58

We were in the waiting room the next day, finally knowing the suspect who leaked the footage of me and Iris. And currently, he was in Dr. Cummings office. His screams could be heard from the hallway.

Hell, am I happy we're not in there.

Me, and the squad-- Iris, Eleanor and Cameron were waiting.

Yesterday while Daniela and I were trapped, Eleanor and Iris convinced the administrators to see the cameras again. And coincidentally, they spotted Elijah running past and locking us in the janitor's room.

So I guess Iris rescued me from the awkward silence. But also, my chance to confess my feelings to Daniela was ruined once again.

Speaking of Daniela, here she was, arriving at the waiting room, ten minutes later.

The only seat open was next to Iris.

She quickly gave me a suspicious look before moving a seat up.

And now, the only open seat was next to me. I gave Iris a death stare and Daniela did too, seeing what Iris' plan was.

My face flushed red, embarrassed.

Now Daniela thinks I want her to sit next to me.

Well... a little.

So, she did. She slowly approached, her eyes glued on me, but I quickly looked away. My muscles tensed as she sat down next to me. Her scent reaching my nose, making a shiver go down my spine.

It was quiet. Awkwardly quiet as we all sit there in a circle, listening at Dr. Cummings yelling at Elijah.

I kept staring straight forward, too scared to turn and look at Daniela. She too didn't want to look at us. Especially Cameron. She had only once looked at him, and when she did, her hands clenched into fists.

Fuck. This can't get any worse.

Finally, the door opened and we all straightened. Iris, slouching in her chair, eyes closed, trying to sleep, jumped awake.

Elijah, followed by a security guard behind him, stepped out into the hallway.

The security guard forced him to walk, but just then, Elijah's eyes fell on me as he turned around. His eyes were dark with no emotion in them whatsoever.

Just like his brother's.

He stopped in his tracks, an evil grin on his face. "Karma is a bitch, Rivera." His voice was low with the smirk staying on his face. "You out of all people should know that."

My jaw clenched, looking away from him. My leg anxiously starting to bounce up and down.

Daniela next to me stared him down like a hawk.

"You fucked with my feelings, so I fucked with yours." His expression darkened, smirk fading. "Admit it, you kind of had a thing for me. You just always played hard to get."

"You just always played hard to want." I snapped back, my eyes meeting his.

Elijah's smirk twitched, his eyes narrowing. "You know, Rivera," he said, tilting his head. "I think I finally get it. You push everyone away because deep down, you know they'll leave you eventually--just like your mom did."

My leg stopped bouncing, frozen mid-air.

Cameron and Daniela shot up from their seats at the same time. "You bastard!" Cameron yelled.

But Daniela walked towards him without saying anything while Iris reached over the open seat to place a hand on my shoulder. Eleanor also stood up and approached me slowly, a soft frown on her face. She kneeled down in front of me, her hands on my knees, but her attention was on Daniela now standing in front of Elijah. I think everyone's attention was on them.

She leaned down to him so that they were eye level, her hands on her knees.

"You better watch your goddamn mouth if you know what's good for you." She growled, her voice quiet.

And just like that, I saw the hint of fear in Elijah's eyes. He quickly recovered and scoffed, stepping back.

Elijah's snicker barely registered before I was on my feet. Without thinking, I stepped forward, placing a hand on Daniela's shoulder. She turned slightly, flames in her eyes, but softened as she looked at me. I softly nudge her out of the side so that I'm face to face with Elijah, locking onto his smug face.

Before I even realized what I was doing, my fist connected with his face.

The satisfying crunch of bone beneath my knuckles echo and Elijah stumbled back, clutching his nose as blood began to drip between his fingers. A stunned silence fell over the room, the only sound his sharp intake of breath as he tried to process what had just happened.

And a few gasps behind me.

The security guard didn't move. He just stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. It was as if he'd silently given me permission to do what everyone else in the room had wanted to do.

My knuckles were bruised, and it definitely did hurt.

But hell that felt good.

Elijah's hand trembled as he pulled it away from his face, revealing the blood smeared across his palm. His eyes widened in shock, and then he glared at me, his voice thick with anger. "You're fucking crazy!"

I scoffed back at him before turning around, shaking my burning hand. Daniela stood in front of me, her jaw dropped to the ground. Her eyes jumping back and forth between the whining Elijah behind me and my bruised hand.

Right there and then, I knew she wanted to drag me in and kiss me. The look on her face was obvious, but maybe I was delusional when I saw a hint of admiration in her eyes.

But damn, Iris looked even more proud with that smirk on her face. Cameron and Eleanor, well they were staring with wide eyes.

