The glow from the rising morning sun beamed brightly into the shadows of our darkened bedroom. Its gentle ray kissed ever so softly upon my cheekbones, and was there to greet me as soon as I opened my eyes. Waking in the morning light was not something I particularly wanted to do today. Today Marked the first day of the second semester, and Mark's first day at his new school but, more then anything I was going to miss sleeping in until noon hour. The mere thought of having to get up at 6:45am every day now that I live with Mark made me groan.

I stretched and yawned before I slowly rolled over finding Mark laying on his stomach. His face buried into the pillow, mouth hung open slightly, and a fresh string of saliva gliding down from the corner of his mouth pooling into a tiny spot of wetness. I smirked and silently chuckled to myself at the sight. Mark only ever drooled when he was in a rather deep sleep, and as much as I didn't want to wake him I didn't exactly have a choice.

I reached across and gently ran my fingers through his soft raven floof, hoping the subtle contact would have been enough to wake him. "Babe... Come on, it's time to get up," I whispered trying to softly wake him from his slumber. The response I received was pretty much non existent. I sat up slightly before beginning to prod at the middle of his bare back. After enough poking I finally made him flinch and caused his eyelids to twitch; a sign that his mind was starting to gasp onto a conscious state.

I heard a deep inhale through his nostrils followed by a rather monotone grunt before finally his heavy eyes fluttered open. "The alarm hasn't even gone off yet, come on let me sleep a little longer," he groaned in the mix of his groggy state. Although I would have loved to allow both of us to sleep a little longer, I knew we were going to be battling for the shower which is why he needed to get up now. I playfully continued to poke at his side until the moment his eyes shot wide open again.

I could tell just by his facial expression he was becoming a little annoyed. Surprisingly for a teacher, he wasn't much of a morning person. However as soon as I began to giggle, his eyes lit up and a faint half-ass grin lined his face from ear to ear. Again he let out a mighty groan while rolling over onto his side to check the alarm clock. He then rolled over onto his back and let out a breathily sigh. He began scratching at his scruffy half shadow of a beard in realization that he could have slept for another twenty minutes.

"Okay, I'm awake. What do you want," he mumbled playfully reaching out for my hand. His warm touch was something I had missed all night because, during the night I ended up practically hanging halfway off the bed. This caused us to spend a majority of the night with a good foot of distance between us. I smiled wide while the smooth under padding of his thumb ran circular motions on the back of my hand.

Staring down at our interlocked fingers, I found myself wishing it wasn't a school day. All I wanted to do was spend the entire morning in bed with one another as we did quite often over the break. Something about this particular moment felt rather intimate, and more then anything I just did not want to leave his side. No matter how much I wished I didn't have to, we both had to get up. However, at least living with Mark, I would now get to wake up next to him everyday and hopefully share many other cute moments like this.

I came to a full sitting position without breaking the embrace of our hands, and I knew we really didn't have much more time to spare. I swung my leg over his body, straddling him for a brief moment while I tried to climb off of bed. Before, I got off the bed I took a sitting position on top of his thighs and bent down giving him a light, good morning kiss. To my surprise, I was grabbed by my upper back with both of his hands forcing me into a deeper kiss then I intended to give him.

"We still have fifty minutes, that's more then enough time for a quickie. What do you say beautiful," he growled breaking away from our steamy kiss. He then proceeded to roll his hips, causing his hardening manhood to rub against my lower region, as if trying to coax me into it. The very suggestion, although enticing, made me smirk and I could only shake my head in response. Unfortunately I knew we couldn't, even if we wanted to.

"I wish we could but we really don't have the time. Will you take an I.O.U?" He gazed up at me with pleading eyes, and a long face. I could feel how bad he wanted to and desperately so did I. However, staring over at the alarm clock ticking closer and closer to 6:45am I knew today, a quickie just wasn't in the cards. "I suppose I will," he sighed.

Mark knew I was right in saying we didn't have time and with that I managed to peel myself away from his restraints without much resistance. As soon as my feet hit the floor, I scurried across the hardwood floorboards to the closet and plucked my towel from off of the back of the door before heading straight for the bathroom. "But just this once," I heard him shout from off in the distance just as I shut the bathroom door behind me.

