The Good Student Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2011 Stacey Espino

  ISBN: 978-1-927368-26-8

  Cover Artist: LF Designs

  Editor: Marie Buttineau

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  Dedicated to those who have the courage to live their fantasy.

  THE GOOD STUDENT

  Stacey Espino

  Copyright © 2011

  Chapter One

  There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.

  --Mark Twain

  Cynthia sipped on her Margarita. “Forget about Eric. He’s a jerk.”

  “I know he’s a jerk, but forgetting isn’t so easy. You’d understand if you just wasted eight months of your life.” Kaya tried to enjoy the night out with her best friend. She really did. Playing normal when her heart was broken to pieces and she felt like a disposable piece of shit, wasn’t so easy.

  “Call it a lesson learned and move on.”

  Kaya scoffed and fiddled with the paper umbrella in her drink. “I’ll bet he’s after Brandy already. In fact, I’ll bet he celebrated the day I told him about the transfer.”

  “Stop. Obsessing. Who cares what he does. He’s ancient history.” Cynthia was normally an excellent distraction, but not when the wounds were this fresh.

  Kaya was registered to start classes at Cynthia’s university on Monday morning. After much consideration, she had decided to make the switch for second semester. Her scholarship money had run out, and she couldn’t afford the tuition at her previous Ivy League school. Unfortunately not all her credits were transferrable, which would set her back another year. She was forced to change schools and lost her boyfriend of eight months in a single week. Even though it was only a ten minute difference in driving time from the old university to the new one, Eric insisted he couldn’t handle a long distance relationship.

  Kaya had reduced herself to begging.

  Looking back, she realized how pathetic and desperate she must have appeared. She had always been the invisible girl. The shy one. The boring one. When Eric had first asked her out on a date, she thought he was joking. He starred on the football team and all the girls wanted a piece of him. Eric was the perfect catch—young, blond, and muscled. It mystified Kaya why he bothered with her in the first place.

  When he'd called it quits, she thought her whole world would collapse in around her. She measured her value by being Eric Coldwater’s girlfriend. Now she questioned everything, and she felt worthless and small. It didn’t help that Eric made a point of telling her that she had no passion, and he needed a little more excitement in his life on their last day together.

  “I mean if he thought I was boring…fine. Why lie and blame it on the transfer?”

  “Ugh. Stop. Look around you, Kaya. There are plenty of eligible bachelors here and the university is busting from all the testosterone. He’s not the only guy in the world, and I say good riddens if he couldn’t commit.”

  Kaya sighed, downed her drink, and then slammed the glass back on the table. She had to put the breakup behind her. The past week it seemed all she did was lie in bed and listen to sad loves songs on her iPod. She cried, then went numb, then cried some more. She had opened herself up to Eric, something she never did lightly. When he took back his love, she mourned his loss, his listening ear, and the feeling of belonging. She lost more than a boyfriend. She lost her sense of self. Kaya wondered how much of what they shared was real. If he truly was the friend she thought, he would never have been able to walk away from her so easily.

  Cynthia finally broke Kaya’s self destructive cycle by insisting she go out with her for the night.

  “After eight months I thought things were serious. I thought he was the one.”

  “I told you not to get too attached to him. I know his type. You should feel accomplished for keeping him as long as you did.”

  “I’m thrilled. Honored actually.” Kaya rolled her eyes and slumped forward over her knees.

  “Cut it out. Look at those two.” Cynthia nudged her and pointed out two guys leaning against the bar, staring in their direction. The entire bar was dark, only the strobe lights offering minimal lighting.

  “What’s the point? Why pour my heart and soul into another guy just to have him dump me. I don’t think I can ever trust a man again. I thought what I had with Eric was real and look how that turned out.”

  Cynthia shrugged and chugged the last of her drink. “It’s a gamble.” They continued to people-watch. Why did everyone have to look so damn happy when she felt like a gooey mess on the inside?

  “What more could I have done? I loved him and did everything he asked of me.”

  “Sorry, are we talking about Eric again? Seriously? I’ve already told you, it wasn’t you, it was him. He’s a no-good playboy.”

  “So why waste his time on me at all? He knew what he was getting into when he asked me out? I’m not exactly the cheerleader type.”

  “I don’t know, Kaya. Maybe it was the lure of the unknown. He never dated a good girl. Maybe he thought you were repressed on the outside and wild in the bedroom. Guys have some pretty fucked up fantasies.”

  “That’s all they want isn’t it? A good fuck and then they’re on their way again. Guess I’m boring in the sack.” She exhaled an unsteady breath. “He called me needy and passionless.”

  “He’s an asshole.”

  “I’m really sick of trying to be what men want. I thought guys only settled down with good girls. Well, now I’m alone so my theory is way flawed.”

  “So be a bad girl for a change.”

  Kaya chuckled. “Then I’ll be able to keep them for a full eight minutes. I’m telling you, you can’t win with men. They only have one thing on their brains.”

