Page 12 of When October Starts

I raised an eyebrow and looked at him while I put the seatbelt on. “You’re worried about my moms but not about us getting caught?”

“Of course I’m worried about that, Juno. Let them know that you’ll be home later,” he told me.

“All right, relax,” I shot back, receiving a warning look from him. I should try and be more polite when I get annoyed. “I’m sorry. I’ll text them right now.”

Ezra started driving and I texted my moms to let them know that I would be home a little later, and that I was going to the island again. That wasn’t suspicious at all, since the island was pretty much my second home.

Going out of town was not as dangerous as being on the island with him. It was much safer, but there was still a chance that somebody would see us. I didn’t want to think about that. I needed a new camera, and it was convenient for Ezra to take me there because he had a car. We didn’t own one, and taking the bus would take too long.

I leaned back in my seat and put the phone back in my backpack before looking over at Ezra. “Do you do this often?” I asked.

“Do what often?” He glanced at me, then looked back at the road.

“Hang out with students instead of people your age.” I was mocking him, and luckily, he didn’t take it seriously.

A laugh escaped him, and he shook his head. “You’re something else, Juno. Why don’t you turn your head and enjoy the view, hm?”

I laughed softly and turned my head to look out of the window. We were already getting too comfortable with each other again. And I was starting not to care what was right or wrong. He made me feel good, and I wanted to keep that feeling inside of me for as long as possible.

Chapter Twelve

Ezra

There weren’t many people at the thrift store. Juno was standing by a table with used electronics on it to find a camera that was good enough to take videos for her movie.

“This one’s almost the same as mine,” she said and held one of the cameras in my direction.

“Does it work?” I asked, standing behind her and looking over her shoulder.

“I think so. It turns on, but it says it has low battery. I think I’ll get this one. There’s a charger that comes with it,” she explained and pointed to the short cord on the table.

I nodded as she turned her head to look at me. She smelled amazing, and I couldn’t help but take in more of her scent. I placed my hand on her waist and leaned in to kiss the top of her head. “I’ll get it for you,” I whispered, hoping she would accept this gift.

“You don’t have to, Ezra,” she said with a smile and turned her head back to look at the camera.

“See it as a late birthday gift.” I smiled and brushed my thumb along her waist, wishing there were no clothes covering her. She leaned into me with her back against my chest, and I moved my hand to her stomach, showing her in that small gesture how much I wanted her close.

“Are you going to insist on buying it for me?” she asked softly, and I chuckled.

“Probably.”

“Okay,” she sighed, turning to face me with a smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. But it’ll have to stay—”

“Between us. I know, Ez,” she whispered with a hint of sadness in her voice. I wished it was easier. But whatever we had going on between us could not get out. It was our secret, and I wished she’d be older and not my student.

I gave her an encouraging smile, then patted her lower back before nodding toward the checkout desk. “Let’s go.” I grabbed the camera out of her hands and reached for the charger on the table, then walked across the store to pay for the camera. It wasn’t that expensive, but I wanted her to save her money for other things. This camera wasn’t much of an investment. I gave it another year, then she’d have to buy a new one.

We walked across the parking lot to get to my car, and as I opened the passenger door for her, she put her hand on my wrist to stop me from doing so. “Would you like to go for a walk with me? We could walk along the creek. I don’t wanna go home yet,” she told me.

I studied her for a second. We were far enough away from people we knew, so taking a little walk with her wasn’t a bad idea. “Okay,” I replied. I put the camera on the seat, then shut the door again.

“Unless you’re not comfortable with it,” she added to her suggestion, but I quickly shook my head. “I’d love to go for a walk with you, Juno.” That settled her concern, and we started walking toward the creek leading into a small forest.

I pushed my fists into the pockets of my coat and looked straight ahead, taking in the beautiful colored leaves on the trees. “What’s your favorite season?” I asked.

“Winter.” Her answer shot out like a cannonball. I chuckled, turning my head to look at her.

---