Abby opened her eyes, she had slept past her usual time, but she didn't bother. Her whole body felt sore and she wondered what had happened, then the realization hit her - she had slept with Cephan Miller, for the second time.

She turned over to the other side to see Cephan wearing his hoodie. His muscles flexed as the hoodie went down to his waist.

"If you keep staring at me like that you might not be able to walk for days," he teased, brushing his hair with his fingers.

He smelled like pineapple.

"You already showered?" He nodded, taking his phone from the bed.

Cephan eyed her body, he couldn't understand the growing hunger in him - the hunger to devour her, but he composed himself.

"You should cover up too," he said, eyeing her breast again. Abby looked at her body realizing she was completely naked.

"I'll be leaving, thanks a bunch, Miss Abby."

"To where?" She asked eager to know. From what she knew about this man, he wasn't really on good terms with his drunken father, it was an open secret after all.

"Home, oh and I have to visit my sister- I promised I would," he answered, moving over to her side of the bed.

"You should stay for breakfast, I'll make omelette..."

"Nah, I'm good. You've done a lot anyway," he interrupted, then kissed her hair.

"I don't know what we're doing but I like it-" he lifted her chin and pressed his lips on hers, Abby didn't hesitate.

"I'll see around, yes?"

She said nothing but he already read her mind.

Miss Abby wanted it too.

***

The ride to where his aunt lived took about ten minutes and three seconds to get there. He sat in the subway train scrolling through his phone searching for open scholarships.

That was the main reason he was working so much, he wanted to get a scholarship so badly although he didn't have enough money. Maybe getting a scholarship would change his and his dad's life.

"Hi," someone said and he looked up to see a pretty boy, if pretty was the right word.

"Hey," he responded, looking back at his phone.

"Can I get your number..."

The train came to a halt and he stood to leave.

"Maybe next time," he murmured and walked out trying not to think too much about what just happened.

***

Aunt Maryjane was a happy go lucky lady, always cheerful even when she lost her husband and five year old daughter to a car accident.

"My favourite nephew," she squealed, wrapping her arms around Cephan. He hugged her back feeling the warmth he hadn't felt in years.

"How're you doing aunty?" He asked as she led him inside.

"Jolly as always, your sister Rose went to see a friend, she loves it here."

Of course she would.

Cephan couldn't allow her to stay even a day with his father, especially after the night he almost lost her.

He didn't want to remember that rainy night so he shrugged it off and focused on the present.

His Rose was a cheerful girl and just needed the right environment. Aunt Maryjane came to the rescue, she needed a daughter after all.

"She's turning ten today, yes?"

"And Seven years for mother's funeral," he added and regretted it.

Why did he always sullen the happy mood?

Aunt Maryjane smacked his arm hard making him grimace.

"What was that for?"

"For trying to ruin the happy mood. You should be happy for your sister!"

She was right, he needed to be happy for her and not try to ruin it.

Just then, ten year old Rose ran in and on seeing her brother, she increased her pace.

"Ceph!"

Cephan grabbed her and twirled her round.

"You look just like a princess!" She laughed as he brought her down.

"You need to see, aunty made a beautiful cake just for me!" She chatted, her dimples deepening.

This was his life when his mother still lived, and even when she found out about her cancer, she still tried to be the best mom.

His father wasn't always that harsh, he was the most gentle soul Cephan Miller ever knew and maybe that was why he wished he could change.

He wished that when he had smashed a glass on his little sister's head.

He wished that when he came back home and blamed him for mother's death - and he still wished that his father would see reason and change.

The alcohol consumed him and if he pushed on a little bit more, he might return to his old loving self.

"Go on and get ready for shopping, I'd like to speak with Cephan," Aunt Maryjane said, bringing him back to reality.

Rose nodded, running off upstairs. When she was out of sight, Aunt Maryjane turned to face him.

"How's Charles? Still drinking?"

Cephan nodded, already overwhelmed with emotions.

