Free Schooled by Deena Bright

point when there was a knock at the door. Joz got up to get it. “Hey Nelle, Uh, I think it’s for you,” she said teasingly.
    I walked to the door; my eyes widened. Briggs was standing on my porch, holding a comeback cup from Starbucks. All his confidence and assuredness was back, leaning on the frame of the door.
    “Dude, why is Briggs Alexander at my house, your house?” Jasper was looking at Briggs, star struck, as he bounded up to the front door, shaking his hand and pounding his back. Everyone in town knew Briggs; he was a hometown celebrity. Jasper led Briggs in. Suddenly, silence and awkwardness filled the room.
    “You know he was one of my students.” I didn’t know what else to say and that response certainly didn’t clear anything up.
    Jocelyn walked up to him, looking formal and business-like. “So Briggs, is it? What brings you here this morning?” Nice Jocelyn. Real subtle. “With Starbucks?” Damn Jocelyn, shut it. Jocelyn and Jasper were floored. I didn’t think it could get any worse at this point.
    “I just thought the Teach deserved an apple.” He pulled a small apple from his pocket and popped it into the air. It hit his bicep, sending the apple through the air to me. I caught it with a giggle, quickly shutting my mouth and sucking in my lips. “Plus, I left my phone right there last night,” he said as he walked over to get it. I hadn’t even noticed his phone. And yes, it could get more awkward. Oh. My. God. What were they going to think?
    Jocelyn and Jasper glanced back and forth between us, then incredulously at each other. They decided that they needed to get going and were stumbling over each other to leave. Mortified wasn’t strong enough to explain how I felt. They mumbled their goodbyes and left the pool house, leaving us alone.
    “I left the phone here on purpose.” Briggs looked so proud of himself. “What can I say? I’m an overachiever, eager to learn more.” Alright, he was hot, even though he wasn’t as skilled in the bedroom as I had imagined, his sex appeal and willingness to learn was making up for it. Fuck it, what did I have to lose? My job. My reputation. My dignity. Eh, fuck it.
    “I’m glad you’re here; I was just about to take a shower.” His eyes widened. “But a bath seems pretty good too. Interested?” His shirt was off before I finished the sentence. “But hon, you need to learn some self-control.” I couldn’t believe how cliché I was being, but I wanted this man naked and in my bathtub.
    He smiled, nodded, “Yes Ma’am, control.” He followed me back to the bathroom. I started the water, poured in some oils and bubbles. It seemed strange taking a morning bubble bath, but I obviously didn’t care much about rules anymore. Screw World Literature, Sex Ed was way more fulfilling.
    “Take off your shorts, keep your underwear on.” He obeyed, staring at me with those eyes the entire time. “Briggs, I need you to brush out my hair for me.” He looked at me quizzically, shrugged his shoulders, and took the brush from my hands.
    He brushed my hair, slowly, softly while the water filled the tub. We both faced the mirror, his body pressing up against my back. “Sometimes, the actions before sex can be as exciting as the sex itself. Do you get that?” He rubbed his face in my hair, smelling my hair, feeling how soft it was becoming.
    “I’m learning that now. I never brushed a chick’s hair before Janelle.” I let myself enjoy the sensation of the brush’s strokes down my long dark hair. It felt nice to be cherished, catered to. He looked so serious, so determined. Finally, his eyes locked with mine in the mirror. I licked my lips and nodded slightly to him. He must have understood my cue, because he put the brush down, and began kissing my neck, and massaging my shoulders.
    “Untie my robe Briggs.” He stopped kissing me. Staring at me in the mirror, he untied the belt of my robe. Our breathing was getting heavier. “Don’t open it,