The Indomitable

Cassy's P.O.V

A month had passed, I found myself again going with the wave of students in the pathway hurriedly go to their classrooms. I entered the building and see the students flowed into the bared hallways, the atmosphere turning into something more familiar. Teenage angst, hormones, and excitement for the trek to the next hour replaced the emptiness I was feeling.

When I turned 17, I started to feel so empty and I do not know why. I feel like there is something that I need to do that can make me fully happy. When I am alone, I found myself wondering, what is wrong with me? I am serving God and attend religious activities. Do not get me wrong, I really am enjoying attending youth activities, help people, and participating in the work of God but I am not satisfied and fully happy. I feel like, I only need to do this because I needed to. I am not doing this willingly. I feel like I am being forced.

My thoughts are jumbled and I am so confused. My daze is so far away and I am walking like a robot. Everyone who notices me looking at me that like I am crazy.

I am being pulled out of my thoughts when I hear a familiar voice that almost gave me a heart attack.

"Hey, morning," Recy said.

"Where did you come from? I didn't notice you and you startled me." I said while putting my hand in my chest and pouting at her.

She leaned in, almost kissing me. Her lips only inches away from mine if I move forward, we will be kissing in front of my classmates here in the classroom. So I slightly pull back to extend the space between us. She then smiled widely with a smirk in her mouth showing me that she is only kidding.

I gave her an annoyed glare.

"Oh come on Cass, I am only kidding. Next time do not pout so that I won't be tempted. You have attractive lips that can make us your admirers turn on." She said.

"Hmm... So you're my admirer now?" I said amused.

"Do not get cocky." She retorts while rolling her eyes.

"Well, I want to." I grin. Slowly enjoying this conversation.

"You know girl, if you are only interested in me, I will totally and willingly give myself unto you. Do you know that you have a lot of admirers in this classroom not counting the whole department and school? The school year was only started last month and yet you got everyone's attention already. I feel really lucky, you know because I am you're a friend and I am talking to you now." She finished. And I am speechless. I didn't think about it. I have totally no idea.

"Thank you." The only words that I said before our conversation is being cut off because Ms. Hanes entered the room.

Oh, God. Blinking twice while telling myself to concentrate but failed because as she slowly walking to her desk, and so I am, I get a whiff of her perfume the thing that all I need to rouse the holiday spirits that in the past days slowly dying on me and I found myself checking her out. She is wearing a Knee-length pencil skirt that perfectly fits in her hourglass body matching a women's V-neck blouse with bowknot on sleeves, so sexy but professionally. She really has a taste in fashion and knows how to bring herself with confidence. God! relax Cassy! I tell myself repeatedly as I forced my eyes to look anywhere but her. I need to make sure to look past her- not directly at her at least to show that I am listening in the lesson but really it takes so much effort.

Can I do this? Can I really stop myself from falling into the sin called lust? It is so strong that I almost can't bear and fight. I am not gay. Why am I having this kind of feeling? Oh Lord, help me.

The class is running agonizingly slow with my jumbled thoughts and I can't concentrate in class anymore. I notice a hand snapping in front of me to get my attention and I ready myself to glare at the owner of it...

"She's calling your name Cassy," Recy said pulling me out of my own space back to earth.

"Huh?" I said while slowly looking to the owner of my thoughts.

When our eyes met, I realized that I am spacing out, and back to the classroom, I see an annoyed Ms. Hanes looking at me. Blinking my eyes, I gather my thoughts and preparing myself for whatever it is she will throw at me.

"Mind sharing your thoughts?" She finally said.

No, ma'am, it won't be appropriate and you won't like it because you're the only one that I think 24/7. Can you help me with that? "Amm, I am sorry Ms. Hanes. I spaced out." I only said instead.

"Okay Cassy, you're forgiven but can you answer the question that is written in the front?"

'What is Ribbon in Microsoft Word?'

Lucky for me, I read my notes and have an advanced reading before the class.

"According to the research, it is a user interface element which was introduced by Microsoft in Microsoft Office. It is located below the Quick Access Toolbar and the Title Bar. It comprises seven tabs that have specific groups of related commands." I finished while slightly smirking.

"Very good." She said while smirking too.

Why is she smirking? I just thought silently while sitting down.

