Bound To you

Chapter 7

Everyone at the table was looking at them. ELI felt her mouth dry and her heart beat faster, as she didn’t know what to say, but everything was back to normal when Rika started speaking, “We were in the washroom,” she paused, returning all the inquisitive gazes of the table. Her look was confident and it didn't seem to be giving away their forbidden moment like ELI’s eyes were. “Zelena, I think we should go.”

A riot of voices of protest began on the table, which made Zelena drop a loud laugh. “My little sister is right though, my darlings. We have a lot to do today and it’s getting late,” she said while getting up.

“It's a shame that this has to happen,” Killian said while standing up too. “I hope to see you again, Zelena,” he said in a sexy tone, causing everyone at the table to giggle, except for Ruby, ELI, and Rika, who rolled their eyes instead.

“See you at school, students,” Rika said pointedly before walking away with her sister Zelena.

“Wow,” August muttered. “I really thought we were screwed for a moment.” 

No one said anything. They just remained in silence as each of them took a sip of their respective alcoholic drinks.

xXx

It was Friday morning, and ELI had awakened earlier than usual. There were butterflies in her stomach and she had a smile that she couldn't wipe it off of her face. She had barely closed her eyes during the night. All she could think about was the day before: the passionate kiss with Rika she had at the bar. She had been surprised when the teacher kissed her first yesterday night. She never imagined something like this happening. She actually never thought Rika would kiss her back in the first place.

“Ruby!” ELI cried out loud when she entered her best friend’s bedroom.

“What the f**k, ELI! Why are you yelling so early?”

“You're going to be late for school,” the brunette friend raised her head from the pillow to look better at the blonde. ELI had a mischievous smile on her face and, even though it was only six in the morning, she had her face clean and away from dark circles.

“You're not going to school?”

ELI shook her head. “No, I need to prepare my date with Rika.” She smiled even more when she said the words ‘date and Rika'.

Ruby opened her mouth in surprise. “ELI, do you have a date with our history teacher?” The brunette asked, her voice full of sarcasm.

The blonde winced. “Don't say it like that. It sounds weird.”

Ruby nodded promptly. “So, Miss Mills accepted to have a date with her student?” The blonde rolled her eyes at that. “Awesome!” The brunette stood up and approached ELI to look at her closely. “And you want to repay this madness that you call a 'date'by missing your favourite teacher’s class? I think that she will be upset with you, Emms,” Ruby said in a sarcastic tone. She gazed at her friend holding the urge to laugh at the annoyed face ELI made.

“Yes, you're right,” she snorted, crossing her arms in front of her chest. The blonde rethought for a while in silence. Ruby watched her quietly, waiting anxiously for what ELI would say next. “Ruby, would you help me?” The blonde asked, looking a little desperate. “I don’t know where to take her. I'm afraid she won’t like it and will never go out with me again.” Ruby let out a muffled laugh at her outburst. “Don't laugh at me, asshole!” The blonde exclaimed, a little angry and embarrassed.

“But you two have gone out before, right?”

“Yes, but nothing was like now.”

“Does she know it’s going to be a date?”

ELI rolled her eyes. “Just give me some ideas.”

“Right,” the brunette paused. “ELI, first I think you should go to school.”

The blonde bit her lower lip, looking thoughtful. “Yeah, I will go to school. But… do you think she'll like wherever I take her?”

“Well, Rika seems to be very sophisticated. But if she allowed herself to be kissed by you, the rest won't matter much. Your behaviour might matter more to her.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. She was the one who pushed you against the wall and ravished you yesterday, wasn’t she?” ELI felt her face burning up in shame and slapped Ruby lightly on the arm to stop her from saying that out loud. Despite being super happy that that had happened, she was still embarrassed about telling it to her best friend.

“She didn’t r****h me, Ruby,” she protested with a wince, feeling her face heat up even more.

“Not yet, am I right?” The brunette laughed out loud at her. “Don’t worry, blondie. Just take her somewhere nice and kiss her later, all right?”

ELI nodded, letting a smile slip through her lips.

xXx

The morning went by a little fast and soon Miss Mills’ period class arrived. ELI felt her palms sweat from nervousness. She hadn't thought about where she would take Rika for the date and that was scaring her ridiculously.

“Good morning, students! I hope you are ready for our surprise test today,” the brunette said with seriousness while the students were trying to process the previous lines of their teacher. Soon, a riot of protest started, causing the brunette to laugh. “Calm down, it’s a joke!” The students started laughing in relief.

