Bound To you

Chapter 5

Something about Rika’s demeanour turned different now, but ELI didn’t know what it was. 

“I am a grown-up woman, Rika!” ELI said a little high pitch. “Besides, I’ll be eighteen in four weeks, and I consider myself a very mature woman. Physical age cannot begin to compare with my mental age, Miss Mills. Some people can be decrepitly old and still act like a stupid teenager. I am quite mature and my experience in life is way beyond someone my age.”

Rika arched her eyebrows and looked sharply at ELI. “The age does not interfere, ELI,” the brunette said with a calm tone. “Why did you get so mad at me questioning you in this way?” She finished with a tone of defiance.

“I didn’t get mad, Rika.” ELI let out a sigh. “I just want to show you that I'm a woman just like you. The only difference we have is our profession.” 

Rika nodded slowly, and she placed the menu felt on the table and leaned in closer to ELI by resting her elbows onto the hard surface of the table. When ELI realized her teacher’s intents, she leaned in as well as her lips turned slightly up at the sudden gesture.

“So you're not just a teenage girl? You’re a woman instead?” Rika questioned with the same tone of provocation used before.

“Exactly.”

The brunette sighed as she leaned back quickly, causing ELI to frown this time. “I’m not convinced, Miss Swan,” Rika said and took back the menu in her hands.

ELI swallowed and crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a bit defensive. “Well, I don’t know why you need to be convinced of that, but… it sounds like a challenge to me. How do I prove it to you that I am a woman, Miss Mills?” ELI asked, confidence bursting inside of her chest.

“That’s up to you to discover, Miss Swan,” Rika replied with a small smirk.

ELI couldn’t help but feel slightly defeated at Rika’s comment. She had no clue how to prove to her teacher that she was a grown-up/mature woman. She had no idea why Rika wasn’t convinced. The thought of her teacher thinking of her as merely an annoying student was enough to make her feel awful. f**k, this woman was driving her crazy!

ELI got lost in thoughts for a moment while she watched Rika read the menu for long minutes. She wanted to lean in closer to her again, feel the warmth of her body and even whisper in her ear that she could be the woman Rika wanted to see. But no, she couldn’t and wouldn’t do that. Her confidence had turned to nothingness after what the teacher had said. 

Her phone vibrated loudly on the table and the display lighted up, showing that it was another call from Graham. She looked at the brunette in front of her and saw that she stared directly at her phone screen. ELI canceled the call again and smiled shyly at Rika. She didn't want her teacher to know about… about anything that happened with the boys at school. ELI didn’t want Rika to think that she was unavailable, even if nothing would ever happen between them. ELI just didn’t want Rika to know anything about her past flings with some boys.

“Why are you not answering your calls, Miss Swan?” The teacher asked sharply, her dark eyes back at staring at the menu in her hands.

“I don't want to talk to this person.”

“By this person, you mean Graham Humbert, from grade twelve, who takes my classes on the second-period?” Rika asked without taking her eyes off the menu.

The blonde swallowed dry before answering, “Yes. That’s him.”

“Don't worry about me, Miss Swan. You can answer Mr. Humbert’s call.” ELI could hear the irony in Rika’s voice and this realization caused butterflies to appear in her stomach.

Is it possible that Rika was jealous? No, it couldn’t be. ELI was reading her wrong. Right?

“I'd rather be talking to you than to answer his call. He’s so boring,” ELI said with a grimace.

“Oh, so you think I am as bad as your boyfriend?” Rika remarks, her eyes shining with annoyance.

ELI raised her eyebrows, surprised by the teacher’s question. “Rika, of course not. Why would you think that? And Graham is not my boyfriend and never will be.”

Rika took a deep breath and looked away from the blonde. “Well, I’m sorry for assuming that. I just...” She sighed before continuing, “I don't want you to stay here by obligation. I know it’s Friday night and you probably had other plans with your friends before I dragged you to the museum. If you want to go, you can go. I won’t mind.” 

ELI wanted someone to put her inside a straitjacket just to prevent her from doing whatever she now wanted to do, but the will of her body was larger than her poor little mind. Without thinking twice, her hand crossed the table and grasped Rika’s. She started caressing the smooth, warm skin of the brunette's hand, causing the latter to finally look into her eyes and then switch to ELI’s hand covering hers.

