Chapter Fifteen

Monday;

I dragged myself into the shower, letting the cold water jolt me out of my sleepy haze. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to start lectures at seven in the morning? The icy water hit my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, but it did the trick—I was awake, though not exactly thrilled about it.

Today, I'm feeling like channeling my inner Lea—minimal effort, maximum comfort. No fuss about my hair, no stressing about what I wear. Just pure, unapologetic laziness.

Luckily, my aunt's not home right now, which means I won't have to endure her disapproving look or the inevitable lecture about dressing 'appropriately.' No one to stop me from embracing the lazy fashion of the day.

I stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in my soft, oversized white towel. Padding over to my closet, I rummaged through until I found the perfect ensemble, grey sweatpants that practically scream 'I'm not trying,' and my favorite oversized sweatshirt—complete with a picture of a potato lounging on a couch. Couch potato. A classic. I grinned to myself as I pulled it on, the soft fabric engulfing me in a cloud of comfort. I might look like I just rolled out of bed, but I was thriving.

I brushed my teeth, the minty taste doing little to chase away the early morning grogginess. With a sigh, I made my way to the kitchen, remembering the text from my aunt. She had let me know there was breakfast waiting for me in the microwave. At least I didn't have to worry about that.

I opened the microwave and retrieved the plate, the scent of warm eggs and toast rising up. I ate in silence, the hum of the fridge and the distant chirping of birds outside my only company. It was peaceful—just the kind of start I needed to ease into the day. After finishing, I set the plate in the sink and grabbed my backpack from the chair. Time to face the day.

Locking the door behind me, I headed to my car. As soon as I was about to pull out of the driveway, my phone buzzed with a new notification. I frowned and picked it up, curiosity getting the better of me. An email?

The sender's name made my stomach drop; Prof. Montgomery.

I tapped on the message, a chill running through me as I read the curt, no-nonsense email.

'Good morning,

You are required to visit my office immediately after your last lecture today. I expect you there without delay, as I do not appreciate waiting.

Regards,

Professor Montgomery'

I stared at the email for a moment, a knot tightening in my chest. What did she want now? I closed the email and let out a slow breath. Guess today was about to get a whole lot more interesting.

The drive to campus was blissfully uneventful, the kind of peaceful start to the day I hoped would last. As I pulled into an empty parking spot and turned off the ignition, I took a moment to soak in the calm before grabbing my bag from the back seat. The air was cool, crisp—perfect for waking up fully as I walked across campus.

I was headed to Prof. Vargas' lecture when I heard a voice call out behind me, "Valentina!"

I stopped and turned to see Prof. Vargas herself walking briskly to catch up. She fell into step beside me, her energy always contagious.

"You remember my name?" I asked, a little bewildered, as we walked together.

She shot me a confused but amused look. "I learn all of my students' names," she said simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Is that so weird?"

I shook my head, still a bit taken aback. "No, it's just... you're the first professor I've had who actually took the time to learn our names."

Her lips curled into a soft smile. "Well, part of making students enjoy their lectures is showing that their professor cares about them. It makes it more fun, for everyone."

She definitely had a point. Out of all my professors, I looked forward to her lectures the most. There was something refreshing about the way she taught—always patient, no matter how many times she had to explain the same concept. She made it feel like we were all in this together, like every question was worth answering.

Then there's Prof. Montgomery, who, with her permanent scowl, made you feel like asking a question would cost you your life. If you didn't get it after one explanation, you were on your own—good luck.

"Yeah, I can agree with you on that," I chuckled as we made our way toward the lecture hall, the morning light filtering through the campus trees. It felt like a contrast—the warmth of Prof. Vargas's presence against the cold memories of Montgomery's classes.

Prof. Vargas glanced over at me with a smile. "And once again, thank you for helping me carry those books to my office the other day. You really saved me."

"It's no problem, professor," I replied, flashing a grin. "I'm always happy to help."

As we reached the door to her class, she gestured for me to go in first. I gave her a thankful smile and slipped into the room, heading for my usual seat.

The lecture was just as enjoyable as ever. Prof. Vargas wrapped up with a reminder about the test on Thursday, covering both last week's material and today's discussion. I jotted down a note, mentally preparing myself for the study session ahead. As I packed up my things, my phone buzzed with a text from Lea, 'Meet me at the fountain.'

I found her sprawled casually on a bench, and without much thought, I plopped down next to her, feeling the weight of the day already setting in. She glanced at me with a raised eyebrow, eyeing me up and down. "Yeah, no," she said flatly, shaking her head. "You're in a weird mood. Let's go."

Before I could protest, she shot up from the bench, motioning for me to follow her. I let out a tired sigh but pushed myself up, dragging my feet as I trudged along behind her.

Lea tossed a glance over her shoulder, her eyes zeroing in on my outfit. A chuckle escaped her lips as she took in my baggy sweatpants and oversized 'couch potato' sweatshirt. "Look at you," she said, amused. "You're literally dressed like me. I swear, I'm rubbing off on you."

