"Hey, Mr Wilson." She smiled at me, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder.
"Hi, Emma, what can I help you with?" I asked.
She stepped through the door, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her short skirt bouncing off her legs as she walked.
"I have a question." She said.
"About your essay?"
"No."
She sat on top of one of the desks, twisting one of her curls around her finger. She bit her lower lip, her eyebrows furrowed together.
"Are you alright?" It wasn't like her to be so shy.
"Not exactly."
"What's going on?"
"I want to join chess club."
"Oh." I had not expected that. It's not that Emma was partier, but it's not liked she was that in to her school work either.
"Is it okay?" She asked.
"I didn't even know you played."
"I don't." She admitted.
She looked up at me, with those huge blue eyes, her smile turning sheepish. She had applied a fresh coat of red lipstick and her sweater was tucked in. It hadn't been when I had seen her this morning. I wondered if she was to trying to appeal to me.
That sweater was so tight. I could see it outline her breasts, her waist was so narrow, her skirt flaring out over her hips. Her long legs were toned, muscled. Did she play sports? God, they went on forever. Wait, was I checking her out?
The thought startled me.
"Does that mean you won't let me join?" Her shy smile had turned into pout.
"This isn't a few students sitting around playing chess." I explained. "There are competitions with other schools."
"Well, I can learn, right?"
"Our club members need to be strong players."
"Please." She begged. "I'll try really hard, I promise."
Fuck, it was so hard to resist a girl who was begging. "Have you ever played chess before?"
"Well...no."
"Then why would you want to join chess club?"
"I wanted to start playing?"
"If you're going to lie, you should be more believable."
"Okay, fine." She said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I was talking to the guidance counsellor and he said my SAT scores were good enough, but I didn't have any extra-curricular activities and I needed those to get into the college I want."
I admit, I empathised with that. I knew how stressful applying for college could get. But chess club had been my project. Since I had taken over, I'd turned it from four kids playing chess storage closet at lunch to a team that had won the state competition for three years in row. I didn't see Emma putting in the time and the effort she would need to become a reserve player.
"I know applying to college is a difficult time. But there are a lot of clubs at this school. Maybe you could try drama?" I suggested.
"But chess club makes you sound like you're smart!"
"Your extra curriculars should reflect your interests, your hobbies, not things you pick because you like the way they look on applications."
"Please?" She leaned forward with that pout on her lips again. I watched as she crossed her legs, her skirt sliding down her thigh.
"I don't think you'd like chess club." I told her.
"Look, I know I'm never going to get into Harvard, but I am smart enough to get into state." She stood up, taking a step towards me. "Just let me join, I promise I'll work hard."
She was so close it felt uncomfortable. I didn't want to take a step back. I didn't want to seem like going I was giving in. She stepped closer again. I could smell the fruity perfume she wearing, I could see that her pale blue eyes had ring of yellow around them. I could feel the warmth coming off her body.
"Please? It's my birthday." She stood up on her toes.
Her face was so close to mine. My heart started racing. It seemed so intimate. I walked back over to my desk and picked up my phone. I didn't need it for anything; I just wanted to get away. I looked at it for a second, before turning back towards her.
"Happy birthday." I told her. "Is it your eighteenth?"
"Yep."
"Why would you want to stay after school on your birthday?"
"I'm joining chess club." She smirked.
"I haven't said yes."
"But you haven't said no either."
"I didn't realize you were so persistent."
"Probably because you don't know me very well."
I didn't want to tell her no. She seemed so sincere. "Come by Thursday after school."
"You're letting me join?"
"I'll teach you how to play. We can go from there."
"Thank you!"
She kissed me on the cheek and ran out the door.
Oh fuck, what had I gotten myself into?
_______
"Emma, you can't do that. This isn't checkers, only the knight can jump over other pieces."