Teach Me to Please | Please Me #1 - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

I woke up to the feeling of fingertips running through my hair and skimming my bare back. The sweet, calming sensation caused me to let out a deep sigh and snuggle into the chest my head was resting on. His chest.
The morning light trickled into the room in small rays of beaming gold and the soft songs of birds outside the window chirped so lightly that the faintest of noise could drown out their melody. I didn't bother speaking. I wanted to listen to it. To feel the iridescent serenity seeping through the cracks of the windows, dancing up the light, kissing the goosebumps on my skin.
Every part of me sang as Roman's fingers traced my back, twirling the ends of my hair. I turned my head, so my chin rested on his chest, and looked up at him.
"Morning." He smiled at me softly. I melted at the sight. His hair messy, his eyes beaming but tired, and his voice – god, his voice.
"Morning." I smiled back. I carefully traced a finger up his chest and back down, feeling the bumps of muscles in his smooth skin. "How long have you been awake?"
"About an hour." An hour?
"You should've woken me."
He shook his head and trailed his finger to my face, brushing the messy, loose strands away before cupping my cheek, using his thumb to tenderly stroke the skin. "I didn't want to. You looked too peaceful."
A redness came over my face as he said the words and I buried my cheek into his chest. "What time is it?"
"9:30." He replied.
"What time are your parents coming home?"
"12:30. We've got four hours." I couldn't help but hear the smirk in his tone and I bit my lip to contain my smile.
"I wonder what we can do with that." I sighed.
He pulled me by my chin to look up at him. "I've got a few ideas." And with that he planted his lips on mine, kissing them softly in a lazy, sweet manner. I closed my eyes, savouring the blissful feeling further, letting myself dive in deep in the perfection of this moment.
He pulled us both up, so he sat up against the headboard and my legs wrapped around his waist before he pushed my back down and he climbed over me, his lips never once leaving mine as they became hungrier. Needier.
A small moan escaped my throat as my hands fell into his hair and I tightened my legs around him. Slowly, he trailed his kisses down to my neck and pressed his lips against my sweet spot. I sighed into him and arched my back. Jesus, he was already hard, and I felt myself grow wetter at the sensation of his lips attacking my skin.
"Why... aren't... your parents... home?" I asked between breaths, overwhelmed by the small waves of pleasure entrancing my body and mind.
He smiled against my skin and sucked, prying another moan from me. "My mom had a meeting in Madison and her and my dad decided to book a hotel for the night."
"Hmm." I hummed as his hands gripped my hips and he began to pepper kisses down my navel, then my stomach. I watched at his kissed my lower abdomen and stared into my eyes, I couldn't stop myself from reaching for him and pull him back up to my lips.
He groaned lowly as I dug my heels into his lower back and pushed myself up against him.
"Sienna." He moaned. "I can't get enough."
I chuckled faintly and shook my head, "Neither can I." I whispered against his lips.
He reached down and kissed me slowly, "I know last night you said you don't know what this is and that you just want to live in the moment, but I want to tell you something."
I traced a finger down his temple and ran a hand through his hair, "And what's that?"
"That I –"
The ring of a phone cut him off. My phone. I sighed and scrambled up from underneath him to find my phone. I read the contact name. Rya.
"It's Rya." I told him. "She probably wants to know what happened after I left the dance." I pressed decline, feeling slightly guilty but I knew I'd call her tonight anyways. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the tangled knotted between my fingers. I cringed and glanced back at him.
"D'you mind if I use your bathroom?" He stared back at me for a few seconds, not saying anything. "Roman?"
He shook his head and blinked a few times, "Erm, yeah."
I smiled and climbed out of bed, stretching my arms as I did so, knowing the movement was teasing him. When I got to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, I was shocked. My hair was an utter mess as I hadn't taken it out of its low bun yet and I could already feel the pain of trying to detangle it. However, it wasn't just my hair I gasped out. I felt like I was glowing. My body ached as I moved but as I studied it, it felt different. Love-bites were dotted across my neck, a few on the curve of my breast, some of my stomach, I think I even caught one on my inner thigh. My lips were a deep pink and swollen, my makeup was smudge like hell but there wasn't a part of it I hated. I loved it.
