The Monarch Room Page 7

  On my way to the teacher’s lounge, I saw Matt grabbing a cup of coffee and I slowed to say hello. “You look happy. Much better than you did the other night,” he laughed. We slapped hands and I grabbed two blueberry muffins and two cups of coffee.

  “I feel much better. I have some extra credit work to take care of after school today but after that, lets hit the bar.”

  “I’m down. All you have to do is mention beer and I appear like Candyman.”

  “That movie scared the shit out of me as a kid. Don’t even mention it,” I warned.

  “Aw man, are you serious?” He laughed then looked down at the food and coffee in my hands. “You eating for two?”

  “Nah. I need some for now and some for later,” I reasoned. Matt lifted an eyebrow at me and nodded. “I’ll see you later tonight.” I tried not to rush out of the lounge but I didn’t want to leave Zuri in my room alone for too long, plus she was hungry. I hated the thought of fucking her and not feeding her.

  “I wasn’t gone for too long was I?” I asked, walking back into my classroom.

  “No, of course not. I was trying to get the hang of making things look like they’re in motion. I swear I don’t know why I struggle with everything in your class. I feel so stupid.” She rubbed her temples and leaned back in the chair. Her arched brows were furled together and her lip was tucked between her teeth.

  “I didn’t know how you took your coffee so I sweetened it and gave you a splash of cream.”

  “I like it sweet,” she smiled up at me. “Thank you, Roman.”

  “Not a problem, princess.” I handed her a muffin and she tore into it like she was starving. I watched her with a smirk. “Worked up an appetite?”

  “Yeah, someone fucked me within an inch of my life and now I’m famished.” The twinkle in her eye was going to kill me. I motioned for her to stand and I sat then pulled her on top of me.

  “You’re not stupid, Zuri and if I hear you saying that again we’re going to have problems. You’re overthinking it.” I took the pencil from her hand and sketched the fish she drew in class a couple weeks back. “See, when I draw it like this, the fish is floating. The background is what gives the fish motion.” I drew water bubbles and light motion lines while Zuri studied me.

  “Your hands move like water,” she mused.

  “You’ll get there. You also neglect the use of shadows. Shadows anchor your subject. You always neglect shadows and your motion lines are too harsh. They look cartoonish. Go in with a lighter hand.” I handed over the pencil and she tried again. When I noticed her pressing too hard on the paper, I pulled on her wrist and she gave lighter strokes.

  “Good,” I nodded, my lips against her ear. “Now draw a light shadow under the fish.” I watched her shade in a simple shadow and I smiled. “Draw some background. Coral and seaweed. Make them flow in the direction of your motion lines.” When she was done, I nodded and snaked my arm around her waist. “You did it. This is A work, Zuri.” She turned to look at me then offered the sweetest smile.

  “Thank you, Roman.” She pressed her lips to mine and we tasted each other’s tongues. She tasted like blueberry. One kiss, and my dick was ready to stand.

  “I’ll let you get some extra credit to make up for the work you’ve been turning in but we’re getting ready to move on from motion to capturing people.”

  “Fuck. Come on, Roman. The minute I finally grasp something and we’re moving on?”

  “Hey, I gave you a heads up. Calm down.” I squeezed her thigh and she winced.

  “You bit me there, remember?” I made her sit in front of me on top of my desk while I examined her legs. Sure enough bruises from my eager mouth were dotting the insides of her thighs.

  “Are you going to get in trouble?” I hated even saying those words. They reminded me that I was fucking with a student. A kid. Zuri didn’t feel like a kid though.

  “No. Nobody looks there except for you now.” She shrugged.

  I sighed and lowered my head so that I could kiss her there. “Does it hurt?”

  “Yes, but it hurts so good.” She tipped my chin up and kissed my lips.

  “I’ll be gentle next time.”

  “Don’t.” She locked on to my gaze and my cock throbbed.

  “You like it rough?” My hands were tightening around her waist.

  “Only when you do it. I think I like anything you do.” We fell silent, our breathing moving in sync. We broke apart when Principal Palmer’s voice crackled to life over the PA system.