"You know you could stay with me, I need an extra..."

"You've already done so much, aunty, I'm old enough to handle everything," he said firmly.

Aunt Maryjane watched him, although he said he could handle it, she knew he was lying. Nineteen was still teenage years.

"Call me if you change your mind," she muttered, assuring him that everything would be fine.

Cephan stood to his feet, he brought out a small gift box he had bought on his way.

"Tell Rose I have to work overnight, and I'm sorry I couldn't stay for her birthday." He handed her the box and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"You know, to pour out my sorrow to the dead."

***

The rain that was only a drizzle started to pour once he reached his mother's grave. The flower in his hands was already wet, but he dropped it anyway.

"You liked roses a lot, so I brought you some..."

He squatted, his fingers feeling the hardness of the stone and the words written on them.

"Rose is happier with Aunty, I told you she was staying there for sometime until I get a stable job and a house..."

Cephan clenched his jaw as the rain dropped to his eyes causing the tears he tried to hold in to flow.

"Father's fine too, I shouldn't worry you about how he's changed- you wouldn't like that..."

He hiccuped, tears pouring down mixing with the rain.

"I'm sorry I couldn't handle all this. It's my fault everything's like this and even now, I'm crying like a child... you said I was strong but sometimes... I want to end it."

Cephan wiped his tears, his throat itched from crying and his hands shivered due to the cold.

"But Rose needs me and father... I'm sure he needs me too. I'm good at basketball now too, like very good at it and I find myself intrigued by my highschool teacher too, is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He laughed lightly standing to his feet.

"Anyhow life goes, I'm sure I'll end up making you happy, wherever you are."

Cephan turned to go, he glanced over at the grave once more, then walked away.

He needed to be strong for Rose and himself.

"I should head home," he muttered to himself.

***

As soon as Cephan stepped into the house, he had a loud bang on the floor. His father had smashed another glass on the floor.

"I should clean this up tomorrow," he gave a mental note walking past Mr Charles Miller.

"How could you leave me," he mourned, taking a huge gulp of alcohol.

Cephan stopped and watched his father looking for a sign of redemption. He was always like that every year on this day.

"Cephan..." he muttered, bringing Cephan back to reality.

Did his father call his name?

"Yes," he answered.

"Your mother was good, and it's not your fault she died, let's just say life has a way of taking the things you cherish the most," he said, taking another gulp.

"I know that."

He wished he believed it too.

"You don't. You kept Rose away from me because I'm a heartless father anyway. Y'all will end up leaving me to die," he said.

Cephan bit his lips so hard that it drew blood. He needed to go upstairs and catch some real sleep before his father returned to his normal self - drunk and angry.

"Let's hope we won't come to that," he muttered and disappeared up the stairs and into his room.

His mind wandered to last night, he felt at peace at that woman's place. Miss Abby was kind and gentle, he didn't want to ruin her reputation by doing all those things with her, but he couldn't help it.

Desire was like a small fire, but once ignited could spread and destroy a whole nation.

That was the kind of desire he had.

"Miss Abby Sean," he muttered, shutting his eyes.

He knew he should avoid her, it was dangerous - the sexual relationship they had together.

Cephan also knew he wasn't going to keep his word.

Sex was one thing, but desire was a whole different thing.

The men's locker room smelled like sweat, disinfectant and athlete deodorant. Lockers were being slammed as people talked rather too loudly.

Practice was over, and Cephan stood at his locker taking a gulp of water from his bottle. He needed to see Miss Abby before he headed home.

Lost in his thoughts, Cephan didn't notice how quiet the locker room became. He didn't take notice of the footsteps that approached him until someone called his name.

"Hey, Miller!"

Cephan turned sharply to see Dav and his other guys. He rolled his eyes wondering what they wanted or maybe they wanted to pay him back for what he had done to them a week ago.

"Hey, Dav. You have a pretty interesting thing going on on your face. Don't tell me that's a new fashion thing you picked up," he mocked, banging his locker shut.

