Don't stand so close to me. (Tori and Christian)

"And go to you're fucking room!!!" he screamed, getting up from the couch and splashing a bit of his beer across the room. He was just like the rest of her mom's boyfriends. A drunk. The kind of guy who worked in a busy office and made the sort of money that was needed to pay for her mother's lifestyle. Jessie ran to her room and slammed the door shut. Locking it tight and pushing her dresser in front of it. Thus far, he hand't laid a hand on her. To beat or to rape. But knowing her mom's taste in men, there was no telling what was going to happen. "I hate this place." the young girl cried as she lay on her bed. Looking out the window by her bed, Jessie tried to see the stars, but all the street lamps and houselights was making it impossible. She yearned to escape this hell that had been created the day her dad had walked out on her mom. She hardly even knew him. He'd been gone for ten years, never came to visit let alone call, and now had a whole new family in Denver. So for most of her youth, Jessie had lived without a real father figure. Having instead to make due with the wayward hands that each new man brought to her home.

"I swear, I'm never going to let this happen to me." Jessie promised herself. "I'm going to find a man who will love and adore me. Not one of these douche bags my mother likes." With her heart beating fast in her chest and tears in her eyes, Jessie grabbed her iPhone and put on her headphones. Falling asleep while she listened to the newest Adele album.

When the morning came, Jessie resolved that it would be the beginning of her new life. Getting out of her small twin bed, the short brunette stretched. She felt funny since she'd slept in her skinny jeans. With a soft sigh, she carefully pushed her dresser out of the way and snuck through the house. Her mom's boyfriend Derrick had left earlier. No doubt off to work. Breathing deep breaths of relief, Jessie Catherine Albertson walked softly back up the stairs and to the hall bathroom. Taking a long shower to relax her muscles, the young sixteen year old exited and quickly got dressed. A pair of black skinny jeans and a pale blue top. Fixing her long brunette hair so that it hung freely straight down to the middle of her back, the young girl grabbed her purse and back pack and then walked out of her house and down the street to where the bus was waiting. Her mother had never given her any money for a car, and Jessie herself had yet to save up enough to cover the cost of the vehicle and the insurance. So she climbed aboard the yellow tube of despair and down to a free seat. Clutching her purse tight, she closed her eyes as the bus rolled off to her school.

Lincoln High in Des Moines was home to a bit over two thousand students. As such, it was the perfect place for Jessie to be. While she had a few friends there, she liked the feeling of anonymity that such a large student body offered. The likelihood of someone knowing her mother or the endless carousel of boyfriends was slim. Also, the sheer size of the school allowed for some more programs. Jessie was connected somewhat and played on the school's volleyball team. A joy she enjoyed as her mother so rarely came to games. Not to mention the pride of winning.

When the bus rolled up, Jessie hoped up and walked inside, quickly grabbing her books and heading to her class. Today she had a new teacher for third period, and she was privately dreading the inevitable "introduce yourself" moment new teachers so often used as a way to learn names.

Apologies for the length, this is my usual length, but I can make it longer if you need.

((nope. You gave me a great amount for this kind of story. ))

Jessie had been busy looking over the text book when the new teacher entered the room. She was shocked to see someone to young. Raising her eyebrows, Jessie decided that he couldn't be much out of college. Clearly someone who had taken a job working in education because of his desire to enrich young minds. But Jessie had no interest in anything like that. She was just counting down the days until she could get the hell out of her mom's house. The day she left, she was never going back. Not even on holidays or at Christmas. Nothing was going to convince her to walk back through that door.

In fact, Jessie had been pondering trying to get herself emancipated. But the problem was that she had no where to go to once she was free. That, and she needed to funds.

When Mr. Thorne called her name, she groaned a little. Nodding, she managed a smile to the surprisingly good looking new teacher. "Yes sir, that's me." she said, raising her right had enough to indicate her position in the middle back of the class. Turning her attention back to her book, she couldn't help but notice his reaction.

"Too bad my mom couldn't find someone nice." Jessie pondered. "Mr. Thorne seems like a nice guy. Maybe it will be a decent class with him. Lord knows Mrs. Dickens was a bitch who hated me."

Suddenly, she found herself hoping he would call on her. If only to test her theory about his being a nice guy.

Jessie had been deep in though when he had called on her again. Shaking herself from her daydream, Jessie managed a smile. "Yes Mr. Throne, sorry. I was just a bit distracted." taking a deep breath, the young brunette forced herself to focus on the class. Ignoring some of her classmates, she tried very hard not to analyze his words, but failed.

"I wonder if that was what concern looks like." she pondered to herself. Having never before felt someone be concerned about her, not even her mother, Jessie had little knowledge of certain emotions. She'd never learned empathy, and as such was always yearning for someone to show her that feeling of genuine caring.