“Rika, don't you think that if I wanted to be with my friends, I would be already?” The brunette scoffed, ready to pull her hand away from ELI’s grasp, but the blonde didn’t let her. “I like spending time with you and, besides, instead of listening to the crap that my friends talk about, I can hear all your wisdom about history and many other things.” Rika let out a chuckle, and ELI grinned at that wonderful sound, yet not releasing the warm and soft hand she was holding. “I mean it, Rika. I want to be here tonight, okay?”

The brunette shrugged and then stared longingly at their hands together on the table as she gently stroked ELI’s fingers. Then, reluctantly, she pulled her hand away. “I think I'm going to order a burger too.” ELI smiled when she heard that comment.

Nothing could take away the smile that sprung up constantly on her face when she was with Rika. She sincerely loved to spend time with her and wanted to do that many, many other times.

xXx

“You’re dropped off safely, ELI,” Rika said when she turned off the engine of the car in front of ELI’s house.

The two locked eyes at each other for a moment; it seemed like they wanted to say something, but instead, they remained in silence. ELI let out a wistful sigh and stopped thinking for a moment. After everything that had happened today, she was no longer afraid of her own behaviour and her teacher’s reaction.

She leaned closer and kissed Rika’s cheek, a sheepishly smile spreading across her face as she said, “Thank you for tonight, Rika. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

The brunette nodded with a smile and then said, “I enjoyed it too.”

ELI opened the door of the car and got out, stopping by the open window a second later to stare at the beautiful brunette one last time.

“Have a good night, Rika.”

“Night, ELI.” 

And she sped up, gone in seconds.

ELI was left behind with her lips tingling. She wanted to kiss Rika again, even if it was on the cheek. The soft skin that came in contact with her lips made her mind cross beyond the invisible line and she started thinking of all the experiences and sensations she now knew that she wanted to delve into and enjoy with Regi-

“ELI! What are you doing outside in the dark?” She heard Granny’s voice and turned to the door of her house.

“Oh, Granny, I’m sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts.”

“Where were you, young lady?” Granny asked bossily and ELI couldn't resist laughing. “Ruby only just got home! Look at the time! Who decided you two could come home so late?” Granny placed her hands on her waist and shook her head negatively. “Come inside right now, ELI Swan!” The blonde laughed again as she walked into the house.

She could admit that she loved how concerned Granny got with her and Ruby. It was so funny and it made her laugh every time. Especially now that all she could do was smile over the events of her great life. Plus, nobody before Granny had truly ever cared for her that way a parent should. It truly made her heart warm in a way it never had before, in a blessed way a true parent could bring.

The exam week had arrived and the school was in complete chaos. ELI — for the first time in her life — was really studying hard for all the tests, especially the history test. She wanted to try her best and show to Rika that she was very responsible.

Yes, things were still the same and all she could think about was Rika. After last Friday, when they went out together, was the last time they talked properly. The exam week had arrived and, as much as she wanted to go out with Rika again, or at least to talk and catch up with her after class, nothing worked out for them because ELI had to study and the teacher was probably very busy marking all the tests. The only time they saw each other was during the history classes, which were always very busy since Rika had to explain over and over again all the topics that would probably be on the test. There were many students who weren’t quite ready yet, so the teacher had to help them at all times. ELI just wished this week would end soon. When the day of the history test arrived, the blonde felt slightly nervous. She had studied very hard the day before, even knowing that she was well prepared for the test the morning after. She had promised to herself that she would get an A+ on this test and all the others that would come. Everyone already knew that she was the best student in their history class, but maybe Rika needed ELI to show her more so she could believe that the blonde was the best student in her class.

ELI sat in her chair quietly, her heart quieting its frantic beats for a few seconds. Tinker hadn’t arrived yet, and Ruby had just crossed the door with a worried expression, walking hastily towards ELI with three books perched in her hands.

“ELI, I'm f*****g scared of doing badly on the history test,” Ruby candidly admitted.

“Why, Rubes? You studied last night, didn’t you?”

“Yes, of course! But it’s Miss Mills, ELI! I’m really scared of what she will add to the test and what if I haven’t studied a certain topic? I’m gonna be screwed!” 

“Of course not, Rubes. You’ll do great. Just believe in yourself. Her tests must not be so hard like everyone thinks.”

