Martin walked down the corridor to class, seeing a group of three girls whispering amongst each other and then giggling - he knew through a friend that one of them really liked him but the feelings were not mutual..and besides, there were plenty of girls craving his attentions now that the word was out of him breaking up with his now ex-girlfriend Hayley.
He'd always been a looker, the guy that every girl wanted to date. Even from a young age he was turning heads, his first serious relationship was at thirteen with a girl two years older than him was the start of what was to be the luxury of having almost any girl he wanted, secretly he'd even caught a few of the teacher's eyes as he walked confidently down the corridor. This was five years on now though, he'd just turned eighteen and though he wasn't the tallest guy in the school he stood 5'10'' and with his spiky black hair, olive skin and boyish good looks the girls all tried to catch his eye...and the boys, well, aside from a couple of friends Martin didn't take any notice.
Martin slumped down into his seat at the back of the class for Geography, another subject that he was failing. Looking up he saw Mrs Clark enter the room hurriedly, trying to organise herself. The news had gotten around the school through word-of-mouth that her marriage was in ruins, her husband was seeing a younger girl and at 33 she was wanting to settle down and have children. As he was watching her moving books around and getting ready a note was passed to him from a girl sitting in front, complete with drawings of a girly nature....
"HEY MART, DARE YA TO FAKE AN INTEREST IN THE TEACH!"
Martin looked up and smiled, it was Natalie...a good friend of his, one that was content to just be a friend. "You're joking Nat?"
"Nope, I think she's desperate for a guy right now...go on, do it!", she winked and turned back around.
After sitting there for a few moments he decided to test the water and got out of his seat, the chatter amongst the 30+ other students was the perfect discreet opening he needed to start a conversation. As he approached Mrs Clark she looked up, "What is it Martin? I'm busy!". He looked at her closely, her mane of red hair and freckles looked quite sexy in his eyes but he shaked it off.
"Sorry Miss, just wondered if you need any help up here...I'll go and sit down if you want", this was a well used Martin trick into playing something through.
"No wait, I've lost my timetable sheet and my marker pen...I think they're in the staff room" she said uneasily, continuing to rifle through a mountain of paperwork.
"Don't worry Miss, I'll get them for you", and he quickly turned toward the door only stopping to give Natalie a wink on the way out.
The class was always boring, but as it was the last class of the day Martin didn't care - he just wanted to go home and do something other than stare at a book. The bell rang for the final time, Mrs Clark hurriedly tried to hand out some homework as the other students left the room. Natalie had forgotten about what she'd said earlier but this was just starting for Martin...he wanted to keep at it, and packed his books up accordingly.
Once all the students had long gone he picked up the last of his books and glanced over at Mrs Clark, who sat at her desk with her head in her hands. "Miss, are you okay?" No response. He walked up to the other side of her desk, crouched over and playfullly said "Hello? Earth to Mrs Clark...anyone home?". This was almost too easy, she smiled from behind her hands and said "Yes Martin, I'm fine...just some problems at home that's all...", she took her hands away and wiped her eyes.
"...anything you want to talk about Miss, I'm a good listener - and have you been crying?, those look like tears"
"I'm fine really, the divorce papers came through today...you've probably heard all about it anyway", she sniffed.
Martin felt like he was onto something but wasn't sure what to do next. After a moment's silence he stood up and decided to try something very hazardous. "Well there's no use feeling down about it...you need some cheering up!", he took her hand in his and pulled her out of her chair, spinning her around a few times. "What are you doing??" she said, smiling at him. "See, it's working already...you're smiling!"
She gazed into his eyes for a brief moment before looking away, there was a noticeable height difference between them...him standing about seven inches taller than his teacher. "Thank you Martin, you've cheered me up...but I must get home" she said reluctantly.
"Home to where Miss? An empty house with you and a bottle of wine?...you shouldn't be alone". This so called 'trick' had gotten out of hand, but Martin was feeling something for her...maybe sympathy, maybe just the fact that an older woman was something out of his reach...but a bond was forming between them and he was powerless to stop it.
After another moment's silence she smiled, "What, are you offering to come back with me Mr Fowler?...do you know how much trouble I could get in?", she twirled her golden necklace in her hands and looked up at him. "Miss I...", "Call me Linda" she interrupted. Her whole tone of voice and her mood changed within seconds....as if she'd shaken off any negative emotions that had been with her and had become a predator, devouring men without thinking twice.
