Bound To you

Chapter 1

Summer was officially over and ELI felt like crying. Her senior life was just beginning and she couldn't wait until it was over. She is a student at a public school in Boston, but lately, she hasn't been feeling very happy about her life. It had turned out to be very monotonous, and nothing new happened. It was always the same things, people and friends. She was bored. At school, the teachers were so horrible that her enthusiasm to study decreased every semester.

“Hey, Els! What are your goals for this semester?” Ruby, her best friend, asked happily.

“The same as always, Rubes,” she said bored. “School is still the same and I predict that nothing will be different this semester, for me or the others.”

Ruby nodded affirmatively and they kept walking towards the history room, which would be her first-period class.

“Where is Killian?”  ELI asked, looking around in the hallway.

“Right here, love.” Jones kissed ELI’s and Ruby’s cheek and joined them on the way to class. It was always the same routine. Every semester, Ruby, Killian, and ELI always chose the same classes (so they could be together and gossip during class), with the same teachers, who were boring as hell. You’re probably asking yourself: ‘Why don’t they change their classes if they don't like the teachers?’ The actual fact is that no one likes change, so… they just got used to it. Plus, ELI is in her last year, thankfully, so why change now?

“I hate history class,” Killian muttered with a bored look as he sat on his chair with Ruby by his side.

“Mr. Henderson is cool, don't you think?” Ruby asked with sarcasm which made ELI and Killian laugh.

“History lost its importance to me a long time ago,” ELI commented with a bored tone. When she looked at her friends to continue the conversation,  she realized they were looking  straight ahead as if they were hypnotized. “What are you-”

ELI looked forward and immediately froze: her heart began beating three times faster; her hands started sweating; her mouth became dry, even though she had drunk water a few minutes ago.

What the hell?

Who is that woman?

“Good morning, students.” The woman grinned, showing her incredibly white teeth. “I am the new history teacher. My name is Rika Mills and it's a pleasure to meet you all.”

The whole classroom remained in silence while Miss Mills’ smile faded slowly. ELI looked behind her and saw everyone equally paralyzed by this new teacher as they murmured quietly between themselves.

ELI already expected that reaction. After years with a fat, bald teacher who spat while speaking, looking at this woman is like having eye drops for sore eyes.

“The pleasure is ours, Miss Mills ,” August said with a provocative tone and the teacher smiled politely at him. 

“I know it's hard for you all to have a change of teacher after so many years with the same one. But I'm sure we're going to have some fun!” The whole classroom cheered happily after hearing that. With a new teacher like her,  they could literally cry of happiness.

The class progressed and while Miss Mills spoke of her methods of teaching, the students smiled at her or said sweet words. Sweet words? Well, that had never happened before. In previous years, the maximum compensation that Mr. Henderson got from the students were some fake smiles or not even that. The students sometimes barely looked at the boring, grumpy man they had as a teacher.

But right now, ELI was focusing on everything that was going on, maybe even too much. She was watching every steady step that the woman was taking. She noticed how shiny her hair was; the way her plump lips moved when she spoke incredibly wise words. ELI checked the woman out from head to toe: she had dark brown hair, the length barely reaching her shoulders and large, chocolate eyes that could keep anyone trapped in seconds. The teacher was wearing a dark, grey dress that went down to her knees and opened in the area of her ample cleavage; her long sexy legs making it impossible not to stare, the movement of ELI’s eyes traveling up slim curves more than once.

Her concentration was gone by the time a piece of lined paper reached her desk. It was a written note from Ruby:

Look at Killian’s face! He is in love with Miss Mills.

ELI quickly looked at him and viewed her friend mesmerized, smiling non-stop at the brunette in front of him. As weird as it was, ELI didn't like his expression of sheer glee and… attraction. She suddenly wanted Killian to stop looking at their teacher like that, and when she searched in her head for reasons as to why she was feeling like that, she found none. 

