As I continue, I'd like to thank my volunteer editor, adelante39, for her assistance. Aside from some glaring mistakes, she helped me breathe some life into the story as well as providing some direction for where it goes next, if it does.
*****
Dave and Vanessa met again a week later at Dave's invitation, this time for lunch during a break at school. She came to his classroom just as it was letting out. She stood outside as the students filed out and when the last one was gone, she made her way into the room. Sonia was bent over Dave's desk, as he was explaining something, presumably about that day's lecture.
"My goodness, she's a cutie," Vanessa thought. "This might make things a bit easier. But I think I'm gonna have some fun."
"Darling, are you ready for lunch?" she called out, surprising Dave and Sonia.
Dave was a bit shocked. He had no claim on either woman, nor vice versa, but still, having two women he was attracted to coming face to face was unnerving for him.
Sonia felt her heart sink. "Girlfriend? Wife?" she thought as a bit of anger and jealousy started to form.
"We have to get going. I have plans for the night so I can't stay late at work," Vanessa continued, laying a bit of groundwork for the lunch discussion.
Dave got it together enough to introduce the two: Sonia as his student of course, Vanessa as his friend.
"Pleased to meet you, Sonia. No wonder I have such a hard time trying to get him away from the school," she stated with an exaggerated but sincere leer of appraisal of Sonia.
"Pleased to meet you, Vanessa," Sonia greeted, relieved that maybe this Vanessa woman wasn't serious competition. Still, Sonia left a little dejected - or was that rejected?
Vanessa and Dave made their way to a nearby café, passing Sonia in the hall as they left the school. It wasn't lost on Sonia that they didn't touch in any way.
Dave and Vanessa chatted a bit until their food arrived. Then Vanessa dropped the bomb. "We have to talk," she stated, those four words settling like lead in Dave's stomach.
"Yes, I know you might not like it. Then again, this is only the second time we've seen each other. Anyhow, let me cut to the chase: I won't be going out with you again."
Dave tried to be anything but crest-fallen.
Vanessa continued, "I won't go on about being friends, not that I wouldn't like to be. But it would only work if we started that way."
Dave consulted his bag of tricks and replied, "You know, I wanted to talk to you about that too." However, his expression belied his feigned disinterest.
Vanessa chuckled. "Dave, I can see we are from the same school. I am just a few grades ahead of you, that's all. I had great fun with you, but I am not in this to be a leader. You well and properly treated me like a whore, but only after I told you to. I really think you'd have a hard time handling me, and honestly? I would much rather keep the fond memories of you than go down some path we might regret. Does that make sense?"
Dave knew better than to plead; that would only justify her position. He responded only with, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Maybe we're just a bit different."
Vanessa understood exactly what Dave was trying to accomplish and it would be easy to dismiss him. But somehow, despite their impending parting, she felt a kinship with this man so she decided to continue.
"See, right there. 'That's exactly what I was thinking': you know how to keep something like this in your control. I like that. And maybe in a couple of years, we might meet again and you will own me. I think you can."
Dave didn't know exactly how to take that. It seemed back-handed.
"I'm really serious Dave. It sounds silly, but you've got a lot going on and I would only ever be satisfied with you as a lover, just not right now."
Shifting her approach, she got onto her next topic. "Now, as far as lovers go, what's with you and that sweet l'il thing in the classroom?" she leaned in conspiratorially.
"She has nothing to do with this. She's a student," said Dave, holding back the urge to snap back at Vanessa.
"Ease up, Tiger. I am not just trying to let you down easy and move you along. That girl has the hots for you. I could see it in her movement and behavior. And have you noticed her skirt? It's a lot shorter than the other girls' in the class. You want my opinion? She would submit to you in a minute, if you guide her there. That was me not very long ago."
Dave looked astonished, stating wryly, "Really."
"Look hon, I was serious about a couple of years from now, if the stars align. This girl could be an excellent teaching aid, if you play your cards right. Come to think of it, she could spoil my future chances. Whatever, let's not worry about what if's and maybes. Just know that I didn't play that encounter in the classroom for my benefit. She's going to be squirming about you just a little more. Girls just love to know that other women dig their man."
Lunch was done and Dave and Vanessa parted with a kiss. Dave held her figure in his gaze as she walked away.
"Damn. Seams," he complained as he focused on her stockinged legs.
It was late November and the semester was winding down as final exams were upon the students. By this time, most had figured out that there was a difference between high school and Fulton and they were buckling down pretty well.
Except Sonia. She was taking liberties in class, always attracting a group of young men and holding things up by having to disperse that crowd before class could begin. And Vanessa was right; her skirt was very short. Nothing was revealed other than her delicious, creamy thighs above her knees...
"Dave! Get a grip!" he reprimanded himself.