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Chapter 3~ Vivica

As class started, Merrick came out of his back office with the overhead projector in his brawny aged hands. He was probably a little over six feet, not a particularly large man, but he carried that heavy outdated machine like it was nothing. You never know about some people. Merrick was young, self assured, and unconventional to the core; he wore jeans and a button up pinstriped shirt, untucked and unkempt. He had a five o'clock shadow, not the kind that was impossible to get rid of, but the kind that just implied that he didn't give a s**t. The only reason he got away with this is his prestigious schooling; no PTA member could touch him.

"So, I don't suppose you guys knew that I was once a theology major?" He raised his glance to the class. "No? Well I was once, so I decided about five minutes ago that I should share some of my experience with the class." This was what I loved about this class, and about Merrick's teaching style-- the spontaneity of it all. It kept me from drifting off. Of course the fact that Merrick was incredibly handsome didn't hurt any.

It was only when he called attendance that he noticed that there was a new student in class. It was strange though, Merrick is not easily surprised or taken back by meeting a new person, but when he saw Ray he carefully looked him over, as if there was something funny on his face. Merrick dismissed it gracefully and kept on with his lesson plan, though it seemed Ray hadn't even noticed.

After that incident, we spent the next hour looking at different religious paintings and relics, symbolizing a deity from most the major philosophies. Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Greek Mythology were just a few of the subjects we covered. He was careful to only lightly touch on each of their philosophies, to stay focused on the style that each brought to their art and which countries tended to produce the works of each. It hadn't seemed like any time had gone by when the class was dismissed for second hour.

"What class do you have next Ray?" I queried. Ray stood up gathering his bag from the floor.

"I believe World History with Mrs. Graham." He paused, making eye contact, smiling impetuously, "Do you know where that is?"

I smirked in reply, "Yeah that is easy, two doors down on your left. Mari?" I turned to the faeish girl sitting across from us, "Can you show him where that is at?"

"Well are you going to say goodbye to the man of your dreams?" She gestured towards Ray in jest, I starred at her for a moment, unamused. "Did I mention you have no sense of humor?" she looked over at Ray, "You coming beau hunk?"

"That is Mister Beau Hunk to you," he retorted. "Vivica, I'll see you at lunch?" He gave me a hopeful glance.

"Well yeah, of course. See you then." He is so adorable; it is just so offset by those serious yellow eyes. It kind of makes him seem...unbalanced. Like he doesn't belong with everyone else.

As Ray and Marjorie exited the classroom, I made my way over to Merrick.

"You seemed especially interested today Viv, did I strike a chord?" Merrick didn't even have to look up to know I was there.

"I have always found theology to be interesting." He was searching through a book intently; he always had this fascinating way of being several places at once. Not only reading the book, but having a conversation with me as well.

Finally he stopped his search and looked up at me, past some thin silver framed glasses, with those pale blue eyes, "Well that is a little of my past I felt like sharing with yo--" he cleared his throat, uncomfortably, "--the class."

I looked down at my shoes, blushing. This was routine for us, the uncomfortable silences, the misplaced glances. Having a mutual crush with your teacher can cause all kinds of awkwardness.

He spoke quickly, "I'm sorry." By this time the class was completely empty, second hour was Merrick's preparation time, so he had no class. I was his Student Aide, and of course us being alone an hour a day didn't help the awkwardness any.

I brought my gaze level with his shaking my head a bit, "No, don't. I understand." I smiled brightly, trying to hide my distraught ness. "You should share your past more often."

This whole mess had begun at the beginning of this year. I had found out that there was a new hotshot transfer teacher. We hadn't had a decent art class in years, so I was the first to sign up for class. And besides that the career counselor had signed me up to be the aide for him too. I prayed that he wasn't an a**, and also that I wouldn't make an a** out of myself. So in order to be extra impressive, I began going to the park across the street from the school and painting the scenery for practice. One day there was a man reading a book in the exact spot I needed for the painting.

"Umm... Excuse me?" When he looked up from the literature I stopped dead, he had the most beautiful, piercing blue eyes I had ever seen.

He raised his eyebrows, "Yes? You need something?"

I swallowed hard, "Your in my spot." I fumbled with my painting dropping it on the grassy ground. Before I had the opportunity to pick it up he had nabbed it.

"Hey! This is really good. You did this huh?" He began looking at the painting from many different angles. "You managed to create something very abstract and unique, and yet still managed to retain a certain amount of realism. Are you doing this for school?"

I smirked, not wanting to reveal my true brown nosing motivation, "Something like that."

"What year are you?" He was still looking intently at the painting.

"A senior this year." I was tempted to yank it away from him, but I was caught up in the flattery. Besides the fact that he was extremely good looking, and sounded it like he knew what he was talking about.

He looked up at me, "That is probably what I would have guessed."

Not able to come up with much to say I threw his question back at him, "What year are you?"

He seemed like he could be a senior in college, mid twenties at the latest. He chuckedled to himself, "Let's just say... graduated."

We ended up talking about art, movies and music for hours, we had everything in common it seemed. We went out for coffee a bit later, and then back to his place to watch the latest Kevin Smith film, who both of us found to be hilarious. At around midnight we sat together in front of my parent's duplex in his black Jeep; I was wishing that this night never had to end.

"I had a great time tonight, do you want to get together again?" I studied his face warmly.

