6

Honestly, the days aren't the same anymore. It's still the same morning routine: get up, have breakfast, get ready to go, and go.

There's just something different.

I stand in front of her desk, placing down the warm, black coffee next to her laptop. Slowly, her head turns away from her laptop before she sees the coffee.

Professor Garcia snickers, looking up at me with a smirk.

"Is this to bribe me with something?" She asks, her smirk changing into a tiny smile.

She's different.

I've grown comfortable with her.

Maybe it's because of the thing she said a few days ago about 'not being my mom.' She probably feels bad for speaking about her and now wants to make it up for it by actually caring in a way.

She wants to treat me how my mother always did. She didn't change herself a bit, but just gave more pieces of herself out for me to see.

The secret soft side that I've been waiting to come out, is finally here.

Professor's always asking me about my day, because I learned a habit to arrive earlier to her class. That's because I had no reason anymore to wait for Iris. She's still ignoring me.

Other than that, I've also been helping professor with her marking. We've also been sharing personal things with each other.

I even got her age.

And let me tell you, she looks so much younger.

She's so different one-on-one, but when it comes to the entire class, she's a bit bitchy.

I've learned that she has a sister, Luka. Professor could go on and on about her. She even told me about her deep Spanish accent, unlike professor. Though, Luka's still back in Spain and they don't talk too much recently.

For me, I told professor a lot about my family, even though it's just my dad and I. My cousin, Anthony, study's Architecture here, so I guess he counts as family too. But I never really see him because he's at the opposite side of campus.

I chuckle, looking down to my black boots I paired with a black corset dress that's probably a bit too short-- it stops in the middle of my thighs above my knees.

I reply with a smile, "No, It's just a gift. You haven't been at the coffee shop for a while. So why not bring the coffee to you?"

I hop on the desk right in front of hers, placing my bag down next to me as I swing my legs over the edge.

Suspiciously, she squints her eyes at me then down at the coffee. I waited for a 'thank you,' but I guess we're not on that level yet. My goal now is to see how kind she can really be.

I know her name, her age, family, what else is there?

She wraps the cup with her fingers, revealing her long, dark red, glossy nails.

"Are you coming to The Showdown?" I ask randomly.

Looking at me, she takes a sip of her coffee. "The Showdown?" She scoffs, "That sounds like a ripoff game show."

My lips form a straight line as I stare at her, blinking heavily. Professor just kept drinking her coffee, her eyes not leaving mine.

Rude much.

"It's a football game where the best team--in this case, the A-team, the university's Phoenix Foxes-- plays against the other best team at Oxford university--The A-team, the Crimson Knights-- It's only like the most famous event in the university! Well, except homecoming."

"I don't have time for that." She hesitates, lowering the coffee.

She looked at me, thinking while biting her bottom lip. "Will you be there?"

"I'm in the opening, actually." I said, "I auditioned for cheerleading, and I got in. So, yeah, I will."

"Then I'll be there."

We kept staring at each other, me trying to maintain the heavy eye contact.

On the perfect cue, the students one-by-one started entering. Quickly looking back at professor, I send her a smile before hopping off the desk and going to the back to find a better spot.

Minding my own business, packing out my books and laptop, my eyes land on Iris entering.

The only spot open was the seat next to me, and obviously, she realized that too.

She spots me, takes a deep breath in before she strolls towards the open seat. I didn't want to make any tension between us more apparent and continued minding my own business. That was until she slumped herself down on the chair which irritated me of how she acted, knowing she doesn't want to be near me.

A bit angry, I face her, mouth opening to talk before she beats me to it.

"Don't." She sighs. Humbled, I lean back in my chair, slightly shocked. "Let me go first..."

It took too long for Iris to find the right words, causing Professor Garcia to already start the lesson.

My mind would race, a panic slowly creeping in.

Iris can tell me anything.

It can be bad.

Maybe she doesn't want to be friends anymore, or maybe she considered Carol hanging with us... like that would ever happen.

Professor knew something was wrong, I'd catch her staring at me whenever I bit the bottom of my pencil, bounce my leg up and down, and just be lost in my own thoughts.

Maybe she was staring at me for something else, probably thinking whether or not she should report me in for wearing this short of a dress that sits tight.

She didn't complain about my clothing choice, so I guess she won't say anything. Plus, it's not High school. We're all adults that gets to wear anything we want.

Shaking my head lightly, I found professor moving on to a next chapter in the book.

Now, there's a few stuff I can't speak and understand in Spanish. Nor do I know if this was homework or not, or if she just explained it. All I know is that I'm totally lost and confused.

