12

As I lay in bed, the sound of rain hitting the window was deafening. The thunderstorm was raging, the flashes of lightning illuminating the room momentarily.

I tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position as the loud crashes of thunder echoed through the walls.

I used the pillows to cover my ears, but it didn't work and I just found myself staring up at the ceiling.

I've never been the biggest fans of thunderstorms. The sounds always sent a shiver down my spine, and the bright flashes made me jump every time. But tonight, it was just more intense. The wind howled outside, causing the trees to lash against the windows.

Rain is fine though.

It was just me, myself and my thoughts.

That was before I jumped out the bed, sitting there for a moment as I hesitate.

The digital alarm clock read 1:30. It was a long way to go until the sun rises.

Tip-toeing out the room as quiet as possible, I made my way to the kitchen. I stood up on my toes, trying to reach the top cabinet to get a glass.

My body stretched out, but I still couldn't reach.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my side, above my waist, and saw another arm reaching for the top cabinet.

She grabbed the glass and placed it down on the counter for me, then reach back for another one.

Daniela stepped back, letting go of me.

I turn around and our eyes met in the darkness before she went to the fridge and got herself water.

A loud clap of thunder echoed through the house, followed by a blinding flash of lightning. Our shadows were casting against the walls.

"Can't sleep?" She asks, her voice was raspy.

I don't understand how she gets her voice like that.

It's hot, for a girl.

"Yeah." I mumble.

"Me neither."

She drank out her glass as she held out her hand, gesturing for my glass; which I gave her. She filled it up for me and passed it back, giving a quiet 'thank you' in return.

She leaned her front against the counter, gripping the edge while she drinks. The lightning that struck gave her a shine to her features, the light somehow pulling it off to make her glow, before it turned dark again. It was clear neither of us wanted to go back to sleep-- for her reason, I don't know, for mine, I just don't like lightning.

It kind of looked intimidating as the lightning struck and lit up the room, giving me a split second to see her eyes beaming straight into me.

It's like a light switch flipping on and off, revealing her.

I waited for another strike to light up the kitchen to spot her again, though once lighting hit, she wasn't there.

I looked to my side where she placed her glass in the sink before turning towards me, and the room going dark again.

I saw her figure, blended with the darkness, starting to walk back to the living room.

"Professor-- Daniela." I call out quietly.

She stopped in her tracks. "Yes?" She husked.

My mouth opened to speak, but all I did was bring the glass of water up to my lips. She turned her body towards me, tilting her head to the side to get a reading on me.

"You want me to stay with you until you fall asleep, don't you?"

Embarrassed, I flush red and nod like a shy little child.

"I'll meet you at the room, okay?"

Once again, I nod. While she was busy grabbing her blanket and pillow from the couches, I was quickly finishing up my water.

I rushed up to the bedroom again, silently, because I don't want to wake Ziki, and into the bed.

I crawled under the thick duvet, pulling it up to my chin as I crawled myself up into a tiny ball.

After a few seconds of listening to the rain, I finally heard footsteps entering the room with the sound of a blanket being dragged across the wooden floor.

The bed besides me (which is actually far because it's so huge) sunk in as she made herself comfortable.

As I slowly open my eyes, I could feel a warm, wet feeling against my face. Ziki's tail was the first thing I saw wagging all over the place, the little creature finally backing away from me and now lying down on my stomach.

Only god knows how this small thing with turtle legs got up here.

The storm seemed to have died down during the night as the sun beamed through the window and the tiny gaps of the curtains.

There was a warm, golden glow casted against everything.

At the corner of my eye, I saw a body next to me. It was professor. She must've fallen asleep. Her hair sparkled in the sunlight, giving it the perfect contras. The sun's rays created a beautiful highlight on her skin too.

She really is pretty.

I'm jealous.

I shook my head, realizing I'm distracting myself.

I gently pick up Ziki whilst climbing off the bed.

I got to go somewhere else, I don't know where, but anywhere away from her.

Just as I was about to sit on the couch with Ziki on my lap, I hear a knock at the door.

Curious, I make my way to the front of the house, without thinking to wake Daniela up. I unlock the door with the keys I memorized her opening it when we arrived.

"Hello, sis--" A blonde woman greeted me in Spanish with a deep accent before stopping.

She furrowed her eyebrows, pointing at me. "You're not my sister." She then looked down at the puppy in my arms. "And what are you doing with my Ziki?"

My lips open to speak, but I don't know what to say. "O-Oh, I--"

Suddenly, I heard footsteps from behind me.

Daniela spoke, "Luka."

A shiver went down my spine from her raspy, husky morning voice.

I stepped out of the way, allowing the women to see each other.

So this is the famous Luka Garcia, professor's sister.

Luka smirked widely, expanding her arms as she steps inside and wrap her arms right around Daniela's body. I couldn't help but to let out a tiny chuckle at the way she just stood there, arms at her side, as her sister squeezed her.

"¡Qué bueno verte de nuevo, hermana!" The woman, Luka, cheered. (It is good to see you again, sister!)

She lets go of Daniela, quickly side-eyeing me before leaning in closer to her.

"Ella es bonita. ¿Quién es ella? ¿Dónde la encontraste, Daniela?" Luka whispers, trying to be sneaky, but I can hear everything. (This one's pretty. Who is she? Where'd you find her, Daniela?)

A blush spread across my face, smiling stupidly to myself. Daniela clearly knew I could hear and quickly spoke after her sister.

She awkwardly cleared her throat. "Ella no es nadie" (She's nobody.)

My smile disappeared.

I guess that's payback.