"I gotta go anyway."

As Cephan made to jog past them, Chuck pulled him back pushing him towards the locker. The back of his head throbbed as he forcefully hit it on the metal locker.

"Shit, that hurts man," he winced, massaging the back of his head.

He sighed and looked straight into Dav's eyes.

"Come at me and I'll make sure to break each of your legs and arms so you wouldn't have to come for practice," Cephan threatened, his eyes firing bullets at Dav and his men.

Cephan marched off, his shoulders scraping hard against Mason's. It was already late and Miss Abby probably left while those bastards tried to have him in the locker room, so he quickened his step taking long strides to her office.

"God let her be around," he muttered a prayer impulsively, turning the knob and pushing it open.

Immediately he barged into the office, their eyes met, he stared at her lips for what seemed like a minute before deciding to come in.

"I'm sorry for coming in without knocking, Miss Abby," he said suddenly feeling guilty for disrespecting his teacher.

Abby smiled a little and dipped her head telling him to come in and lock the door behind him.

"It's fine, Cephan, why are you here? I didn't know you missed me that much," she teased pushing her laptop aside.

Cephan rolled his eyes, closing the distance between them. She stood, unwilling to crane her neck for him.

It wasn't her fault, Cephan was a basketball player and their heights were something else.

"I thought you already left but I'm glad you're here," he breathed, slipping his hand around her slender waist.

Abby blinded by fascination, stared at his face, his eyes were like gray storm and his lips... fuck... she couldn't describe how they made her feel. Her heartbeat quickened and her body tensed at the mere thought of him touching her.

"I want you to tutor me," he said, bringing her back from her unholy thoughts.

Abby raised an eyebrow and moved away from him back to her seat.

"That's not bad, but why? You're basically a B student that's why you're still in sports," she questioned, her eyes sweeping his body.

Fuck me!

She cursed wondering when she became this used to having him around, when she craved his body so much.

Abby had tossed and turned throughout the night because he wasn't there with her. It hadn't been long since they knew each other intimately but her stupid body greedily wanted more of him.

"I just wanted to get a better grade considering this is my last exam here," he replied, tearing his eyes away from her and staring at the laptop on the desk.

Cephan knew he only wanted to spend more time with her because no one knew what would happen after graduation. They probably wouldn't even see each other again.

"So what do I get in return?" She asked so suddenly that it surprised Cephan.

"What?"

"You know, many tutors request money. I'm asking what I get in return," she repeated, a wide smirk spreading across her lips.

Cephan Miller scoffed, took her by the hand and pulled her towards him so that her breast hit his chest.

"I'll tell you this weekend, yes?"

She said nothing so he smashed his lips on hers taking her to the table. She didn't fight him off.

She loved it.

"Let's meet at your place this weekend and I'll tell you exactly what you get-" Cephan sucked hard at her lower lip, a moan leaving her mouth.

"Miss Abby Sean," he added, kissing her hair.

Abby smiled in response. She couldn't wait for the weekend and she wished it would come fast.

***

The weekend finally came although it seemed like three years passed before it came.

Abby called her cleaners to do a thorough cleaning not only because it was that time of the month, but she was also expecting someone.

"I'm just a tutor," she sighed knowing full well she was deceiving herself.

After ten pacing around, five unholy thoughts, and what seemed like forever, a knock finally came. Abby rushed to the door and opened it without checking who it was.

"You ordered pizza," the man at the door said. She didn't know why she felt disappointed, but that was what age felt.

"Thank you, I'll take that."

Abby looked up at the familiar voice and her lips spread into a wide smile.

"You're here!" She half squealed, thanking the delivery guy and ushering her man... Cephan in.

Shutting the door, she folded her arms and looked at him pretending to be annoyed.

"It's way past noon, Mr Miller!"

Cephan laughed, wrapping his arms around her. "You're cute when you're angry, did anyone tell you that?" He asked, changing the subject. He didn't want to ruin the mood by telling her how his father had been beaten up by some of his fellow gamblers.