ELI couldn't avert her eyes from the captivating woman in front of her. And today she smiled more than usual. Rika seemed happier.

“Today we’ll have a different class. We’re going to watch a movie related to the Second War in the video room,” the students smiled happily and started getting up to follow the teacher out of the classroom. After a few minutes, they were in the video room and the students were accommodating themselves in the chairs, the nearest to the TV as possible. It was hard having a different class, especially when they were in grade 12 of high school. ELI, unlike her classmates, was sitting more in the back, near where Rika remained quietly seated. Her hands were holding her head and her elbows were on her knees.

ELI approached the teacher and gently whispered near her ear, “You okay?” The older one freaked out right away, putting her hand on her chest, but soon smiled upon realizing that it was ELI by her side.

“Miss Swan, you scared me!” The blonde chuckled and sat on the chair next to Rika. “And yes, I'm fine. Only with an annoying headache.”

“That’s why you decided to do a different class today?”

“Exactly. After last night, I can't even think straight,” ELI laughed, thinking about how the word straight seemed ironic to her now.

“Zelena is a great sister, apparently.”

The brunette smiled tenderly, “I'm sure she is.”

They stayed a few intense seconds staring deeply at each other, until ELI said boldly, “I would kiss you right now if we weren't at school.”

Rika bit her lower lip, trying to hide a smirk. The blonde couldn't help her smirk as well as she felt her face reddening slightly with what she had just said.

“So, are you ready for our date tonight?” ELI asked, changing the topic fast, hoping her blushing would go away.

Rika looked astonished at her. “And since when is that a date?”

“Since now,” the blonde smiled mischievously.

“You said it would be normal like before.”

“Maybe it doesn’t have to be,” ELI smirked, approaching slightly as Rika pulled away reluctantly.

“ELI,” she said with a sigh. “We can't have a date.”

“Of course we can. It's not going to be too much. We’re going to have fun as we always do together.”

“I don’t know…” The brunette said, her voice sounding reluctant.

“No one will know about it. Please, Rika?” ELI now was looking at her teacher with pleading eyes. She wanted to have a date with her so badly.

“Fine, Miss Swan. I’ll go on a date with you. Now, tell me where you want to take me.”

“Nope, I’m not telling you,” she smirked playfully when a great idea about the date came to her mind. Now she knew exactly what to do.

“So, I'm not going.” The brunette crossed her arms over her chest and looked straight ahead, where she could see her students paying attention to the movie.

“Oh, c’mon Rika! Don’t you like surprises?”

“Depends on the surprise, Miss Swan.”

The blonde squinted at her, watching her closely. “I’m sorry. You won't know anything until the date. Give me your address so I can pick you up.”

“And how will you pick me up? By walking?” The brunette asked wryly.

“Miss Mills, what an audacity!” ELI replied in the same tone. “You are underestimating me before you even have a date with me. That's not fair.”

“Knowing your age, I'm sure to have my doubts.”

“There you go again with this age thing!” The blonde whispered annoyingly at her teacher, feeling slightly hurt. She hated it when Rika talked about her age. “Apparently, I'm going to have to prove that I'm not just a girl,” ELI left scorn bleed out on her voice.

“Good point,” Rika replied, hiding a smile.

“Careful, Miss Mills,” the blonde began with a sexy tone causing the brunette to gaze at her intensely. “You might be surprised with what I can do,” ELI winked at the brunette and smirked one last time before leaving a slightly open-mouthed teacher behind.

She went to the front of the room and sat next to Ruby.

“Finally, blondie! I thought you'd never come back. You and Miss Mills don't even disguise!” Her friend whispered with a hand on her mouth.

ELI raised her eyebrows. “I was just talking to my teacher like normal kids do,” she shrugged and smiled smugly.

She was getting crazy with anxiety. She felt so excited that she thought she was going to scream! Oh damn, ELI couldn't wait for her date with Miss Mills.

ELI’s afternoon was based on phone calls and notes as she wrote down all the things she needed to make this date perfect. Rika had already taken her to visit the Museum and she had loved it. ELI desperately desired to create the best date Rika had ever been on; she wanted the brunette to be happy and have the utmost fun.

What she had prepared for her teacher was making her quite excited. She hoped so much that Rika would enjoy their date, just as much as she was loving preparing it.