"I swear, if he actually cares about me, I will love him forever." she thought to herself with an internal laugh. "Maybe the idiots in the administration finally hired someone good after all."

Taking out her notebook, the young girl did her best to focus exclusively on the lecture and take notes according to what Mr. Thorne said. But her mind was somewhat elsewhere. She was pondering him as a person. Wondering why someone wide eyed and so young would be choose to be a teacher. Twirling a bit of her hair in her right hand, Jessie chewed on her pencil eraser and tried to figure out Mr. Thorn and what kind of person her was. Unable to truly concentrate, she gave trying to take notes.

When the class was nearly over, Jessie had gotten her things together in her bag. She had one more class and then it would be time for her lunch. About to get up, she frowned when Mr. Thorne said that he wanted her to stay after. Her entire school life, that had been a bad thing. So she approached his desk with trepidation.

"Yes Mr. Thorne?" she asked nervously. Kicking at the ground with her sandal. But his smile made her feel more confident. Less nervous. Maybe he just wanted to introduce himself? But to just her....

Her mind swirled with possibilities. Hoping that he was the nice guy she'd hoped.

Jessie awkwardly kicked at the linolium flooring as he spoke. She was shocked by his tone and the offer of a chair, but she happily sat down and manged to soften her face a bit. "Thank you Mr. Thor.....Own." she replied with a half smile. Shocked that he was taking the time to actually ask her questions and get to know her, she felt her heart beat fast in her chest.

"Uh...it was good." she repleid, gulping a bit. "I'm not very good at biology. But I feel like you made it a bit easier." Even more shocked that he was asking if she was alright, Jessie didn't know how to react or respond. "For real?" she thought. "He's actually asking about me. Wow. Own is the nicest guy I've ever met. If my mom had dated people like him, maybe I wouldn't hate her so much."

Taking a deep breath, she sighed. "I'm alright." she lied. "It's just been a long day. A lot of things to study. But I appreciate you asking. That's really nice."

The bell rang a minute later, and Jessie reluctantly hoped up. Not eager to leave the nicest teacher she'd ever met. "So....I'll see you tomorrow." she blushed, before gathering her things and walking off.

Through the day, Jessie couldn't help but think about the kindness Owen shown her. It made her wonder. When the got on the bus that afternoon, her head was so filled with her words that she felt forced to put in her headphones and listen to music the whole way home. Just to think clearly.

"I can't wait to see him tomorrow." she said to herself. shocked at her own words.

It was another rough night at home for Jessie. Her mom had come home from a bar drunk, and with a different guy. They had gone off to engage in some weird kinky BDSM and Jessie had barricaded her door again. Turning on her tablet, she decided to watch a movie. Putting in her headphones, she thought of Owen and how nice he had been. Curious about him and why he was such a nice person, she made a note to try and talk to him some more when she next saw him in class.

Changing into her night shorts and a tank top, Jessie watched the movie until she fell asleep. Waking up the next day with her headphones still on. Stretching herself out, she had to admit to herself that she was eager to go to school. But it wasn't the classes or the students she was eager for. It was one teacher. A young a kind teacher who she wanted desperately to see it again.

Deciding to look nice, she decided to dress nicely. After a shower and fixing her hair, she put on a cute little pair of blue panties that exposed part of her rear. As well as a matching bra. Overtop she wore a sundress that was pale blue with dark blue flowers across the design. Putting on a pair of flats, she actually smiled as she got on the bus to school that day.

When it was time for Mr. Thorne's class again, Jessie was in her seat with a smile on her face. Eagerly awaiting to see if he was just as kind once more.

Smiling back, Jessie took her seat and waved hello. "I'm alright." She said honestly. "A little tired. I stayed up later than I normally do. How are you today? Did you enjoy your first day yesterday?" Trying to seem happier than she did yesterday, Jessie pulled out her book and notepad and smiled at him.

Blushing at his compliment, she smiled. "Uh...thanks!" she said. Shocked at someone offering such a nice compliment so easily. She debated complimenting him back, but it felt a little weird. Especially since the class was about to start and other students were pouring in.

"Can we talk after class?" she asked as the class was about to begin. Settling into her seat, she took notes as the class got going. But she was distracted, and couldn't wait until she could talk to Owen when class was over.

Jessie had a hard time containing her eagerness to speak with Owen again. She didn't even bother taking notes. Instead, she was busy doodling in her notebook and writing something down. Looking at him periodically, she blushed and smiled whenever his eyes met hers. "So cute." she thought. 

When class ended, she walked up to the desk and sat down on the edge. "Thanks for taking the time." she said with a confident smile. "I was actually going to ask if I could get your email or phone number? Sometimes I have questions when I'm at home, and I'd really appreciate the extra help. As long as it's not too much to ask. I want to do well in your class, and I've never been but so good at biology to be honest. So you'd really be a life saver."

