"Morning After"

The warm sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the tangled mess of sheets and limbs on the bed, a testament to the passionate night that had just passed. Maya slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was still in Eric's bedroom, and he was still wrapped around her, his arms holding her close. She smiled, remembering the events of the previous night, and the game of truth or dare that had brought them to this point. As she stirred, Eric's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Morning," he whispered, his voice husky with sleep. Maya's response was muffled by the pillow, but Eric could feel her smile against his chest. They lay there for a moment, enjoying the warmth and intimacy of the moment. But their peaceful morning was short-lived. A knock at the door broke the silence, and Eric's head jerked up, his eyes wide with alarm. "Mom," he whispered, his voice urgent. "Get dressed, quick." Maya's eyes went wide as she scrambled to get out of bed, her heart racing with embarrassment. She had totally forgotten that Eric's mom, Sandy, would be a part of their lives, and that she was still his AP English teacher. The door opened, and Sandy stood in the doorway, a look of shock on her face. Maya's eyes met hers, and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. She was caught, and she knew it. "Ah, good morning," Sandy said, her voice awkward and stilted. "I, uh, brought you some breakfast." She held out a tray, her eyes darting back and forth between Maya and Eric. Maya's face grew hotter as she took in the sight of the tray, laden with pancakes, eggs, and fruit. It was a typical mom-like breakfast, but the context was anything but typical. Eric jumped out of bed, grabbing the tray from his mom. "Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice gruff. "We'll, uh, eat in a minute." Sandy's eyes lingered on Maya, who was still sitting in bed, trying to cover herself with the sheets. "I'll, uh, leave you two alone," Sandy said, her voice still awkward. "Maya, I'll, uh, see you at school, okay?" Maya nodded, still feeling embarrassed. "Okay, Mrs. Ericson," she said, trying to sound professional. As Sandy beat a hasty retreat, Maya let out a sigh of relief. She was still trying to process the events of the previous night, and now she had to face the music. She was still Eric's teacher, and they had just crossed a major boundary. Eric set the tray down on the bedside table and turned to Maya, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, that was fun," he said, his voice low and husky. Maya rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. "It's not over," she said, her voice firm. "We still have to deal with the fallout." Eric's grin faltered, and he looked at her with a serious expression. "I know," he said. "But for now, let's just enjoy the moment, okay?" Maya hesitated, but then she nodded, letting Eric pull her into a warm, comforting hug. For now, she was willing to push aside her concerns and just enjoy the moment. But she knew that eventually, they would have to face the consequences of their actions.