We can't go through with this... Right? (Ruri)

Aidan watched her leave, not able to reply to her question fast enough. He suddenly remembered the second bell had rung, indicating class was starting. He bolted back towards the building, cursing under his breath at his lack of time management. The only thing on his mind was Cara. Tonight she had said. She wanted him to come visit her tonight. And he hadn't the heart to tell her that he couldn't. That tonight was a conference meeting that all the teachers had to attend. How could he forget that?


He reached his classroom, stopping just before the door. Aidan smoothed down his hair, quickly checking his appearance in one of the art display window reflections. With nothing out of the ordinary, he walked into his classroom to see the eager faces of some his art students. He gave them all a smile, walked over to his desk, and started to take attendance. Today was going to be a very long day. He just knew it.
 
As Cara sat in her seat, she watched the teacher go about her lesson, thinking about Aidan of course. That was her first kiss, it was with him. The memory sent shivers up and down her spine and she looked down at her blank paper, writing nonsense down so that it looked like she was doing something. She didn't want to look suspicious, she needed to stay away from the spotlight as much as possible. She just hoped that he could come tonight, it was a friday though so they had the weekend if he couldn't come that night. She bit her lower lip and then winced, remembering that it was still split, even though she had been kissing Aidan too.


She didn't see Aidan the rest of the day, and that was a good and bad thing. Good, because then she didn't have to just walk past him and resist grabbing him and kissing him. And it was bad because she missed him. The school day lasted forever, and when the day was finally over she was relieved. She walked down the hallway, peeking into his art room, seeing him in there but she couldn't stop to talk to him. She had to get home to her grandmother. Cara quickly left, getting into her car and putting her phone on full volume as she backed out and drove home. Hopefully he would text her or even call her.
 
A groan escaped Aidan at the amount of paperwork in front of him. With the conference meeting tonight and mid-semester reviews for his students due, there would be little time for himself for the next two days. How would he be able to tell Cara that? Cara... Just the thought of her made him smile. He didn't want to wait to see her. He wished he could ignore all this work and go to her right now. Sadly, that wasn't a possible action.


He leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. This day went from amazing to busy to bad in a short amount of time. Aidan still needed to call her, tell her that he wouldn't be able to make it tonight unless it was late. He opened his eyes and grabbed his cell phone, fingers quickly typing out the number she gave him. Holding it to his ear, Aidan sighed in relief as it went to voicemail. "Hey.." He stated, feeling awkward talking to a student so casually. "It is Aidan. I wanted to tell you that I won't be able to come tonight. There is a meeting at school that won't be over until 10pm tonight. I miss you Ca-"


His voice was cut off by a voice calling out to him, "Aidan!" He turned his head, phone still at his ear. Aidan's eyes widened, his jaw tightening as he glared at the woman in front of him. "Monica..." He growled, lowering the phone from his ear. "What are you doing here, Monica?"


Monica gave him a demure look, smirking at him. "Why to say hello to you Aidan. Has it really been only six months since we last saw each other?" She explained, giving him an innocent smile.


"Get to the point, Monica." Aidan stated, his distaste for the woman seen plainly on his face. Monica Larkin, ex-girlfriend and liar extradionaire, the very reason he took the job at this school.


"Why to get you back darling. I missed you." Monica replied, stalking over to him and sitting on the desk. She grabbed the cellphone in his hand and snapped it shut. Satisfaction and lust reflected clearly in her eyes, a seductive smile on her lips.


Aidan shook his head, glaring at her. "Get out Monica. Never contact me again. I have no interest in ever being with you in any capacity in the near or far future. If I ever see you set foot here at this school again, I will have you arrested for trespassing." He spatted out, standing from his chair and walking way from the woman.


"Fine, darling. I will leave now but I will be back." Monica tiffed, jumping off the desk and stalking out of the room angrily.