It was really all a ruse. She was decent enough to maintain a B in his class. Her real reason for getting his contact info was in case she wanted to talk with him away from class. Something she wanted very much.

Jessie's face practically exploded in a wide smile as he pulled out a notepad and wrote down his phone number and email address. She had hoped he would. But the ease and friendliness of which he did it was almost shocking. She hadn't expected it, but after two days she was learning that Owen was very friendly and seemed to genuinely care. At least about her if nothing else. Taking the notebook from him and reading his inscription, she blushed and smiled. 

"Thanks. But don't be surprised if you hear from me as soon as tonight." she said with a nervous laugh. "Anyways, thanks. I really appreciate the fact that you're so approachable. Most of my other teachers aren't like this. So you're already my favorite!"

Blushing at his question, she put the notepad in her backpack and smiled. "Umm....maybe I have." she said with a bit of a giggle. "But I'm not sure if he likes me. I guess I'll have to figure that out!" Walking out without looking back, she went through the day thinking about that interaction.

Excited and elated when she got home, Jessie was pleased to see that her mom had left a note. "Jessie. Gone for the week. Be back later." Rolling her eyes, the teenager was at least happy that she could rest at ease. Putting down her stuff, she changed into a cute little pair of silk shorts and a matching top. Lounging on the couch, she turned on the tv and then pulled out her phone. 

Texting Owen, she smiled. 

"Hey, this is Jessie. I hope it's okay if I bother you a little!"

Jessie's eyes lit up when she saw his message. She had been laying in bed, doodling and writing in the notebook he had given her. But now she typed up another text and sent it off.

"Nothing really, just working on some homework." she lied. "I was going to ask you a question about different life cycles in mammals, but I totally forgot what it was. But I'll ask if I remember."

Sighing, she laid back and thought up another message and typed it up. "So what does a teacher do with his spare time? Grade papers? Frown at students? Buy tweed jackets?" Laughing at her own joke, she wondered if he still liked her, or had she begun to annoy him.

Looking down at what she had been writing, Jessie's eyes lit up and she looked back at his phone waiting for a reply. glancing down at the words again, she felt her heart begin to flutter.

Jessie giggled and decided she had made enough of an effort with school to avoid talking about it any further. So she read his next message and decided to focus on that. "Oh wow." she typed back. "Do you not have a girlfriend or someone who can cook for you?"

Giggling, she typed up another message. "So then your notebook must be worth a fortune on ebay!" she teased. Looking down at the words she had written, Jessie smiled again.

"So I should probably go to bed." she smirked. Suddenly curious about something. "Anyways, good night." she said. her thoughts too personal to write. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Setting her alarm and turning off her lights, she looked at the notebook and smiled as she drifted off. Three words had been scribbled over and over.

Mrs. Owen Thorne.

Jessie had been running late that day. Getting up late, she had rushed to get ready and barely made the bus on time. But thankfully she had still manged to look cute and wear something special. Walking into class, her short black skirt (that she was suddenly grateful to her mom for) and a cute crop top that showed the tiniest bit of her tummy.

Rushing to get to Biology early, she sat down and the minute Owen walked in, a smile crossed her face and she smirked at him. "Oh wow, just my luck." she thought with a grin. The fact that it was a study hall meant she would be able to spend some time with him. So gathering he things, she walked up. "Mind if I study up here?" she asked. A seat was free right across from his desk. Some people were skipping, and others were out sick. So the class was pretty empty and a bunch of people were lingering in the back watching a movie on someone's phone.

Pulling her chair closer to the desk, she sat down and pulled out the notebook he'd given her. Folding it to a new page that didn't have "Mrs. Owen Throne" written all over it, she began to doodle and covertly wrote that name again but covered it with doodles.

Jessie nodded and moved to the free chair. Happy to be even closer to Owen. Doodling in her notebook, she casually looked up every now and then and tried to discern what he was doing.

She didn't really talk to him during class. Instead she studied him. Watching how he wrote. The faces he made as he did. Curious about his eccentricities and any discerning characteristics that he might have. When the class was finally over, she got up and gathered her things with a smile.

"I probably should get going." she said. "But I might need your help again. " Leaving quickly, she rushed to go to her next task. Which wasn't lunch, but the administration office. Lying her way into some information, she walked out and to lunch with a smile on her face and a small slip of paper in her hands. Looking at it casually, she thought about when Saturday would come.

****

The week went by with few events. Her mom was still gone, so Jessie was home alone and could spend as much time with Owen as she wanted during school. But she was a bit distant. She had plans and didn't want to ruin anything.

****
When Saturday came, she looked at the paper to make sure as she walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Wearing a pair of very short shorts and a crop top that exposed her taunt stomach and belly button piercing, she waited. Knowing that today was the day.

Because she was standing in front of Owen's door. Having gotten his address from the office earlier that week.