It was 5:30 pm when ELI texted Rika, asking for her address. Seconds later, the brunette replied:

I’m not so sure I should give you my address, Miss Swan.

ELI laughed a little nervous, but then replied:

I promise you won't regret it ;)

Fine. Brookline, Mifflin St, 108.

ELI grinned ridiculously at her phone. Her heart began to beat three times faster and she tried to control it by taking deep breaths. She typed to Rika:

Thank you, Miss Mills. See you soon!

Putting her phone down, she decided to take a cold shower. The adrenaline of knowing that she’d be having a date, a f*****g date, with her history teacher was just hitting her. Holy s**t, ELI never thought she’d be lucky enough for this to happen. 

She quickly finished her shower and opened her wardrobe. Oh, right. This is the final battle. ELI had no idea what to wear and had the obvious impression that her casual clothes would not be good enough for her date with Rika. 

She walked firmly to Ruby's bedroom and found her reading a book in bed. 

“Hey, Rubes!”

The brunette gazed at her quizzically. “Let me guess: you’re indecisive about what to wear and came here to ask for my opinion. Or even to borrow one of my dresses.” ELI nodded, smiling sheepishly at her friend who continued, “I can’t believe you’re asking for it, blondie. You’ve never asked before.”

She shrugged. “Well, there’s a first time for everything, right?”

Her friend flashed her a smile and stood up. “Of course. As I know that you don't have a suitable dress for a date, I will lend you one of mine.” The brunette opened her wardrobe and peered inside. “I have several types: the most slutty to the simplest. Which type do you prefer?”

“The one that less attracts attention?”

“Thought so,” Ruby answered with a sarcastic tone. “I have this one here.” She extended a pink dress and ELI promptly denied. “Black and white?” She extended another, a little too short.

“No.”

“Red?”

“Not really.”

“Yellow?” The blonde rethought because her favourite colour was yellow, but then she denied it. Too flashy.

“ELI, you're so hard to please! Damn, think about Rika. You have to please her!”

ELI nodded reluctantly. “Okay. Give me that long-sleeved white dress.” She pointed to the dress that was hiding in the corner.

“White? That’s boring. How about another colour? To give contrast to your skin.”

“No. You know I don't like dresses.”

Ruby sighed, feeling defeated. “Okay, ELI. It’s your choice.”

xXx

ELI wore a white dress with long sleeves and a gold necklace. She felt pretty and comfortable with this outfit. She put on her favourite perfume and did a light make-up on her face. Her hair remained very wavy, just the way she liked it.

She heard a car horn beep outside the house and rushed down the stairs. Before she could get to the end of the stairs, Ruby stopped her and looked carefully at her outfit. After a sigh of relief, she said, “ELI! You look gorgeous!” And gave her a tight hug.

“ELI, honey, where are you going?” She heard Granny’s voice and turned around.

“Whoa, Granny! I didn't know you were here…” she stopped talking, a little baffled by her situation. ELI thought that Granny would be at the diner, and not at home. And now Granny was going to want an explanation on the intentions of her evening and outfit.

“Where are you going all dressed up like that, young lady?” Her grandma asked quizzically.

ELI chuckled nervously. “I'm going out with… um, a person.”

Granny raised her eyebrows in suspicion. “You’ll be eighteen in a few weeks, my dear. Not today,” she said sweetly, but still with a tone of concern.

“I know, Granny. But today is a very important day for me and rest assured that I'll behave myself.” 

The lady smiled at her and then popped a peck on her cheek. “Where are you going with this person?” 

“We’re going to have dinner.”

“All right. I hope I can meet this person someday, okay?” ELI nodded. “Have fun with your date, honey!” And she left, leaving Ruby and ELI alone.

The door opened and Killian walked in with a smug smile on his face, as always. “Aye, Swan! You look hot!” ELI rolled her eyes but flashed him the privilege of her smile.

“Thank you for lending me your car, Killian.” She took the keys from his hands and smiled in gratitude.

“You're welcome, Swan!” ELI was walking to the door when Killian held her by the shoulders. “But still, there’s one thing that is making me very intrigued.” The blonde crossed her arms, already waiting for something stupid for Killian to say. “I thought it was the man who picked up the woman for their date, not the other way around.”

She gritted her teeth in anger when she heard that. Besides being a sexist, he still had to ask intrusive questions. f**k. Now she immensely regretted borrowing Killian’s car. Damn, ELI couldn't wait to have her own car.