"Nice one their girl." Recy whisper at me and I ignored her.

"Okay class............." Ms. Hanes continues her discussion but I am back to spacing out again until the bell rings.

Before she exits the room, she called me.

"Yes, ma'am Hanes?" I said while slowly going in her direction.

When I am near her, she leaned in and said in a whisper: "Next time please concentrate in the class." She finished, pulled herself out, and enter the other classroom where her next class is while I froze because I felt goosebumps in her minty breath that is slightly brushing in my face. Gush! nerves! ugh...

After gathering myself, I walk back to my seat beside Recy's and sigh hard.

She noticed and asked. "What is wrong with you Cassy?"

"I do not know," I admitted. "I'll tell you in lunch." I finished

She opens her mouth to disagree but I cut her off with a look that says, 'leave me alone.

She understands, nod slightly, and didn't bother me for the rest of the morning until lunch.

Recy literally follows me from our classroom, to the canteen, and to the table that is slightly isolated from everyone else. We ate silently then I notice that she is getting impatient. Me enjoying her impatient expression and want to torture her more, I decided to be quiet for minutes because teasing her is my favorite past-time.

"What did Ms. Hanes want and why she called you?" She finally asked.

"Secret". I said just to tease her.

She narrows her eyes as she starts to lean in attempting to intimidate me into revealing more information. I feel my body respond immediately but refuse to let her get what she wants.

"Are you really not going to tell me?" She whined.

I can't take it anymore, I burst into laughter, but of course not so loud to avoid getting attention. "I.....giggle..... just.....giggle.... want to....giggle... tease you girl". I said between laughs when slowly coming down from laughing.

She glares at me and rolled her eyes out of irritation.

"It is nothing important really, she just said that next time I should focus on class more." I finally said.

"But why are you sighing and look annoyed after?" She asked confused.

"We are getting into that." I sigh while closing my eyes, thinking and debating to tell her everything. "Did I tell you that I have an instantaneous crush on Ms. Hanes? And it is getting stronger. I am annoyed because I can't do anything about it. When she spoke to me earlier, her minty breath slowly touched my face and my nerves betrayed me. I got goosebumps and was turned on. I spaced out in the class earlier because I am thinking about her. I am thinking about how to get out of this feeling that slowly eating me. I am thinking about her 24/7 since the first day." I finished looking at Recy and expecting a response from her. But she's just speechless, slowly grinning and make an amused expression. Slightly smirking,

"Oh, that is why you are not interested in me because you already had your eyes on our hot teacher. hmmm. okay." She said.

I just rolled my eyes and ready to speak when she cut me off.

"I am not finished yet. Okay, Cassy, I am sorry but I cannot help but say the things that you knew already. It is illegal to have a teacher-student relationship, she can lose her job and you'll both get hurt in the end because it is not right morally. A lot of people will judge you, Cassy, even though you are genuinely in love with her, they will still think that you're using her and she's using you for something. As a friend I am against it, believe me. But if you still want to risk and go on to your desires and feelings, I will not stop you but I will support you though." She finished.

"Wait, if you will go to it. Make sure first that she feel the same way." She added.

I just smiled at her and hug her.

"There are still other things that I should worry though."

"What?" She asked.

"As long as I know, I am not gay and my family will kill me and literally kick me out of the house if I will proceed to this kind of non-sense. I am an active member of our denomination, how will I face them? What will my friends' reaction? Will they accept me or avoid me like a plague that will haunt them if they will continue to be my friend?" I know that I am rambling but I cannot stop myself and I need this to get out of my system by voicing this out to somebody.

"Relax Cassy, you are thinking too much. Just take this slowly and do not stress yourself. I said earlier that I'll help and support you, right? And I meant it. We are friends for just a short period of time but I am willing to help you survive this." She said while holding my hand for support and assurance.

"You're being touchy." I tease her.

"Oh, I can't help it. Remember you are still my crush." She retorted and playfully smack my arm and smiled at me in response.

We hear the after-lunch bell and we go to our different places.

I sprint from the cafeteria to the library because it is on the 3rd floor of the next building and I am nearly late. I check-in for attendance and proceeded to my work.