He sighed tiredly, his body worn out from interacting with the she-devil woman. Why he ever dated her, he didn't know. It was then that he remembered that he was on the phone with Cara before Monica walked in. Cara must have heard everything. Aidan groaned and kicked the chair in front of him, sending it sprawling across the room. His shout echoed within the art room, "Damn it!"
 
"Grams, I'm home!"Cara called, walking into the living room and kissing her on the head."Hello dear."Gran said lightly, watching the Tv."I'll start the tea and make dinner."Cara said lightly, getting everything out. Her phone started to ring and her heart started beating fast. She didn't answer it because she had a pot of water in her hand. She would just call him back. When everything was heating up, she grabbed her phone and sat down on the kitchen counter. All excited, she put the phone to her ear and listened to the voicemail. Her smile drooped immediately by the end of the voice mail, her jaw dropped.


There was another girl.


Cara dropped her phone and covered her mouth with her hand, biting her palm as she felt the tears coming. How could he do this to her? After what they had experienced behind the school? She felt sick to her stomach as she started to shake uncontrollably, her mind was racing and she couldn't see nor think straight. With great effort, she turned the stove off and then collapsed onto the floor. Her anxiety took over and she passed out.


When she opened her eyes, she heard the beeping of machines and smelt the generic hospital smells. When she eyes focused on what was around her and she jumped seeing the nurse there."Oh you're awake, good."The nurse said, fixing her blankets."Where's my grandmother?"She blurted and the nurse just smiled."Your grandmother is here, she is in the waiting room reading a magazine."The nurse assured her and Cara relaxed slightly, looking down at the needle in her arm and all the machines she was hooked up on."When can I get out of here? What time is it?"Cara asked. The nurse patted her hand,"Its Saturday afternoon honey."The nurse told her and Cara leaned back into the pillows, closing her eyes. She had been asleep for sometime.
 
Aidan ran a hand through his hair for the hundredth time, throwing the cell phone hastily away from him. After he figured out that the voicemail had him interacting with Monica, he frantically called Cara back. Again and again and again, getting voicemail each time. He groaned, hoping Cara heard his hastily spoken apologies and declarations of innocence. It was almost like he was a cheating husband to her. However, he wasn't her husband. Not even her boyfriend. He was her teacher, maybe something more if he hadn't already blown it.


He resisted the urge to kick the wall of his apartment, having already finished the reviews. Aidan had been up all night, unable to sleep and unwilling to allow himself rest. He had showered this morning, hoping to find a call back from Cara. Nothing had been on his phone except a text from the school informing him of a student in the hospital, name unspecified. He shook his head, collapsing onto the couch and burying his face in his hands. What was he going to do?
 
"Dear, your phone has been blowing up ever since last night."Her grandmother said as she walked into the room. Cara was half asleep, still in the bed and hooked up to machines. She knew who the calls were from and she just looked away,"Don't answer them Gran"She said simply, her heart aching. But her grandmother was stubborn and opened the phone, listening to all of the voicemails."Oh dear, this man seems very sorry over what he has done Cara.. Why don't you call him back?"She asked but Cara ignored her. And so Gran called Aidan,"Hello, I don't know who your name is but you seem very sweet and sincere towards my granddaughter Cara. She is currently in the main hospital downtown, room 213."She spoke into the phone and then hung up, hoping that Aidan had gotten all of the information.


"Gran! Why did you do that?"Cara rubbed her forehead, covering her face with her hands."I don't want to see him."She mumbled against her hands and her grandmother laughed."Oh sweetie just rest and let grandmother handle this one for once. This man seems to really care about you.. and I want grand babies."she blurted randomly and she groaned loudly.
 
Aidan put the phone down, guilt slowly eating away at him. Panic was in there too. Why was Cara in the hospital and why was her grandmother answering her phone? He quickly realized that the student in the hospital was Cara. A string of curses erupted from him, his hands clenching into fists. Why had he not put the two things together? Now he had a decision to make. He desperately wanted to visit her and apologize in person but he couldn't appear in public as anything more then her teacher.