I lift my head up to professor, noticing her already looking at me. The eye contact forced me to say something.

"Professor, how do you pronounce 'The weather is perfect to go for a swim today' in Spanish?" I clear my throat, thinking about how stupid my question is, because I know it.

She looked genuinely concerned and shocked.

Stupid. Stupid. Why did you ask that, Victoria!?

"Ah, looks like Miss Rivera didn't do her homework." She answers, "El clima es perfecto para ir a nadar hoy-- which you should've known if you studied. I won't be there during the test week, Victoria."

Some students laughed at me, causing my cheeks to burn up. Holding my head down low, I sigh.

"Thank you, mom-"

My eyes widen.

Oh shit.

There was a pause. "Did you just call me mom...?" The smallest smirk appeared on her lips.

My big, round eyes slowly shut as my eyebrows furrowed together. I shake my head, feeling stupid and embarrassed.

My cheeks just got more heated as some students made cringe sounds, some little gasps, laughs and other shocked sounds, because they all know my mom passed away.

It must be weird for them to hear me call our teacher mom, but it's even weirder for me.

I just grew more self conscious as I even heard professor chuckle.

Finally building up the courage, I tilt my head up and see green eyes looking back into mine. She stared at me, amused, almost like a grin begging to show itself on her face.

"Sorry." I laugh awkwardly, tugging a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Professor bites her lip, looking down and shakes her head, getting back to work, "It happens."

I nod slowly before tilting my head down to my work too, hiding my face.

Iris's eyes were burning through my skin, but for different reasons.

Her mouth opened, staring at me like I did the most horrific thing on earth. She shook her head and went back to work, now and then oddly glancing back and forth between me and professor.

Once the class came to an end, Iris still looked at me every now and then while we were packing up. I was following her out before I did a double take and stopped at professor's desk.

Immediately, her eyes land on me. It might be my eyes playing tricks on me, but I'm sure she looked at my cleavage.

At least, I'm sure she's probably going to complain about my clothes any second.

"I'm sorry that I called you mom, I didn't try implying that you're old or anything."

"You called me old the first time we met. I'm used to it." She slowly begins smirking, "Plus, it isn't to say a mother has to be old."

"Right." I smiled nervously with a nod.

She stared at me a bit longer, until her eyes slowly followed down my outfit. My muscles tense, knowing I'm going to be scolded.

"A short skirt and lots of makeup won't impress any professor to give you a higher grade." She said, a bit harshly.

Great, not only does she thinks I'm a lesbian, but a slut too.

My body heats up, completely taken aback. "I- um... I already do good, professor. I don't need to wear makeup or short skirts to get a good mark."

Her eyebrow cocks back. "Then why are you wearing it?"

"Because I felt like it?" I blinked.

"Lose the attitude."

My jaw drops, "What! I'm not giving you attitude. I- I'll just... I won't wear it again, if it bothers you that much."

"I never said it bothers me."

What a love-hate relationship we have. But right now, I'm leaning more on the hate side.

"It's distracting, Victoria." She added.

I frown, curious, but started to get irritated. "Okay... then I won't wear it again."

There was a moment of silence, her staring at me.

"Can I go now?" I ask.

All she did was nod. Without hearing a goodbye, I exit the classroom.

Next up, I have cheerleading practice. Saturday, game day, will be my first ever time cheerleading in front of the school.

It makes it much more nerve-wracking, knowing it's the intro of a big event.

How can I focus on that when I have to overthink what just happened; Iris wanting to talk, maybe losing my best friend, calling my professor 'mom,' embarrassing myself in front of the class, now professor being bitchy because of a skirt I'm wearing.

It disgusts me that I called her mom, how could I replace my mother like that. I didn't think straight. I just spoke what's on my mind-- my mother.

Making my way down the stairs, Iris strolled along with me.

"What the hell was that back there?" Her voice is more strict than usual.

I hum, "What do you mean?"

Once we got to the platform on the staircase, a few stairs left to go in order to reach the bottom floor, she pulled me to the corner.

"Don't bullshit me, not again." She warns, staring back and forth between my eyes, "You called professor your 'mom.'"

"You're acting like this because I called her that?" I scoff, shrugging, "It was an accident."

Iris groans, spinning around annoyed before bringing her hand up to her forehead. "What's pissing me off is that you've been hanging out with a goddam professor more than with me... and now you think of her as a mother. And out of all professors, her? Seriously, the bitchy one?"

I thought Iris loved her, especially for her looks.

My jaw fell open and I scoffed. "How the hell can I hang out with you if you've been ignoring me!?"