“Killian, although you're being kind enough to lend me your car, I still don't owe you the details of my personal life.” Ruby put her hand over mouth as she laughed at Killian’s annoyed face. “And besides, what you said is extremely sexist. A woman can pick up a man and vice-versa. Get out of your f*****g old-fashioned bubble, man,” she hissed with anger and watched as he raised his hands in defeat, stepping away from her way.

“Jeez, Swan, don’t be so harsh on me.” ELI smiled sarcastically in response, and left the house, feeling as if a weight had left her back.

Ugh, Killian is so exhausting to deal with. For God’s sake!

After the fairly short journey in the car, ELI found Rika’s house... And, jeez, what was that? A mansion? She took a deep breath before getting out of the car and three more steady breaths when she arrived in front of her teacher’s door. When ELI was about to press the doorbell, the door opened and there appeared Rika, dressed as a goddess from head to toe.

Black lace started at the base of her neck and wrapped skintight around her olive arms, ending slightly past her elbows. The dense black material formed in a heart shape clinging elegantly around her chest as the lace encased and helped enhance her ample cleavage. The black material continued clinging to her curves but flowed perfectly over her ass and hips. Her black hair touched her shoulders and the attractive crimson lipstick on plump lips that ELI desired so much to kiss.

“You can close your mouth now, Miss Swan.” ELI closed it immediately, feeling a little embarrassed.

“You don't make it easy,” the blonde answered sassily, shrugging as if it wasn’t her fault. Then, she leaned in closer to the brunette to give her a kiss on the cheek. For now, that little touch of her own lips on Rika’s soft cheeks lasted longer than she expected and made the butterflies in her stomach to fly crazily.

“You look cute in that dress, Miss Swan,” Rika said with a provocative smile on her face that caused ELI’s legs to turn to jelly.

She looked at her own clothes, not understanding why Rika was calling her cute. “Did you just call me cute?”

Rika chuckled throatily. “I may have, Miss Swan.”

The blonde arched her eyebrows at Rika. “You don't mean that, do you?” The teacher crossed her arms over her chest, smirking. “I mean, cute is what you call kids, Rika.”

“Is that what you’re worried about?” ELI nodded promptly. “Yes, you’re cute. But you’re also very beautiful in that dress, dear.”

The blonde grinned, finally feeling satisfied with the compliment. Oh, this woman! “Thank you, Rika.”

The two were in silence for a while, each stuck in each other’s gaze, until the brunette spoke again, “Can we go?”

“Of course,” ELI reached out and grasped Rika’s hand. Luckily the teacher wasn't opposed to the action, so she smiled and led her date to the car.

xXx

Soft music was playing on the radio as they drove to where their date was taking place. Rika was looking out the window of the car with a sweet smile on her face. ELI was holding the urge to pull over the car and kiss her teacher. But she knew she couldn’t just do that. Not now, at least.

ELI noticed that the brunette started shaking her leg restlessly. She let a smile escape when she realized that meant Rika was nervous.

“Feeling nervous, Miss Mills?”

“Maybe a little,” she said with honesty. “I just hope you're not k********g your history teacher, because that would be stupid.” 

ELI let out a giggle. “Rika, it’s just a date. You can relax.” Rika bit her lower lip, avoiding a smile. “We're here,” the blonde said as she finished parking the car.

ELI looked over and found the teacher observing the place in front of them. When she tried to open the car door, ELI stopped her.

“Wait here inside.” ELI got out, walked around the car and opened the door for Rika, extending her hand next.

“Oh, so chivalry isn’t dead, is it?” Rika teased, holding the hand that was extended to her.

“I sure hope not,” she teased back, holding the hand in hers tighter.

They walked towards the entrance, which had a round wooden door covered with green leaves and bunches of purple grapes.

Rika looked at ELI, a radiant expression on her face. “Are we at a wine tasting?”

“Yes, and I hope you haven't been here before.”

“No, I haven’t. Wow, ELI, I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Oh, that I already knew.” The blonde smiled goofily and took Rika’s hand again. This simple gesture was already getting so normal to the blonde that she didn't care anymore. Of course, as long as her teacher didn't. “We’re first going to start with the tasting, and then we're going to a restaurant to have dinner.”

“Well, I guess you’re going to use your fake ID to get in, am I right?” Rika asked, rolling her eyes even before ELI could answer.

Smiling nervously, ELI said, “You got that right.”

