His heated fingers were still on the hickey, and I brought out a hollow laugh, overwhelmed by the tender touch,
"Why does your desk look like this?"
Jude took his time to turn to his desk before continuing with the treatment,
"I was cleaning out my desk drawers."
"It's just a hickey; I don't need that much cream." And not that kind of thoughtful application as well.
Biting my lips, I didn't dare look at him. I wanted this to be over.
"Finished already." He answered as if he had not just squeezed more cream out of the tube, rubbing the excess between his fingers after speaking.
He stood up and went back to the bathroom, so I sneaked to the desk for the golden ribbon. It was only a few inches large and would usually be used to decorate a present, envelope or piece of paper.
I quietly put it in my bra and sat back down on the bed, happy with my new treasure. Jude came back at the right time, and I stood up to get it over with. I put my hair to the side, presenting him with my neck as if succumbing to the toughest beast, yielding my life to its claws.
Not liking how this motion turned out, I wanted to just take the plaster and go brush my teeth, but Jude cupped my head with a feather-like touch, holding me in place as he stared at my neck. As if he were accepting my gesture, considering between killing and obtaining.
My hands trembled, and I was freaking out; it was a mistake to follow into his room, and I got ready to knee him into unconsciousness, this situation feeling dangerous in many ways.
However, the next moment he reached for the plaster and put it on my neck, taking a few steps back, this straining adventure finally over.
I turned and mumbled a "thanks" before leaving his room for Thomas' bedroom. Going into the bathroom, I splashed cold water in my face and caught my breath. While brushing my teeth, I didn't look in the mirror to see Jude's handiwork; the place felt strangely hot. A new memory had replaced yesterday's agonizing experience, although I wasn't sure if it was for the better or worse, although his father's punishment somehow felt indeed purified.
Ready to go, I forced my cat out from under the bed for a hug before leaving. It wouldn't eat much, so the food matter wasn't that pressing. I had often been worried about that, but seeing it healthy and kicking got me thinking that it just didn't need that much food.
As for the non-existent cat toilet, if I had it my way, Thomas' expensive suits could serve for that purpose.
I stopped to store my new treasure in the drawer, appreciating the continuously growing number of memories I had gathered.
When I went down, I didn't see Jude anywhere, and I felt relieved, only to have him waiting inside the car for me once again, making my nearly consoled heart jump somersaults again.
Ah, I hate teenagers.
Sitting beside him with a good distance between us, we were driven to school. I watched the landscape outside change, thinking about how I really had to make at least one student cry today for everything I went through the last twenty-four hours.
I hadn't had time to 'befriend' the other teachers, but from what I had seen, it went the same way as it was in my old school. The other psychical education teacher was a bulked-up muscle head, which contrasted a good part with my body proportions, but he was more respected than a normal gym teacher—me.
They looked down on this subject, and they were right to do so. There was no homework to check, there was not much I had to learn during the education, and, besides ordering teenagers around, the lessons were leisurely.
However, all these points were the reason I chose this work in the first place, so while they were right with their prejudice, I didn't care.
The next second, my ear was filled with a smooth voice and a hot breath,
"We have arrived."
It surprised me so much that I whipped my head away from him, crashing into the car window.
"Ow." Holding the side of my head, I cursed that damn kid for scaring me so much.
"Let me see." Jude's hand was on my chin, turning my head to him, but I really couldn't take it anymore.
"It's okay; stay away from me." Stepping out of the car, I hurriedly walked to the sports field, away from him.
Maybe that was just the way he was behaving with the opposite sex, but it was inappropriate with an adult, teacher and, most importantly, stepmother. I get that I don't look twelve years older than him, but I nevertheless am.
Furthermore, my husband should be only ten years older than me; the age difference with my stepson is bigger than that with his father, which gave the impropriety a whole new spin.
Besides the nightly attacks on me and the lunatic punishment, my comfort zone was more often invaded by Jude than by his father.