I grabbed a brush by the sink and attempted at brushing out my hair, tying it up once it was smooth and splashed my face with water to try and clear off the smudged makeup. Then, after going to the bathroom and cleaning myself up, I picked up my dress and underwear from the night before, flashbacks of the shower making me break out in a heated blush, and I walked back into the bedroom.
I knew his eyes were studying me as I walked past and gazed back. He was sitting at the side of the bed, leant back with his hands resting behind him to hold himself up. Love-bites covered his skin too, especially a huge one forming in a deep purple on his shoulder.
"D'you have anything I can borrow?" I asked and walked towards his wardrobe.
"Just take a hoodie. I don't mind which one."
I smiled to myself and skimmed my eyes across the small array as I opened the closet doors. I decided to pick a white one with the 'NASA' logo on it. Luckily, it was more like a dress on me, so it covered everything it needed to, much to Roman's disappointment.
I grinned to myself and walked over to him, so I stood between his legs. "What did you want to tell me again?"
He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles before sitting up straight. "That I'm in –"
The doorbell went off. My head shot back and furrowed my brows. Roman groaned, "For fuck's sake."
"What's that?" I titled my head to the side and looked back at him.
"My mom ordered some jewels. That must be them. It can wait though."
I chuckled and bent down to kiss his lips. The way he looked at me knocked all the breath from my lungs. "Sienna, I –" it went off again. "Can they not find a better time?" He muttered irritatedly under his breath.
I laughed and pulled away. "I'll go get it." I began to walk away but he stood up and pulled me back.
"No, it can wait. Sienna, I'm in l –" the doorbell cut him off once more. "Fucking hell." He cursed annoyedly.
"Hey." I cupped his face in my hands. "I'll go get it and then make us some coffee. How does that sound?"
"Fine." He sighed, "But come straight back, I don't think I can go five minutes without you." He began to lay small kisses on my neck.
I giggled and pulled away. "I will, I'm not going anywhere." I kissed his lips and walked out of the room.
The doorbell began to ring like crazy as I reached it and swung it open. A delivery man stood out front with a box in his hands. "Package for Mrs Lawrence?"
"Um..... yeah, sure." I reached out for it and he handed it to me before asking me to sign the receipt.
"Have a nice day." He nodded.
"You too!" I called back and shut the door behind me. The box weighed a ton, and I could only imagine the dozens of jewels glistening inside.
Placing it on the kitchen counter, I started up the Keurig and waited for it to work its magic, rubbing my eyes when I felt a yawn coming on.
It was safe to say that last night went down as one of the best nights of my life. Everything was different with Roman, even the smallest of gestures meant so much more, and the way he was last night... fuck, just thinking about it made me ready for another round despite the soreness aching between my legs.
Just as the Keurig finished, I placed the two steaming coffee mugs on the side when the doorbell went off again. Another delivery?
I sighed and wiped my hands down Roman's hoodie and trekked back to the front door. Maybe the delivery guy forgot something?
However, just as I swung it open, I was met with a bright light flashing in my eyes.
"Oops!" a sugary sweet voice chimed. I recognised that voice. As my vision began to clear, I was met with the image of Nikki in front of me. "Guess that one's for the memories." She giggled.
I suddenly registered what she had just done. She took a picture of me. What the fuck?
"Nikki? What the hell are you doing here?" I asked in complete shock and surprise.
"Oh, you know." She flicked her hair behind her shoulder, "Just passing through the neighbourhood."
"And taking pictures of people who answer their door?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.
"Oh no, consider yourself special for that." She smiled to herself and winked like I wasn't getting something. "I'm surprised to see you here though. Roman Lawrence's place. Didn't realise you two have been fucking."
"I didn't realise it was any of your business." I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling an odd vibe pulsing of her demeanour.
"I guess it kind of makes sense." She rested a pondering finger on her chin.
"How?"
"Well, because your grades have improved significantly."
"So? I worked hard for them?" Something was wrong. Really wrong.
She smirked to herself, "You sure he hasn't been doing your work in return for a quick fuck?" what the hell?
"Funny, Nikki." I rolled my eyes, "Now go home." I was about to shut the door in her face when she stopped me with her hand.
"I wonder what the teachers would say if they heard that rumour?"