“This is wrong in so many ways, Miss Swan,” the brunette said while she shook her head negatively, touching her forehead in the process.

“I know it is… But let’s not think about it that way. We’re here to have fun, okay?”

ELI observed as Rika closed her eyes to take a deep breath. “Let’s go, then.”

“Let’s go!” The blonde grinned and guided the teacher inside.

At the reception, ELI only told her full name to the woman behind the counter and they let her in with Rika. Luckily she had made a reservation during the afternoon and everything was perfectly ready for them.

She led Rika through the few doors and they were finally around the rest of the people that were going to join in for the tour of wine tasting.

A man of about 40 years old was dressed formally and he seemed to be the guy who would explain all the information about wines. ELI was excited. She didn't know anything about wines, and she really wanted to learn something. But mostly with Rika who was by her side.

“Good evening,” the grey-haired man started. “I'm glad you're here today for a journey of wine tasting. I expect that you all will leave here today as an oenologist.” ELI arched a brow in confusion and looked quickly at Rika. “Just kidding. This is just for fun.”

The teacher returned the look and chuckled at the confused face that ELI was doing.

“What is an oenologist?” The blonde whispered in the brunette’s ear.

“People who specialize in analysis or study of wines,” Rika explained calmly. 

“Oh, cool. I help you can help me as well.”

The teacher chuckled throatily. “Yes, I’ll help you. You’re a pleasure to teach,” Rika said while she looked at her deeply with those big chocolate eyes. ELI had to hold on to the table to not fall right there.

“Today you will taste five of the best wines produced at the state of Massachusetts,” the old man continued. “You’ll take advantage of each refinery and tastes provided by these wines.” The man began to walk forward and the group followed him.

Some waiters were waiting behind the bar with several fancy glasses lined up on the counter.

“The name of the first and best wine of the five is Westport Rivers Riesling. This wine really is fantastic,” he added. “Nobody would ever guess it is made in Massachusetts. It could easily be confused for a traditional Champagne. It has wonderful notes of bread and yeast on the nose, small pleasant bubbles, and fresh and crisp finish.” Rika seemed extremely interested in what the man was saying. ELI, on the other hand, was more interested in the concentrated expressions Rika was letting on.

“It’s also been served in the White House numerous times. Anyway, you can taste it now.” The waiters filled several of the wine glasses and Rika took one. ELI quickly did the same.

ELI began to observe her teacher: she held the glass by the stem at the base and looked intently at the wine as if she was analyzing it. She sniffed it before she started swishing it around in the glass. She then started sniffing it again; her eyes closed while she used her sense of smell. Next, she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip of the liquid.

It seemed like hours that ELI watched her teacher taste that wine. She was so serene, seeming to know exactly what she was doing.

When Rika opened her eyes, it shone intensely more than previously. She let out a grin showing her perfect white teeth and ELI returned it immediately. “What?”

“This is really fantastic.” Rika took another sip, releasing a satisfied hum, which made shivers appear on ELI’s body at that melodic sound.

“You seem to be really enjoying this date, Miss Mills,” ELI teased, approaching a few inches closer.

“I am, Miss Swan. You’ve done a great job with this… date… so far.”

ELI smiled genuinely, feeling proud of herself. “I’m glad you think that. Now, if you don’t mind, I was wondering if you would help me?”

Rika smirked while she took another sip of her wine. “Of course, dear. I will teach you step-by-step.” ELI smiled in gratitude. “First, before anything, you should look at the appearance of the wine. You need to decide if it is a young wine or an aged one.”

“And how do I decide that?”

“By the colour, but that's not very important now. Let's move on to the next step: the smell. The most enchanting part of wines are their scents; closed in the bottle for months, years, decades, the wine develops and evolves. The olfactory examination is performed by placing your nose on the rim of the glass and smelling it vigorously.” ELI nodded. “Okay. Now swirl the wine gently and take a good, deep sniff.”

ELI sniffed the wine scent and quickly looked at Rika. “Wow, it smells amazing!” She said excitedly.

“What does it smell like?”

“I don’t know… like grapes?”

Rika rolled her eyes, holding back a smile. “What else can you smell besides grapes?”

“Uh, well, they’re obviously green grapes and maybe there are some nuts in here, I don’t know.”

“That’s correct, Miss Swan. A wine can have a lot of fruits, nuts, and spices. It depends.”

“That’s cool.”