The security guard then started pushing him, forcing him to walk. But while Elijah strolled away, he looked at us. "Not only will Mr. Rivera be emailed the footage, but also a friendly letter how his daughter assaulted me!" He gritted through his teeth and then he was gone around the corner, his screams the last thing we heard.

Mr. Rivera?

"What did he do." I whispered to myself, my eyes wide open.

Just then, someone launch towards from behind, jumping on my shoulders excitedly. I knew it was Iris. "That's my fucking girl!" She cheered, jumping up and down.

Iris calmed down after a moment and stepped aside so that I can see the rest. Daniela was still speechless, her pupils dilating as she looked at me.

Eleanor, still frozen in the same position where she kneeled down in front of me, came back up. "Remind me to never get on your bad side." She mumbled, followed by a shocked, nervous chuckle.

Cameron was grinning from ear to ear. "Damn, Rivera," he muttered, taking a step forward. "That was impressive."

I didn't respond to one of them, but looked down to my bloody hand. Knowing it's not even my blood on my knuckles.

Elijah must be bluffing, right? He doesn't really have my dad's email?

Daniela was the first to speak after being quiet for so long. "Are you okay?"

Was I?

"Holy shit, his blood is on my hand." My eyes widen even more. "I'm going to faint."

Iris slapped my cheeks softly, trying to shake the dizziness out of my mind. "Don't you faint on us now. We need to celebrate. You can pass out after we're done celebrating."

Suddenly Dr. Cummings exited his office with a deep breath. He stood in a place where we could all see him. He folded his arms over his chest, trying to find the right words. He also noticed my bruised hands, and could probably figure out what happened if he heard Elijah's screams-- which he probably did hear. The entire building could most likely hear it.

He screamed like a bitch.

"Well, ladies." He sighed. "You won't be seeing him for a long, long time."

I let go of a breath, relieved. Iris smiled widely. "Is he going to jail!?"

"Well, that's for you two to decide. You may press charges against him for violating your privacy, and also for the other crimes he committed like cyber crime-- hacking into our system. What he did can also be considered as online harassment."

"Hell yeah! He deserves to rot in prison." Iris grinned, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

I stood there silently, needing some time to collect my thoughts first. "What will happen if we press charges?"

Dr. Cummings rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "It means, Miss Rivera, that we would hand over everything to the authorities-- everything we've gathered from the investigation. The footage, the hacking, the harassment, and the rest of it. It's a lot more serious than you think. But ultimately, it's your choice whether to move forward with legal action or not."

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and I turned to the rest, aside from Iris. She already knew her answer.

"You think I should press charges?" I asked Daniela, her steady gaze never leaving mine.

She looked at me and spoke quietly. "Do what you think he deserves."

What he deserves is to rot, like Iris suggested. But in the end, like Cameron once told me, our actions are lead by our emotions. I fucked with his feelings, which lead him to do this, like Elijah said. What he did was driven by jealousy and hurt.

"I don't want to." I spoke up.

Iris' eyes widen. "What!?"

I turn to her. "I don't want to throw away someone else's life just for revenge. Besides, I was the one that began all of this in the first place. I'm the reason that footage is out there, because I was irresponsible and took us to that bar where we got wasted." I turned to Dr. Cummings. "Sir, none of this was Iris' fault or even Professor Garcia's." Daniela's head shot up to me. "If I need to, I'll go talk to the board on my own and take the blame. But like you said, sir, Professor Garcia is one out of the many excellent lecturers here. I'm not ruining her career for something I did, neither Elijah's."

Daniela looked stunned, and so did the rest.

Dr. Cummings' gaze softened as he listened to me, a faint nod of acknowledgment in his expression.

"I admire your sense of responsibility, Victoria," he said, his voice quieter now, almost softer than before. "But actually, the board let Professor Garcia off the hook. I tried my best to persuade them, and it worked. They realized you and Iris are adults, and your professor was there to teach you, not babysit your every move. So, Professor Garcia will not be punished for your actions, of leaving her students unsupervised, for they are grown ups and can take care of themselves. Although, Professor, you are left with a warning."

Daniela nodded and again, I sighed in relief. "So, Iris?" I ask, turning to her. "What do you say?"

Iris was still shocked before she closed her hanging mouth and groaned out loud. "Ugh fine. Let the boy live." That earned a smile from us, us being me, Eleanor and Cameron. Daniela was still processing everything.

Dr. Cummings nodded. "Very well then." He sighed also, glad this is over. "He'll walk free, but he won't ever step foot here again."

