Dear Teacher,
I take it all back. I really really like you.
Sincerely,
Ashton Irwin

For a decent extent of time, Ashton stared at the note. He held a pen in his hand, rereading the note multiple times. However, Ashton was not going to hide the note anyway.

Why place a note somewhere when you can deliver it yourself?

As English droned on, Ashton began to lose focus on the current topic and even the minutes passing. He thought through the next hour, closing his eyes to run through a future conversation. In conclusion, Ashton Irwin was nervous.

Nervous was never something that would typically be included in Ashton's vocabulary. For someone with a large ego, cockiness and confidence propelled him easily. For instance, when the teenager was forced to stand up to a bully, he didn't hesitate. Or when he was on front line for any sport, he was prepared without any negative thoughts whatsoever.

This was different.

Ashton was going to face his teacher (possibly the love of his life), and he was going to admit everything. If he got the chance.

Finally, the bell rang. Students jumped up, ignoring Luke's words as that bell sounded.

At the moment, Ashton really hated that bell. He sat in his seat, watching his Advanced English teacher return to his stance behind the podium. However, when their eyes met, Luke did not walk any further.

Silently, Ashton sat. He picked up the small note with his nimble fingers, plucking off the frayed sides of the paper.

After a short while, Luke moved so he could close the door. Then, he walked back to where Ashton was seated, stopping a few feet away.

Quietly, Ashton put down the note and pushed it in his teacher's direction. He could barely breathe, and his nerves were not the only thing bothering him. Perhaps he was sick. Ashton rather blame his immune system than seem mentally unprepared for the situation. He knew what he was doing; he was definitely not, in no way, unprepared (definitely not).

No words were spoken between the two people in the room. Both figures were deathly silent, as if one vocal could be their means to an end.

Luke advanced, gently picking up the paper and reading the note. He sat with it in his hands, thinking the past few months over.

Then, he said it.

"You really think I didn't know?"

Ashton gulped, frowning and looking at the intricate designs of the fake wood making up his desk. Confusion clouded in his eyes, eyebrows pinching together.

"You may think I am stupid, but I am not that oblivious." Luke said, placing the note back in front of Ashton.

"I'm sorry."

The teacher folded his arms, leaning back against one of the desks. It was as if Ashton did not catch on to the dark rings under Luke's eyes, or the smell of alcohol. "What you do is inappropriate."

"What?" For some reason, Ashton was not expecting to be scolded. He tried to push away the overwhelming scent of liquor and focused on the ongoing conversation.

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Luke quoted, specifically remembering that part of his most read book.

Ashton giggled ironically, shaking his head.

"What you say is not right, Ashton. I don't want to be a part of it."

"Come on, Teacher. Laying with a man as one lies with a female is indescribably more pleasurable." Ashton kept the smile on his face, attempting to gain back his usual confidence. "I know what feels good to a guy. I know things about the male body that a woman would never know."

"Ashton, no more letters. This is wrong. I am your teacher, and the gender you like is not the one nature has chosen."

"Ok."

Luke looked to Ashton, confused he was able to agree with the student. But then Ashton spoke.

"Just one question" Ashton hummed pleasantly, unbothered. "Why did you wait this long to tell me to stop, Luke?"

In turn, Luke tried to form words. Each time he thought he could come up with an answer, he closed his mouth. He didn't have one.

Yet Ashton waited, sitting in his seat until he gained enough confidence to get up and stand right in front of his teacher. They were only about a foot apart.

"You could have called me out."

No response.

"You could have told me to stop right then, but why didn't you?"

This time, Luke's jaw clenched and he formed the most authoritative response. "Get to class."

Finally, with little resistance, Ashton grabbed his things and headed to the door. He kept a straight face, stopping only when his hand touched the locked doorknob. "I meant what I said in the letter."

The teacher immediately looked to the desk Ashton was assigned to, looking over the abandoned letter again. But when he looked back, Ashton was gone.