I shrugged, trying to stifle a grin. She wasn't wrong. The carefree, comfort-over-fashion attitude was definitely something Lea rocked on a daily basis, and here I was, channeling her style without even thinking about it.

I scoffed, shaking my head, but motioned for her to keep walking. When we reached her motorcycle, Lea swung her leg over it, grabbed a spare helmet from the back, and tossed it to me.

"Uh...?" I caught the helmet, staring at it in confusion. "You don't seriously expect me to get on that thing, do you?"

Lea rolled her eyes with a smirk, her expression daring me. "Oh, come on, live a little," she said, patting the seat behind her. "Trust me, this'll snap you out of that mood in no time."

I let out a heavy sigh, knowing full well there was no escaping this. Reluctantly, I slid the helmet on and climbed onto the bike, feeling like I was about to do something incredibly reckless. "If I die today, just... make sure it's quick," I muttered under my breath.

Lea grinned, not at all phased by my hesitation. "Hold on tight!" she called out over the rumble of the engine as it roared to life.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, gripping tighter than I probably needed to as the bike lurched forward. As we sped out of the parking lot, the wind whipping past us, I couldn't help but feel a strange thrill of excitement mixed with the anxiety coursing through me.

Lea pulled into the park's small parking lot and killed the engine, the sudden quiet almost jarring after the rush of wind. I tugged off my helmet, shaking out my hair before sliding off the bike with a groan. My legs felt a little shaky, but I followed Lea as we strolled towards an empty park bench nestled under a cluster of trees. The air was crisp, and the faint sound of ducks quacking by the nearby pond added to the serene atmosphere.

We plopped down on the bench, Lea crossing one leg over the other as she leaned back and turned to me with a no-nonsense look. "Spill," she demanded, her voice firm but curious.

I let out a deep sigh, running my hand through my messy hair, trying to gather my thoughts. "I ran into Prof. Montgomery again while I was volunteering on Saturday," I began, my gaze drifting towards the pond, watching the ducks paddle around lazily. "I was just bringing Elizabeth her lunch, but Montgomery was in the room. She snatched the tray right out of my hands and slammed the door in my face. Like, literally slammed it."

Lea scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes in disbelief. "Rude. That woman seriously needs to get laid or something."

A wry smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, but it quickly faded. "Yeah, well, it gets better," I continued, my voice heavy with frustration. "This morning, just as I was leaving for campus, I got an email from her. She's demanding I meet her in her office after my last lecture today. No explanation, just a flat-out demand."

Lea furrowed her brow, turning to face me fully now. "What for? What's her deal?"

I shrugged, exhaling deeply. "No clue, but I have a feeling she's going to tell me to stop visiting Elizabeth. I can't imagine why else she'd want to talk to me."

Lea shook her head, leaning back against the bench with a scowl. "She's got some serious issues. What does she think she's protecting her mom from? Kindness?"

I let out a soft chuckle at Lea's remark, her words making more sense than they should. I mean, really—what harm was I doing? I wasn't imposing or disrupting Elizabeth's life; if anything, I was offering company when her own daughter was too busy or too wrapped up in her own misery.

"Yeah, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what she wants," I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, though the thought of confronting Prof. Montgomery still made my stomach twist.

Lea pulled out a cigarette, the flick of the lighter breaking the silence. She took a long drag before blowing the smoke away from me, a habit she'd picked up from our early days of hanging out. "You know what you need?" she said, exhaling slowly. "You need to get wasted, let loose, and just forget about all this university crap for a night." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, flashing me that mischievous grin of hers.

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Right, because alcohol will totally solve my problems," I teased, though I could see her point. Maybe not the getting drunk part, but I did need something to help me unwind.

Lea took another drag, her eyes flicking back to me. "Hey, you do you. But you've been all wound up lately. You gotta let off some steam."

She wasn't wrong. The weight of university, the volunteering, dealing with professors like Montgomery—it was all starting to feel like too much. But clubs and booze weren't my answer, and Lea knew that. I thought back to the last time I truly relaxed. "You know what I need?" I said, a grin spreading across my face. "A good book. I haven't just sat down and read in forever."

Lea raised an eyebrow, smoke curling from her lips. "A book? Really? You're such a grandma."

I laughed, shaking my head. "What can I say? Nothing beats getting lost in a story. And I'd rather be curled up with a book than hungover in your apartment tomorrow morning."

Lea chuckled and flicked her cigarette, her playful smirk returning. "Fine, you read. I'll drink. Deal?"

"Deal," I smiled, feeling lighter already.

✿

After my last lecture wrapped up, I knew I needed to head straight to Prof. Montgomery's office, as she'd demanded in her stern email. But, of course, nature called, and I really needed to hit the restroom first.

I hurried down the hallway, nearly sprinting as I navigated the crowd of students. I rushed into the bathroom, doing my business as fast as possible. After washing my hands, I darted back out, speeding down the corridor once again, my heart pounding a little faster now—not just from the running, but from the anxiety building in my chest.

