It was Jacob's sixth form prom, he was now 18, so was drinking, as were many of the staff, including Deborah.
Deborah had stepped outside for some air, Jacob had done the same and it was only going to be a short break before heading back in. Until he saw her.
She had always been his favourite teacher. Not because she was the hottest at the school, because she wasn't. She was 58 years old at this point. She had shoulder length greying hair, an attractive face, which would have been pretty at one point but now looked more kindly because of the web of laughter lines which told you she had lived a good life.
She looked like a slightly chubbier Susan Kennedy from Neighbours, so much so that Neighbours had been one of Jacob's favourite shows for the last few years. She was a small woman; the aged, excess skin around her neck led down to a slight bit of cleavage which was revealed by the shapeless blouse she wore that night. She had smallish, B cup breasts, which sat on top of her small tummy which had only started to really show in the last few years. A large, sagging butt led down to thick thighs, which finished up a pear-shaped figure.
Jacob stared at all these features of Deborah's, as she stood outside the hotel hired for the prom. She rubbed her arms to warm herself and then, seeming to decide it was too cold to stay outside any longer, she turned to go inside, upon which she saw Jacob, apparently just standing there looking at her.
'Oh...hello, Jacob.'
It was only then that Jacob, feeling the effects of the drinks he had had that night, realised he was staring.
'Oh sorry miss...had quite a few tonight.'
'Oh no, it's fine, I think everyone has. You just surprised me, that's all,' she said, as she walked towards him, her arms crossed trying to fend off the cold.
'Miss, its cold out here, take my jacket,' he exclaimed, moving to take it off.
'Oh no, it's fine. I'm going inside anyway,' she said, starting up the steps to the hotel reception.
Suddenly Jacob didn't want Deborah to go inside and he fumbled in his mind for a pretext to have her alone with him a little longer.
'Oh miss, I wanted to talk you about something...'
'Okay, what's up?'
Not being able to think of a decent excuse, he blurted out: 'Um, yeah my history exam...'
Deborah cocked an eyebrow, skeptically, a wry grin forming on her face.
'You want to talk to me about your history exam out here in the cold, rather than be inside getting drunk with your mates?'
'Erm...well, no, I just wanted to thank you for all the help you've given me, this year and last... it's, you know, much appreciated...'
Deborah gave Jacob a warm smile, touching him briefly on the arm.
'Hey, it's what we do, but you're very welcome, young man.'
As she made to go inside, Jacob caught her hand as it dropped from his arm and held it.
'No miss, I mean I really, really appreciate it,' he said this intently, staring into her eyes.
Deborah was unsure of what exactly was happening, just that her student was holding her hand and standing uncomfortably close... Her tipsy brain did not know what to make of it all, surely he was just saying thank you, rather than coming onto her? But then she felt her hand on his bicep, not sure quite how it got there...
Then suddenly, he leant in and kissed her softly on the lips and she was in no doubt about what was happening. Deborah's husband had died five years previously and she had thrown herself into her work, not having any romantic interest in anyone or receiving any romantic interest for that matter. It was a part of her life she did not consider a priority really; therefore, she was shocked by how much the kiss from Jacob stirred something in her, but then she came to her senses.
'Jacob, what are you doing??' she said, in a low frantic whisper, so no one would be alerted to what just happened.
'Something I've wanted to do for a long time...' he said, as he pulled her body into him for another kiss. Some part of her actually wanted to give herself to him, but the more sensible part of her knew that would be career and social suicide.
'No Jacob, we can't do this!' she hissed, stopping him from kissing her again.
What would all of her colleagues think of her if she was seen making out with a student like some little tart? However, she did get a little bit wet just thinking about it...after all, it had been so long and she'd thought these feelings were dead and never that she'd be having them about someone so young, one of her students no less...