Honor Thy Teacher by Teresa Mummert

couldn’t let her make this mistake again. I shook my head. She grabbed for the door, ready to run.
     
    “Emma!” my voice came out panicked , I grabbed her arm, desperate to keep her from leaving . “I didn’t mean I don’t want to do it again, I just can’t give you what you want. I can’t give you what you deserve. What happened back there is all I know. There will never be anything more than that with me. I do not get close to people. I don’t care for people.” I lied. I was a fucking liar and a coward.
     
    “Then why are you here? Why not just let me walk home?” She could see right through me.
     
    “I don’t know.” I replied, letting her arm slip from my fingers. I knew what she wanted to hear. A fucking coward.
     
    “Good night, Mr. Honor.” She slipped out into the darkness.
     
    “William” I called after her, wanting to show her she was right about me, that deep down somewhere she had broken through. There was something different about her. Something special.
     
    “What?” She asked, turning back towards me.
     
    “My name is William. Please get back in the car. It’s not safe out here for you.” I would never forgive myself if something happened to her. She stood there, deciding which fate would be worse. “Please” My pulse quickened as she took a step closer to the car.
     
    We rode silently through the city as I took her to her aunt’s house. I relished in the last few minutes of smelling the flower scent that lingered around her. Her house was empty and dark, but Emma didn’t seemed phased by it. I’m guessing she was left to her own accord more often than not.
     
    “Thanks” She whispered as she exited. I couldn’t look at her. I probably would be the cause of years of therapy for her.
     
    I pulled back onto the road, turning the radio up to drown out my own conscience.
     
    “I really miss you hair in my face, and the way your innocence tastes”
     
    I lumped formed in my throat and I switched off the radio and rode home in silence. I couldn’t give her anything but heartache.
     

 
    Chapter Fourteen
     
    I awoke on the couch, reaching out for someone who wasn’t there. I couldn’t bring myself to sleep in my bed alone. I ran my fingers through my hair and stumbled into the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee. I looked around for my phone and realized I had left it in my car last night. As I opened the door, a tiny scrap of paper fluttered to the ground. I picked it up and flipped it over in my fingers. I read it over. As the words sank in, I let it flutter to the ground. I sprinted to my car and immediately began calling Emma. Her phone rang endlessly. I ran back up the steps, grabbing the note as I pulled on clothing. I needed to make sure she was okay. If anything happened to her because of me, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
     
    I made it across town in record time. Emma’s driveway sat empty. I called to be sure but she didn’t answer. I banged on the door, hoping that she was okay. The door flew open and there she stood, looking slightly shocked and absolutely delicious . She was wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt. I had to take a moment to regain my composure.
     
    “William?” My name sounded sweet across her lips.
     
    “Are you okay?” I searched her face for any sign of distress.
     
    “I’m fine.” She said as she walked into the kitchen. I reluctantly stepped inside, not wanting anyone to see me. “What’s wrong?” She asked as she prepared her breakfast.
     
    “Why didn’t you answer my calls?” I was growing frustrated with her calm demeanor. Was she ignoring me on purpose?
     
    “I was going to as soon as I ate something.” She held the spatula up to show me she was in fact busy. “Why are you here? If my Aunt was home she would call the police!” I watched her pull out an extra plate, so I knew I was right that no one else was home. Her shirt lifted as she reached in the cupboard, revealing her small cotton