"I thought you'd care enough to try and fix things!" Her eyebrows furrowed.

"I did, but you didn't give me a chance! You walk away each time I try to talk to you!"

Almost like we summoned her, clicks of heels echoed down the staircase. Iris and I both turn and look up the stairs, seeing Professor Garcia walking down.

Iris angrily breathes besides me, looking down to her feet. I just gulp, no words leaving my mouth. Professor stops in front of us.

She asked strictly, "Is there a problem here, girls?"

"No, Daniela."

Professor's chin tilted up, chest raising in an uncomfortable way. It clicked me what I just said.

Sometimes I think I should just duct tape my mouth shout.

It's like déjà vu.

I called her mom, then her name, what next?

Iris snapped her head towards me, "First name bases, what the fuck!?"

"Use that language again, and see where you end up at." Professor growls, furrowing her eyebrows at Iris.

Swiftly, Iris looks at professor and shakes her head in disbelief before walking pass us. We stand there in silence, staring at each other.

Professor sends a deadly side-eye to me. Her eyes had a hint of something else in them, but I couldn't tell what it was. It's like she was about to tell me something, something that I wouldn't like because of that cold, angry, stern eyes. She looks unhappy about something.

All she did was walk away.

On that note, I parted ways also and walked to the bottom floor and out of the building.

If karma didn't bite me in the ass today already, it just did. All sweaty and tired after my practice, and I have to walk home in the rain.

Still in my cheerleading costume, my other clothes in my sports bag, I reach the gate of the campus. There's a few students waiting here with rain jackets on to protect them from the water and coldness.

I would've packed in a jacket, but I was dumb enough not to check the weather today.

Plus, earlier the sun was nice and warm.

I stroll down the streets, my head ducked down low as the raindrops hit my back.

All of the sudden, a car rolled up besides me very slowly. I tilt my head towards it, hesitating if I should run or not.

The dark tinted windows roll down, revealing the brunette woman. "Rivera?" She asked, confused.

She leans forward on her steering wheel, trying to look out the window towards me.

Wrapping my arms around my body, I quickly jog towards her window, peeking inside towards her.

"Hey, professor." I mumbled, shivering in the cold.

She tilts her head, amused. "What are you-- nevermind. Get in."

I shake my head, pulling away from her car, "I'm almost home, no worry. I stay nearby! Thanks though!" I yell as the rain became heavier, holding my head down again as I continue walking.

"Don't be an idiot, you'll catch a cold." I hear her shouting back at me, ignoring her.

I don't need her parental guidance-- not after today, not any day.

The black BMW, series 7, slowly but surely followed me.

Suddenly a loud honk echoed through the streets, causing me to jump. I spin towards her vehicle, throwing my hands up in the air with my bags.

"Was that really necessary!?" I frown.

I couldn't see her from her tinted windows, but I definitely knew she had a smug grin on display.

She kept honking each step I took forward, which made me almost snap. The other cars passing must be confused, probably thinking what on earth are we doing.

With a loud frustrated groan, I gave up for my ears' sake.

I jog to her car again, bending down to see her. She rolls the window down again. "I'm dripping, I don't want to make your car wet." I spoke, annoyance laced in my voice.

"That's the least of my worries right now. Get in." She said strictly.

My mind debated for a second before I reach out for the handle, professor taking it as a sign and unlocks her door.

It felt unpleasant sitting down, it feels like sitting on a wet sponge. I clicked the seatbelt in, and look straight forward to the road ahead.

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel awkward, nor as cold as an ice cube.

Professor Garcia progressively starts driving. "Do you want my jacket?" She offered.

I shake my head.

She turned her head to me and sighed before asking directions to my home.

Without hesitating, she drove.

"So what? You had practice in the rain?" Her eyes remains on the road.

"We stopped as soon as it began." I respond, staring out of the window.

Later on, the ride was quiet, and I still felt stupid enough to accept this offer. I haven't once turn my head to her, my eyes were glued to what's going on outside.

Her car is quite fancy. I never knew professors earn this much.

All there was to hear is the raindrops hitting the roof. The rain streaming down the windows.

Rain always made this calm feeling wash by me. Just the sound of it is enough to make me fall asleep instantly.

Though, hard, heavy rain in thunderstorms is something I can't do.

Lightning? Hell no.

I've been cuddling with myself, using my bags to give me any sort of heat, even if my bags are also wet.

I'm pissed I didn't take her jacket, but that's too far.

She's done enough for me.

Finally, she spoke. "You used my name earlier." She grabbed my attention, causing me to turn my head to her for the first time,

"I told you my name because you asked, not for you to say it whenever you like."

