashing him a smile. He smiles back before holding out his hand to Grace. She gives him a sceptical look. "I know you," she says.
"You do?"
She folds her arms, refusing the handshake. "Yeah."
"Grace," Jane says, nudging her lightly. "Be nice."
"Everyone knows the captain of the volleyball team at Brightorn Boys High," she says.
Jane might not have heard of this playboy because she's uncomfortable with gossip, but Grace certainly has.
Tony frowns, as if he has no idea what she's talking about.
"Excuse us for a second," Jane says, pulling her friend a few steps away.
"What is your problem?" She whisper-shouts.
"I don't trust him. Jane he's about to ask you to the quarterly dinner party. Whatever you do, don't say yes. Let's just go together. He's bad news."
"How do you know? He's just being nice. He wouldn't want to go with me. And even if he did, why would I say no? It's not like the other guys are lining up to be my date," she replies.
Grace sighs. "I'm just a little worried."
"Don't be," Jane says, turning around to see him still there, waiting.
She returns to him.
"I'll go get us some lemonade," Grace says, pointing towards the stand not too far from them and walking away.
"Your friend doesn't seem to like me very much," Tony says, breathing out a nervous laugh.
"She's just a little over-protective. That's all," Jane replies.
"Do you have a date?"
"No.''
"Be my date then."