"Don't change the subject!" She reprimanded, but let him kiss her cheeks, bite her ear and slide his tongue into her mouth.

"Should we study then? I have all my materials ready!"

***

Lessons went well or so they tried to deceive themselves.

"If you get this right then we can rest now," she said, taking a slice of pizza from the box that sat on the table.

Cephan grinned, working his hands off on the paper before him.

"I'm sure I got it now," he said after a few minutes of brain racking.

Abby looked at the answer and groaned, she knew he was failing on purpose.

"So do we have to rest now?" He asked, taking her chin and planting a kiss on her already wet lips.

"Maybe we should take a break and I'll tell you what you get in return," he whispered huskily.

All those kissing and maths were making him hard. His heart rate increased by just looking at the line between her breasts, and when she hit his head for purposely failing, he almost lost it.

"You're right, a little rest won't be that bad," she agreed, shutting the book in front of her.

Cephan pulled her up and sat her on the table, he tugged at her shirt, his hands sliding into the shirt, he popped open her bra.

"Shall we begin?"

**

"Must you leave, it's already late?" Abby murmured standing at the door with him. She didn't want him to leave, but it looked like the best thing to do because at that point her legs were weak.

"Yes, my dad's not really feeling okay, he got in an accident," he lied.

No one would want to stay at Abby's more than Cephan. He desired her and wanted every bit of her, but his father was waiting - Mr Miller needed some drugs and someone had to change his bandage.

"I'll come later tomorrow, but it's not a promise, sweetheart... Miss Abby," he corrected himself, feeling embarrassed.

Abby laughed, softly patting his cheeks.

"It's Abby to you. Drop the Miss when we're together, okay?"

He nodded, pulling her in for a last hug. He kissed her nose making her turn bright pink.

"I'll see you around, Abby."

Once Abby shut the door, he leaned against it heaving wearily. He didn't really have much money to spare but father needed the drugs the doctor had recommended.

"Fuck this," he cursed slapping his temple.

Just then something ran in the shadows catching his attention.

He sighed, paying no heed to it. It was probably one of those neighborhood kids who loved to get in trouble.

Rumours are said to start from somewhere then it spreads like a wildfire in the woods burning down every tree it passes, the wind being of major help.

The latest rumour in Christon high wasn't about the sixteen year old cheerleader who got assaulted by her math teacher nor was it about how Dav dumped his boyfriend in the middle of a game.

As Cephan Miller walked down the hallway, eyes followed, and the murmurs were very much audible.

He opened his locker and took a book from it and as he shut it, his teammate's face popped up.

"Hey, Miller," he greeted, giving him their not-too -secret team handshake.

"What's up bro, heading to class?" He asked bluntly as though two girls weren't giggling behind him.

"Sure."

They walked in silence although the eyes that stared in judgement said a lot, the whispers of both disapproval, gossip and daydreaming filled the hall as they strode past the hall.

"They're asking what dating your teacher feels like," Jacob finally spoke, breaking the silence.

Cephan shrugged, pretending not to know what had just said.

"Date my teacher? Who the fuck said I was dating a teacher?"

"The entire school, bro. Some guy said he saw you guys kissing and you've been frequenting her office too," Jacob explained, telling how some kid found him in a questionable position with a certain Miss Abby Sean.

Cephan suddenly remembered the shadow that ran after Abby had closed the door. He laughed rubbing his temple.

"People always want something to talk about. Last time it was that basketball captain, Cephan Miller in a relationship with David Brown-" he sighed before adding, "Dav is basically my long time enemy, and now it's that I'm in a relationship with some boring teacher. Come on, they should pick a side!"

Jacob laughed as they reached the classroom.

"You're right though, they should really pick a side, and even if you were in a relationship, it's not some boring ass teacher, right?"

Cephan gave an awkward grin and turned to enter the class.

