The class was completely silent. I glanced to the front. Nathan was sitting in his chair with his eyes focused somewhere outside the classroom. He was restless– his leg was bouncing up and down and his hand twitched every few seconds on the desk.

I glanced at Kate but she was too focused on her phone beneath the table. I rolled my eyes before glancing down at my desk again. Mr. Pierce had decided to surprise us with a test. He said it was just to make sure that we've been paying attention. I haven't seen him around Stephen's house that much.

Things have gone more or less back to normal– expect for things at home. I've decided to suck it up and stay at home as not to bother Kate as much. Things between my mother and I were still tensed. At least we were talking to each other again.

“Two minutes left,” Mr. Pierce said.

Two minutes of school. Two minutes until our holiday started. My lips pulled up into a smile as I thought of what I'd be doing this holiday. Just two more weeks and I won't be a virgin anymore. The bell rang, startling me from my day dreams. I quickly scribbled an answer to the last question and then send the paper to the front. Everyone was hurrying to get their stuff packed. I swung my bag over the shoulder and headed to the door.

“Alia? Kate? Can I talk to you for a few minutes?” Nathan said.

I glanced at Kate and then turned to walk over to his desk. He waited until all the students were out of the class before turning to us.

“Stephen said you're planning a trip to the beach.” He glanced between us. “If this gets out I'm holding the two of you responsible, you got it?”

“Yes sir,” we said.

Nathan shook his head and turned his back on us. He mumbled something under his breath and then turned to us again. “I may have a solution to your problem but we're going to have to compromise.”

“No problem,” Kate said eagerly. “Let's hear it.” I frowned at her but kept my mouth shut.

“I have a friend who owns a house on the beach. It's a little far from civilization but there is a private beach. We were planning on going there for a week or two but the plans got cancelled.” Nathan glanced at the door. “Stephen and I will still be going along with our cousin and his girlfriend. We agreed to let you come with us on the condition that you keep it silent. I just started here and I'm not planning on losing my job.”

“Okay wait,” she held up a finger. “You'll let us stay with you at the beach house for the whole vacation.”

“Yes thought we'd only be staying for two weeks.”

“This is amazing!” I agreed. It was amazing! I get to spend my school vacation at the beach with Stephen.

My mood dampened when I thought of my parents.

“Alia,” Nathan called. “Meet me at my house at three and then we'll go over the details.”

I nodded, then greeted him and followed Kate out of the classroom. We walked in silence for a few minutes until she turned towards me. She clasped her hands under her chin and smiled at me.

“I get to spend my vacation watching our sexy teacher in swim trunks!”

“You're such a perv,” I muttered. “Let's just hope our parents agree to this or you can forget about ogling Nathan.”

“Nathan?”

My cheeks heated. “Mr. Pierce.”

“You call him Nathan?” Her eyes turned cold. “Since when do you have the right to call him Nathan?”

I was taken aback by her harsh words. I didn't understand what the problem was, of course he's our teacher but a lot of students called teachers by their name.

“He's Stephen's brother, I see him around the house a lot.”

“So you and Stephen are actually dating?” I nodded, keeping my eyes on her face.

She looked away before I could make out the emotions in her eyes. Shaking her head, Kate turned back to me with a smile.

“I guess that's great then. You won't be all alone at the house since your boyfriend will be there.”

We walked in silence for a few more minutes.

“Have you guys had sex yet?” Her question made me stumble.

I kept my eyes on my feet as my cheeks heated. Why was she always so straightforward?
“N-no.”

“But you've fooled around.” It was a statement and not a question.

“I'll see you later!” I muttered before she could say anything else.

Kate was my best friend, but unlike her, I wasn't comfortable talking about my sex life.

There were some things that I wanted to keep to myself. Like Stephen had said– in the public eye we're dating, but behind closed doors he was only my teacher.

***

Everything was set.

It didn't take much for my mother to agree. She thought it would do me some good to get away. Of course I only told her what she wanted to know. Nathan had explained the rules before Stephen arrived. Kate was watching us throughout the whole time we spend planning. I couldn't tell whether she was jealous or just curious.

Stephen had said that he wasn't interested in Kate in anyway and I believed him. He treated her a little coolly but he wasn't flirting or giving any sign of being attracted to her. After we arrived home from Nathan's, Kate was quick to say goodbye and head home. I had to face my parents and I was hoping that she would stay to help convince them. It all went better than I expected.

After explaining everything to her she watched me silently for a few minutes. She asked a few questions but then agreed.

We would leave on Sunday morning, so of course I had to sleep over at Kate's house so we could leave early. Now, as I sat next to Kate, I was starting to regret our agreement to leave so early. We couldn't take only one car because they would leave early, so we agreed to meet them at the house and then we'll decide who rides with who.

I was fucking tired. My body felt numb and my head stuffy, not even to mention my heavy eyes. I spend the night haunted by new nightmares that got worse by the minute.