  Kaya’s parents were missionaries. They never expected to have a child of their own. Kaya was the classic surprise pregnancy when they were working out of South Africa. When they came to the United States, Kaya was already a year behind when she started high school. Her parents settled down for her benefit, but as soon as she graduated they were travelling as a family unit overseas for charity work.

  There was an eye opening moment when Kaya realized she didn’t want to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She wanted an education in America. A normal life with roots. Kaya knew they’d return home with her if she told them her feelings, but she would never ask it of them. Their dream, since she was a child, was to move to Addis Ababa and work in the orphanages. They recently accepted an offer to join a huge project and Kaya wouldn’t take that away from them. But it was their dream, not hers.

  So she was on her own, after four years of nomad living. She roomed in Cynthia’s house and went to university on scholarship money. Until recently. With her money dried up and no more scholarship funds, she had to transfer universities and get a job making donuts at night. Not exactly what she planned for herself at twenty six, but she had a plan for the future. A plan not going her way lately.

  “Just stop thinking about that prick and concentrate on school. Be yourself and the right guy will come along when you’re not expecting it,” said Cynthia, fluffing up her hair for her two-man audience.

  Kaya could tell her friend was getting bored with her pity trip. They did com
e out to have fun and get her mind off of Eric. Her youth slipped passed her so quickly, she couldn’t even remember care free days or reckless behavior. Could she even handle being irresponsible? The consequences of doing things right got her a broken heart, nothing to show for her troubles, and eight wasted months. Perhaps she should try things differently.

  “Everyone says that. Has a great guy ever fell in anyone's lap? I doubt it. Maybe the only way to get what we really want is to fight for it.”

  “Now you’re talking, Kaya. Find what you want and take it! Be strong, be yourself, and the fuck with any guy who tries to change you.”

  “Or use you,” Kaya added. “I refuse to give a man that much control over me again.” It hurt too much. From this day forward, she'd be the one in control.

  “That’s my girl. I hate to see you moping around. Shit, you’ve seen how many losers I’ve gone through and I’m still alive. You just have to disconnect yourself more. Fuck the needy girl routine. No guy wants that and neither should you.”

  Not becoming emotionally invested in her relationships would be difficult. She found that she craved stability to an almost obsessive level. Her childhood came back to haunt her. Kaya knew the constant travelling as a kid left her insecure. With her parents always gone, she wanted to have someone to hold on to, someone to count on. Perhaps she sought a substitute parent more than a mate. Things really had to change in her life.

  Starting her new university in two days, she vowed to become a new Kaya. This would be a fresh page in her life. No going back to the girl she used to be.

  “Cynthia. If I ever mention Eric again, just slap me.”

  She smiled. “My pleasure.”

  Chapter Two

  Getting used to a new school proved to be a challenge. The place had nearly a dozen connecting buildings, and she couldn’t imagine being able to navigate the university on her own. The courtyards were bustling with young adults, and streams of students cut around them over the manicured lawns, trying to get to one building or the other. The sky was clear today, the sun glaring off all the glass surfaces. Without Cynthia’s help, Kaya would be lost. They shared one class together, but for most of the day she was on her own.

  “Okay. Your first class is at the end of that hall.” Cynthia hoisted her canvas book bag over her shoulder again. The throngs of students passing by continually knocked it down her arm. “Meet me at the front doors at lunch and we’ll walk down to the coffee shop for a bagel or something.”

  “Alright.” Kaya drew in a deep breath, glancing down the ominous hallway. The polished floors reflected the glare from the florescent lighting, adding to the uncomfortable institutional feel of the building. “Wish me luck.”

  Kaya peered in the open doors as she navigated the hallway. So many unfamiliar faces. They all seemed to stare back at her accusingly. No doubt her nerves and natural inclination to be shy were playing tricks on her.

  Her first class was economics. Lovely.

  Soon after entering the class, a teacher came in. “Ladies and gentleman. Please take a seat." The teacher dropped his briefcase flat on his desk with a bang and turned to write on the chalk board. He wrote down his name, Mr. Stellar, and then he proceeded to shut each door at either side of his desk. With the drone of students from the hallway cut off, tension rose in the confined space. Everyone sat in silence as they waited to catch a glimpse into the new teacher’s personality. Would he be rigid or laid back?

  Mr. Stellar appeared to be in his early sixties. His receding hairline was almost indistinguishable as he kept his hair buzzed short.

  “Alright. I’ll state this upfront.” He leafed through some papers as he spoke. “This isn’t high school and I don’t intend to babysit any of you. I won’t be hounding you for assignments or giving out reminders like your mommy. Show up. Do the work I assign. And you’ll pass this course.”

  Nobody said a word. Even though it was clear this teacher meant business, Kaya liked him. No frills. No fuss. She planned on getting all her assignments done, just like at her old school. Except now she’d have to juggle her time between work and sleep. No need to worry about a social life that didn't exist.