Completely conscious of the time, I hastily began to strip upon entering the bathroom. I slipped my shirt up over my head flinging it to the floor, and tugged my PJ pants down in one swift motion kicking them them off into the middle of the floor. I hung my towel over the rack, and ran the the shower at a lukewarm temperature before stepping in and shutting the glass doors behind me.

After just crawling out of a nice warm bed the trickling water felt a lot colder then expected and it came as a shock. Immediately goosebumps had formed but after a moment of adjusting they just as quickly subsided."Babe, I'm putting on the kettle for a cup of tea, should I boil enough water for you too?"

The voice at the door came as a bit of a surprise, and caused me to jump. I personally thought he would have used my shower time as a chance to fall back asleep. I hadn't heard or seen the door open, I was just too caught up in my own thoughts. Had I at least seen the door open, maybe I wouldn't have been so startled. "Yea..." I was cut off by my own curiosity watching Mark step into the bathroom. He approached the shower doors and opened them again, poking his head inside.

"Are you sure you don't want a quickie? I mean, you remember how much fun we had in the shower last time." I watched as he studied my soaking wet body, and I bared witness to a fire burning bright within his eyes sending a chill up my spine. 'God, he makes bed head look sexy.' Just the way he bit down on his lip with such hunger in his eyes made my stomach feel as if it were doing back-flips.

I closed my eyes for a moment allowing the memory of our first shower together consume my thoughts. It was wild, exciting and it was sure a hell of a lot of fun. However along with that thought, I also remembered how soar my body was after that. Now more then ever I was ready to cave, however I didn't want to be in discomfort for the rest of the day.Mark's devilish grin just grew wider while I allowed myself to continue recalling the memory I could see it in his eyes, he knew I was breaking.

I shied away from his glare knowing the longer he stared at me, the closer I'd be to caving in. Instead, I leaned forward into him puckering my lips as if to go in for a kiss and stopped right before out lips met. "Sure babe, I'd love a cup of tea. Thanks," I said playfully shoving him backwards out of the shower doors, and quickly closing them once again. "You fucking tease. Cock blocking isn't okay."

Reaching for my bottle of shampoo I couldn't help but kind of feel bad, as he did sound entirely serious. However Mark then went into an bellowing fit of laughter in which quickly washed away all regrets. "I'm going to get you back one day, just you wait. You're not the only tease around here, remember that." If anything that 'reminder' only made me belt out laughing harder then he just did. "I Love you too baby," I just managed to yell over the shower just before Mark left the bathroom.

I made quick work of washing my hair and body and for the duration of my shower, I spent most time smiling to myself over how good it felt to be called a tease again. The fact that I still had such power over him was a thrill. Usually, at least when it came to sex, Mark was the dominate one and I somewhat missed the feeling of having him metaphorically on his knees for me like it use to be.

I didn't tease Mark too often anymore, as most times I just submitted to him. Even though I knew he did enjoy when I teased him, I just found it far too hard to deny him when he wants me. However, the threat of the payback he promised me I'd one day receive was most definitely something I looked forward to.

***

The whole way to school, Mark had his right hand trailing along my left inner thigh, and a look of dread plastered on his face. I sensed how nervous he was. He may have tried to play cool with me the entire way but, he wasn't fooling anyone. I knew him and his body language much better then he probably even realized.

We had finally gotten close enough to school and Mark pulled over off to the side, bringing the car to a halt. "You're really cute when you're nervous." Mark cocked his head, stretching back resting his head firmly against the headrest and faked a smile for me with eyes that questioned my statement. I giggled and blushed seeing that smile because even though I knew it was fake, it still warmed my heart and made me weak.

"You'll be working with new people in a whole new environment. It's okay to be nervous," I whispered to him taking a hold of his hand as a means of support. "I'm not nervous. It's the pressure that's really getting to me. The guy hired me on the spot because he was so impressed and, I just don't want to let him down." 

