December, 2009

I was panicking. I swore to Loki and his offspring that I'm being punished.

First off, my parents actually thought that I was dating my instructor. Second, they're not even miffed about assuming she's my girlfriend. Thirdly, dad even said that he already has papers backing up his consent if ever the university goes against it. And lastly...

"Why do I have to ask her out for Noche Buena?" I murmured, staring at the blank workspace of the application I'm using.

"Azk who out, ma belle?" someone whispered into my ear with a very sexy French accent. Aside from the whisper, I felt a warm and soft hand atop of my right hand and the smell that reminds me of rain, bed, and blanket filled my senses.

Even if I know who sneaked up to me – the French accent was a dead giveaway – I was still surprised by it and froze in place. I thought I was alone in the computer laboratory – instructor Le Creuset left earlier, saying she had a meeting with some of the faculty staff. But here she was, behind me and somehow heard what I said. 'Eff!'

Instructor Le Creuset laced her hand on mine, making both our hands holding the mouse. I could feel my heart racing and my stomach flipping at how close my instructor is to me – her front to my back especially – and how she whispers to my ear.

Glancing at the glass-paneled walls, I mentally thanked whoever divine being that's governing the universe that the blinds have been put down. 'I thought they were open earlier.'

"Zo?"

Taking a deep breath, I leaned my head back and looked at those blue eyes that stared back at me with an amused glint. I pondered if I should even tell her about the invitation.

The blonde smiled like a Cheshire cat. "If Elize would be ztaring at are me like 'zat, I might melt into her armz."

My face, how I was already aware, felt hot and I could bet that it resembled a tomato right now. If my heart could do as it wanted, it would probably be hammering down my ribs and jumping out of my body and to instructor Le Creuset's hands. Composing myself, I frowned at how I was once again teased by my instructor. "Do you always have to tease me?"

"Teazing? Ahhh, ma belle, teazing iz not zome'zing I do." As if teasing was not enough, the blonde leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead. "You're changing 'ze topic, no? Do tell who it iz you are going to azk out?"

I was rendered speechless at what the blonde did. 'Oh my freaking Valkyrie! This woman will kill me!'

"Iz it mademoiselle Quinn? I fairly remember ma belle zaying 'zat mademoiselle Quinn waz zpoken for." I could feel her hand tightening its hold on mine. "Iz it one of your friendz?" her tone sounded playful. She moved backwards and sat on the empty space of the table; her hand still holding mine. Good thing too, my neck was starting to hurt.

The idea of dating my friends flushed out whatever giddy feeling I have inside of me. They were my friends for a reason and whatever reasons it may be, it didn't include dating anyone of them. The horror it would be if I were to date any of them!

Marie would be laughing at me if I ever asked her out.

Micah would probably go to the bookstores and bore me to death with her books and writings during the date.

And Jeanne would take me to a junkshop and look for whatever steampunk things she could get instead of eating.

Nope. Definitely not dating any of them.

"What? No! Hel smite me now if I take anyone of them out on a date!"

Instructor Le Creuset laughed after my outburst. "I waz joking, mon ange. But zeriouzly zpeaking, what'z troubling you?"

It was no use lying to her. Plus my mom threatened to strangle me if I didn't ask my instructor for Noche Buena overcame my cowardice. With a deep sigh, taking in the warmnt of instructor Le Creuset's hand on mine, I looked at her with an awkward smile on my face. "I was wondering if you are free this weekend. For Noche Buena I mean. And uhm my mom... erm... I mean, I was wondering if you would join me and my family..." I sounded like a babbling buffoon.

"Noche Buena?" she sounded confused. I looked at my instructor and noticed how she looked confused. Cute. "What iz Noche Buena?"

Now it was my turn to look confused. 'You got to be kidding me. She doesn't- wait, she's from France.' "It's a Christmas eve dinner."

Her confusion turned into a gleeful expression; face adoring a smile and her eyes sparkled. "Ah! Réveillon."

"Revlon?" 'Why would she be speaking of a beauty product?'

