Chapter #9

Dear Jodi

I want to believe you, but a part of me feel so... betrayed. Please stay, just so I can get my head around this and really figure out what’s happening.

Please, stay with me.

Love, Karla Lewis

Three weeks had passed since that amazing night at my teacher’s house. Three weeks and the bruises my father had left on my body were still visible.

I had skipped school the four days after it had happened, not because I didn’t want to run into Jodi. But because everything I did hurt, when I sat my back hurt, when walked my entire body ached.

My father had noticed my empty bed and when I was unable to give him an answer on where I had been I received one of the worst beatings ever. I wanted to call Jodi, call her and tell what had happened. I tried once, but when her husband was the one to answer I hung up and didn’t call again.

As I finally returned to school everything was the same, it was like time always stood still in that building.

My first class was biology, which was okay. The teacher was an older man who was ridiculously interested in trees. He somehow always managed to turn every lesson into something regarding his most favorite interest.

English was next on the schedule, I kind of didn’t want to go. Mostly cause I still had visible bruises but also cause all I could think of was Jodi’s husband answering the phone. But then again I didn’t want to skip classes since I had no real good reason.

When I entered the classroom I tried my best to go unnoticed by my teacher, it didn’t succeed.

“Karla, after class.” She said, making it sound like I was in trouble.

Most of my classmates probably thought it was cause I had been away for days. So did I at first, but when I noticed Mrs. Parker throwing glances my way  from time to time I realized it was cause of my quite messy appearance. I probably looked like I had slept under a bridge for 7 weeks.

That English class couldn’t have gone by faster, sadly. I wouldn’t have minded it taking a bit longer so I would have had time to come up with what to say.

When the rest of the students had left the room Mrs. Parker turned to me.

“Sweetie why didn’t you call me?” Her pleading voice and hurt face made my stomach knot.

“I tried…” I admitted.

“You did? When?”

“The same day it happened.” She stood up and came over to sit next to me, taking my hand in hers.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t answer, sweetie” She half whispered, looking down at our hands that rested in her lap.

I didn’t know what to reply, of course I forgave her but it didn’t sound right to say that then.  I looked at her and a barely visible smile spread on my lips.

“I’ve missed you though, a lot.” I whispered back, not wanting to risk anyone entering and hearing.

“I have missed you too…” She admitted, caressing the back of my hand with her thumb.

“You know I would love to invite you over for the evening, but after seeing what last time cost you I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I hate seeing you get hurt.” Her thumb was still gently rubbing my hand.

“Mrs. Parker I-“ She put a finger over my lips, making a small shush.

“I know.” A smile spread on her lips, she knew what I was going to say.

Even though I expected my parents to say no I still asked them that night if I could go over to a friend’s house. My father was a bit suspicious but my mother seemed happy to get me out of the house for a while. I hadn’t gone outside for days and I could tell it was getting on her nerves.

As I stepped out of the house I hated so much I sent a text to the only person that I really felt safe around, Jodi.

“Will be there in 10! - K” She quickly replied with a happy face smiley and I couldn’t help but smile myself.

When I walked up to her house I took one final glance down over my body to make sure my clothes looked okay before I rang the doorbell. When Jodi opened the door a bright smile grew on her face.

“Come in!” She moved away from the door, showing me to step into the hall.

Before I could greet her though her lips were once again tightly pressed against mine. She took me into her arms and I felt her hands make their way down my back, resting gently on my hips.

When she then let go of me I was completely out of breath, causing her to burst out laughing.

“Gosh I’ve missed that.” She said with a wink and took my hand, leading me into the kitchen.

“I hope you don’t mind that I made some snack…” Snack turned out to be sliced vegetables with dip, they were neatly placed on a tray.

“That looks amazing” I replied as she grabbed the tray, giving me a nod to go into the living room.

“Well you see I kind of wanted to pamper you a bit tonight, let you relax.”

“Sounds like a date” I joked, making her giggle like a teenager.

We sat down on the couch, just like last time I was here.

“Jodi, why are we doing this? I mean don’t get me wrong I love it but you’re taking quite a risk…” I just had to ask, this had been stuck in my mind since I last came here.

“Honestly, I like you. Always have. And… Damn I didn’t want to say it like this. I’m moving, Karla. I’ve gotten a new job in another town quite far from here and I’m moving at the end of the month.” She attempted a smile but it looked more like some weird grin.

“What…” was all I could say, feeling so empty inside.

“I’m sorry, I was going to tell you but I wanted to have some time with you before I leave. You see I’ve always thought you were special, but it’s against the rules to have any relationship like that with a student. So now when I found out I was leaving I figured I might as well take the chance.” She waited for me to say something but no words came out.

“Please forgive me for this, if I had known you felt like this I would never have started this. It was cruel on your feelings…” She seemed so ashamed that I just wanted to hold her, but I couldn’t.

Had she just been using me for a night of pleasure? Was none of this real? Or was she honest when she said she liked me?