“Are you and Stephen plan on having sex?”

My eyes fluttered open. “When I turn eighteen.”

“Oh,” she muttered. Kate seemed surprised.

“Why?”

“I'm just curious. You too are pretty cosy with each other. I was wondering if you've had sex already.”

I didn't answer her. I was too tired and irritated to make small talk. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep. I wanted a night of sleep that lasted longer than eight hours. My eyes were focused on the passing houses.

The car turned off into a familiar street which made my heartbeat speed up. Was he awake yet? Have they packed yet? Will he be happy to see me?

“They better not be sleeping,” she muttered.

I rolled my eyes at her. As soon as the car was parked, I got out and walked up to the front door. Ringing the bell, I waited for someone to open. Kate appeared at my side making me frown.

“You can't leave Derrick alone in the car.” 

“It'll only be for a few minutes,” she shrugged.

I send her a glare as I pushed past her and walked down the path again. Surprise flashed through me when I found the back door unlocked. She was about to leave her kid in an unlocked car outside at four in the fucking morning. My irritation started to rise as I unbuckled his seatbelt and picked him up. He pressed his face against my neck, but thankfully he stayed asleep.

Just as I reached the front door it opened. I blinked rapidly at the man standing just inside the doorway. I was pretty sure they could hear my heart beating in my ears.

Stephen stood there dressed in only a pair of silk boxers. It was obvious by his hair that he just got up. I couldn't stop my eyes from trailing over his body. They stopped at the deep V that led down into his boxers.

“Don't tell me you're still sleeping!” Kate said breathlessly.

I frowned at her. She was eyeing him like he was a piece of meat. A blush covered her cheeks and her chest rose up and down. I wanted to yell at her to stop staring at my fucking boyfriend, but I kept my mouth shut.

Instead I pushed past her and stepped into the house. Derick stirred when I lowered him to the couch. His eyes flicked open. Forest green eyes stared up at me through a sleepy daze. I smiled, and leaned down to move the hair from his forehead.

“Shh, go back to sleep sweetie,” I whispered.

I waited until his eyes fluttered close again before I straightened. My eyes instantly fell on Stephen who was standing by the closed door. I was aware of Kate moving around but I didn't pay any attention to her. I was only focused on Stephen and not because he was half naked, but because he had this peculiar look on his face.

Swallowing, I walked towards him. I stopped in front of him and placed my hand against his chest. His body was tense.

“Are you okay?” I asked him softly.

He swallowed loudly and then he surprised me by wrapping his hand behind my neck and smashing his lips on mine. A moan slipped past my lips and into his mouth. Stephen slipped his hand into my hair and angled my head back to deepen the kiss. I pulled back to suck air into my starved lungs. He was smirking down at me– the expression from earlier gone.

“Good morning baby.”

“M-morning,” I managed to stutter.

My mood was suddenly lifted when I caught the expression on Kate's face. She didn't think that we were really dating and Stephen just proved her wrong.

Kate stayed in the living room with Nathan as I followed Stephen up into his bedroom. I sat on the bed and watched him as he finished packing his clothes. He grabbed some files and placed them on the top before zipping the bag close. Picking it up, he dropped it by the door before turning to me again. My mouth dried when he hooked his fingers in the band of his boxers. He pulled it down just a little as he smirked at me.

“Care to join me for a shower baby?”

I smiled up at him. “Hell yeah.”

Stephen chuckled as he scooped me up into his arms and carried me into the bathroom. I undressed as he fixed the water.

He stepped into the shower behind me but made no indication that he wanted to fool around. Stephen lathered his hands with soap before washing my body and then his.

I stepped under the spray and closed my eyes as the warm water beat down onto my shoulders.

My eyes snapped open when he pressed his front against my back. There was no mistaking his state of arousal.

“Are you okay?”

“Just tired,” I whispered.

“What to talk about it?”

There was no fooling him. Stephen placed a soft kiss against my shoulder as his arms around me tightened. My body relaxed against his. Maybe I should tell him? I haven't told anyone since I found out and it's starting to get to me. Bottling things up was never an option. It was dangerous and led to one's destruction.

“Is this because of our arrangement?”

I shook my head. “No, it's not because of our arrangement.”

Hands gripped my hips and then slowly turned me around. I kept my eyes on his chest as his stare burned into the top of my head. A finger under my chin forced my eyes up to his. His green eyes trailed over my face. I tried to give him the brightest smile I could manage, but I failed.

Concern flashed through his eyes. Stephen sighed then leaned down to press his lips against mine. He didn't deepen the kiss like he usually does. A bang on the bathroom door made me jump.

“We need to hit the road!” Nathan yelled from the other side of the door.

“We'll be out in five.” Stephen glanced back down at me again.

“If this is getting too much for you, all you have to do is tell me. You can end this whenever you want.”

“Okay.”