"It's not even true, so go home." I huffed.
"But still makes a girl wonder. The popular girl failing so bad she can't even graduate. So, she fucks the nerd in persuasion for him to do his work for her. What a story that would be." I stilled. There it was. The little glint in her eyes.
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, I don't know. I am just the annoying gossip, right? That's what I do, isn't it?" she looked me up and down, "Spread the gossip."
"You're acting like a bitch, no one would even believe you –"
"I wonder what the college scouts would say." She cut me off amusingly. "UNC Chapel Hill can be quite selective if you ask me."
"How did you even know about –"
"Imagine if a scandal like that got out. Hmm, I wonder."
"Go to hell, Nikki." I snapped.
"Or I'll go straight to the principal." She wouldn't. She wouldn't do that. She couldn't. Expect her dad was the Vice Principal. Fuck. "See you later, Sienna!" she waved with a sick smile glued to her lips and strutted down the driveway.
I stood still froze.
She could. She could spread that rumour, and the problem is, everyone would believe it. In their eyes, I'm the 'type' to do something like that, no one would be surprised, and it would explain why Roman had gotten so confident and changed his look almost overnight. Shit. Fuck. Shit. I needed to go.
Just as I turned around and slammed the door shut, Roman walked down the stairs in only a pair of sweatpants.
"Hey, are you okay? You took a while and – what's wrong?" he immediately noticed my troubled expression.
"I-I need to go." Was all I could say before I ran up the stairs. He didn't miss a beat and chased after me.
"Sienna, what's wrong?" he called.
I burst into his room, collecting my dress, slipping my underwear back on under the hoodie. Fuck, shoes? Where are my shoes?
I found them by the bathroom door and slipped them on. God, I must've looked like a mess.
"Sienna, talk to me –"
"I... I just need to go home." I couldn't tell him. No. Not when he said I wasn't a complication, because this made me a complication. If Nikki did this, Roman's life could go down too. All because of me.
I could sort this out. I could find Nikki on Monday and talk to her. I could convince her not to. Roman wouldn't have to know. He wouldn't have the stress of it on his back. It'd all be fine.
I chased back down the stairs, trying to hold myself back from falling into outright panic.
"I'll drive you." Roman caught me at the bottom of the stairs.
I hastily shook my head, "No, it's fine. I'll get the bus."
"Sienna –"
"I said it's fine, Roman." I accidentally snapped. Fuck. Why was I ruining everything? Well done, Sienna.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked down at me, "Well, I'll pick you up for school Monday, okay?"
"Um, my dad said he wants to drop me off Monday." Liar.
He furrowed his brows in confusion. I wanted to get there earlier to stop Nikki. "Well, I'll meet you in the courtyard."
"Actually, I have to meet Rya for something, but I'll see you around." I began to open the door and stepped out when he called after me.
"Sienna!" my head shot around to stare at him. "Promise me we're good. Okay?"
We're good. We're more than good. I just needed to sort out this Nikki shit. "We're good. I'll... I-I'll see you at school."
I knew from the look on his face that he wasn't convinced. I knew he knew something was up. Yet, he didn't say anything. He just watched me leave.
❦❤︎❦
To say I spent the whole of the next day pacing around my room, trying to calm myself down was an understatement. I was practically climbing the walls.
"But still makes a girl wonder. The popular girl failing so bad she can't even graduate. So, she fucks the nerd in persuasion for him to do his work for her. What a story that would be."
It sounded bad whatever way you phrased it.
The problem was, truth or lie, everyone believed Nikki. She had the role of being the gossip. She had the role of knowing everything. And with my past reputation, my old facade, it worked perfectly. I couldn't even begin to think about the consequences throw at Roman if this got out. It would ruin everything. He didn't need this; he was already too worked up about Skye.
I was going to fix it.
That was why I rushed into school that morning, stalking the halls to try and find her. Hell, I even waited outside the principal's office for twenty minutes to see if she would make her way down there. She didn't show.
By the time first period came, I sat in Chemistry anxiously tapping my pencil against the desk. I couldn't focus, all of the symbols and equations looked like gibberish as I tried my best to answer everything as correctly as I could.
Roman had texted me numerous times.
I want to see you, meet me at my locker.
