A Willing Risk: Chapter Seven [excerpt]

Evening

Friday, October 25

Camelot's Halloween Dance

Mr. Banks's POV

Allowing myself to be suckered into chaperoning the dance was easy. I just had to play up my newbie teacher role who had no idea what he was getting himself into. I made sure I was present at every school event. The way she had been running through my mind lately wouldn't allow me any other choice. I had to be where she was whenever possible. However, no matter how bad I wanted her, I couldn't be greedy with her. Greediness only led to rash decisions and sloppy mistakes. I couldn't afford those. I could not—would not—lose her. That's another reason I had to make sure I was chaperoning this event. My eagerness took over eleven days ago and I did things that showed my hand earlier than expected. But I couldn't fight it. I couldn’t fight the urge to touch her; her hair. It was time to set things back on the right track. Her trust in me had to be concreted tonight.

All of us chaperones were in the hallway so we could actually hear each other. Music loudly pumping, lights flickering, and students dancing wildly all on the gym floor it was definitely crazy but even with all that I had made sure I knew if she was there or not. It was fifteen after she should be along any minute. She was the type of woman who showed up fashionably late. Just as predicted she, along with her two best friends, entered at the opposite end. Her friends' costumes were obvious—John Smith and Pocahontas—but hers not so much unless you knew her well. I had made that a priority. Her favorite music artist was Rihanna and Julia had the looks for pulling off the costume. Her long dark hair was extra wavy. She sported the bright red lipstick which only highlighted her enticing mouth. How I wanted to feel hers on mine. She topped off the ensemble with overalls over a tank and platform heeled boots. I knew I was staring so I looked away. But my human nature got the better of me and I couldn't resist a second look. My God! Even with those plastic looking overalls she looked enticing. Patience, Brad, all in good time.

*******

Julia's POV

The only thing I hated about school dances was how hot it could get. I quickly exited the gym to go across to the cafeteria for some punch. With ladle in hand, I sniffed the punch. I knew it was the same as every year but sniffing anything going into my body was a reflex. Can't be too careful these days.

"The hell!" Was my reaction to my arm being pulled and the ladle crashing to the floor. I was ready to give this person a piece of my mind until I came face to face with Morgan. I wasn't scared but I wasn't exactly not scared. All of a sudden, he was hurriedly taking me back to the gym. It was a slow dance and he pulled me in close. I struggled a little but he held fast.

"What do you want? Another dance lesson? We already did The Nutcracker, but I love repeats."

"I get that you don't want to talk to me after what happened—"

"You damn right!"

"—and you don't have to," he continued, ignoring what I said. "Just hear me out. I was set up."

I actually laughed. "Oh, really. So you were set up to physically assault me."

"Listen, okay! Yes, I got kinda handsy but I was setup. He told me you liked me and seemed to be all for it."

"Eh...what? He who?"

"Mr. Banks. Who else?"

"You're stoned aren't you? Or maybe the punch is spiked."

"You're not listening to me. It's like he brainwashed me or played me like a video game character. And remember right after, he just appears out of nowhere to save you. I know people think I'm all about good looks and it did take me a while to piece it together, but it makes sense if you just think about it."

My mind began to churn and run through the memories of that day. I looked at Morgan's face closely this time. He seemed to believe everything he was saying. But I still had deep suspicions. The words he was using; "brainwashed", "setup", "video game character". It's like he was making up his own conspiracy theory. Throughout my thought process, he had begun to rant again.

"Then there's what he said after you left---"

"And here I thought you were going to apologize. All I've heard from your mouth is crazy. Just forget about it okay." I tried to leave his grasp but he held onto me.

"Hold on. H-hold on a minute."

"Uh-un. I think it's best if you just leave me alone."

"I'll leave you alone after I tell you everything." He was relentless but so was I. I never gave up trying to get out of his grip.

"Seriously, stop. Quit it!"

"Is there a problem here, Miss Garibaldi?"

"Yes. No. I mean, I'm fine."

"We were just tal---"

With his eyes never leaving mine, "I don't believe I was speaking to you." He turned his eyes on Morgan. "And aren't you supposed to stay off school grounds? Surely, you didn't forget the terms of your punishment, Mr. Scott?"