  As her first class ended, she stole one more peek at her schedule to find the room number of her philosophy class. It was on the main level, so she took the stairs down, not willing to stand motionless on the escalator filled with students. Stairs were always a good thing. She kept her body in peak shape—it was one thing going for her. Physically, she didn’t have a problem attracting men. Her issues were internal. As Eric stated, she was clingy and passionless. Bastard! Kaya mentally chided herself from bringing the asshole to mind.

  Eric was history and she shouldn’t allow him to affect her negatively. This was her time to shine. Like she told Cynthia, from now on she’d take what she wanted and never become a victim to a man’s whims again. If someone was going to be dumped, it sure as hell wouldn’t be her.

  Her next class was in one of the large stadium-style rooms. The seats were already half filled. What a difference from her small economics class. Kaya examined the curved rows that focused on the single desk below, and made her way down the stairs. She found an empty seat in the third row.

  Once she felt settled and conversation buzzed around her, she dared to scan the room and the variety of new faces. Everyone seemed to know one another which only singled her out further. As she observed the section curving in front of her, her line of sight snagged on a set of eyes staring right at her. He had brown hair and broad shoulders. He fiddled with a pencil as he slumped over the side of his desk not taking his eyes off her. Even when his friend spoke with him, his didn’t turn his head, but kept staring at Kaya with a focused intensity.

  At first she countered his assault, tilting her head and tucking her hair behind her ears playfully. She enjoyed casual flirting, and right now she needed any confidence spike she could get. But as he continued to look at her, she began to feel awkward and shifted her gaze to the main desk below. She studied the old oak laminated desk while feeling the heat of the stranger’s stare taking in her profile from the distance. Kaya shifted uncomfortably on her hard plastic seat, praying the teacher would just show up already and start the class.

  A tall girl shuffled by her to sit in the second seat over. "Hi, I'm Samantha."

  “Hi, I'm Kaya. I’m friends with Cynthia Baker. You might know her.”

  “Cynthia?” Sam scoffed. “Everyone knows Cynthia.” She didn’t need to explain. Cynthia did and said as she pleased with no apology. People radiated to her like a moth to flame. If only Kaya had that kind of pull on people, she’d never have to worry about a social life.

  The teacher entered through a separate door at the bottom of the room and the voices hushed, but the general murmur continued.

  Sam leaned over to whisper in Kaya’s ear. “That’s Mr. Taylor. We’re lucky. He’s nice.”

  Kaya watched as the teacher set a cardboard box on the desk and then started to remove his suit jacket, shrugging it off his shoulders. Underneath he only wore a fitted gray T-shirt tucked into suit pants. Very casual, but neat, and somehow…sexy. The guy had to be in his late thirties, but age was often difficult to gauge, especially in her case. She still got carded everywhere she went, even at twenty-six.

  Mr. Taylor hooked his jacket on the back of his wooden chair with care and adjusted his belt without a concern that close to a hundred students watched his every move. He exuded a rare confidence. His stomach was flat, and when he turned to write on the chalk board she couldn’t help but notice he had a nice tight ass. She didn’t even realize she blatantly stared at the teacher until her peripheral vision caught the same guy across the row staring at her again. What was his problem? It’s not like he innocently flirted with her. He didn’t smile or wink. He just stared and made her feel self conscious.

  “I’m Mr. Taylor. Welcome to philosophy.” He extended his arms in the air in a welcoming gesture. “The only class where you’ll get to speak your min
d without getting reprimanded. I encourage honesty. There are no right or wrong answers here, only opinions. And I’m interested in hearing everyone’s.” He pulled out a wide wooden ruler and smacked the desk. Hard. Most of the students flinched as the resulting sound pierced the quiet. Kaya was surprised the thing didn’t snap in two. “Good. Got your attention. Get all your assignments turned in on time and I won’t have to use this.” He winked, and a wave of laughter erupted through the crowd of students.

  Mr. Taylor had short, dirty-blond hair and evenly tanned skin. From her seat, she could see the fine lines at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. He had a mature, masculine sex appeal. Her growing attraction to the man surprised her. She usually only went for the virile, young studs that all the girls drooled over. A lot of good that had done her. Mr. Taylor ignited a new deep-seated desire she never felt before. When he'd smacked the desk with the ruler, her body began to hum, her skin tingling. What would it feel like to be dominated by him? He was in a position of authority which aroused her. Would he demand her compliance, order her to strip naked and pleasure him? She swallowed hard, trying to focus on what he was saying.

  “Where should we start? Any suggestions? Abortion? Religion? Sexual preference?” The crowd remained silent. “Nothing? How about paper or plastic? You guys are fucking wimps.” He slapped the wooden desk with the ruler again. The students gasped, including Kaya. Rather than rattle her nerves, her pussy sparked to life. She'd never wanted to be spanked before, but Mr. Taylor turned her on in wicked ways. A vision on her stretched over his lap, bare-bottomed entered her mind. “If you can’t speak your mind, what good will you do in this world. Come on! You kids are the future. Have some balls.”