"Yeah I would, I start my new job next week. So maybe the weekend after that," he grabbed a piece of paper and wrote his number down. I thought about asking what new job he had, but I was to caught up in thinking about a good night kiss, so I assumed it was no big deal. I had also assumed that when he said, "graduated" that he had meant, just graduated. But then, that is the funny thing about assumptions isn't it?

After he handed me the shred of paper, he smiled and began leaning in, his eyes closing. I closed in as well, his hot breath warming my lips. As our lips pressed together, I let out a small moan of relief. I wasn't quiet sure until that moment that it was all real. We kissed for a long while, caressing each others hair and bodies. He and I ended up in the back seat of the jeep, me lying on top of him. We hadn't made love, though we had come painfully close. I was, and still am a virgin, so of course I wasn't one to go that fast; and I got the feeling that he wasn't either. But for some reason I just felt like with him, it was all right.

That next Tuesday was the first day of my last year as a high school student. When I walked up to my first hour class I was worried about a lot of things. Would the new art teacher like me? Would he be a jerk? Cause it would sure be a drag to be stuck with a d**k twice a day for the whole year. The last thing I expected was to find was the man I had just gone on a date with a few days before at the teacher's desk. His face went starch white when I came through the door. He stood up, wide-eyed. "Come here," he motioned me over. "What are you doing here?"

I gasped in realization, "Mr. Norman?" I felt my face flush bright pink.

He smacked his forehead. "Dear god, your a senior in high school?! I thought you where in college." For the deep shock he must have been feeling he held his voice down rather well. "It is my first day and already I am gonna get fired."

"No, no, no. I won't say anything, I swear! Just calm down." He sat down in his office chair.

"Of course the eighteen year old is the one in control." I swallowed again uncomfortably. He paused looking at my expression in terror. "Oh don't tell me!"

I nodded, "seventeen."

And that about leads us up to this point. We haven't done anything romantic after that night, short of longing stares and awkward remarks. I know that we both care about each other a lot, and slowly but surely have still been getting to know one another. He and I talk about all kinds of things we probably shouldn't, his love life, or lack there of, my family troubles, and a variety of other personal topics.

I turn eighteen in about four months, but even so, it seems our taboo relationship will never get off the ground. Perhaps I should peruse Ray a little, it is the first time I have had a real attraction for anyone since this whole Merrick mess. Seeing Ray couldn't be any more messed up than that.

"You look like your so far away Viv... are you alright?" He put down his book, caressing my hand in concern. I moved it away abruptly, blushing again. He looked down, "Sorry... again."

"You should use more of your life experiences in the lessons, it brings a sense of... authenticity to them." I struggled to change the subject. I always hated to see him apologizing incessantly; I was the only person that he did that around. It seemed so uncharacteristic.

He shrugged, his voice lowering morosely, "There are a lot of things that you probably wouldn't want to know." He would get like that sometimes, mysterious, pained, like he was dying to tell me something. I only wish that he could find a way to. I just put my hand on his shoulder, rubbing softly; attempting to cajole him.

I suddenly felt a third presence in the room. I turned around quickly to see Ray standing at the door, "I forgot my sunglasses." He walked over and stooped down next to where his seat was, "There they are." He noticed right away the tension of the atmosphere, "Did I interrupt something?"

I decided to let Merrick cover this one; he is much more convincing then I could ever hope to be. "Not at all. Ray was your name right?" He had regrouped elegantly, whereas I just stood there and if allowed to talk probably just would have gone off like a yammering idiot.

He nodded, "Yeah. Well I should probably get back to my class before the tardy bell rings." Ray went on his way towards the door threshold, "Oh," he turned back to Merrick. "By the way, I found your lecture on art and theology very informative," he added condescendingly.

Merrick noted the tone of Ray's voice, "You know a lot about the subject?"

Ray tilted his head and shrugged, "A bit." With that he turned to me, "Vivica, see you at lunch," he smiled, his teeth almost flashing, and on that note Ray had left the classroom.

Merrick brought his attention back down to the book on his desk opening it once again. "Jerk," he mumbled. I cleared my throat, this made him look my way, "Oh and I suppose you disagree?"

"How do you know that is what I meant, that was a perfectly innocent clearing of the throat." I fumbled with my hair carelessly. It is always perfectly obvious when I lie. Merrick didn't even dignify my response with an answer; he just sat there starring at me. "Alright, alright, I think he is a nice guy. He just has a sarcastic streak, but I can understand that."

"Just because that is the only way you and your Dad can relate to each other," he retorted knowingly.

This comment hit a sore spot, "and you say he's the jerk."

Right away Merrick realized his fault, "Sorry. So... your eating lunch with that guy?"

I laughed under my breath, "Not that it is any of your business, but yes I am. He is new, so I am helping him make friends."

Merrick shook his head, "Well if he acts like that to everyone, he'll need all the help he can get."

"I swear, it is like your getting jealous or something... Mr. Norman" I raised an eyebrow in his direction.

Using a single finger, he placed his glasses properly on the bridge of his nose. "Point taken. Well, why don't you get to work then student aide. Take these to the office," he handed me a stack of envelopes.

"Gladly." I took the envelopes in hand and attempted to exit the classroom before things got anymore out of hand.

"And Vivica?" His voice rang out just as I reached the door.

"Yes?" I said as I turned around.

He paused for a moment, constructing his thought into words, "Just be careful around him, something seems... out of place about him." Merrick seemed unusually concerned. I just nodded and made my way out of the room.