"Trust me. They were made pretty clear. I just thought I'd apologize in person."

I noticed the way Mr. Banks's jaw ticked.

*******

Mr. Banks's POV

The physical pain I wanted to inflict on this boy. Only a slow agonizing pain would do for him. I shook from the amount of force it took to keep my hands from showing him what happened when you touch what was mine. An image of my nails piercing his throat and severing it from his body—the heat, the blood, the relief. Take a deep breath. You are Bradley Banks. Brad Banks. Mr. Banks.

"That must have been some apology. Excuse me, but I would like you to take your hands off her." My hands shook so I stuffed them in my pockets.

"Come to save the day, again? You always seem to be around at the perfect time." He stepped closer before whispering, "Well I don't buy it."

If I couldn't kill him I would find another way to make sure he didn't step foot in this school. Playing up my respectable teacher role I made my next statement clear, "I advise you to walk away, Mr. Scott or things will only get worse for you." I whispered back what I hoped would spark the reaction I needed to do the job, "You got me?"

He reacted fast, first shoving me back into a few students and following up with a punch. There wasn't enough force to knock me off my feet but no one knew that but me. I landed on the floor with a loud thud. The music stopped and students crowded around. My immediate response was to look at Julia as my mouth filled with the taste of liquid metal. She started towards me but was intercepted by Principal Hannigan and the security guards whom he instructed to escort Morgan off the premises.

His angry cries rang out as I got to my feet. Hannigan came and assured me that he had seen what had transpired and that he would deal with it accordingly. I nodded while watching Julia out the corner of my eye explaining to her friends what had happened. After Hannigan instructed the students to continue where they left off I made my way over to her. To her friends, I politely asked to borrow her. Taking her by the elbow I escorted her out of the gym. Morgan was still in the hallway barricaded by the principal and security guards. He saw us immediately and Julia seemed to be put off by his presence so I stepped in front of her to block the view.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She seemed to be staring through me like he could still see her. Grabbing her chin lightly with my thumb and forefinger I turned her attention towards me. "Did he hurt you in any way?"

She shook her head and said no sounding as if she were short of breath.

"Let's get some air, hmm?" I directed her outside putting an arm around her waist. Once outside I reluctantly released and stood before her. "Just take a few slow breaths. I know this can be upsetting after what you experienced earlier." She rubbed her arms. "Cold? Here." I slipped off my coat and placed it on her shoulders. "Better?"

"He was saying all this stuff...I couldn't really understand."

"Stuff?"

"That he was brainwashed. That's why he did what he did. Something like that. It sounds crazy to me."

"Yes, crazy, indeed. Perhaps we should make our way back inside?" I agreed, before reaching for her elbow. She avoided my touch.

"He kept talking about you. That you said something to him after I had left."

I didn’t like that she was questioning me. I didn't like being angry around her. Biting the inside of my cheek, "I did. I told you I handled him."

She wasn't letting this go, "He was freaked out and that's what I'm saying, not him."

I couldn't take this. Her defending him. "He should be." My response was calm, even as she raised her tone.

"He should be!? What the hell?"

It just seemed as if she was questioning my judgment, my authority, my reason for doing what I did in the first place. For her. Everything I had done; everything I was going to do was for her. Could she not see it? Did she not have any fondness for me at all to help her realize just how much I cared? Her questioning me released some of my anger. She would see the real me for just a moment. It was reflexive really.

"You want to know what I told him after you left?"

"No, I---"

"I told him to stay away from you. And if he decided to approach you in any way it would be a bad idea." She stared at me. And for once, I had no idea what she was thinking...what she thought of me. "So...maybe he is freaked out. And yes, he should be, because for once in his life he won't get away with anything. Now, I suggest you get back inside."

"Oh yeah. Don't wanna miss all the fun." She replied sarcastically.

I stopped her before she could enter, "You know you can talk to me, right? I mean, about what happened. You'll always have me." I could never resist my urges when it came to her. I immediately bent to kiss her cheek. Having forgotten about my busted lip, I winced. Noticing the smudge of blood on her cheek, "I'm sorry, it seems I've gotten my DNA on you." I rubbed it off softly with my thumb. She looked taken aback but not frightened. "Shall we?"