You okay? I'm in the library, come see me.
Sienna? Is something wrong?
Talk to me, okay? If something's wrong, I'll come meet you. We're a team, remember that.
Those were sent in the last two hours. I had been so wrapped up in my own head that completely forgot to respond.
Sorry! Been super busy, I'll meet you at lunch.
So far, I hadn't seen Nikki all day which began to make me think she sent empty threats. She was a person who liked to get under your skin, in some sick way believed it gave her power. Yet that lingering worry stung in my head.
I needed to talk to Rya.
Just as I collected books from my locker, I decided to shoot Rya a quick text asking her to meet me by the music rooms. Yet the text became pointless as I saw her walking up to me. Although, something was different, she wasn't walking, she was storming... with tears in her eyes.
"Rya?! What's wrong –"
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she snapped as soon as she got near me. What?
"What?" I was slightly taken aback at her harsh, cold tone.
She wiped a tear from her cheek and said, "You told Christopher I cheated on my Spanish pop quiz Sophomore Year." I did? When did I —
"Plus, in Sophomore Year, Rya didn't realise she had a Spanish pop quiz second period and so she forced me to go and steal her the paper that morning so she wouldn't fail miserably."
I did. Oh shit. My silence gave her all the answers she needed. "What the fuck, Sienna?! Are you two like best buddies now?"
"Rya, just calm down –"
"Don't tell me to calm down!" she exclaimed, some students stopped and stared at us, whispering to one another. "That was a secret between the two of us! I made you promise to never tell a single soul that and you effortlessly rat me out to Christopher. Fucking Christopher!"
"Rya I... I didn't mean to do that. I-I wasn't thinking, and it just slipped out. I thought he wouldn't –"
"Well, he did." Her voice cracked, "He went straight up to Principal Cunningham and told her, he even tracked down the CCTV the IT department keeps and showed her the plain evidence of you giving it to me. Now I'm officially off the Valedictorian list." No. No. No this couldn't be happening. Not to Rya.
"No. Fuck. Rya, I'm so sorry. We can fix it, I promise." I went to grab her hand, but she pulled away.
"I worked years to get Valedictorian and you – my best friend – decide to tell Christopher fucking Knowles, the boy who would do anything to knock me down, about me cheating – the only time I've ever cheated in my whole fucking life!" this was bad. God, this was so bad. The look on Rya's face was pure heartbreak and I didn't know what I could say to make it okay.
"I wasn't thinking, Rya. I was being stupid because of this whole Roman situation and –"
"It's always about Roman, isn't it?" she snapped. Huh?
I shook my head, "I don't know what you mean."
She scoffed and let out a bitter laugh. "I have helped you with some much, Sienna. With Roman. With everything. And the one time I needed your help, the one time I needed you to keep a damn secret, you can't. Ironic, isn't it? Sienna's needs are so much more important than Rya's obviously." She was angry and upset. Rya never cried. Yet now she was. Now I truly felt like a true villain.
"Rya, just breath. Okay? You're saying things you don't mean and I'm going to fix it. I promise." I tried to soothe.
"By doing what? Saying shit about Christopher? There's no evidence of him doing anything. Him fucking girls in school? He was smart enough to do it without any CCTV near him. So now he's getting everything he wants. All thanks to you."
I tried to reach out to her again, but she pulled away. "Rya, please."
"You're getting so wrapped up in your own life, you really just forget everyone else's, don't you? The fact that you didn't even realise you did something wrong when you told him says everything." I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to make it any better. I wanted to fix it, I wanted to fix it all, but I couldn't.
"I... I don't know what I can do to make it better." I confessed, my voice going quiet. Ashamed.
"Stay the hell out of my life from now on, how's about that?" she hissed and stormed away, tears running down her cheeks.
"Rya, no! Wait!" I tried to run after her when a familiar face caught my eye round the other hall.
I couldn't stop myself from seeing red and marching right over there. In fact, all I saw was red, even when I slapped him across the face.
"Ouch! Jesus Christ, Sienna, what the fuck?!" Christopher groaned.
"You bastard!" I exclaimed. He stagged back and looked down at me evidently confused. "You know, I really felt bad for you. I honestly thought that – deep down – you were a good guy. Obviously not, asswipe."