He grabbed his coat and bike keys, locking the door behind him as he left. Aidan climbed onto his motorcycle, kicked the stand, and started the engine before taking off. He drove through streets, nearly avoiding red lights and police cars. Feeling like a man possessed, he couldn't get over the guilt eating away inside him. That voicemail was the reason Cara was in the hospital. Would she even be willing to see him?


A short time later, he pulled up in the hospital parking lot and parked his bike. He turned off the engine, ignoring the curious glances to his wind blown hair and worried face. Aidan pocketed the keys and walked towards the hospital entrance, intent on making Cara see reason. It would have to be in the capacity of her teacher. He couldn't take the risk of them being discovered, more for Cara's sake then his.


The nurse at the front desk smiled at him as he walked in. He approached her, giving her a charming grin to offset his worried eyes. "Good morning. I am here to see one of my student, a Miss Brooks." He exclaimed, waiting patiently as the nurse checked the files and directed him towards the elevator. Aidan nodded his head in thanks, following her directions to the elevator and taking it to the second floor. Before he knew it, he was in front of Cara's hospital room.


Aidan took a deep breath, doing his best to put on a friendly smile for someone who only cared for their student. What a liar he had turned out to be. He knocked on the door, giving the old woman who answered it a curt nod. "Hello. I am here to see Cara Brooks. I am her teacher, Mr. Parker." It took every ounce of control not to say that he was not just her teacher.
 
"I know who you are, come in."Gran told the new man standing there and assured him inside the room. She shut the door behind them and shut the blinds of the room."There, you can stop pretending now and act like the guy in the voicemails that I like so much."Gran explained, smiling at him and then looking at Cara, who was looking at the wall."She's really stubborn, but I know that you can crack her. I'll be outside making sure no one comes in."She told him, patting him on the shoulder and then walking outside, shutting the door behind her.


Cara heard the door shut and finally looked at him, taking in his worried appearance."Why are you here? To tell me in person that there's another girl? And that I was just a little fill in until she came back in town or something?"She asked, sitting up a little more so she got a good look at him. The hurt was clear in her eyes and voice. She was at war with herself.
 
Aidan watched the older woman walk away, barely containing his shock and unease. Were all Brooks women this upfront about things? He was a private man by nature, not one to discuss his personal affairs with anyone. However, he would never be able to drop the teacher act. That was what he was first and foremost to Cara, at this moment. He would prefer to remain her teacher if that meant he wouldn't have to be the man who hurt her. Aidan much preferred the teacher role.


"Miss Brooks...I'm-" Aidan couldn't continue the sentence, even though everything inside him was screaming to remain professional. Not allow himself to give into the worry and guilt dueling within him . To hell with his career at this point if it meant hurting the young woman before him. "No, Cara..." He whispered, stepping forward and hesitantly coming to stand at the end of the bed. "There is no other woman. That," he couldn't think of a proper word to describe Monica, "she-devil banshee woman means nothing to me. I can't stand the sight of her to be honest." He shook his head, his gaze lingering on Cara the entire time as he spoke. "I didn't come here to beg you to take me back. I don't have the right to ask that. I just wanted you to know that there is no one else. No one else for me but you at this moment."


Not able to hold her gaze any longer, Aidan looked away. "That she-devil is the entire reason why I am teaching at the Academy. I ran from her after she cheated on me more times then I can count. I ran away because I didn't want to deal with her drama or excuses anymore. I didn't expect to find you here though Cara. I didn't expect to find this, whatever we once had." He exclaimed quietly, turning his back to her. Having lost the right to hold her or even kiss her, Aidan knew he had put her through what Monica did to him. "I won't bug you anymore. I just wanted you to know the truth Cara." Turning back to look at her, Aidan gave her a grim smile. He was willing to let her go, let her find someone who she wouldn't have to hide from her friends or even family. He could never give Cara what she truly deserved, a normal relationship. "Take care of yourself, Miss Brooks. You can always find me in the art room if you need a teacher to talk to." He stated, nodding once before going to leave the room.
 