As long as I've known Mark, he has always done fairly well under pressure. However I did understand why he was so worried, pressure is pretty intimidating. He clearly made a great impression on the gentlemen who hired him, and he just didn't want to disappoint. Regardless, I knew just as well as he did, that he was going to be just fine.

"It's only your first day there and it's not like you're a complete rookie. You've been teaching for what, 2-3 years now? You shouldn't be worried about not meeting his standards. For what it's worth, you're a great person and while you were my teacher, I learned a lot from you. Not just on professional level, but a personal one as well. I'm not sure if it means much coming from me, but I think that makes you an incredible teacher too."

His eyes softened at my statement, and in the moment I could pinpoint the instant I managed to change his whole demeanor. A bright genuine smile was my reward before he brought my hand up to his lips, kissing the center ever so softly in what appeared to be gratitude. It warmed my heart to see that even if it was just this once, I was there for him in return and he clearly appreciated it.

It was a tender moment that I felt we were both clinging to up until the point I heard the 'ding' from my phone. I internally groaned at the interruption and tore my phone from out of my jeans pocket. I didn't have to unlock it in order to see her message. Juliet was close to school already and said she would be waiting for me outside the front of the building.

Without even having to say a word, it was almost as if Mark knew who had text me and what about. "I'll pick you up right here around 3:30pm. Oh and before I forget..." He let go of my hand, before reaching into the pocket of his trousers, and then held his hand out to me with something shiny within his grasp. "Yesterday, on the way home from the store I stopped at the hardware store and had you a key made for the house. Figured I'd give it to you now."

As the silver key slipped it's way into my palm, I couldn't shake the feeling of confusion. Mark and I had agreed he would pick me up and drop me off every day to and from school on his way to work. I just didn't understand why I would need a key of my own when I'd always be with him. I could feel myself almost going cross-eyed at the perplexity of the situation, and my confusion must have shown because Mark went into an uproar. "What," he chuckled almost out of breath.

Listening to him laughing, I almost felt embarrassed about being so confused as to why he'd give me a key. 'I suppose I should have one since I live with him now but, we spend all our time together anyway.' I personally just didn't understand the need."There may be days where I get stuck in a staff meeting after school or something. Or their may be days where you want to go out with friends and don't want to come straight home. I can't always be here to pick you up, so you're going to need your own key."

After hearing his explanation I just felt even more stupid. His soft chocolate gaze quickly made me shove that aside and I was able to laugh at my own stupidity. "Okay," I said still in mid-laugh pushing both my phone and key back into my jeans pocket. "I love you."--I love you too. Have a good day at school," Mark said inching his face closer towards me, giving me a tender kiss to my upper lip.

At first I tensed up beginning to panic wondering if people could see us. Although we had parked far enough away from the school that at this distance it was unlikely. Even if someone were to walk by, it was even more unlikely that they'd notice I was kissing my former English teacher. That realization quickly allowed me to ease up and just enjoy the moment. Besides, Mark was no longer my teacher anyway so it really wouldn't matter even if someone had seen.

Sadly with yet another text message alert, it was time for us to go our separate ways for the first time in two whole weeks. We had spent a full two weeks together, and I found leaving his side, even for such a brief period of time was kind of depressing. Eventually I managed to bring myself to pull away from our heated embrace knowing I'd hear it from Juliet if I made her wait too long.

As much as I didn't want to get out of the car, I opened the door and stepped out. "Hey..." With one word, Mark's voice caused me stop in my track and turn around. "Thank you." I could only assume he was thanking me for what I said and, if that was the case he had no reason to thank me because, I was simply speaking the truth. Still, there was a part of me wanted to hear him say it. "For what?"

"Everything. For being there for me last night when I needed you, and for being there for me now, when I didn't even know I needed you." All I could bring myself to do was flush and smile at his confession. Again we shared a loving gaze, that felt like we were speaking without any words before finally, I had to go. I stepped back onto the curb and blew him a kiss before shutting the car door and seeing him off. 'It's moments like that, that truly make me feel special.'