Confusion only took over his expression more. "What are you..."
"You told Principal Cunningham Rya cheated on her Sophomore Year Spanish pop quiz." I pointed an accusing finger in his face.
He blinked, "I... I what?"
"Oh please!" I scoffed. "Don't act innocent. You really are a son of a bitch, aren't you?"
"Sienna, I didn't tell Principal Cunningham that –"
"Just shut the fuck up, will you? I don't want your pathetic lies and excuses. You're a dick, you know that right? Now my best friend want nothing to do with me all because of you!" I shoved his chest. He gently grabbed my wrists and stopped me when I went to do it again.
"Sienna, I really didn't tell Principal Cunningham any of this. I haven't even seen Principal Cunningham today. I had two frees this morning, I've literally just got to school."
"Like I believe that." I snapped.
Yet, there was something in his eyes full of desperation when he said, "Sienna, please believe me. I would never do anything like that, okay? Just... just please. Trust me on that."
"Like a believe or trust a fucking thing that comes out of your mouth." I hissed when a familiar auburn-haired girl caught my eye. Nikki. "Just... go to hell." I snaped before chasing down the halls after Nikki.
Honestly, could my day get anymore hectic and worse?
"Nikki!" I called out. She didn't hear me. "Nikki!" I shouted again. This time she stopped and turned to look at me.
"Oh, Sienna." She smiled to herself. "What do you want."
"I want to talk." I stepped closer. She raised a brow.
"Talk?"
"Yes, about the little rumour situation. I don't think you realise how much damage it can really do."
"Oh, I do." She simply replied, completely unbothered. "And it really seems to bother you, doesn't it?" god, I hated the game she was playing.
"It doesn't matter if it does, you can ruin people's lives with a rumour like that."
Still, she didn't seem to care. "Oh, trust me, I know, and it's really got me thinking. UNC Chapel would totally not be happy giving out a scholarship to a liar and a fake – oh yeah, and a huge slut, but I wonder what the University of Pennsylvania would say too?" Roman. No.
"You wouldn't." I threated, daring to take another step towards her.
She laughed to herself, "Hmm, how does it feel to be under someone else's control, Sienna? How does it feel be inferior?" I knew what was happening, I knew Nikki craved power. Gossip was her power, and I knew that the school was running dry of it. Plus, for years she had tried to drag me down with some sort of scandal, yet it never bothered me too much. It probably drove her insane that I was one of the rare ones her power didn't bother. Now she had caught me. Now Roman was involved and I was absolutely terrified.
I took a deep breath and rolled my shoulders back, staring her dead in the eyes. "I'm not scared of you, Nikki. Go ahead. Do it then." However, I knew the old tricks of the book. What she was doing was a classic move: use someone you care about against you. The only solution to defeat it, "Go ahead. Like I care what you do." Was to pretend to not care.
She blinked a few times astounded. "I'm sorry... what?"
I smiled to myself, "You've obviously caught me fucking a nerd. Go on, tell everything what you know. See if I give a shit."
"You may not give a shit about your life, but I'm sure you give a shit about Roman's." she thought she could catch me out. She thought she could hit a nerve. She couldn't.
"You know, maybe you were right." I mused, "It's true, I was just looking for a quick fuck. So, go on. Tell everyone."
"You looked too upset when I told you for Roman to be just a 'quick fuck'. You obviously care about him." She scoffed. Do it, Sienna. As much as it's gonna hurt, do it. For Roman's future.
I took another step towards her and smirked. "You ever heard of acting, hmm? I was bored and lonely and needed some fun, some excitement. A challenge more like." You're an idiot, Sienna. Every word that came out of my mouth broke me in half but if it were to make sure Roman was safe from Nikki's cruelness, I would do it. "Like as if I would want to screw someone like that. C'mon, Nikki, you know me better, I've always loved a good challenge. Roman's there and he's easy, so why not? Sometimes it's fun to pretend, don't you do that with all your affairs with Mr Bernard, who's married with two kids just in case you didn't know which I'm sure you do."
The last part was a cheap dig, but it felt good after the slandering she was making me do to the boy I would die for, I needed her to get some slander too, I couldn't help myself.
"But... But I thought..." she stammered.