“Well, I certainly hope so. To be honest, just by looking at her imposing presence I feel small and I'm f*****g taller than her!” ELI laughed at her nervous friend, silently agreeing with Rika being so imposing and intimidating. “Oh, but you don’t have to worry about any of this s**t, am I right? You already know everything, you motherfu-”

“Whoa, whoa!” ELI raised her hands in front of her chest. “Don’t be pissed at me, Rubes. It’s not my fault I like the subject and am good at it.”

“What about the private lessons she has been giving you, huh?” Ruby hissed so no one other than them both could hear.

“Ruby, please, don’t start,” ELI hissed back. “I had one extra class with Miss Mills, but that doesn't make me better than anyone. I just love the subject.”

“I don’t think the subject is the only thing you love, blondie.” Ruby winked suggestively at her and dodged away when ELI tried to push her on the shoulder.

“Don’t say nonsense like that, Rubes! I don’t love-”

Right at that instant, Rika walked in with her usual handbag and this time she carried the test sheets in her arms as well. ELI instantly blushed, remembering what Ruby had stupidly implied and rolled her eyes at her crazy friend as she watched the teacher walk hastily towards her desk.

“Good morning, students! Are you anxious for the test?” Miss Mills asked with a sweet smile. 

Today she was wearing a pencil skirt, along with a black pantyhose and a white, dress shirt that was tight against her chest area. ELI was drawn to that area for a few seconds, wondering how it would feel to touch her breasts-

“I’ll begin delivering the tests to your desks. I want no one making any noise as I do that.” ELI swallowed hard and shook her head slightly from side to side so those inappropriate thoughts would go away. She had to concentrate on the test only.

Rika slowly delivered the tests to each desk, and when she got to ELI’s desk, she looked deeply into her eyes and then smiled sweetly at her before continuing on her way to the other students behind the blonde. ELI swallowed again, her body getting hot all over for having Rika so close to her for brief seconds. Clearly, her body had no control whatsoever when it came to Rika. ELI just didn’t know why it felt that way; why it was so hard to get rid of those weird sensations she couldn’t quite nominate. 

The room remained quiet while Miss Mills finished delivering the tests, and when she was done with them, ELI could finally focus on the questions of the sheet in front of her.

“Good luck to you all!” Rika said, at last, before everyone focused solemnly on their tests.

ELI finished hers in twenty minutes, maximum. When she stood up to deliver the test back to the teacher, all the other students stared at her: some with surprise and others with annoyance. Rika smiled at ELI as she grabbed the test from her hands and the blonde retributed her smile. Then, she left the history room, feeling happier than ever.

Who would know that doing a history test could make her feel so happy?

xXx

ELI spent the remaining 30 minutes of history class at the small garden just outside of the halls. She had a view to the patio from there and there was no one from her history class hanging out, so it proved that her fellow classmates were still busy doing their tests. While she stayed out there, ELI was once again lost in thoughts about Rika and her majestic presence. Everything about her intrigued ELI in a way she had never felt for anyone ever in her life before. ELI knew that she had a new crush, and accepted that. What she was actually trying to pretend it didn’t exist was the huge desire she had for that woman, and tried to send away all the dirty thoughts she had about the teacher. These past few months, ELI had been daydreaming of Rika quite often, thinking about her body and how it would feel if she ever had the chance to touch her anywhere. ELI’s most desire was to kiss her plump, red-painted lips. She was sure they would feel very, very soft against her own lips. That, though, was a dream come true. It would never happen.

“Lost in thoughts again, blondie?” Ruby interrupted her from her thoughts as she squeezed ELI’s shoulder. “Thinking about the teacher who’s gonna fail almost every student this semester?”

ELI smirked. “You’re kidding, right? You found the test that hard?”

“Well, not actually, no. But Killian and some other boys did. Even Tinker. She said she will be roasted.”

“Oh, damn.”

“Yes, blondie, oh damn.”

xXx

After school ended, ELI went home to have lunch with her family. Granny would be there too today since she had hired a new employee to help her at the diner. Sometimes ELI and Ruby went over to Granny’s diner to help their grandma, but the latter had to require for more help during the weekdays since her granddaughters couldn’t because of school. 

When lunch was over, Granny had to head out straight to work while ELI and Ruby stayed at home by themselves. The exam week was over, finally, and they both felt relieved. In spite of that, there would be a load of assignment to be done and delivered soon enough. 

