Chapter 1

The class had ended and Sarah takes a long time to put her school supplies into her bag. The rest of the class has left as she slowly walks to the front of the class. “I really liked your lesson today Mr. Mace.”
“Thank you Sarah, I noticed you weren’t falling asleep during my class today.” says Mr. Mace in his thick Irish accent. He starts to gather his books and pack up for the day. “Is there something I can help you with Sarah? I noticed you are not running off with your friends. Is something the matter?” he asked scratching the base of his neck, a nervous trait lingering from childhood. Sarah looks at her teacher with what appears as shyness in her sapphire eyes. Meanwhile, she was really being sly, over shy and checking out his nicely toned arms and single ear ring. “No, nothing.” She starts to walk out of the class as he stops her short. By putting a gentle hand on her shoulder he brings her back into his presence. His warmth.
“Surely something must be wrong. You have not handed in anything this week, and well, it’s just not like you.” Sarah looked up into his warm brown eyes and crumpled into a close-by chair. “Oh sir, I’m sorry. It’s just that I have so much trouble concentrating at home.’’ “And why is that?” he inquired. “I can’t do this, I just can’t. I don’t even really know you. I’m sorry sir, I have to go” she babbled on the verge of tears. Mr. Mace folded her into a concerned hug, one of his hands cradling the nape of her neck, and her short black pixie cut. “It’s alright Sarah, just sit here, I’ll get us something to drink. We can talk this over.” Mr. Mace left the room, his bag and coat strewn on the table. Sarah automatically calmed down, though she was still a bit shaken. Her phenomenal acting fooling even herself. Sarah had admired Mr. Mace from the first word that left his lips, which happened to be “Pleasure”. He had greeted her class first day of the semester by addressing them, purring “Pleasure to be teaching you this year.” Sarah was transfixed at once. Knowing she must have this fantastic, tempting teacher. Not having many friends in college, she had no distractions to this fascination. As Sarah recalled their first meeting she now reached over to his suede coat and blessed over the feel of it against her cheek.
She heard footsteps approaching and the sound of a door opening. “Well, I couldn’t find any water bottles, I hope Dr. Pepper is ok? I had to lift them from Mrs. Raynee’s supply. It’s ok, she owes me one.” He said with cautious humor. “Dr. Pepper is my favourite.” and it was. Something she didn’t have to lie about. But to get this man, she was going to have to be stealthy, and patient. He looked reassured, and brought his chair over beside hers. “Thank you sir.” she said, remembering herself. “Enough of this ‘sir’ nonsense, I’m barely 5 years older than you. When it’s just us talking after class, you can call me Nathan”. he consoled her. Score, 1 for Sarah she thought smirking internally. Sarah covertly glances at his suede coat again, this time wishing she could wear it, and nothing else. “Now, what seems to be troubling you?” he asked looking concerned, and taking a sip of his brown pop. Looking into his eyes Sarah says “It’s my brother. Well, step brother. He lives with us, and you see… I wish he didn’t.” she said the latter in a whisper. “Why is it that you don’t want him to live with you, and your family?” “I think only true, blood family should live together. And he keeps reminding me how we aren’t family. He won’t let me forget it.” Mr. Mace looks uncomfortable, but urges her to continue. “I mean family doesn’t do those things to each other.” There is a long pause in which tears slowly fall down Sarah’s cheek. Mr. Mace moves a bit closer, pulling his handkerchief out of his breast pocket, handing it to Sarah. Waiting, as she wipes the tears away, he enquires “Have you spoken to anyone else about this, like your parents?”
“Pfff, yea.” she bites with harsh sarcasm. “My Mom hasn’t been the same since Dad passed away. She’s a shell of herself. Lets Malcolm walk all over her. I don’t know why she married that bastard.” Sarah grumbled.
“I’ll take it Malcolm is your Step-father” Mr. Mace mentioned, connecting the dots. “Yes,” she answered defeatedly, “and his father. Nathan, I’m trapped at home, in this… situation. I don’t know who to turn to.” Sarah confessed. Running his hand through his ginger hair Nathan exhaled, for it seemed as if he had been holding his breath throughout the entire conversation. Instinctually he lifted up his coat and wrapped it around Sarah’s shoulders. Sitting back down he leaned back and said, more to himself “So you came to me”. “Yes,” she sighed “You are so easy to talk to. I just knew you wouldn’t judge me..” Glancing up at Nathan, Sarah’s eyes danced across his. He took a sharp intake of breath as her look drew him in. She was a fit, intelligent 22 year old woman, he was a charming, endearing 27 year old college teacher. This was a possibility.. not wholly impossible. Clearing his throat Mr. Mace took a long drag of his drink, and threw those notions out of his mind. “So does Malcolm give any special treatment to your bro- I mean, step-brother?” he asked. “If you mean ‘does he treat me like I don’t exist?’ or make me wish I didn’t, then yes.” She bristled. “He always takes his side, and even when he knows Hayden is guilty he doesn’t punish him. He gets away with everything.” She said with a shiver. Nathan was overwhelmed. This was not his job. He was not equipped to deal with this! And yet, Sarah had opened up. Why ship her off to a dozy social worker now? She might not open up again. This was his responsibility. “What does your step-brother do that bothers you so?” he asked. “Well…” Sarah says hesitantly. “In the past he… he’s touched me. He hasn’t gone so far for me to call the cops, or have any proof… but he has touched me before.” Nathan’s eyes widened “You haven’t told anyone about this?! Why?” “Well… it’s embarrassing. Most people would even call it incesed. I can’t have people knowing! You won’t tell anyone will you?” she pleaded.
“I have to tell someone, we have to stop this! It’s not right, he is taking advantage of you!” “But sometimes… I don’t want to, but I can’t control that… sometimes I like it.” Sarah blushed deeply. “I don’t want him to touch me ever again Nathan, what do I do?” she asked frantically. “Well…well…” Nathan started, nervously trying to hold back his primal desire. “That it is common in sexual harassment cases for the victim to feel enjoyment during a small portion of the attack. It has been proven by many studies. Aside from that, your step-brother is using you, and it needs to stop.” he ended forcefully. There was a pause where the only sounds were Sarah sobbing lightly, Nathan’s foot tapping on the floor, and the click of the second hand of the clock. “I might have an idea.” he said.
“Oh please tell me, I can hardly stand it anymore!” she begged desperately.
“I don’t know if it is even possible yet, so I will not raise your hopes. I will tell you tomorrow, after class, once I clear some things up.” Nathan promised. “Oh thank you Mr. Mace! Thank you!” Sarah sniffed as she hugged him tightly. Nathan was still seated and Sarah had sat on his lap as she gave him the grateful embrace. The pressure of her shapely body against his got the attention of his lower body. He gave her a quick hug back and got caught up in the perfume of her hair. ‘Stop it Nathan, you know better’ he scolded himself. Just then she brightened up, grabbed her bag and exited the classroom, leaving him with a semi, and a conundrum.