Arielle felt jittery after Dave's text message. She couldn't sleep—her heart kept pounding relentlessly. Thoughts of seeing him the next day swirled in her mind, making it impossible to settle down. She tossed and turned, obsessing over how to make him focus only on her.
*Tomorrow, I'll make sure he won't be able to take his eyes off me*, she thought. Her plan was simple: dress provocatively and keep him distracted the whole day.
The next morning, she decided on a crop top and a mini skirt, and styled her hair just like her celebrity crush, Little Presh. But just as she finished prepping her look, she realized the problem—her mom was downstairs. There was no way she would let Arielle leave the house dressed that way.
Thinking quickly, Arielle called Brenda.
"Hey, can you pick me up thirty minutes early?" Arielle asked.
"Sure, but what's the rush?" Brenda responded, sounding curious.
"I need to stop by your house and change my outfit. You know my mom will freak out if she sees what I want to wear
Brenda laughed. "Got it. I'll be there soon."
The plan seemed perfect. Arielle slipped into baggy jeans, a plain top, and a cardigan to leave the house.
"Hey, Mom, I'm off!" she called as she headed toward the door.
"Bye, honey! Remember to make us proud!" her mom said from the kitchen.
Arielle sighed. That phrase again. *What about me? I want to make myself proud also* The words echoed in her mind as she stepped outside.
Soon, Brenda honked the car horn, and Arielle hopped in. "Let's go to your place first," she said. "I need to change my outfit, and you'll have to help me with some makeup."
Brenda glanced at her with a smirk. "Oh really? Someone's about to be extra today. What's going on, Elle?"
Arielle hesitated for a moment but then confessed, "I have to meet Dave today. I want him to notice me—and only me."
Brenda raised her eyebrows. "Whoa, that's a bit possessive."
"Of course, I have to be. He's my first love, and he's mine alone."
Brenda chuckled and gave her a playful nudge. "Go, girl! You've got this."
When they arrived at Brenda's house, the place was quiet. Brenda's mom, a nurse, was already on her morning shift. Her dad worked two hundred miles away and only came home three times a month—always when her mom had a break from work. Brenda often wondered how her mother coped with seeing her husband so rarely. She sometimes suspected him of cheating, but her mother seemed indifferent. In fact, Brenda felt her mom might even be aware of it but chose to ignore the truth.
In Brenda's room, Arielle quickly changed into her crop top and mini skirt. Brenda helped with her makeup, carefully applying foundation, eyeliner, and lipstick.
"OMG, babe! You look stunning. Seriously, you're *smokin' hot*," Brenda exclaimed as she stepped back to admire her work.
Arielle turned to the mirror, and her reflection took her by surprise. She looked better than she ever imagined. *Damn... Is that really me?* she thought, feeling a surge of confidence.
They picked up Collin on their way to school. As soon as he got into the car, his jaw dropped.
"Am I missing something? Is it your birthday today, Arielle? What's the occasion?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Nothing, you dumbass," Arielle replied with a playful eye-roll.
Collin turned to Brenda for answers, but she just shrugged with a sly grin. He decided to wait and see what was going on once they reached school.
The moment they walked through the school's entrance, the hallway fell silent. All eyes were on Arielle. Whispers floated around them as students stared in shock. Arielle had only recently started experimenting with makeup, but she had never dressed this boldly.
"Oh my God, is that Arielle?" someone whispered.
"Wow, she looks incredible," another student murmured in awe.
Compliments flooded in, and Arielle basked in the attention.
Then Mabel, one of Arielle's classmates, appeared, her eyes narrowing as she took in Arielle's new look.
"Who are you trying to impress? Stick to your style—this isn't you," Mabel scoffed, crossing her arms.
Before Arielle could respond, Brenda jumped in.
"Oh, shut it, dimwit. What do you know, anyway?" she snapped, glaring at Mabel.
Mabel gave a dismissive huff and stormed off, leaving Brenda and Arielle laughing.
Arielle couldn't help but smile. Her plan was working. For the first time, she felt seen, admired, and powerful.
They did not have English lessons today so Arielle could only meet Dave at the close of school by the library.
Arielle retouched her makeup and stood at the designated spot waiting for him. Dave arrived a few minutes late. He was shocked at how beautiful she was. The expression on his face gave him away.
Arielle was happy at the effect she had on him.
Dave had planned to tell Arielle off and put an end to whatever feelings might be brewing between them. He wanted to tell her that he was a teacher and they would be severely punished if they discovered anything.
He was also going to thank her for helping him the other day and plead to stop looking at him intensely during his lessons as it turns him on and he's not able to focus on his teachings.
All these were what he planned to say to her but as he saw her the already prepared speech flew out of his head and all that was there was it's not bad we can actually be together as long as it's kept a secret.
He laughed at himself for being so stucked
Arielle saw that he was in deep thought and had not said a word since he arrived and decided to speak up.
Hi Dave she said, her voice brought him out of his reverie.
Hi hiii Arielle he stammered. You asked us to meet, what should we talk about or are we going to stand here all day. Arielle asked.
He cleared his throat,well I want us to talk about the long stares you give me in class and how it affects me.
Oh so it affects you. That's been the plan all along. Arielle cut him off ,I thought you would keep ignoring it. Don't ask me not to stare at you because you stare at me too and I can't just keep my cool after every look you throw my way.
Do you know how I feel with my emotions jumbled up whenever I see you and you ignore me like you don't feel what's going on? Her eyes were getting teary as she spoke.
What did you do to me Dave why can't I keep my cool whenever I see you.
As she was talking. He couldn't stand her crying,her tears broke his heart he drew her close and hugged her.
She started crying loudly. Hush Arielle Dave said softly I don't mean to ignore you. I also feel it too but you are my student .
Don't worry I will figure this out . No Arielle said we will figure it out together.
Alright then where can we meet after school like a cafe or an eatery where no one will see us ,so we can talk about our feelings and decide what to do about it