The lesson was over faster than normal, and then they had to attend another class period, which would be boring as hell — that if no other stunning teacher appeared out of nowhere. When ELI entered her next class, her concentration was utterly gone, so she just sat there and lowered her head onto the table. She wanted to sleep, but she couldn't get Miss Mills out of her mind. She wanted to stop thinking about that woman but realized she really couldn't.

xXx

The next day, the hard-working students of Miss Mills’ history class received a surprise: they weren’t going to have history class every day anymore as it used to in previous years. It was now only occurring on Thursdays and Fridays; the other days were going to be physical education. ELI loved p.e. classes, but she was kinda hoping that she would see that gorgeous brunette every day. Boston High seemed less boring with her there.

As if switching history to physical education wasn't enough, there was still a chorus of comments in the hallways about the new history teacher that caused ELI to feel a bit nauseous. Some rumours eventually leaked saying that the reason why the school reduced the number of history classes per week was that a lot of students had heard about this new teacher, and suddenly were keen on studying history. ELI thought all of that was bullshit; those people were simply a bunch of horny perverts. The blonde cringed every time she heard boys talking in the hallway about how hot and gorgeous the new teacher was. ELI wondered for a while if the teacher knew what had been happening since she arrived in school. If she knew, would she be so bothered like ELI was? 

In fact, ELI shouldn’t be thinking about any of this. She had nothing to do with Rika Mills. The woman was just the new teacher, right? ELI didn’t even understand why she was so bothered by those boys. She had even hooked up with one of them once. Nothing of this mattered. ELI had to stop wasting her time thinking about this woman.

“Hey, ELI!” She heard someone screaming her name down the hallway and turned around quickly, watching in apprehension as Ruby ran towards her looking flustered and out of breath. “What are you doing here?”

ELI shrugged, not understanding the question. “I’m going to class like everyone else. I need to-”

“No, don’t even bother. Miss Mills is at the theatre doing a drama history class of sorts. Everyone who’s taking her classes is there! Let's go!”

ELI didn't have time to think as Ruby grasped her wrist and dragged her towards the theatre. When they arrived there, ELI couldn't believe what was in front of her eyes: Killian Jones was on the stage along with several other boys dressed in military uniforms, while Miss Mills perfectly explained the 100 Years' War loud on the microphone.

“And now, finally, I just need the name of the woman who faced England, her country’s rival, and is an important influence in French history. Do any of you know who she is?”

The students were silent for a moment until ELI — feeling her heart beat crazily hard inside her chest — said aloud and clear, “Joan of Arc.”

Everyone looked at her, including Miss Mills. She had a different look in her eyes and a satisfied smile quickly spread across her face beautiful face. ELI lost herself for a moment in those brown eyes which penetrated her own. Her hands started sweating and her body stopped static. Luckily, Ruby was at her side, otherwise, she would have fallen.

Miss Mills began clapping and all the present students followed her gesture. ELI blushed a little and Ruby laughed at her, as she pulled her towards the stage.

What the hell?  ELI thought and stopped walking instinctively, not understanding why she was being corralled towards the stage.

“Let’s go, ELI! Miss Mills is calling you up there!” ELI's eyes widened and she felt dizzy instantly.

When she was able to notice what was happening again, she was already up on stage with Miss Mills holding her shoulders and grinning at her.

“Come with me, Miss Swan,” that sweet, raspy voice sounded so close to her that ELI couldn't help but sigh in contentment. A warm and tender hand pulled her to the corner of the stage where it was dark and covered by red curtains. 

“What are we-”

“You will act.”

“No, I won’t,” ELI answered too fast, surprising Miss Mills a little. “I mean… I don't know how to perform.”

“You know who Joan of Arc is, don't you?” ELI nodded. “Then you will know how to perform who she is. It’s nothing complicated, I promise you.” Again, that proud smile was directed at her.

Miss Mills walked away for a few seconds, but then came back with a wooden sword and handed it to ELI. “What's this?” She asked quietly, eyeing the piece of wood warily.

