TABOO novel Chapter 21

  In every highschool, there's always this student who never fits in no matter how hard they try. And in my story, I'm that student who tries to fit in, but keeps failing miserably. I tried to an extent and I just gave up. No one has to notice me. I don't have to be friends with popular girls. 

 During lunch, I sit alone at the corner with my earphones plugged in my ear and my untouched meal. The students around me talked about the upcoming prom. Everyone is excited. Some girls and guys already had their dates. They giggle as they talk about what to wear to the dance with their dates. I have no one so I just say to myself I won't be showing up. 

  Today is the last day of school and the students of Everton high can't wait to go home and have fun. A lot of the girls can't wait to hangout with their boyfriends. I don't have a boyfriend or even a fling, so I wasn't really excited about anything. There's not much to my life. Go home, read my book and in the evenings, I drop by at the animal shelter where I volunteered to help. Nothing ever interesting happens in my life. 

  The bell rings and everyone hurriedly stands up as they pack their things, ready to leave. I grab my backpack and put back my books and textbooks. I zip it and fling it over my shoulder as I head to the door. 

" Lizzie." Mr. Newton calls my name. I stop by the door and turn around to look at him. 

  He's my English teacher. The man I secretly stared at and admired. I have a crush on him. But he was forbidden. He is the man I can't have. He's been teaching at Everton High since I was a sophomore, which was a year ago. The very first day I met him, I can't forget the experience. My heart beats against my chest and I find myself staring at him for too long. I am 17 and still a virgin. Never really dated anyone and it's not by choice. It's just that for some reason, people just don't want to date me. Mr. Newton is the only man who's genuinely cared for me. He's young, 26 years old. With his finely cut blonde hair. Slender build and he is really handsome. 

" Happy about prom?" He asks with a small smile. 

 I bite my lip shyly. We're the only ones in the classroom. 

" No."

" Why?" He asks as he approaches me. 

  His cologne hits my nose and it makes me dizzy. He smells rich. 

" Nothing. I just…" I sigh and look anywhere else but him. He's too close, not that close but still close. If someone walks in, they will think something compromising is going on between me and my English teacher. And that won't be good news. I'm still a junior. Can't risk getting expelled because I couldn't keep my hormones in check. 

" Are you okay?" Mr. Newton surprises me by touching my neck with his hand, as if to check my temperature. 

 I jerk back at once.

" I'm sorry." We say in unison.

" It's fine. Are you okay?" He asks again. 

" Yeah. I just don't have someone."

" You know…" he smiles at me while I fiddle with my hair. " You don't need anyone to have fun."

" Yeah, I know. It will be a little awkward showing up without a date."

" Have you been to prom before?"

" Nah. This is my first prom."

  He nods and thrust his hands into his pockets. " I can be your date if you want." He says with a smirk. 

  What?

" What?"

" I want you to come, Lizzie."

  I bite my lip. Why does he care if I show up or not?

" I'll think about it?" I shrug one shoulder.

" Promise me you'll come? For me?" He asks. For him?

  I give him a long stare as I sigh. 

I nod and give in. " Sure. I don't need anyone to have fun."

" That's the spirit." He says and turns to walk back to his desk. " I'm expecting you, Liz. And have fun out there." Hopefully...

" Sure." I give him a small smile and turn around to leave the class. 

  I just agreed to go to prom because of my teacher. My teacher that I have a crush on. A man that I want. 

  It's prom night. I stand in my room as I stare at the pink dress. I have always wanted to attend this year's prom so I saved money to buy this dress and later changed my mind because I don't want to show up alone. And that's exactly what's happening. I'm going to show up alone. 

" You okay, honey?" My mom calls my name. I can hear her footsteps climb up the stairs.

  Slowly my door opens and my mother enters. 

" Still deciding?" Mom asks as she stands next to me. We watch my dress together. 

" Wow…this is beautiful. How long did you save for this?" Mom asks. 

" So long…"  

" You should go. Not everyone who has a date goes to prom. You don't need anyone, Liz."

 I sigh. " I know."

" Good. I'm happy you know that. I want you to wear this dress and go out there to have fun. It's just one night. If the experience turns out bad, which it won't, you can choose not to attend next year's prom." Mom says. I turn to look at her for a long minute and nod. 

  The only reason I'm going out tonight is because of Mr. Newton. I want to see him tonight. 

  I shower and get dressed. My mom helps me with my makeup and my hair. Once she's finally done and I stare at my reflection in the full length mirror, I look beautiful. 

" You'll be fine. You always will be."

   I keep telling myself I'll be fine as I watch my fellow students dance. I am bored and I'm not fine. I haven't seen Mr. Newton since I got here. I sat down and played with the flower that was tucked in my hair. I pulled it off and started to cuddle with it. I'm uncomfortable. I don't wanna be here. The only person I want to see, the only person who calm my nervousness is Mr. Newton and he's not here. Why will he tell me to come and not show up himself?

 God I'm such an idiot. I get up and grab a drink as I absently sway to the music. 

" And she came..." A familiar voice says behind me.

  I turn around and Mr. Newton is standing behind me. Dressed in a black suit, his blonde hair is finely styled. 

  God, he is gorgeous.  

" You came."

" Of course I came. I wouldn't miss the chance of getting to see you in your prom dress. You look beautiful, Liz." He whispers for my ears alone. 

  I look around and everyone seems occupied. Nobody really cares about me. But definitely not Mr. Newton. The first month of him teaching in our school, nearly all the young girls, especially seniors wanted him. Even a few female teachers. He was pleasing to the eye. Always has been. 

" Should you be talking to me?" I ask him. I don't want to do anything to make him lose his job. 

" Maybe not. You wanna go somewhere private and quiet? Where no one would disturb us?" He asks, with hope in his beautiful blue eyes.

" Uh...s-sure." 

" The classroom. I will head out first." Mr. Newton smiles at me and leaves. 

  God. What's happening? It's prom night. A night where a lot of girls have fun. Some even lose their virginity at prom. I should be having fun not going into a quiet classroom with my teacher. The one teacher I have a crush on. I finish my drink, dispose of the cup as I push past these sweaty bodies. I walk down the hallway, making sure no one sees me as I continuously turn around. I stop outside his classroom and try to calm my nerves. My hands are sweaty. 

  What exactly are we doing here? 

 I have no idea. But I'll have to find out. I push open the door and step inside. It's dark and I can't see anything. But from the hallway light, I can see my teacher's silhouette. 

" Come in, Liz. And please lock the door and turn on the light."

  I step inside and turn on the lights. I lock the door and slowly approach him. I feel weird. Horny? I anxiously bite my lip as I stare at my teacher's eyes. He's leaning against his desk. 

" Having fun out there?"

" Nah." I chuckle nervously.

 Mr. Newton smiles. " Are you nervous?" 

" What?" I bite my lip and laugh silently. I stop laughing and sigh. " I am."