Finally, I reached her office door. I came to an abrupt stop, standing there for a moment to catch my breath and steady my nerves. I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the fluttering feeling in my stomach. Then, with a slightly trembling hand, I knocked softly.

The few seconds that passed felt like an eternity before I heard a flat, emotionless "Come in" from the other side of the door.

I swallowed hard, gripping the doorknob and turning it slowly. The door creaked open, revealing the cool, minimalist interior of Prof. Montgomery's office. Stepping inside, I gently closed the door behind me, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders as I faced her.

She lifted her head just enough to glance at me, her eyes flicking over my appearance before quickly returning to the papers on her desk. But then, as if she had to confirm what she saw, her gaze drifted back, and she scanned me from head to toe. Her eyes narrowed, and the slightest hint of disgust twisted her lips.

Yeah, I get it. I probably should've put more thought into what I was wearing.

"Sit," she ordered, her voice sharp and commanding, not even bothering to make eye contact as she shuffled papers around. I hesitated for a split second before walking over to the chair in front of her desk, feeling the stiffness in my limbs as I plopped down.

The room was silent except for the sound of her pen scratching across the paper. She scribbled with purpose, her focus entirely on the documents in front of her. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable under the weight of her silent dismissal. Why was I here? The suspense was eating at me, and I could feel my patience wearing thin.

"Professor, listen—" I started, desperate to break the tension, but before I could finish, she raised a hand without looking up.

"Shh."

It wasn't a request. It was a command, cold and final, and she continued her work as if I wasn't even there. The silence that followed was suffocating, and I had no choice but to wait for her to finish, nerves twisting in my gut.

I bit my tongue and stayed quiet for a minute, but frustration bubbled up, and I finally straightened up in my chair. "If this is about your mother—"

"I told you to shut up," she hissed, her sharp voice slicing through the room. She barely spared me a glance before returning to her furious scribbling, the scratch of the pen grating against my nerves.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally put her pen down with a deliberate slowness, as though each movement was meant to exert control. Her eyes met mine, cold and calculating. She clasped her hands together and leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other with a casual arrogance that made my skin crawl.

"I understand you applied for the TA position I proposed?" Her voice was smooth, as if the last few minutes of tension hadn't happened.

I nodded, suppressing the annoyance bubbling beneath the surface. "Yeah, but I didn't get it."

She let out a dry, humorless scoff. "Well, no shit. I didn't pick you."

My patience snapped. Was I seriously here for this? "Are you here to rub it in?" I asked, standing abruptly from my chair. "Because I have better things to do."

Her eyes darkened, and her tone shifted dangerously. "Ms. Wilson," she said, voice low and threatening, "sit down."

There was something in her voice, an edge that made me hesitate. My legs moved on their own, and before I knew it, I was back in the chair, my earlier confidence evaporating under her stare. The room felt colder, and I realized I wasn't as in control as I had hoped.

Professor Montgomery leaned forward, rubbing her temples as if warding off a headache. Her eyes darted to the stacks of papers on her desk, and she began shuffling through them with an air of irritation. The silence in the room was thick, and I could feel my heartbeat in my throat as I waited for her to say something.

Finally, she pulled out a single sheet of paper, the sound of it sliding against the others sharper than it should've been. Without looking at me, she held it out. "Congratulations," she said flatly. "You got the job."

I blinked in surprise and quickly took the paper from her hand. Skimming over it, I realized it was filled with details about my duties as her TA. My heart raced for a different reason now—this was unexpected. "Wow," I gasped, looking back up at her. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity."

She scoffed, a bitter sound that cut through my gratitude. "I was forced," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for me to catch. The words stung, and my brows furrowed in confusion. Forced? Who would make her hire me?

I stared at her, trying to process the layers of hostility behind that simple statement. What was going on here? Why hire me if she didn't want to?

I decided to brush off her comment, letting it slide for now. I neatly folded the paper she'd handed me and tucked it into my bag, trying to keep my thoughts steady.

"When do I start?" I asked, my fingers nervously twisting together in my lap.

Professor Montgomery sighed, her impatience palpable. "Tomorrow. As my TA, you won't have any more free days. Get used to it."

No more free days? That hit me like a punch to the gut. I'd have to cut down on my volunteering, maybe only doing weekends now. It felt like a sacrifice I'd have to make, though the thought left a heavy weight in my chest.

"You can go," she added, snapping me from my thoughts. Her tone was dismissive, almost bored. I nodded, pushing myself up from the chair, grabbing my bag, and heading toward the door.

"See you tomorrow, professor," I said quietly, hoping for at least a nod of acknowledgment. But she didn't even look up, her head buried back in her paperwork as if I were already gone. Not a word, not even a glance.

With a soft click of my tongue, I stepped out of her office, letting the door close behind me. As I walked down the hallway, doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind. I couldn't shake the question—who had forced her to hire me? And what happened to the first student she'd chosen? This job suddenly felt like a bigger mystery than I'd signed up for.