I hung my head the whole walk to school, just missing the break already. I was excited to see my friends again however, I knew school just wasn't gonna be the same without Mr. Fischbach. Even though I went half of the first semester without Mark after he had quit, I knew it'd be harder to go to my classes this semester. I knew I'd walk into a new class, and my thoughts were going to revert back to the first few days in his class but unfortunately, he wouldn't be there. Sadly, I knew that was going to happen and it was going to suck, because I kind of miss it.

Since Mark was gonna be off teaching at a new school that meant, school was back to being a drag for me. It may be a drag but the thought of getting to go home to Mark everyday after school was something I could at least look forward too. I knew frankly, that was the only thought I could cling to that would help me make it through the day.

As soon as I seen the cobbled stone path out of the corner of my eye leading up to the school, I finally lifted my head greeting the sight of my daily prison. It was no surprise that when I looked up, Juliet had already spotted me from what might as well have been a mile away and was running towards me at full speed. It was nice to see her cheerful face again, as it felt like I hadn't seen her in forever.

Since I was kicked out and now spending all my time with Mark, over the break we hadn't seen each other. Our only real means of communications were the few text messages we exchanged. However text messages just couldn't compare to her physical company. I smiled to her and waved, as she flailed her arm back at me. 'By the looks of it, she misses me just as much as I missed her.'

Before any words were spoken, Juliet pounced on me, going in for a hug as if we had been separated for years. The force from impact was nearly enough to knock me flat on my ass but, that didn't happen. Immediately, I had her squealing in my ear with excitement. She may be my best friend but her squeals were one thing I didn't really miss.

"How was your break? What'd you do... anything exciting," she inquired, pulling her planner from her book bag. Flashbacks to what had transpired over our two week break flooded over me and made my stomach twist into knots. As much as I wanted to talk to my best friend about everything that had happened, I just didn't want to get into it in the moment, so I lied. "Boring as fuck. It was terrible. I was sick for a majority of break, so that's why we didn't get to do anything. I was practically bedridden."

She had the most sympathetic look in her eyes that instantly made me feel guilty for lying to her. However somehow, I found comfort in knowing I did it with good reason. It wouldn't exactly have been easy to tell her I was kicked out and that I had moved in with 'Mr. Mystery' over break. Juliet wasn't aware that Mark and I were together again. That meant telling her I was kicked out and had since moved in with him would raise more questions then I was prepared to answer. At least for right now.

"Awe, well that's too bad. Don't worry though, I wasn't feeling the greatest over break either. So, what classes do you have this semester?" Through all that had happened over the last few weeks, I never did bother to check out my timetable. I knew what classes I was going to have however didn't know which order they were in, or who they were with.

Now starting to wonder her exact question myself, I tugged my book bag from around my shoulder and unzipped it pulling out my binder. Flipping my binder open, I reached into the front pouch pulling out a blue sheet of folded paper, and began straightening it out for examination. "Um...." I muttered uncertainly allowing my eyes to scan down the sheet of paper. As I scanned through, I had to scroll over the first half of my timetable for first semester.

Seeing Mr. Fischbach's name on my paper made me smile to myself and lose all concentration. "Well," she demanded becoming inpatient. I snapped to and regained focus scanning all the way down to second semester. "I have: Biology with Ms. Anderson, Visual Arts with Ms. Miller, Business with Mr. Galloway and for forth period I have Philosophy with Mrs. Fernandez."

As Juliet and I began walking towards the front entrance, she was constantly looking back and forth between both our papers as if she was comparing them. Again, she let out such a high pitch squeal that startled me so bad I nearly had a heart attack. "We have Visual Arts and Philosophy together. Up top!"

I giggled to myself at her reaction, and greeted her highly held hand with my own before slamming my binder shut. Sure it was great to know that I'd have classes with Juliet this semester, but I still wasn't looking forward to it. As I pulled the front door open and greeted the start of the new semester, I just clung to the only thing I knew was going to get me though the day. 'Mark may not be my teacher anymore but, at least I get to go home to him.'