  “Faculty, make sure to check your inboxes for an invite to the annual faculty dinner. I expect a RSVP. Good morning to any students entering the building. Let’s get the day started.” Zuri moved off my desk and I watched her rummage through her book bag and pull out a clean pair of panties.

  I laughed a little when she wiggled into them. “God, you are so gorgeous when you smile. Those dimples are going to ruin these panties too.”

  “Watch that mouth, Miss Okolo,” I winked at her.

  “Watch those dimples, Mr. Clermont.” She grabbed her cup of coffee and took a sip.

  I was so grateful that when a knock sounded on my door, she was across the room in her seat, writing something down in a small blue book. She looked ethereal when she poured over whatever was in that book. I stood up and opened the door to see Matt.

  “Did you get the invite?” He asked. His eyes darted over to Zuri then back to me.

  “I didn’t even check it.” I stepped into the hall and closed the door behind me. “I guess I should go grab the invite from my inbox, huh?”

  “Yeah. He expects a RSVP,” Matt laughed. I pushed out a relieved breath when Brittany Sawyer rushed into class and shut the door behind herself.

  “Lots of eager girls, huh?”

  “I guess,” I gave an underwhelmed shrug and walked with him to the main office to grab my invitation to the faculty dinner.

  “You bringing a date to the dinner?” Matt asked as we made our way back down the hall.

  “Date? Nah. The last thing I need is people in my business.”

  “Do you have a girlfriend, Rome?”

  “No,” I answered quickly. I could see his wheels spinning and I wanted them to spin away from Zuri and me. “My art is my girlfriend.”

  “More moody art teacher shit. Got it.” He chuckled and headed to his room while I stood staring at the orange and black of the Monarch Room doors.

  **

  Zuri

  I thought I would lose my fucking mind when Roman announced extra credit after class and Brittany decided to stay too. That bitch was pushing it. I had to sit in class and practice drawing pictures of faces while I listened to Biggie in my earbuds. Instead of being with Roman the way I wanted.

  I was looking forward to her leaving me alone with him once I saw her packing up but then Mr. Wilmore came by and insisted on going out for professional development with Roman. I knew that was just code for hitting up the bar. I had to go home without seeing him. I confined myself to my room.

  It felt like I was already having withdrawals.

  “You have time to hang out with your mom?” I smiled against the phone and sat up in bed when I heard my mother’s voice.

  “Yeah, of course. Can we have dinner together? I’m starving.”

  “My treat,” she said.

  “Okay, let me get dressed.” I heard the front door close downstairs and sighed. My father was home.

  “Wear something bright. Your skin looks beautiful against bright colors.”

  “Okay, mom,” I smiled. I ended the call and put on a green dress. I let my hair down and fluffed it out then put on a pair of earrings and hurried down the stairs, hoping I wouldn’t have to speak to my father.

  “Zuri, come here.” His voice made me cringe. I took a deep breath and walked over to him in the kitchen. “What’s this?” He showed me his phone where my grades were listed.

  “Those are my grades in Mr. Clermont’s class.” His name was heavy on my tongu
e.

  “Where are the A’s? Why am I looking at C’s? Is there a glitch or did he not see the statue I donated?” His forehead creased. He shoved the phone in my face like I couldn’t see the grades there in plain black and white.

  “It’s not the statue. That doesn’t matter. My work isn’t A work.”

  “What do you mean not A work ? You are an Okolo. Everything you touch is A work. This is an art class. How can you not get A’s in something so stupid, Zuri?” My cheeks burned at his harsh judgment.

  “It’s not a stupid class. I just need to slow down and focus. Mr. Clermont says I’m over thinking.”

  “You’re dumb. Just like your mother. How can you not pass an art class even with my donations? If you fail this class you are a disgrace.”

  “Why would you say that?” I frowned.

  “I can say what I please. I own you until you turn eighteen and leave my house. Even then, I’m paying for your college education so stop your fucking whining.” I refused to let the tears stinging my eyes fall down my cheeks. “Now, explain to me where you think you’re going looking so ridiculous? With grades like this, you don’t deserve to go anywhere but to your room.”