"Stop calling me Miss brooks when we aren't in class Aidan.."She first blurted out, after hearing him speak and then watching his facial expressions. She could tell that he was telling her the truth."I believe you, about the woman and everything. I don't want.. I don't want to lose you. You made.. Make me so happy, when I'm just around you I can feel my anxiety level decreasing and my hands actually stop shaking. I don't want you to leave, ever."She shook her head, her eyes getting big as she saw him so close to the door."Please don't leave me."She whispered, feeling pathetic but she didn't care. If she could, she would get up and go to him, but the wires they had her on was a problem."I understand that you're nervous and scared about.. Us.. I am too.. But when we are away from the academy.. in a enclosed room, you don't have to act professional, act like you did behind the school building yesterday."She told him, hoping that he would take it to heart and just act like himself around her. The real Aidan, not the Mr Parker art teacher Aidan.
 
Aidan paused in front of the door, his hand barely grasping the door knob. He listened to her speech, guilt eating away at him once again. How did he keep finding new ways to hurt her no matter what he did? He wanted to refuse to turn around, feeling horrible for the way he had been treated her. A grown man and still not able to act properly around women. He would deem himself a lost cause for Cara if he didn't know how stubborn she could be.


He turned around, eyes reflecting the guilt within him. "Cara..." He whispered, his feet carrying him over to her bedside. Aidan reached forward, brushing a few locks of hair out of her face. "Cara...my Cara..." He stated softly, leaning down and brushing his lips gently against hers.
 
When he turned around, Cara smiled a little, glad that he came to his senses."Yes.."She whispered when he called her name, reaching her hand out as he came closer and touched her hair. Her eyes closed, loving the feel of his touch as she leaned against his fingers."Aidan.."She breathed, tipping her head up so that their lips met properly and she kissed him, her fingers reaching up and into his hair. She pulled him closer, practically onto the bed with her, she never felt so happy in a hospital before in her life. Cara heard a knock at the door and gave him one last kiss before moving her head to see who it was. It was Gran, smiling at them and shutting the door behind her.


"It's just me, I was tired of standing and wanted to come in here and sit down."Gran explained, sitting in the chair across the room."You two make a lovely couple."She said lightly, smiling big. Cara blushed, taking Aidan's hand and running her thumb over his knuckles."Thank you Gran, for calling him and bringing him here."She said, resting her head against his arm, kissing it lightly as she looked up at him to see his face.
 
Aidan almost froze at hearing the door open. He pulled away from Cara, standing stiffly beside her. It was the older woman from before that Cara referred to as Gran. Even if Cara was beside him, he still felt uncomfortable about people knowing about them. This entire relationship had to remain a secret if they didn't want to get caught. The more people who knew, the more likely Cara could be expelled or he thrown in prison. Aidan feared more for Cara then he did for himself.


He nodded his head in acknowledgement at the woman's words, risking a hesitant smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Brooks." He exclaimed, not knowing what else to say. She was Cara's grandmother and someone very important in her life. Aidan knew he would have to trust Cara on this, for both their sakes. "If I might ask, you have no objection to our situation?" He asked, not knowing how else to phrase it as he cast Cara an affectionate glance. It would take the police dragging him away to leave his Cara now.
 
Cara smiled a little at how rigid he got when her gran walked into the room, rubbing her thumb across his knuckles."It's okay."She whispered, looking up at him to try and get him to look at her. Her gran just sat and smiled at them, turning her head when Aidan started speaking."Oh no, I don't know why people make such a big deal out of it. You two look so happy together, people should accept and move on."Gran told him, shrugging her small shoulders and Cara smiled."I love you Gran."She said lightly, kissing Aidan's arm. Her gran just smiled more,"I love you too sweetie."She said and then heard the door again."Cara?"A nurse asked, looking at her in the bed. Cara looked at her and nodded,"The doctor has already checked your vitals and he says that everything is okay. You're free to leave."She told her and then walked out."I already filled out your papers."Gran mentioned, standing up.