While Ruby played some games on the computer, ELI found herself staring at the ceiling with nothing to do. It was obvious that someone was in her head, as usual, but ELI kept thinking of what Rika would be doing right now. Did she go home after school today? Did she stay at school to mark the tests? Was she bored, once again, and needed ELI to cheer her up?

Probably not, right? ELI shouldn’t go there. What if Rika didn’t like when she visited that much anymore? What if ELI going there only distracted her from her duties?

Ugh. Those thoughts and possibilities did no good to her poor mind. ELI was only human. She just wanted to be close to her teacher, to talk to her, to… to hug her, maybe?

“Lost in thoughts again, blondie? You are seriously in love,” Ruby said, causing the blonde to roll her eyes at her.

“Stop saying that I am in love. That’s not true. It’s just a crush.”

“On a teacher,” the brunette said pointedly.

“Unfortunately yes.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“I… I just wanted to visit her at school again, no big deal.”

“Why don’t you go, then?”

“What if she doesn’t want me there anymore?”

“Well, blondie, you’ll only know that if you go there.”

ELI sighed. “You really think I should go?”

“Why not? You’re not doing anything right now, so…”

The blonde frowned, then bit her lower lip thoughtfully. “Yeah, I guess I’ll go. If she doesn’t want me there, I’m sure she will say it.”

“I’m sure, too.”

With confidence boosting, ELI stood up to leave with an excited Ruby trailing behind her down the stairs until they reached the front door.

“I’ll see you later, Rubes,” she said as she grabbed the car keys from the key holder.

“See ya, Emms. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, eh?”

ELI rolled her eyes but there was a small smirk forming on her lips. She turned on the engine and drove off to school with her heart beating insanely fast inside her chest. It was almost 5 pm when she got there, and there was a huge chance of Rika not being present at this hour. 

The door was open, as usual, so ELI walked in quickly towards Rika’s office. She took two full deep breaths and then knocked quietly on the door.

“Come in,” came the voice from the room, and ELI smiled.

“Uh, hi!” She greeted awkwardly with a wave of her hand. “You’re still here.”

“I am, indeed.” There was a pause before Rika continued, “I didn’t expect you to come to visit today.”

“Oh, I… I just figured you’d be here marking the tests and… is that what you’re doing?”

Rika smiled. “Yes.”

“Well, great then because I’d love to see my mark if you… uh, if you corrected my test already, that is.” ELI laughed nervously and averted her eyes from the deep brown pools.

“You seem a little nervous today, ELI. Are you okay?”

ELI had no clue why she was acting this way. Maybe the adrenaline of all those thoughts she was having made a number on her.

“Yes, I am. Just a lot on my mind today, so… have you marked my test yet?”

“You only came here for that, Miss Swan?”

ELI frowned. “Well, I… kinda?” She unsurely asked.

A disappointed expression formed on the teacher’s face. “I'm not going to show you your mark, Miss Swan,” she said coolly.

ELI flinched slightly at the answer. “Uh, why not?”

“Because it’s not right if I show it to you first when all your other classmates will have to wait to see it next week.”

“Oh,” ELI murmured, feeling dumb and stupid all of a sudden. “I’m sorry, I-”

She was interrupted by Rika’s loud sigh. The teacher looked away from ELI and continued correcting the tests on the table.

ELI swallowed the lump in her throat. She obviously didn’t come here just to see her mark. She came here for Rika and her only. She’s the reason ELI’s mind and body are turning upside down.

Without thinking twice, she mumbled quietly, “I didn’t come here just for that.” 

Rika looked up to meet green eyes. “What did you say?”

“I would never just visit you for that,” ELI said, feeling her hands sweat as her eyes locked onto Rika’s for a couple of seconds. Then, the teacher averted her eyes from ELI’s again and proceeded to correct the tests.

A period of silence passed in the room and neither of them spoke a word for quite a while. ELI couldn’t understand what was happening to her, nor with Rika. She still looked disappointed for some reason that the blonde didn’t know why. But ELI was persistent; she wanted to stay there and be near to Rika; she wanted this weird tension between them to go away and everything to go back to normal, just like it was when they went out to Harvard Square. Maybe the teacher just needed some cheering up? She seemed a bit tired today.

With a confident smile on her face, ELI approached the teacher’s desk and placed both of her hands on the edge, leaning in to look deeper into brown orbs. 

Rika raised her stare from the table and looked at ELI. “What are you doing?”

The blonde bit her lower lip and then said, “I think I know how to persuade you to show me my mark.”