  “I was only going to dinner with Mother.”

  “You will do no such thing. You will eat in your room until you can bring these grades up. The only place you are allowed to go is to school. If I don’t start seeing an improvement in your grades I’ll go to the school myself and have a meeting with Principal Palmer.”

  “Why can’t I have dinner with my mother? It’s not like I’m going out with Krissy. I just want to see her.”

  “Because I said so!” His voice bounced off the walls and I tucked my chin, looking down at my shoes. I refused to let him see me cry. I was better than that. “Such a stupid girl…can’t even pass an art class with all the money I throw at that school. You should be queen of Aspen Grove and you still manage to screw it up. I should have let you go with your mother since it’s her fault you’re so stupid and weak now.”

  I couldn’t handle any more of his vitriol. I rushed back up the stairs and tore the green dress from my body. I felt stupid. I felt ridiculous. I felt like all the things my father said I was.

  I sat in the middle of my bed and finally let the tears flow. My face was scorching from holding in all the pain and anger. I called my mother and tried not to sound like I was just sobbing.

  “Zuri, what’s the matter?” She asked the moment she heard my voice.

  “I can’t come to dinner with you, mom.”

  “Why not? Did you father say something?” She pushed out a soft breath. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand but the tears kept flowing.

  “Yeah. He said my grades aren’t good enough to have dinner anywhere but in my room.”

  “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry you’re stuck there with him. He’s so miserable now. I don’t know who he is anymore. He wasn’t like that when we got married. Now he’s so…angry all the time.”

  “I hate him. All he does is tell me how stupid I am. How weak I am.” I sniffled and clenched my fist over and over. I wanted to sink it into my father’s face.

  “You have to know those things aren’t true.”

  “I don’t know what to believe. Maybe he’s right. I can’t even get A’s in my art class. It’s the only class I have to take and I’m getting C’s.”

  “Zuri…my sweet girl. I’m so sorry,” she said. I could tell she was crying but what good were tears? I wanted her to be stronger right then. I wanted her to say fuck him, I’m coming to get you and he can’t do a goddamn thing about it. Instead, she was her usual sweet self and as much as I loved her, I couldn’t listen to it anymore.

  “It’s okay, Mom. I’m going to get some sleep. I love you.” I hung up and grabbed my blue book. My fingers were tingling and this time it wasn’t sweet and full of desire like when I wrote about Roman. No, this time it was angry. Biggie pumped through my earbuds and the words flowed.

  When I put my pen down, my chest was heaving. At least I got the words out of my mind and on to the paper. I paused the music and looked at my phone. I wanted to talk to Roman. I wanted to hear his voice.

  When I was in his lap this morning, he made me feel like I was actually capable of doing something right. I wanted to feel like that again.

  I tapped Krissy’s name and sent him a text.

  Me: Are you busy?

  Krissy: I’m at the bar. Not too busy for you though. What’s up?

  Me: Having a rough night.

  Krissy: Are you okay?

  Me: Can I toss out the idea of societal politeness and say no?

  Krissy: Of course. Tell me the truth. Always.

  Me: I’m not okay. I need to talk.

  When I didn’t see the three dots blinking, I got sad. Maybe Roman was busy having fun and I was interrupting him. I was just a fling anyway. I knew that.

  After two minutes, my phone’s screen lit up and Krissy’s name flashed. My stomach knotted up and I pressed the phone to my ear.

  “Hello?”

  “What’s wrong?” He sounded like he was out of breath. I scrunched my nose up a little.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I just rushed out of the bar so I could talk to you. What’s going on, Zuri?”

  “It’s my father.” His harsh words came raining down around me like knives, slicing my armor. “I tried to go have dinner with my mother tonight and…he said some really fucked up stuff. He found out I was only getting C’s in your class and told me since I was so stupid, I couldn’t have dinner with my mother.”