"Well, you thought wrong, didn't you? Here's a tip, honey, you don't challenge a queen when you're only a pawn and trust me when I say, you don't fight fire with fire. You can say anything you want, see if I care, but if you want to be a bitch." I looked her up and down and laughed, "You have to do much better than that."
I was lucky third period had just started because no one was around to hear this. Nikki looked back at me in awe, stunned by what I had just said and my sudden change in demeanour. A year ago, I would be thriving off it, but all I felt now was disgust. I hated having to act like this, although, getting a cheap shot at Nikki never bothered me, not when she was threatening Roman's future too.
"Now," I clicked my tongue, "Are we done here?" she didn't say a word and I took that as my cue to walk away.
As soon as I entered my History class, apologising to Mr Dennis for being late, I texted Roman as quickly as I could.
Sick of school. Want to go out for lunch? We can go to Five Guys? Whatever you want :)
I waited patiently, wondering what class he had, how his day was going. Now that I had sorted out this Nikki business, I just wanted to spend some time with him, plus I needed his help in figuring out how to fix this situation with Rya. Maybe make Principal Cunningham a Power Point Presentation on how amazing she was. Too weird? Urgh, I needed to figure out something. I hated not having my partner in crime and I knew how hard she had fought for Valedictorian. I wasn't going to let all that work, dedication, and determination wash down the drain.
Mr Dennis droned on about some random war and I studied the clock as it ticked closer to the end of the class. It was five minutes before class ended when my phone went off. It was Roman.
Sounds great! I'll meet you by my car in ten.
Thank god.
I had just placed my phone in my bag when constant dings scattered across the classroom in high-pitched crescendos. Every student looked around the room puzzled and reached for their phone in their bags. What the hell?
I reached for my own phone in curiosity when I heard a familiar voice.
My voice.
"You've obviously caught me fucking a nerd. Go on, tell everything what you know. See if I give a shit."
"You may not give a shit about your life, but I'm sure you give a shit about Roman's." I heard Nikki's voice retort back through the multiple phones replaying a sort of video.
"You know, maybe you were right. It's true, I was just looking for a quick fuck. So, go on. Tell everyone."
"You looked too upset when I told you for Roman to be just a quick fuck. You obviously care about him."
No. No. This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening.
I saw a text notification pop up on my phone leading to a link. There it was. Posted online. Mine and Nikki's conversation. No.
"You ever heard of acting, hmm? I was bored and lonely and needed some fun, some excitement. A challenge more like." Everyone turned to face me. "Like as if I would want to screw someone like that. C'mon, Nikki, you know me better, I've always loved a good challenge. Roman's there and he's easy, so why not? Sometimes it's fun to pretend."
"But... But I thought..."
"Well, you thought wrong, didn't you? Here's a tip, honey, you don't challenge a queen when you're only a pawn and trust me when I say, you don't fight fire with fire. You can say anything you want, see if I care, but if you want to be a bitch. You have to do much better than that."
All eyes were on me as I watched the video. It was Nikki and I's conversation that happened less than an hour ago posted onto the internet for everyone to see. From the perspective, it looked like it was from a CCTV camera. Shit. No. shit.
Everything played out in slow motion as the bell rung and I speedily packed my stuff, bursting out of the classroom . Students loitered the halls, the videos playing on their phone again and again at full volume.
"You ever heard of acting, hmm? I was bored and lonely and needed some fun, some excitement. A challenge more like. Like as if I would want to screw someone like that. C'mon, Nikki, you know me better, I've always loved a good challenge. Roman's there and he's easy, so why not? Sometimes it's fun to pretend."
Each person I passed had a look of disgust glued onto their face as they glanced at me, muttering to their friends, pointing fingers, snickering, gossiping. With each glare I wanted to the ground to swallow me whole. This couldn't be happening, this had to be some sort of nightmare.
I stalked through the halls. My words echoing behind me like haunted spirits. My heart pounding out of my chest.
"Roman's there and he's easy, so why not? Sometimes it's fun to pretend."
No. No. I didn't mean that. It was a lie. A lie I used to protect him.
I turned the corner and regretted my decision as soon as I did, because watching the video by his locker was Roman, and as he looked up to meet my eyes, all I saw was pure heartbreak and utter disgust.