A Night to Remember

I carefully and quietly placed the roll of ten dollar bills beside him the next morning. One hundred and twenty dollars... I knew he would be angry when he woke up, but I hated the thought of not paying him back after his kindness.

Previously in the night

"B-before I forget," I said. I pulled out one hundred twenty dollars, rolled up in tens.

"What is this?" he asked.

I know it's not very much, but it's all I have at the moment. It's something for my appreciation towards you... You saved me tonight and I want to thank you," I said and I handed him the money.

He turned away. "What are you saying?"

"Please... just accept it."

He looked at me. "I did it because I thought it was right. Not because I had to. Please keep your money, you're being silly," he said and he pushed away my hand.

I didn't say anything. I wanted him to know how happy I was though... I couldn't show him if he didn't take the money..."

Present

As soon as I put the money down I quickly hopped off the bed. I looked back at him before I left his room. He looked so peaceful when he slept. I looked down and then I left.

"JANE!!" shouted my sister as I entered our apartment. She ran to me and flung her arms around me. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. Are you okay? Did it hurt too much?! Oh this is my fault..."

I giggled. I looked at her and wiped her tears away. "It wasn't like that at all."

"He was... gentle?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"He was rough?! Oh this is terrible! Jane I'm so sorry!"

"No! Rebecca! He didn't do anything at all... He took me because he didn't want me to be on the street. He saved me..." I whispered.

"He didn't try anything?"

"No... If anything, it was me that tried doing something. But only because I thought that was why he brought me back!" I shouted, my face becoming warm.

"I see. So he's not a pervert... and he's quite good-looking too," she said and she smiles at me. "What did you two do..?"

"We talked a bit. I mostly cried and he soothed me... We kind of just slept the entire time. And in the morning I..." I paused.

"You what?"

"I-I-I left some money for him. To show my gratitude," I explained.

She raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. "How much of your savings?" she asked.

"Maybe um.."

"How much?" she asked sternly.

"All of it."

"All of it?! Are you crazy?! Sure it was a nice gesture but ALL OF IT?! We need that money for rent! I do understand your reasoning, believe me... but..." she didn't finish and she sat down and put her face in her hands.

I sat down next to her. "Rebecca... I'm sorry.. I really am. Please... I didn't mean..."

"It's not your fault Jane," she whispered. "I just don't want to see us kicked out of here too..."

"I see..." I said and I looked out the window.

"We would have nowhere to go..." she mumbled and she began to cry. "I told Mom and Dad I'd protect you before they went away. And when they died I didn't know what to do. I haven't been protecting you. Surely you've noticed."

"Rebecca.. you've always been there for me. I'm grateful to you too. You've been a good sister, don't say things like that."

"I'm sorry Jane!" she wailed.

I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. "You're the best sister."

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I was nervous to be honest. My sister had gone to her part time job the same morning and I went to school. I was nervous to see Mr.Quinn. Would he be mad? Had he even noticed? A part of me hoped that maybe he hadn't seen the money.

"Jane!"

I whipped my head around to see Mr.Quinn. He looked angry. I quickly turned and ran. I didn't know where, but I needed to avoid him.

"Hey! Jane!" he shouted after me.

I slammed open the side doors of the school and ran out. There was no one outside and I mumbled under my breath.

There was the sound of the door opening again and my heart pounded in fear. Mr.Quinn grabbed my arm and led me to the side of the school where no one would see us.

"Mr.Quinn..."

"How dare you! Even after I said no," he said and he pulled my money out of his back pocket. He placed it in my own front pocket. "It's not mine, it's yours."

"But I gave it to you! I wanted to show my gratitude! How happy I was! Please accept it," I said as I reached for my pocket.

He grabbed my hand and he lifted it above my head and he pinned me against the wall.

"A-accept..."

"I will not," he said sternly.

"Mr.Quinn! If you don't... then you won't understand how I really feel! I want you to accept my..."

"Just shut up," he said and he leaned in and kissed me. He pulled back instantly. "Just leave it at that," he said and he walked away.

I stood there, unable to speak. He had only kissed me for less than a second... but my lips still tingled and my body and heart felt funny. I'd never been kissed before... A teacher was my very first... Ahhh!y face flushed and I leaned back and dropped down. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"What is this feeling...?"