I didn't notice the time because there are a lot of things that I need to do and there is homework that needed to be finished. I currently sitting at the empty long table of the library finishing the third problem and proceed to the last one, I notice a presence near me, and I automatically look up. I found a pair of beautiful brown-black eyes looking down at me then at my homework.

"What is that?" She curiously asked.

"A homework." I just said nonchalantly but deep inside I am dying to kiss her lips that are just inches away from me.

"I can see that but this is the nice way to say, you're answer is wrong. Do you need help for that?" She said, genuinely concerned.

"Amm... Sure." I said embarrassed then automatically looked down on the floor that I found interesting, for now. Nerves are starting to take action again. These damn butterflies in my stomach! ugh...

She gets the empty chair and sits comfortably beside me disturbing my personal space and proceeds on helping me answer my assignments.

Minutes past we are nearly done with the last problem and she said something that started everything in our growing relationship.

"Let us go to my house?" She asked me.

"Amm.. why?" I asked curiously.

"I just want to help you with your assignments, it is getting dark and I am hungry."

"Oh, I am sorry I made you stack here with me and almost skip your dinner. I humbly decline your invitation though because my family is expecting me now. Thank you Ms. Hanes for helping me. I can handle now the remaining assignments because you help me. See you tomorrow." I say and go to the staff room to get my things. I stay there for a while to make sure that Ms. Hanes is leaving out to the library before myself.

As I walk from the school to my house, I realize that I won the battle today. The temptation. I know that Ms. Hanes is just being kind but I do not trust myself in what I do when I am alone with her. I am glad that she is concerned with me, God, my crush is concerned with me. I can't believe it. Why though? Out of all students here, why me?

I nearly had a heart attack when I hear a horn from a car beside me. The car stop and I see Ms. Hanes in the front seat.

"Hi Cassy, hop in. I want to have a company tonight, please eat with me. Not in my house but somewhere you like. You choose the venue." She said.

"Are you suggesting a date?" I asked playfully just teasing her.

Seeing a playful smile on my face, she relaxed realizing that I am only joking she smiled back at me and replied. "Call it whatever you want. I just feel like having a company to eat with me tonight."

And here I thought I won the battle but I found myself sitting in her Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Out of the different types of cars, a sedan (US) or a saloon (UK) is traditionally defined as a car with four doors and a typical boot/ trunk. Slightly technical detail is that it usually features a 3-box configuration with each of the boxes categorically used for the engine, passenger, and cargo.

"Wow." I cannot help but say that because I am impressed with her choice of car.

"Is this brand new?" I curiously asked.

"Yes. This is my father's gift for me when I graduated with a master's degree last march." She explained.

"Perks of being a rich kid huh?" I say without thinking and I realized it, quickly saying. "I am sorry."

She chuckled and said, "It is okay. What you have said is true. Say whatever you want when we are not in the classroom. We are not student-teacher now. We are friends who happened to have dinner and enjoying themselves." She finishes and smiles.

I smile back at her and turn my head to the right side of the car enjoying the scenery of the city.

"You never told me where we will eat." She said breaking the comfortable silence.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. You sure that I would choose the place?" I asked making sure.

"Yes, you choose." She confirmed.

"I like to eat at Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen. You know where is it?"

"Amm. Not sure. Please lead the way." She said while pointing at her phone.

I gave her a quizzical look.

"Please set the Google Maps app to our destination. So that it will instruct and lead us to our destination."

"Oh, yeah right." I follow her instruction and then silence is occupying us again.

Fuck! I cursed to myself because of how weak I am. I am annoyed and happy at the same time because I am having dinner with my first girl crush. A very hot teacher. Well, quit overthinking Cassy! It is just a dinner. Do not put malice on it. Do not make it awkward. It is just a friendly dinner date. Get yourself, girl!

"We're here." Ms. Hanes said. Pulling me out of my thoughts. "This is a lovely place Cassy, how come I didn't know this?"

"Maybe you didn't explore much." I tease.

"Are you calling me a boring person?" She gasped faking offended.

"Hmm. I did not say that." I play along with her.

She just smiled and said, "Well if you will hang out with me often, you will find out that I am not a boring person."

"Again, I did not say that but Ms. Hanes, is it okay that we will hang out because people will create rumors and gossip about us. I mean it will ruin your career if they will spread wrong rumors. People are savage like that, you know."