  “What?” Roman’s voice was icy. “Zuri, you’re not stupid. You know that. Fuck your dad.” See, those were the words I wished my mother would have said. “I’m sorry, I know that’s your father and everything but I can’t stand parents who verbally abuse their children like that. It’s uncalled for.” The words verbal abuse bounced around in my head for a few seconds. I never thought about the words my father spewed at me as abuse

  “Don’t apologize, Roman. I hate him.”

  “Yeah, I can see why. He’s a piece of shit if he talks to you like that, Zuri. You don’t deserve that. Is he always like that?”

  “Yeah. He was tolerable when my mother lived with us but now that she’s gone he’s a monster when I see him. Most of the time he’s working but when he shows his face…it’s hell.” Silent tears leaked out of my eyes and I cursed every one of them. I hated the fact that he had the power to crush me like that with just his words.

  Words meant everything to me though.

  Words hurt.

  The sticks and stones adage was bullshit.

  “Are they divorced?” He asked in a hushed tone.

  “Yes. He put her out and kept me. Since he’s the famous neurosurgeon, the courts granted him full custody.” My nose was clogged so I sucked in sips of air through my mouth.

  “That’s so fucked up. Can you get away tonight or at all this weekend?” He asked.

  “I—I don’t know. He’s downstairs right now and I probably won’t be able to get past him. He sticks close to home on the weekends and he keeps tabs on me through my driver.”

  “Can you come to school early on Monday?”

  “Yes, I can definitely do that.”

  “Good. Come in through the side door.”

  “Okay,” I sniffled through a smile and pulled my knees up to my chest. I had something to look forward to. Things seemed gloomy and gray but Roman gave me a little ray of sunshine.

  **

  My father was gone when I woke up the Monday morning and I was so grateful. I sent Duke a text and told him that I wouldn’t need a ride to school and he sent a reply immediately.

  Duke: Two school days in a row you have refused service, Miss Okolo. I have to let your father know.

  Me: Duke…please don’t. I just want to go to school on my own.

  Duke: Your father checks the GPS and the mileage daily, Miss Okolo. He’s noted you didn’t need to b
e driven once. If it continues we will both be in trouble.

  I panicked. I didn’t know what to do at that point. Why the hell couldn’t I drive myself to school like a normal senior? Why was that so hard? I had to make a split decision about whether or not I wanted to trust my driver.

  Me: Duke, can you come to the house, please? I need to be driven to school.

  Duke: I’ll be there in ten, Miss Okolo.

  I dropped my phone on the bed and sighed. I couldn’t tell Duke that I was fucking my art teacher. I had to tell him something though. I needed a cover. I plucked my phone from the blue comforter and sent a text to Roman.

  Me: Do you know of any art tutors?

  Krissy: Are you serious?

  Me: Yes, Krissy. Art tutors. Know any?

  I hoped he understood my line of questioning and went with it. I chewed nervously on my bottom lip and waited for Roman’s reply.

  Krissy: I hear Mr. Clermont offers tutoring before and after school. You have to get there pretty early though.

  I pushed out a breath and smiled at my phone.

  Me: Perfect. Thank you. I’ll have my driver drop me off at school super early.

  Krissy: Good idea.

  The next text that vibrated my phone was from Duke telling me he was outside. I made sure to tuck an extra pair of panties in my purse then I hurried out to the truck where he already had the back door open for me. “Miss Okolo, good morning.”

  “Hello.” I smiled politely then climbed inside. Once the door was closed I pulled out my earbuds but I paused before putting them in. “Duke, is it okay if you come pick me up this early for school from now on?” His onyx eyes met mine through the rearview mirror.

  “I’m not supposed to interfere in your business, but can I ask why you’re suddenly going to school so early, Miss Okolo?”

  “All these years you’ve been driving me around and you insist on calling me Miss Okolo. Can you call me Zuri? It’s our last year together. Let’s pretend we like each other.”

  “I like you very much but I don’t want to go against protocol.” He said that in ninth grade, tenth grade, and eleventh grade when I asked him to call me by my first name. I don’t know why I thought my senior year would be any different.