I had a lot of trouble sleeping that summer. It wasn't just the heat, although that was mainly it. My boyfriend Duncan and I were living together at the time and things between us were tense. I had been accepted to Graduate school and was preparing to start the semester in September. We hadn't really talked about what that would mean for our relationship judging that the school I was going to attend was on the other side of the country. I assumed we would live out the summer together and then part ways, but, obviously, there was something bothering him and he refused to talk about it. This was annoying to say the least.
Duncan had taken up a new and very demanding job about four months prior. I tried to be supportive but he became increasingly difficult to deal with on a daily basis. He was constantly moody, passive aggressive, cynical, and sexually uninterested. He always went to bed early, basically stopped wanting to go out with our friends, gained a little weight (just a detail), and got mad at me for not wanting to spend my last summer in town entirely indoors.
I taught Physics at the local high school for two years and finished up my final semester around mid-May. It was a difficult decision to leave because I loved my job and adored my students. But I knew going to Graduate school was the best decision for me, since I wanted to eventually start teaching at a university. Despite having a good idea as to what I wanted to do with regards to my long term goals, leaving that job was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make.
Male students consistently flirted with me at school. I can guess why. I turned 27 at the end of my last semester there and was one of the few teachers that wasn't born in Jurassic era. At first it was a bit weird for me, but I started to become more intrigued by the seniors on the hockey team. They were all 18 and tended to be way more physically mature than their peers. I didn't exactly flirt back (or at least I didn't actively try to), but I found myself enjoying their company after class, especially one student named Joaquin.
Someone once told me that any teacher who is ever tempted by a student should do one thing: just let the student keep talking and then you'll realize just how young they are and the attraction will go away. And this is absolutely true. Male students have a great way of intriguing an older woman and then destroying that intrigue because they don't shut up and reveal their age and immaturity. This proved to be very useful, except in a few cases.
Joaquin was a little too smart for his age. And extremely mature for it too. He was 18 going on 25. Both of his parents were doctors and he was fairly well-to-do. He had a reputation for being a player and rumors about him spread around the school. I never investigated what the female students said about him, but they never seemed to stop talking about him when he wasn't around. I knew his type. He knew he was super gorgeous, charming, capable, intelligent, and he used it all to his advantage. But I also have to say that he was indeed a gifted student. He really was exceptional. I was impressed that he could discuss science with me for hours. I gave him a hug at his graduation and told him I was leaving the school to get a Graduate degree. We wished each other the best. He asked for my Instagram handle and I figured it would be fine since he was now graduated and I wasn't teaching him anymore. I told him I would give it to him as long as he kept it to himself. I didn't want my handle getting out there. He agreed.
We texted back and forth on Instagram. It was actually kind of fun for me. It was refreshing since Duncan was being such a pain. Joaquin was still trying to be a flirt while we texted. I just smiled and rolled my eyes, even though I was very flattered by it. He asked me to come out with him a few times, but I declined each time. I always made up an excuse and told him maybe next time.
One night in mid-July I was sitting at my work desk (located in my office at home) in the middle of the night. I was finishing up some random paper work. It was close to 2am and it was scorching hot outside. We had the air conditioner on full blast, so I was wearing a long flannel shirt with nothing but white panties and a white bra. Duncan was asleep in our bedroom since he had to work in the morning. As I was filling out some tedious documents, I heard a light knock on the window. I yelped, covered my mouth, turned around, and saw Joaquin tapping the window of my office. I knew it was him immediately which made me feel relieved but then quickly upset.
I walked over to the window and quickly opened it. I sort of intensely whispered/yelled at him:
"Joaquin! What the hell are you doing here?!?"
"What's up, Ms. Bee? What are you up to tonight?"
He had that confident grin on his face and I noticed right away that he wasn't staring at my face. I then looked down and saw my long flannel shirt was open and totally unbuttoned. He had a full view of my tight, petite frame covered only by my bra and panties. I gasped and covered myself up.