“Just relax, Miss Swan.” And again, that soft and warm hand touched hers and pulled her on the stage.

“This is Joan of Arc.” Rika pointed to ELI. The blonde smiled sheepishly at the audience while Miss Mills continued, “In Medieval times, Joan of Arc was born in France, in the year 1412 and died in 1431, after defending her country against England.” ELI rose her sword in the air and the crowd giggled at the foolish act, as well as Miss Mills. “In view of this, Joan was transformed into a Saint, in the year 1920.” 

ELI made a prayer gesture in which both of her hands glued to her chest and that fired up the audience with more giggles and applauses. 

“I hope you do not forget who this woman is because she is one of the most important in history. Thank you for participating in this drama history class. It was just an idea that I had to make my classes more creative. I hope you liked it.” The audience and all the students stood up from their chairs and clapped their hands at Miss Mills. The brunette smiled in appreciation and walked behind the curtains, pulling ELI with her.

“You did very well, Miss Swan.”

“Thank you, Miss Mills,” ELI replied shyly and a shiver ran down her spine when Rika stared at her as if she was reading her soul. Those brown eyes were so deep. ELI had never experienced a stare so intense before. ELI had to swerve this situation because otherwise, she wouldn't know what to do. “I-I think I should go,” she stuttered, giving the woman a small smile while still feeling a little embarrassed. She then started walking towards the exit.

“See you in class, ELI,” that voice pronouncing her name made her stop right away.

ELI only just noticed that Miss Mills had been calling her by her full name all this time. That reminded her that the teacher hadn't taken attendance on the first day of class. How did she know ELI’s name?

ELI turned around, finding Miss Mills with her arms crossed over her chest and a smirk on her face. “How do you know my full name?” As much dumb as it sounded, ELI couldn't resist asking. It seemed that Miss Mills knew more about her than the other students… or was she just imagining things?

“I am a teacher, Miss Swan,” the brunette said pointedly. “It’s part of my job to know the name of my students.” She smirked once again and turned her back to ELI. “Have a good day.”

xXx

It had been months since ELI had suffered from insomnia and this was turning out to be one of the worst insomnia inflictions of her life. The truth was that she couldn't stop thinking about Miss Mills. All she wanted to know was why. Why was that woman intriguing her?

Her thoughts didn’t help her one bit. ELI hated herself for thinking so much about who she shouldn’t be thinking. She had just met that teacher two days ago and the woman was already causing her all this damage. ELI just wanted to know why.

 xXx

It was Thursday. The last period was history class with Miss Mills; the first two were mathematics and chemistry with annoying teachers, so the majority of the students used them to take naps. Well, ELI wanted to be able to take a nap just like her classmates, but the terrible insomnia didn’t let her sleep anymore. Even though she wasn’t able to sleep in school, the classes went by like a blur in front of her eyes because all she could think about was Miss Mills and her instant intervention in her own life. All of that was becoming excruciating for the blonde the bear. She wondered how long it would take for all of it to be over.

At lunchtime, ELI could barely eat. Her eyes constantly surveyed the hallways, wondering if she could catch a glimpse of Miss Mills. Ruby was not talking much while she até and that was a bit odd, but neither Killian or ELI object. Killian, actually, seemed to be looking for something too; but ELI didn’t care enough at the time to ask what he was looking for. She was too busy for that.

“Hey, you silent fools,” Ruby deadpanned. “What the hell is going on with you two? Why aren’t you talking and entertaining me like every lunch?” Ruby asks, seeming a bit annoyed about the situation.

“I am looking for someone,” Killian said without averting his eyes from the halls.

“Who? Miss Mills?” When she heard that name, ELI immediately turned towards Ruby.

“Perhaps.” He flashed her a cheeky grin and ELI felt her teeth squeak.

“What about you, ELI? You’ve been acting weird since yesterday. You look like you didn't sleep well. What's happening, blondie?” Ruby stretched out her hand on the table to take ELI’s.

“I couldn't sleep last night.”

“The insomnia is back?”