We all thanked Dr. Cummings before he disappeared back into his office, the door shutting behind him. I was staring at it, really just tired after everything, then turned around as the squad started cheering and giving each other high fives. Though, Daniela seemed completely lost in her thoughts. She was chewing on her bottom lip so hard that there were teeth marks left behind.

But before I could talk to her, Eleanor grabbed my wrist and pulled be into a group hug. But through their bodies, my eyes were still on my professor, standing there and staring into nothingness.

We were walking through the hallways. Eleanor happily skipped along with Iris in front of us, their laughs echoing while Cameron walked by my side.

It felt surreal. Everything felt surreal.

And after what happened, it felt like we were normal students again, going to the cafeteria for some lunch. Everything felt normal.

Me and Iris got less stares than before. I guess the video is off.

"Not only will Mr. Rivera be emailed the footage, but also a friendly letter how his daughter assaulted me!" Elijah's last words send chills down my spine.

Each second I worry that I might come home with dad playing the footage on his phone.

I guess I'll have to brace myself and think of ways to explain everything.

I clenched the hand I hit Elijah with, opening and closing it. Cameron laughed at the girls in front of us before looking at my hand too. "You want me to get an ice pack or something from you?" He asked softly.

I hummed and looked up.

My eyes fell on Daniela walking up the stairs ahead of us.

"Uh, no... no." I spoke fast. "Actually, I'll catch you guys later."

"Alright, I'll catch you later," he said with a wave, turning back toward Eleanor and Iris, who were still chatting up ahead.

I stayed behind for a moment, watching as they all disappeared around the corner. A deep sigh escaped me, but I didn't have time to think it through. I was already walking toward the stairs, my gaze following Daniela, who was a few steps ahead. She didn't seem to notice me yet.

I reached the landing just as she turned to look up at me. Her expression softened slightly when she saw me.

"Hey," I said quietly, standing a few feet away, unsure of how to break the silence that settled between us.

She seemed so lost in my eyes, a tiny frown spreading on her face. "You don't ever listen, do you?" She said softly, but amused, shaking her head.

I look away nervously. "I guess not."

She looked at me a little longer. "Thank you, Victoria." She said, grabbing my attention. "For trying to save my job."

A genuine smile spread on my lips. "See?" I stare into her eyes. "Sometimes just accept help. Even if you don't think you need it."

She looked down to my hand. "Looks like you could use the help now."

Not even having to talk further, she walked away, and I knew to follow. Daniela lead me down the hallway and we were now in her office where I stayed while she went to go get the medkit.

I eyed the typewriter the entire time. It was cleaner than before. And my self control was stronger than ever to not just go there and type random shit out.

I pulled myself up onto her desk at the same time her footsteps returned.

She entered her office with a small box in her hand, closing the door behind her. It was the same medical box from the day I got burned.

Our eyes met for a split second, making me nervous, before she walked around to sit on her chair. I spun myself around so that I'm facing her, my legs swinging over the edge, grazing her knees.

"Give me your hand."

And as I gave it to her, her fingers on my hand, a shiver went down my spine. Her touch was soft, making sure not to hurt me as she examines my bruised knuckles. Her brows furrowed slightly as she reached for an antiseptic wipe.

"This might sting," she warned, glancing up at me.

I nodded, bracing myself. It helped to focus on her touch instead of the pain.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from flinching as she cleaned the dried blood from my skin.

"I didn't think you had it in you to punch him like that." She broke the silence, followed by a fast, soft chuckle. "Thankfully you did it before I could. If I did, I would've totally get fired right there and then."

"So I saved your job twice?" I tried to lighten the mood and received another chuckle from her.

My knuckles stung.

"Once." She said. "Dr. Cummings did it the first time."

She's not wrong. If he didn't change the board's minds what to do with Daniela...

She threw the wipe away and got out a bandage. "I'm starting to think you're getting yourself hurt on purpose so that I can treat you."

I blinked, caught off guard by her teasing. A slight blush on my cheeks. "What?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "You think I enjoy getting injured just so you can play nurse?"

Daniela smirked softly, focusing on wrapping the bandage around my hand. "I mean, it's starting to look that way. First the burns, now this." She glanced up at me, her eyes glinting with amusement. "If you wanted my attention, there are easier ways, you know."

I blinked again, my face becoming redder if possible. Her eyes met mine and strange enough, the hurt I caused was gone. But really, is anything truly gone? People forgive, but never forget. Is she trying to forgive me? Or is she just trying to act like I did nothing?

A tiny smile spread on my lips, my face feeling on fire. "That's ridiculous," I mumbled, looking anywhere but at her. My smile faded. "It's not like I planned for Elijah to say... what he said."

