Chapter Nineteen

Saturday;

Weekends are my favorite time of the week, and for one simple reason, no university. Sure, there's still studying and assignments to worry about, but at least I get a break from the torture that is sitting through lectures.

This morning had been productive—I studied for a few hours, enough to ease the guilt of taking some time for myself. Afterward, I climbed into my car and headed to the hospital to volunteer. The drive was peaceful, and for once, my mind wasn't racing with stress about deadlines or classes.

When I parked and stepped out, something caught my eye—a sleek Audi parked a few spaces down. Its glossy black paint practically gleamed under the sunlight, the kind of car that demanded attention without trying too hard.

Damn. I couldn't help but admire it. Lea would lose her mind over this. She's obsessed with Audis, so of course, I had to snap a picture and send it to her. 'Check this beauty out,' I typed along with the photo, knowing she'd appreciate it as much as I did.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind driving one of these myself. There's just something about cruising around in a car like that... maybe one day.

As I stepped through the sliding hospital doors, the sterile scent of disinfectant hit me, along with the usual bustle of nurses, doctors, and patients moving about. Without wasting time, I made my way to the nurse's lounge, the familiar hum of activity in the background.

Inside the lounge, the comforting warmth of coffee brewing filled the air. A few of the nurses glanced up as I walked in, greeting me with cheerful smiles. I couldn't help but smile back—after all the time I've spent here, I felt like one of them.

"Hey, have you seen my aunt?" I asked, walking up to a nurse who was stirring a cup of coffee, her nametag reading Riley.

She paused for a moment, thinking. "I think she's in surgery with Dr. Bryson," she said, giving me a kind smile before heading out the door.

Great. I'd have to wait for her to get back, but I wasn't about to stand around idly. I started asking the other nurses if there was anything I could help with. Most waved me off, saying they had things covered, but finally, one nurse gestured toward a recently vacated patient room.

"You can help clean up Room 306 if you've got time."

Perfect. Something to keep me busy until my aunt was free. I nodded and headed off, feeling like I was slipping right back into the rhythm of things.

The room wasn't too bad—a few crumpled sheets and used cups scattered about, but nothing unmanageable. I pulled off the old pillowcases and linens, replacing them with crisp, clean ones. After gathering the wrappers and empty containers, I made a quick trip to the kitchen to drop them off for washing.

Once the room was spotless, it was just in time for lunch duty. I grabbed a tray and started delivering meals to the patients, moving down the familiar hallways. Of course, I couldn't forget Elizabeth, so I snuck an extra pudding cup onto her tray and headed to her room.

As I approached the door, I heard a familiar voice, low and impatient. "Yeah, I'll see you later, Mother," came the curt tone, and just as I stepped inside, I found myself colliding with none other than Professor Montgomery, who was just on her way out.

My eyes went wide as I bumped into her, sending her coffee flying—straight onto her shirt and Elizabeth's freshly delivered lunch tray. The hot liquid splattered across her chest, and she let out a sharp shriek, immediately yanking her shirt away from her skin to avoid the burn.

"Are you fucking serious?" she screeched, her eyes blazing as she looked down at the dripping mess.

I froze for a second, my heart racing. Of all the people to bump into, of course, it had to be her. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Professor!" I blurted out, grabbing a napkin and frantically trying to help clean up the disaster I'd just caused.

Professor Montgomery slapped my hand away, her eyes narrowed in fury. "Don't touch me," she hissed, her voice low and venomous. It felt like every attempt I made to get her to warm up to me was doomed from the start—always sabotaged by moments like this.

Her glare was murderous, and if looks could kill, I would've been struck down where I stood. Twice.

"Johanna," Elizabeth sighed from her bed, her tone soft but firm, "It was clearly an accident." Her words were meant to diffuse the tension, but they only seemed to fuel Professor Montgomery's anger. She spun around, her expression hardening as she snapped, "I told you it was a bad idea to pick her. Now I have to see her twice as much."

With that, she stormed out, deliberately bumping her shoulder against mine on the way, shaking me out of my shocked daze. I stood frozen for a moment, the food tray still in my hands, the remnants of the spilled coffee soaking through the paper cup. "I didn't mean to bump into her," I muttered, lowering my eyes in embarrassment.

Elizabeth gave me a soft, knowing smile, her voice gentle. "I know, dear. Johanna has a way of making everything feel like someone else's fault."

I nodded, glancing down at the food I had brought for her. The once-fresh meal was now ruined, drenched in the professor's coffee. I couldn't help but note the strong, bitter scent. So, black coffee... that's what she drinks.

"I'll be right back," I said to Elizabeth, giving her a quick smile before stepping out of the room. The food tray in my hands was a disaster, but luckily, the cart in the hallway was still stocked. I swapped the coffee-soaked meal for a fresh one, carefully selecting a new ham and cheese toastie and, of course, another extra pudding cup.

When I returned, Elizabeth's face lit up as I handed her the tray. "You're officially my favorite person ever," she chuckled, her eyes twinkling when she spotted the bonus dessert.

I dropped onto the couch beside her, sinking into the cushions with a long stretch. My arms reached overhead as I let out a contented sigh. "How are you feeling today?" I asked, watching her take a bite of her sandwich.

"My ass is probably flat from lying in this bed all day," she snorted, the corner of her mouth quirking up in amusement.

I grinned, barely holding back a laugh. "What ass?" I teased, raising an eyebrow playfully. Elizabeth's eyes widened in mock horror before she tossed the extra pudding cup at me with surprising precision.