"Do not worry about that Cassy, we are just friends. We are not doing something wrong. If you want to be my friend though?"

"Yes of course! I want to. I am sorry. I was just overthinking. I do that a lot." I said while sitting at the isolated table of the restaurant. The waiter comes to us and gets our orders. When we finished stating our orders, Ms. Hanes asked the waiter. "How long is the food will be cooked?"

"It will be finished approximately in 10 to 20 minutes ma'am". The waiter answered.

"Thank you." Ms. Hanes replied.

The waiter turns back to his post and gives our orders to their cook.

"So Cassy, can I ask you something?"

I just nod and motioned her to continue.

"Why do you choose our school? There is a lot of prestigious schools here in Davao." She asked.

"It is because of the scholarship offered by the school and also this is my dream school."

"Why you chose BSIT?" She asked again.

"I like programming, recreating programs and I like computers. Being a programmer is a good profession and can make a lot of money. I like to help people, making their life easy, and explore new things. I want to contribute something to our world. That is why." I finished.

"Hmm. Very good answer. I thought the same too but it changed."

"Why?" I asked"

"Let us tackle that next time because our food coming." She said looking up and true the food is now on our table.

We ate silently have small talks and then we go back to her car.

"Where do you live?" She asked.

"Just drop me off at the entrance of the school because I live at Gravahan," I answered. I am not comfortable for her to see my place yet.

"Okay". We go back to the comfortable silence again.

And then out of nowhere, we arrived already at our destination.

We said our goodbyes and then she drove off.

I entered the house and greeted by my father.

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"My friend invited me to eat with her at Balik Bukid Farm & Kitchen," I answered while taking his hand to initiate greetings, the gesture of touching the back of the hand of an elder lightly on one's forehead and followed by a kiss on the cheek.

"Okay. Next time text me so that I and your mother won't be worried."

"Sorry father."

"You're forgiven. Now, wash yourself up because you are gross and go to sleep. You have another stressful day tomorrow." He finished and smiled. Teasing me.

I just rolled my eyes and go to the room and prepare myself to sleep. While I lie down on the comforter beside Jess and staring at the roof replaying back the events earlier from morning to dinner with Ms. crush, I realized that I am doomed and weak. Now that we are friends, how can I stop the going stronger feelings for her?

I am thinking Ms. Rebekah Hanes until I slowly drift myself to sleep.

Good night love, I whisper to no one and fall into a deep sleep.

Beep...beep...

That stupid alarm again! I said as I slowly reach out my hand to slam the stop button.

Rebekah's P.O.V

I can't stop myself from wanting Cassy to be my friend. I can see my old self in her. And I am afraid that she will be like me. I lost my old perky self because of the trials in life. I care for her. I want to help her. I know that she is struggling financially and her family belongs to the poor.

As we have our dinner last night, I am observing her and I was intrigued and amazed by her. She has a lot of fire in her eyes. The fire to defeat the difficulties of life and help her family improve it. She has this love for her parents and desires to finish her studies. Again I can relate to her.

I slowly walk in the hallway going to the classroom, taking my time, where my first subject is held, and where Cassy is.

I can feel eyes staring at me, the hungry eyes of boys and the envious eyes of girls, and I am used to it. Hearing the whispers of some guys, "Oh, she's hot. I wish she's my girlfriend" and a girl that I do not know the name said, "I wish I have a body like her". Hmm. You can have it when you'll spend some time in the gym and jog outside your house. I just silently said.

I reach the room and walk to the front table, preparing myself to face my students and arranged my things on the table. I scan my eyes around the room and I see her, looking back at me. Those silver eyes and if you'll look closer, you'd see the swirls of glittering onyx black and tinges of blue at the edges. I can look into those eyes the whole day.

I just smile slightly at her and quickly look to all of my students so that they won't notice it.

I started my lesson and finish another boring day. Maybe I will go to the library after duty hours to hang out with Cassy and accompany her.

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Hello people! It is me again. Cassy did not meet Isabel yet and maybe have a fling to her hot teacher. Do not worry because they will meet soon! I just want to add a twist. :)

Stay tuned to know what will happen to their lives. Thank you!