Rika flashed her a smirk and then dropped her red pen to cross her arms over her chest. “You think you’re capable of that?” She provoked, her eyes challenging.

“I think I might be. Uh, so I’ll be right back,” ELI said and then ran out of the office, going directly to the music room.

She had a crazy idea in her mind that might not go so well in real life. ELI liked to sing and she can play the guitar and piano, but she hasn’t sung in front of anyone ever, not even Ruby because ELI was never sure of her ‘talents’ — if she can call it that way. But now, ELI wanted to impress Rika somehow and singing was the only idea she had at the moment.

ELI surveyed the room for a guitar and luckily she found one. She grabbed it and then went back to the office with her heart bursting out from her chest. Oh, God. She was really going to do this.

She took a deep breath.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four f*****g deep breaths.

There was no way of calming her crazy heart right now when she was about to sing for the most intimidating, majestically stunning, intelligent woman she has ever met. And not only that — the woman that she had taken to hopelessly liking too much and feeling deep sensations that she shouldn't be feeling at all.

ELI quickly sent those thoughts away and opened the door to Rika’s office. The teacher looked up as soon as the blonde passed by the door and locked eyes with her. ELI flashed her beautiful teacher a small, nervous smile while she adjusted the guitar in her arms. Rika dropped her red pen again and rested her chin on her hand, ready to watch whatever ELI was going to play.

She took another deep breath and then she finally felt courageous enough to start playing: her skillful fingers touched the strings, formed the chords and then she began to play, strumming softly.

Without hesitation, her lips moved and her voice flowed softly in the room, singing the first verses of the song:

I never thought that you

Would be the one to hold my heart

But you came around

And you knocked me off the ground from the start

You put your arms around me

And I believe that is easier for you to let me go

You put your arms around me and I'm home

There was a slight surprise on Rika’s face, but when ELI smiled nervously at her once again, the brunette’s lips twitched into a smile.

How many times will you let me change my mind and turn around?

I can't decide if I'll let you save my life

Or if I'll drown

I hope that you see right through my walls

I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling

I'll never let our love get so close

You put your arms around and I'm home

ELI now stared at her with her eyes fixed, not caring if she was doing badly or not. She just wanted to show how she felt about Rika through this song. And the brunette reciprocated to the song by smiling brightly while looking so amazed at ELI, her mouth slightly agape in shock.

The world is coming down

And I can't find a reason to be loved

I never wanna leave you

But I can't make you bleed if I'm alone

You put your arms around me

And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go.

I hope that you see right through my walls

I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling

I'll never let our love get so close

You put your arms around and I'm home

ELI saw Rika biting her lower lip, and this simple gesture caused innumerable sensations to her body.

I try my best to never let you in

To see the truth

And I've never opened up

I've never truly loved till you

Put your arms around me

And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go

I hope that you see right through my walls

I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling

I'll never let out love get so close

You put your arms around and I'm home

ELI finished singing and lowered her head, smiled sheepishly as well as feeling slightly embarrassed due to what she had just done. She really hoped that Rika liked her voice and the song, just as she had loved to sing it for her. But she was too scared to ask now…

“ELI!” Rika stood up and walked over to the blonde. ELI put her guitar on the couch and walked to meet the teacher as well. “Wow, I mean, what was that?” 

She shrugged, not knowing how to respond to that exactly. 

“I didn't know you could sing, ELI.”

“I… I can’t sing. This was just… ugh,” she huffed and then scratched the back of her head disconcertingly. “I just wanted to impress you but I… I don't think you really liked this, Rika.” ELI looked away from the brunette’s gaze, her face burning of embarrassment.

“What? Of course not, ELI. I loved every minute of it. You have a beautiful voice. I am just… in love with your voice,” the teacher said, pulling ELI's hands to tangle their fingers.

ELI was completely mesmerized by Rika’s compliment about her voice. She was so happy that her first instinct was to lean in closer to the teacher with a huge grin on her face. Their intertwined fingers seemed the perfect tangle. ELI never wanted to loosen them.

“You really impressed me today, ELI,” Rika said in a meek tone. “That was amazing.” In a sudden movement, the teacher embraced ELI tightly, bringing the blonde’s body firmly against hers. ELI’s hand moved swiftly to the brunette's curvy waist, pulling her instinctively closer while the latter stroked her hair with her fingers.