So that's why she was looking pissed off earlier.

I sigh, looking back out the window.

"Sorry." I mumble

I crossed boundaries.

"I don't care if you use it outside university, like here, but I'm your professor and you're my student."

There's something hidden in her voice. They way she says it, it's like she's reminding herself and not me.

"Are you trying to imply something, professor?" I snap my head at her with a frown, feeling my blood pumping through my veins. "Is everything okay?" I asked a bit harshly.

She looked at me for a split second, confused, before back at the road. She shrugged her tense shoulders loose.

She immediately knew I was still upset and thinking about Iris.

"Is there something you want to tell me? Because it sure sounds like it. Before you go and take your anger out on me, try speaking to your friend. You're clearly still upset."

I kept quiet.

That's why I snapped at her, I truly am still thinking about Iris. I didn't mean to be so rude.

"This your stop?" She asks. The car came to a stop next to the road.

"Yes." I whisper, not being able to raise my voice.

She nods, looking at me. "Want me to walk you to the door?"

I collected my bags, "No."

Realizing that sounded mean, I quickly apologized and thanked her for the ride.

While I stepped outside on the road, I heard a rattle then a thud inside her car, but didn't bother to check-- I was too focused on hugging my bags.

Sprinting in the rain to my front door, I look back, noticing professor just sitting there and watching me to make sure I'm safe and inside.

I spit the rain that flowed into my mouth out; placing my sport bags down as I grab onto my work bag and kneel down to search for my keys.

The heavy falling of the rain made it difficult to concentrate, nor find it.

Then I sighed.

The sound I heard from her car was my house keys.

Before practice, I hung it on the outside of the zipper to spare time so that I didn't have to search for it when I got home.

Getting back on my feet, I turn around to her car. My breathing hitch as she stepped closer to me, catching me off guard.

A surprised yelp almost escaped my lips.

She held out my keys in front of me. "You forgot these."

My eyes travel from the golden keys, up to her eyes.

For some reason, it looked more brighter in the rain-- or maybe I never realized how shiny her eyes are.

A smug grin played on her lips as she teased me about how forgetful and clumsy I am.

Somehow I try to be pissed, but I just end up embarrassing myself, like forgetting my housekeys.

I couldn't help but to admire how the rain had caused her hair to cling to her forehead. It was all over her face, little loose strands of hair. Somehow, her sharp jawline stood out even more too. She's lucky she has a black blazer over her white T-shirt, otherwise she'd reveal her bra, a good choice of her black pants to go with the blazer too.

Despite the uncomfortable situation, I found myself feeling a bit grateful and relieved.

My fingers grazes against hers as I reach out for it.

Suddenly, the door behind me opens. There were sounds of my dad's laughter and another high pitched giggling.

My heart sank, but also confusion clouded my mind as I look between my dad and a woman I've never seen in my entire life before.

My dad who also spots me, now froze in place, along with the woman and professor behind me.

He stared at me with wide eyes, clearing his throat awkwardly.

The woman scans me up and down, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Her hair is so dark brown, it looks black, and her eyes are hazel.

She took it as a cue to leave.

Though for some reason, her eyes widen when she looked at professor behind me.

She threw her purse over her shoulder, whispering an 'excuse me, darling' as she bumped into my shoulder while speed walking away.

Her car was parked at the other side of the road, that's why I didn't expect anything.

"Who's that?" I ask quietly.

"Nobody." My dad said, his cheeks flushing red. He nods to professor behind me, "Who's that?"

"Nobody." I chocked out.

Professor clenches her jaw and shakes the keys hanging around her finger.

My eyes filled with tears, before I place my hand on top of hers, not being able to get the strength to grab the keys. My dad just stood there, feeling guilty, as he watched us.

I look up into her eyes. "A-Actually, do you mind if I give you a new address to take me to?" I practically beg, "Please."

Professor stood there, completely in shock.

She cleared her throat, jumping back into reality. "Of course." Professor said with a frown.

I turned around to my dad. His breath was visibly stuck in his throat.

"I'll... be back tomorrow." I got the courage to speak.

Though, he didn't reply.

I grabbed the keys and my bags, then stormed off. Professor followed behind me.

It's was just so shocking. It happened so fast.

There's always been this void that needed to be filled when my mom passed away. But, seeing another woman with my dad is just strange. It's hurtful, like a stab to the back. I want my dad to be happy again, but I can't bare the fact that he would replace my mother just like that.

And why did this woman look at Professor Garcia like that.

Why did Daniela just freeze.