“I think so.”

“But why? What have you been thinking about that prevents you from sleeping?”

ELI’s mind was suddenly invaded with images of a beautiful brunette smiling brightly at her. Shaking her head from side to side, she tried to send away the image and decided to lie to her friend:

“School is already driving me crazy. You know how it is,” she says and Ruby nods reluctantly.

“Yeah, sure.”

xXx

The last period finally arrived and ELI and her friends settled quietly on their respective places. Miss Mills entered the room a few minutes later, walking gracefully in front of everyone. 

“Good morning! How is everyone today?”

A loud buzz of murmurs started in the room and smiles ere directed at the woman.

“I am much better now, Miss Mills,” Killian said, causing his dumb male friends to laugh. Miss Mills gave them a tight smile and ELI felt like that was a win.

To be honest, ELI wasn’t enjoying any of this. These boys should have more respect, especially now that they in front of the woman. They should keep their dirty mouths shut.

“Anyway, today our history lesson will be summed up in a review of World War I. I will test your knowledge through oral questions.”

Everyone remained silent as Miss Mills started walking around, her stilettos being the only sound in the room while she gazed intently at her students. ELI observed her, just like everyone else, realizing that the teacher’s gaze somehow always came back to her. Although ELI was in the other side of the room and far away from the teacher, their eyes always found a way to meet on the way. And that made the blonde feel kind of baffled.

“Who can tell me one of the major causes of World War I?”

The room remained silent and Miss Mills crossed her arms, causing her breasts to lift. ELI’s eyes were immediately driven to that area, and she imagined her classmates had done the same thing. ELI was practically dying on the inside. She knew the answer to the question, but was still slightly distracted by Miss Mills’ cleavage. Plus, something in her mind told her that if she answered it, her voice would fail in talking to the woman that now seemed so intimidating to everyone.

“Won’t you answer? Or don't you know the answer?”

ELI took a deep breath and gave up thinking too much. Her behaviour was bullshit! What was she doing? Miss Mills was just a normal teacher who wanted answers to her questions.

“Um, militarism is one of the causes,” ELI said casually, silently praising herself for sounding so put together. Surprised eyes were hastily dragged to her as if she was an alien. However, she was unfazed by her classmates’ staring. The only eyes that she could look at now were Miss Mills’, accompanied by a smirk that had formed on the brunette’s lips. With confidence boosting in her veins, she continued, “Technological advancements created a new generation of high-tech weapons that generals were eager to try out. So generals in all great nations of Europe believed they could win any war they entered.”

“That’s great, Miss Swan.” Rika kept smirking at her, then uncrossed her arms and started walking around the room again.

When ELI glanced around at her classmates, she realized that everybody had their eyes still pinned on her. They were all open-mouthed, including her best friends. They probably had no idea that anyone in their right mind would actually learn history with an annoying teacher like Mr. Henderson. But ELI used to study alone at home and she had a secret passion for the subject.

“Who knows another cause?”

And again, the room remained quiet. After a few unbearable minutes, everyone looked at ELI with some hope that she would say something. And that's what she did with the greatest pleasure, “The Alliance System. All the great powers in Europe created alliances with one another. If one country in an alliance was attacked, all members of that alliance were then required to join in the war to protect their fellow member.” 

“Again, well done, Miss Swan,” Miss Mills said with no emotion in her voice while everyone looked intently at her, seeming slightly scared by the sudden events of the class. “I see that only one of you knows history. And let's admit that that will be a problem,” she paused and turned her piercing gaze to ELI. “Except for Miss Swan.”

Miss Mills turned to the board and wrote a title that ELI didn’t bother to read. The only thing she could think of was Miss Mills’ last words:

‘Except for Miss Swan.’

And her incredibly peachy, firm ass.

Oh God, why was she looking at Miss Mills' ass? 

And why did her voice sound so irresistibly sexy, yet so scary?

By the way, why did she think that Miss Mills was sexy?

What the hell was going on with her?