Cara nodded,"Okay"She said lightly, squeezing Aidan's hand before letting him go so that she could stand up. She then walked to the bathroom, changing into the clothes that she had arrived in the hospital in originally. When she came back out, she pulled her hair up into a bun on her head. She smiled at Aidan, wrapping her arms around his waist and closing her eyes."I like seeing you like this, all laid back and casual."She commented, looking up at him and puckering her lips like a fish.
 
Aidan chuckled at Cara's expression. "Laid back and casual?" He questioned, one of his eyebrows quirked and a curious glint in his eyes. Those would not be words he would have originally used to describe himself. Brooding and professional sounded more like him. "I think you might have hit your head harder then the doctor thought yesterday. Especially if you think of me as that." He teased, placing a light kiss on her forehead. He was greatly relieved to hear that she would be okay.


He pulled her flush against him, hugging her tightly. "Don't scare me like that again." Aidan whispered, his voice raw with emotion. It hinted at unspoken words he was too afraid to speak in public. However, Cara meant more to him then he let on. Maybe he was afraid of getting hurt again or that he would hurt Cara intentionally next time without realizing it. Whatever the reason was, he was in this relationship for the long run.
 
Cara laughed, shaking her head."You are the most handsome man I've ever seen."She told him,"Never doubt that."She added, shaking her head. Her arms tightened around him when he pulled her against his chest. She could see Gran in the corner just smiling away while working on her knitting. Cara looked back up at him when he spoke,"I won't.."She whispered against his chest, closing her eyes for a couple seconds before tilting her head back up at him again. She smiled, seeing the look in his eyes and she placed a kiss against his chest right above his heart.


"Alright lovelies, my cab is here."Gran said randomly and Cara looked at her,"You called a cab?"She asked, confused. Gran smiled and nodded,"I figured that you would want to spend time with Aidan so I called a cab to take me home."Gran explained and Cara detached herself from Aidan so that she could hug her."Thank you.. I love you so much."She whispered, kissing Gran's cheek and then letting her leave. She turned back to Aidan with a smile."What were you going to say?"She asked, taking both his hands in hers as she got closer.
 
Aidan nodded stiffly back at the older woman, giving her a hesitant smile as she left. His gaze immediately shifted back to Cara, the emotions from before still too raw for his liking. Without even meaning to, his eyes becoming guarded and his posture straight. "This is not the place to discuss such things." He stated, offering her a reassuring smile despite his more conservative demeanor. "Might I suggest we continue somewhere else? Perhaps I can take you home?"


He was concerned about staying at the hospital any longer. The staff would begin to question why an older man was here visiting a student, despite his earlier declaration for being her teacher. It would be in their best interest to retreat from the hospital at this time. "Though I must warn you. I prefer alternative means of transportation other then a motor vehicle." Aidan exclaimed, mischief dancing in his eyes at the thought of his bike. It pleased him greatly to imagine Cara on his motorcycle, hands wrapped around him while her body is flush against him. It was a very pleasing image indeed
 
When he suddenly changed, stiffening up and becoming his guarded self she tilted her head."What's wrong?"She asked, turning her head and looking around them, thinking that maybe someone else was in the room with them. She turned back to him, looking up into his eyes."Um, sure that sounds nice."She cleared her throat, stepping away from him and checking that she had everything."Well alright then, I'm ready."She walked to the door and opened it. She looked back at him, raising her eyebrow at what he had said."Oh, well this should be interesting."She laughed, walking out into the hallway and headed towards the exit of the hospital.


When she got outside, Cara stretched her arms up and over her head, yawning as she watched him."So, if you don't own a motor vehicle, that must mean that you have a motorcycle."She concluded, looking around the parking lot and spotting a few motorcycles."You just want me pressed against you don't you?"She joked, sticking her tongue out at him playfully with a small laugh.
 
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