"Coming for a smoke?"

"Nah, I'll pass," he said, entering the class.

He needed to have a talk with Abby before things went out of hand, after all rumours hardly died in Christon high except one gave a reason for it to.

***

One cup of coffee

A warm blanket and a woman by the side - a sexy woman.

"I called in sick from work because I needed to speak with you, Miss... Abby," Cephan said, taking a sip from his coffee.

He called in sick from work and they gladly gave him the permission to even stay a week away if he wanted to after all he had worked overtime for two years straight without breaking down.

He needed the break, although he didn't plan to stay a week off work - he needed the money most.

"I know, I heard about those stupid rumours," Abby replied, her fingers resting on his shoulder. He shivered at her touch, aware of how dangerous she was.

He bit his lips hard then spoke, "It's the truth anyways. I ended up putting you in my mess, Abby."

Abby inched closer to him, glancing at his handsome face. He looked like a Greek god except his eyes were never bright enough.

She knew about his family but never thought to pry and it seemed he didn't want to talk about it.

"Your mess? Hah... I'm the adult here anyways. It's our mess Ceph, and we'll find a way to stop it," she said, taking a slice of cake from the plate that sat quietly on the small table.

Cephan dropped the cup and turned to face her, his lips quivered which made him all the more tempting to touch.

"It's just been really hard for me and involving you I'm my shit was really selfish of me. Maybe we should just stop what we're doing, you might get fired."

He wished he could regret ever starting this thing they had for each other but he couldn't.

It had to stop some way or she'd be in deep trouble. His heart ached so he rubbed it gently with his index and middle finger.

"Do you regret it?" She asked, her brown eyes staring right at his soul. Abby's eyes were glassy, she didn't know why she acted vulnerable and pitiful in front of this guy. Her eyes began to tear up, and holding it in was no longer an option so it fell down her cheeks.

"No. I want to, but I can't-"

Cephan brushed his finger against her cheeks wiping her tears even though fresh ones fell.

"You know what?" She looked at him curiously, not sure of what he wanted to say.

"What?" She asked.

A smile appeared on Cephan's face, he took her face and brought it close to his. He whispered,

"Let's fuck."

***

Cephan wondered why the fuck the streetlights were going on and off. He walked alone, his hands in his pocket while he thought of how far his relationship with Abby had gone. Three weeks already passed and he already explored every bit of her.

He somewhat felt guilty for denying Miss Abby in front of Jacob but it was needed.

He still never asked her age, but he knew he didn't really care.

Thinking of her made his heart beat fast, and he bit his lips to hold in his groan.

"Yooo, brother," someone called.

Cephan rolled his eyes already knowing who that was. A deep voice that annoyed every bit of him and his minions following behind him.

David Brown.

"Yo, Dav," he said, turning to face them.

Dav came towards him, his guys following him, they all had a cigar in their mouth except Christian Waner who had a lollipop stuck in his mouth.

"The rumours are rather pleasing to the ear," he said, puffing out smoke.

Dav placed the cigar between his lips and sucked it in hard, he took a step closer and blew it on Cephan's face.

"Care for a smoke?"

Cephan rolled his eyes before taking the cigar. "Handing me a cigar still doesn't explain why you're tailing me. Prolly one of your boys who spread that rumour?" He asked sucking in the air from the cigar.

"Nah, we're here to invite you to a party," Chuck said, pulling out a paper from his pocket and handing it to him.

Cephan glanced through it without grabbing a word from it. He wasn't going to come as long as they were the ones hosting it or even attending it.

"I'll pass, I gotta go," he said, turning to leave.

"We have a surprise - something to do with your teacher. You'll love it, it's this Saturday," Dav said and that piqued his interest.

They wanted to say something about Abby at the party. His eyes widened at the thought of them knowing about their class- office sex.

"I'll be there," he grumbled, throwing the cigar on the floor and walking out.

Those bastards had struck a nerve in him, and he wasn't going to let them go scot free.