My instructor giggled and shook her head. "Non, mon chou. Réveillon, ah, az you zaid, Noche Buena," she informed me with a sweet-looking smile. "I waz zuppozed to have dinner wi'z Ma'zew-"

Before she could finish her thoughts, I stood up and walked up to her. "You're going to have Noche Buena with my family and that's that." Our faces inches apart, I looked at her kissable lips for a few seconds and strayed my sights up to her eyes. Those clear blue eyes that I adore so much.

The temptation to claim those lips was sent signals all over my body and I had to stop myself from acting upon my carnal desire within me. "No Matthew, no whoever. You and me, Christmas Eve."

Without waiting for her response, I yanked my hand away from hers and decided to call it a day and leave. The more I stay close with my instructor, the more I was falling for her.

When I was done packing my laptop in my bag and ready to leave, I felt two arms sneak their way to my waist and I was pulled backwards. My back came in contact with two soft mounds, cushioning my fall and I found myself within the arms of instructor Le Creuset.

I could feel her hot breath over my right ear and I swear I could also feel that she's smiling. "You look cute when you are jealouz, ma petit chou."

Me? Jealous? I was not-

"Very cute. And oui. I will spend 'ze Christmas Eve with you, ma belle," she whispered to my ear.

All I could do was nod and when she released me from her confining embrace, I robotically picked up my bag and left the room.

'I'm really convinced that she will be the death of me!'

December 24, 2009; 11:45pm

True to her words, instructor Le Creuset did come to my house on Christmas eve. My mom and dad insisted we head to my room while they prepared for our Noche Buena.

"'Zank you, ma belle, for inviting me."

I showed her a lazy grin. "Well, it would be a shame for someone like you to be spending Christmas Eve alone." I laid back on my bed and hugged my body pillow.

"But I'm not zpending it alone if you did not inzizted I come," she said cheekily.

I ignored what she said while she sat beside me; playing with my dark brown locks.

I was pretty sure that this woman has feelings for me. When the two of us are alone, she continues to invade my personal space that goes way beyond normal. There were times she would kiss me on my cheeks, a French gesture I assume, most of those times, her kisses were inches closer to the side of my lips. Then there were her pet names. Ma belle, mon ange, mon chou... I know what mon chou means and asked her why she's calling me her cabbage. Her only answer was it sounded better in French than English.

"What are you 'zinking mon ange?" she asked me while still playing with my hair.

Looking at my instructor, I saw her eyes showing a greyish hue. I was really amazed at how her eye color changes because of the lighting. I smiled at her and raised my right hand and placed it on her left cheek. My bold move was rewarded with my instructor leaning on my hand and her eyes closed. She has a serene look on her face and I couldn't help but admire her beauty.

"Mon ange..." she purred.

I don't know what came over me as I slowly leaned upward and captured her lips with my own. I felt her tense up but instantly relaxed and pushed me down as she reciprocated my daring move. My arms crept around her waist and pulled her closer to me, deepening our kiss.

My clock made a loud buzzing sound, disrupting what seemed to me was the most amazing thing that happened in my life. Both of us ended up panting loudly, catching our breaths but with a smile on our faces.

The clock on my bedside table continued to buzz and saw that it was already midnight. It was Christmas already. I smiled widely and placed a quick kiss on Le Creuset's, no, Claire's lips. "Merry Christmas, Claire," I said and took the gift I hid under my bed.

It seems she was startled when I called her by her first name instead of the usual 'instructor Le Creuset'. Then her smile widened after realizing what I just said.

With shaky fingers, she unwrapped the gift I gave her and took out what's inside. A small teddy bear dressed in a t-shirt with black and white stripes. She probably found it adorable – I think it is – since she giggled and placed her hand over my left cheek, rubbing her thumb on it affectionately. "Merci. Joyeux Noël, ma chérie."

From the bag on the floor, she took a box and gave it to me. The kid in me lit up and ripped wrappings apart and took out its contents. "Wow." I breathed in astonishment. The content was a palm-sized snow globe with a miniature version of France's famous landmarks: The Eiffel tower, Arc de Triompe and the Notre dame in it. I hugged Claire tightly, showing how much I liked her gift.

"I love you, Claire." I whispered to her, finally admitting my feelings towards the blonde Frenchwoman.

"From Paris, with love." Claire whispered and hugged me back.