Her smirk softened into a frown and she lets go of my hand, now covered in a bandage. Instead, she found my knees. And as she placed her hands on it, I looked down at her.

Her hands steady on my knees as her eyes searched mine. Her frown deepened, and she leaned in slightly, her voice softer now. "Victoria," she said, "He had no right to go there."

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat rising. "It's not the first time someone's tried to use that against me." My eyes travelled down to my lap again, where my own hands rested.

A weak smile spread across my face. "Mommy's little princess, using her own mother's death as an excuse to finally get some attention from others, right?"

"No." Daniela's grip tightened on my knees. "You had my attention from the first time I ever laid my eyes on you."

I looked up at her, my lips parting as if to speak, but nothing came out. She wasn't joking or teasing; her expression was serious, her dark, green eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"You're just saying that." I whispered.

"Sometimes I wish I was... You know why?" She gave me time to think, but no reason popped up into my thoughts. "Because you're constantly on my mind. I don't get sleep because of you, I don't get work done because of you and quite literally, sometimes when you're in class and I look at you, I forget what I wanted to say."

I was stunned into silence.

My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move. I wanted to say something, to respond, but nothing came out.

After everything I've done, hurt her over and over again, she still feels that way.

She had seen me, really seen me, even at my worst, and still, she cared.

"Woah." I chuckle, speechless. "I-I don't know what to say."

She flashed me a smile before standing up and nodded her head, gesturing me to follow her. "Then don't say anything." We were now standing in front of the typewriter. "Type it."

I ran my hand along the keys. I smiled. "I still can't believe you actually fixed it."

"Well, technically not me, but I knew a guy." She stood behind me and gestured for me to type something.

My fingers started moving, slowly at first, the clicks filling the silence.

And damn, typing on this thing brought so much memories back. How my mother would type out secret messages to me or give me riddles to solve whenever I came up here to her office.

"Thank you for seeing me. Even when I couldn't see myself."

I stopped and stared at the words I wrote, and then stepped back for her to read it as well.

When I finally glanced her way, Daniela's eyes were locked on the paper. Her expression softened, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no words came out. A slight smile on her face as she chuckles to herself.

And then finally, she turned to me. "Your mother would've been so proud."

"You think so?" I ask quietly, a gulp going down my throat.

Daniela's lips curved into a faint smile. "I know so." Her gaze softened, and her hand brushed against mine, sending a wave of warmth through me. "Just like me."

I felt the sting of tears pricking the corners of my eyes. For a moment, neither of us moved, the silence between us thick with emotions. Her eyes landed on my lips, a conflicted frown on her face.

And then, she leaned in.

Her breath mingled with mine, and my heart pounded. Our lips barely grazed, a light touch that sent electricity coursing through me.

But just as quickly, Daniela pulled back with a sharp inhale, her eyes squeezing shut. "I'm sorry," she said. She stepped away, creating a distance between us. "I can't."

My pulse was still racing. "Oh, I- uh..." I looked away, clearing my throat.

She placed a hand on her forehead and groaned before opening her eyes to look at me. And suddenly, the hurt was back. "I'm sorry." She repeated. "I just... can't get over the fact that you and him..." Cameron.

My stomach sank. "Daniela, no," I said quickly, shaking my head. "That's not what happened. Nothing's happening between us. I swear to you—"

"Stop," she interrupted, holding up a hand. Her voice was firm, but the crack in it betrayed her emotions. "I want to believe you, Victoria. I really do. But right now... I can't."

Hell, I know what's she's been through. Why would I want to put her through that all over again?

My head drops, all of this reminding me how much I hate Adeline. "I would never betray you." I whisper.

"I really want to believe you, Victoria." I look back at her. "But I need time."

The ache in my chest deepened, but I nodded, knowing I couldn't force her to trust me. "Okay," I said quietly, my voice trembling. "I understand."

Daniela's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, I thought she might say something else. But instead, she turned away, her back to me as she exhaled slowly. Like she needed to collect herself before walking back to her desk and packed up the medical box.

I hesitated, my heart breaking. "For what it's worth," I said softly, my voice barely audible, "Cameron did try something with me." Her head snaps to me with wide eyes. "But, I rejected him, and he understands... I don't want to lose you too, Daniela. I promise I'll do everything what it takes to earn your trust again."

She didn't respond, her posture rigid, but I thought I saw her hand twitch slightly at her side. I didn't know if that was a good sign, or a bad sign. If she wanted to form a fist, that fist aimed at Cameron.

I flashed a tiny smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, professor."

And just like that, I turned and left.