"Ella tiene mi Ziki... por supuesto que es alguien." (She has my Ziki-- of course she's somebody.) Luka gasps, "¿¡Es alguien de quien me has estado hablando!?" (Is it the somebody you've been telling me about!?)

Daniela, sighing, turned her lips paper thin as she grabbed her sister on her shoulder and spun her towards me.

I chuckled nervously, wanting to look away.

"This, Luka, is my student, Victoria." Daniela mumbled tiredly, clearly not wanting to explain everything.

"Haha... hi." I replied awkwardly and pet Ziki to advert my attention to something else.

Luka's smile slowly faded as her eyes widened every second she kept staring at me. "Oh, that must mean that you..."

"Si, lo entiendo... todo" I chuckle. (Yes, I understand... everything.)

Luka chuckles awkwardly before turning back to Daniela and gave her warning eyes, almost like Daniela's in trouble for something.

Professor clenched her jaw before letting go of Luka and focused on me.

"Will you just sit tight for a few minutes, please? I'll drive you wherever you want to go when I'm done." Her voice drops to a softer, quieter one as she looks at me.

Nodding, I gently pass on Ziki towards Luka who grabbed and cuddled him immediately. I smiled at the both of them before going to the bedroom again.

I grabbed my bag and rushed to the bathroom, locking it behind me.

The bag fell to the floor as I let go of it, staring blankly at the shower waiting for me. Not going to lie, it definitely hit a spot in me when professor called me a 'nobody.' Then again, she's maybe talking about me to her sister.

Still stuck in my thoughts, I got the chance to finish a quick shower and dry myself off with a towel I packed in. And got dressed with my last clean clothes I had left; did my hair, and brushed my teeth.

I did my last looks around her room, checking if I packed in everything.

Daniela entered a few minutes later as I was zipping my bag up.

She walked closer to me and crossed her arms. "Made your decision yet?"

"Yeah. You were right, I can't ignore my dad forever." I said, turning towards her. "I want you to take me home."

She nods, "If that's what you want."

I waited downstairs for her at the living room; the place a bit different without Ziki here. I know I don't live here, or that he's not even my dog, but I miss him.

Daniela finished getting ready for her day and grabbed her car keys as I followed her outside. We got in her car in silence, and she immediately started driving. The road was still a bit wet, grass still soaked, and some pools of water laying at the sidewalks.

I mostly stared out of the window, but then saw her staring at me through the reflection. My mind was still going on about earlier, finding it bit intriguing and confusing.

I said, staring out of the window, "She seems nice, Luka."

Daniela stayed quiet, I could see her shifting uncomfortably in the reflection. Her fingers tapped against the steering-wheel like she's hesitating to say something.

"I spoke to her about you." She said, her tone stern, and I snap my head towards her. "I always do so with my best students." It was like she needed to give me an explanation.

I was a bit humbled, but also finding it random. "Oh, okay. Thank you, I guess?"

She stayed quiet again for a moment before she tapped against the wheel faster. "So... Elijah Grundling, huh?"

I threw my head back against the headrest while groaning. "Don't even." My groaning turned into tiny laughs that died down after a few seconds.

Daniela got the hint, but still pushed. "I'm just asking. I'm curious." She said, followed by a shrug.

"Yeah." I sigh, looking out the window again, "Come on, he was brave enough to ask me to be his Valentine in front of the whole university, and even the British people. How could I not?"

"Do you even like him, though? He's an total ass."

I look at her, slightly shocked. "Woah, is a professor allowed to speak like that about their students?"

She ignored me. "I asked you a question first."

I took a second to reply, thinking about it. "He's attractive."

"Really?" She scoffed sarcastically, "You're way out of his league, Rivera."

My lips curve into a smile.

The car stopped, and I realized we're at my house.

I reach for the door, turning back to professor, "Thank you for this, professor."

All she did was nod, looking away from me.

I got out the car and made my way to the front door, looking back and waving at professor as she drives away.

Taking a deep breath in, I grab my keys and unlock the door. As I enter, I close it behind me and lean back.p

A weird feeling made me feel warm, and I found myself smiling down to the ground.

"What's got you smiling all to yourself?"

Embarrassed, I look where the voice came from and quickly pushed myself off the door.

Dad sent me a weak smile, "I'm sorry."

I sigh, walking towards him and wrapping my arms around his neck. "I'm sorry for leaving, dad."

Dad hugged me back, "I was worried sick. You didn't pick up my calls." His voice breaks, causing me to feel guilty. As we pulled away, dad smiled softly, "But, I understand-- I wanted to tell you about her for a long time now."

I nod, trying to be the mature one. "I promise I'll listen this time."

So, we sat down at the living room and discussed.

The woman I saw dad with was Adeline, and she's a new recruit in the police, so that's where they met-- at work. If I could guess her occupation based of her looks, I would definitely have guessed the police or army, some type of intense job.

Since I've saw her, I couldn't get her stupid face out of my mind, wishing I could throw darts at her face.

But, dad makes her sound... alright.

She's hard-working, determined, smart and knows how to stand up for herself. She is pretty from what I've seen: black (which actually is just very dark brown hair), sharp cheeks which makes you see her cheekbones better and a very sharp jawline. She has dark, thin, arched eyebrows too, but I'm sure she doesn't use an eyebrow pencil, because the only make-up I could spot on her face, for the split second I saw her, was the dark, red lipstick.

She looked a lot more intimidating than Professor Garcia, and I think she's a tiny bit taller than her too.

Though, she is definitely younger than my dad, by a lot. Or maybe she just went for botox and something to make her skin clear as glass.

"Will you please try to get to know her, hun?" Dad asks with a sympathetic smile, "I promise you'll like her."

"Sure, dad. If you like her, I'll try my best."