Page 10 of When October Starts

“Uh, it’s about true crime. They tell two stories parallel to each other, switching between the two every ten minutes or so. It’s interesting and it sucks you in right away.”

“You’re into true crime?” I asked surprised. “You have no idea how many videos on YouTube I’ve watched about true crime stories last summer to pass the time. I’ve watched so many I could easily investigate a crime scene on my own.”

Ezra chuckled. “Glad we’re on the same page when it comes to murderers.”

Chapter Ten

Ezra

We were just watching tv. Nothing wrong about that. Well, it would’ve been at least somewhat okay if her head weren’t on my shoulder, and our arms wouldn’t be touching.

Almost two hours had passed, and Juno had fallen asleep a few minutes ago. I didn’t want to wake her, but it was nine-thirty, and I was worried her parents were looking for her. The storm had also stopped, and the rain wasn’t pouring down anymore.

I lowered the volume of the tv, then pulled the blanket over her upper body to make sure she stayed warm. Her clothes must’ve been dry already, but I didn’t want to get up and risk waking her.

Her hand was close to my thigh, and although I shouldn’t have, I reached for it and pulled in onto my lap. Her fingers were ice cold, and the tips red. I ran my fingers along hers, feeling her soft skin on mine for the first time.

Just from that simple touch I felt my dick throb in my pants. But instead of pushing those thoughts aside and letting go of her hand, I slid my fingers through hers. Her hand fit perfectly into mine, so small and delicate.

Her hand was covered in faded freckles, and I wanted to kiss each and every one of them. What would her skin look like in the summer? When she had less clothes on, and when the sun made her pale skin expose all those little spots?

Juno moved next to me, but she didn’t wake up. I turned my head to look at her face. Her long lashes brushed her cheekbones, and her lips were slightly parted while she breathed quietly through her nose.

She was calm and serene while she slept, which automatically made me feel the same. Having her in my apartment could make me forget about all the horrible fights I had with Olivia. Living with her was rough, especially in an apartment with no doors except the one to the bathroom.

Juno’s eyes slowly opened, and they looked straight at our hands. She didn’t move, but she squeezed my hand before a soft smile appeared on her lips.

“Did I wake you?” I whispered with my lips close to her head.

“No,” she replied softly. Her thumb caressed my skin, and I moved my gaze to watch her fingers untangle from mine. But instead of letting go of my hand, she placed the palm of hers on mine, making me grip her hand carefully. I moved my thumb along the back of her fingers, and I got lost in my thoughts while we sat there close to each other without saying a word.

Minutes passed, and while she kept her hand in mine, she sat up and looked into my eyes. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on you. I should probably go home,” she suggested, and I quickly nodded.

I could tell she didn’t want to get up and let go of my hand, but she needed to go home and I couldn’t hold her back. “Go put your clothes on,” I told her in a low voice, and she gave me a nod before her hand left mine.

I watched her walk into the bathroom, and after five minutes, she was back in the living room wearing her own clothes. She had folded mine perfectly and set them next to me on the couch. “Thanks for letting me stay. It was fun,” she said, grabbing her phone from the coffee table.

“Of course,” I replied, finally getting up from the couch myself. I picked up her backpack and walked her to the front door.

As she put on her raincoat, I leaned against the wall and watched her get ready to go outside. “Juno?”

“Hm?”

“This…” I said, pointing at myself and then at her. “You can’t tell anyone about this.”

She looked at me with big, dark-blue eyes, then nodded with a soft smile. “I won’t tell anyone, Ezra. I don’t want you to lose your job, you know?” she said with a sarcastic undertone.

I chuckled. “Glad you’re taking it seriously.”

She grinned, then pulled the straps of her backpack over her shoulders and pulled her hood up over her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, and after hesitating just a little, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek, close to the corner of my mouth.

My body tensed, and I wished our situation was easier. It wasn’t just me being her teacher, but also her being underage. She’s young, and I had to be careful.

“See you tomorrow,” I replied.

With one last smile she waved at me, then left my apartment to go downstairs to her bike.

I felt immediate emptiness surrounding me, and I wished she could’ve stayed here. I was scared to go to work tomorrow. I was attracted to Juno, not just because of her looks, but also her soul. I had to get her out of my head, but the smell of her still lingered.

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