"A Young Greek God"

Chapter 1: Beneath the Skin of Perfection

Lucas was 18 years old, tall, with perfectly sculpted muscles that seemed to belong to a classical statue. His face carried strong, symmetrical features, with deep blue eyes that captured attention wherever he went. People often compared him to a "Greek god." Women admired him; men envied him. But behind this façade of perfection lay a consuming secret: Lucas was a virgin.

For most young men, this wouldn't be an issue. But for Lucas, it felt like an unbearable weight. The pressure came from all sides. His classmates in his senior year were always sharing stories of romantic conquests—some true, others obviously exaggerated—and they expected Lucas to be an expert at everything. But he wasn't. And his shame isolated him.

Lucas's Routine

Lucas woke up at 5 a.m. every day. His perfect body wasn't an accident; it was the result of rigorous training at the gym and a strict diet. However, despite his discipline, he felt like something was missing. He had no real friends. At school, he sat alone at the back of the classroom. Some girls tried to approach him, but he closed himself off, afraid they'd discover his "weakness."

That Tuesday morning, as he looked in the mirror and put on his fitted t-shirt, he wondered what the day would bring. He wasn't the type to boast or show off, but he knew everyone noticed him. It was impossible not to.

Clara's Arrival

During the third period, a new figure entered the classroom. Clara, the literature teacher, was substituting for the old teacher who had retired. Clara was 34, married, and carried an aura of sophistication. She had wavy brown hair that fell over her shoulders, expressive brown eyes, and a warm smile.

That morning, she wore a white silk blouse and a pencil skirt that accentuated her silhouette. When she entered, the room fell silent. Clara had a presence that commanded respect, but she also stirred curiosity.

Lucas noticed her immediately. It wasn't just because of her beauty—there was something about the way she spoke, the confidence with which she moved around the room, that intrigued him. When Clara asked the students to introduce themselves, his heart began to race.

When it was his turn, he lifted his head and mumbled,

— My name is Lucas.

Clara looked directly at him. There was something in her gaze that made her pause for a moment. She noticed the contrast: a young man with an impressive physical presence but a low, hesitant voice.

— Lucas, it's a pleasure to meet you, — she said with a kind smile.

Clara's Interest

As the weeks went by, Clara began to notice Lucas more than she wanted to. He was a quiet student, but there were moments when their eyes met, and she felt something that unsettled her. It was as if there was a hidden sadness in him, something that made him seem vulnerable despite his imposing appearance.

One afternoon, Clara was grading essays when she came across Lucas's. The theme was "The Masks We Wear." As she read, she realized there was a depth to him that she hadn't expected. He wrote about the pressure of pretending to be something he wasn't, of carrying expectations he hadn't chosen for himself. Lucas's words lingered in her mind long after she closed the notebook.

The next day, as she returned the essays, she approached his desk.

— Lucas, could I speak with you after class?

The Private Conversation

After the other students left, Lucas stayed behind, visibly uncomfortable. Clara closed the door but maintained a professional distance between them.

— I read your essay. You write very well, — she began. — But I couldn't help but wonder… do you really feel that way, like you wrote?

Lucas hesitated. He didn't want to appear weak, but something in her tone felt genuine, free of judgment.

— Sometimes, — he replied, trying to sound indifferent.

Clara tilted her head, studying him.

— You know you don't have to be perfect all the time, right?

Lucas gave a bitter smile.

— That's easy to say. Everyone expects it from me.

Clara felt a pang in her chest. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help him. Perhaps it was just a maternal instinct, or maybe it was something deeper, but there was something about Lucas that stirred a desire to protect him.

An Odd Feeling

As the days passed, Clara found her thoughts increasingly occupied with Lucas. She tried to push them away, reminding herself that she was married and that he was just a student. But at the same time, her curiosity about him grew.

Lucas, on the other hand, found himself thinking about her too. It wasn't just about her appearance—although Clara was undeniably stunning. It was about the way she made him feel seen, as though someone finally looked beyond his surface.

One afternoon, after class, Clara left the room while Lucas packed his things. He looked out the window and saw her crossing the courtyard. The wind tousled her hair, and she held a book to her chest. For a moment, Lucas imagined what it would be like to be with someone like her.

He felt ashamed of his thoughts. "She's married," he reminded himself. "And she's my teacher."

The First Impulse

Clara began to notice small moments that made her question her feelings. Like when Lucas helped her carry some books to the teachers' lounge. Their fingers touched briefly, and she felt a shiver she tried to ignore.

She knew she had to control these thoughts. But every time she looked at Lucas, she felt a mix of concern and something she didn't want to admit to herself.

Lucas, meanwhile, struggled with the shame of being a virgin. He wondered if, perhaps, telling Clara about it would make him feel less alone.

And so, the seeds of something forbidden began to take root—an unexpected bond that both of them knew they shouldn't nurture.