I caught it with a laugh, shaking my head as I peeled back the lid. "I'm definitely eating this now," I said, grinning as I dug into the pudding.

Elizabeth waved me off, laughing as she took another bite of her toastie, but my mind was still stuck on what Prof. Montgomery had said. Her words nagged at me, echoing in the back of my mind.

"Elizabeth," I began, hesitating for a moment before quoting, "'I told you it was a bad idea to pick her.' What did your daughter mean by that?"

Elizabeth's warm smile didn't falter, though a flicker of something passed across her face. "Oh, that," she said lightly, setting down her sandwich. "I may or may not have... encouraged Johanna to hire you as her TA."

My eyes widened in shock. "Wait—what? You forced her to hire me?" I blurted out, struggling to process what I'd just heard.

Elizabeth chuckled softly, her eyes gentle as she studied my face. "I know how badly you wanted the position, and I pulled a few strings to make sure it happened."

I stared at her, my mind reeling. "But why would you do that?" I asked, not sure if I should feel grateful or embarrassed.

"I could see how hard you've been working, and I wanted to give you a chance," Elizabeth explained, leaning back against her pillows. "Johanna might not show it, but she respects competence. And I knew you were the right person for the job."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my emotions swirling. "So she's mad at you for... helping me?"

Elizabeth gave a knowing smile. "She's mad because she doesn't like anyone making decisions for her. But don't let that worry you—she'll come around."

I leaned back into the couch, processing everything. Elizabeth had done this for me, pushed me into this job that I had thought I'd earned on my own. But instead of anger, I felt a wave of gratitude toward her. Even if Prof. Montgomery was prickly about it, at least someone believed in me enough to take that risk.

Elizabeth studied my face carefully, leaning in with a hint of concern in her eyes. "You're not mad, are you?" she asked, her voice laced with worry, as though she feared she might have overstepped.

I quickly shook my head, a reassuring smile spreading across my face. "No, not at all. Thank you for believing in me," I replied sincerely, and I could see the relief wash over her as she exhaled softly, her shoulders relaxing.

Before we could say anything more, the door swung open, and my Aunt Grace stumbled in, collapsing onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "Elizabeth," she greeted with a nod and a warm smile, her exhaustion evident. "How are you feeling today?"

Elizabeth's grin was wide and genuine. "Grace! It's great to see you! I'm doing wonderful, how about you?"

My aunt gave a tired thumbs-up, leaning her head back against the cushions. "Just exhausted," she muttered, closing her eyes briefly.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of my aunt—always energetic, yet perpetually worn out after her long shifts.

My aunt lingered on the couch for a few more minutes, her head resting against the back as she let out a deep, tired breath. Eventually, she stirred, stretching her arms above her head and groaning softly. "Alright, I'm off early today," she said, glancing over at me with a raised brow. "You coming?"

"Yeah, sure," I replied, pushing myself up from the cushions. I turned toward Elizabeth, offering her a warm smile. "I'll see you later?"

She nodded, her eyes twinkling as she smiled back at me. "Take care, both of you."

My aunt slung her arm over my shoulder as we stepped out of Elizabeth's room, pulling me close as we strolled down the hallway. "I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely starving," she said with a playful groan.

"I could go for some pizza," I mused, my mouth watering at the thought of sweet chili chicken pizza.

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, I am so down for that," she beamed, her steps quickening with excitement as she guided me out of the hospital, already dreaming of the first delicious bite.

✿

Tuesday;

Yesterday was as uneventful as you'd expect from a Monday. No surprises, no chaos—just the usual drag of a new week beginning. I didn't have to work in Prof. Montgomery's office, thanks to an email she sent, saying she didn't need me. Small blessings, I guess.

During her lectures, though, I couldn't bring myself to even glance in her direction. The embarrassment from Saturday still clung to me like a heavy coat. The image of me clumsily bumping into her, spilling coffee all over her, flashed in my mind more than once. She probably hated me even more after that.

Today, though, is Tuesday. Normally, it's my day off, but thanks to my TA duties, it's back to her office for the entire day.

I had texted Lea earlier, asking her to meet me by the fountain before I had to clock in with Montgomery. But so far, no response. She was either still knocked out or just hadn't bothered to check her phone yet. Either way, it wasn't the best start to a long day.

I pulled into the campus parking lot, the sound of my car's engine cutting out leaving an odd silence. I grabbed my phone from the console and checked for a response from Lea—nothing.

With a sigh, I slung my bag over my shoulder and climbed out, locking the car behind me. My feet moved automatically toward the fountain, a routine I'd hoped would include Lea by now. But as I approached, it was clear she wasn't there yet. Great, just me and my thoughts.

Dropping onto the cool stone ledge of the fountain, I stared at the rippling water and slapped my forehead. How did I forget Midnight Mocha? I literally made a mental note this morning to swing by for a coffee. I knew I'd need the caffeine to survive the day, especially with the endless marking awaiting me in Prof. Montgomery's office.

I checked my watch, eyes narrowing at the time. Ugh, no chance I could make it there and back without running late. A loud groan escaped me. No coffee. No Lea. Just water and misery.

With a resigned sigh, I figured I might as well head over to Prof. Montgomery's office. Better to be early than give her any reason to glare at me more than she already does.

I dragged my feet across the campus, my steps heavy and unmotivated. The idea of quitting as her TA floated through my mind, tempting me with each step. Would it be a terrible idea to quit? Yeah, it definitely would. I needed the extra credits too much to even consider it seriously.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I heard a sharp voice behind me, "Pick up your feet, you're not an old lady."

I whipped around, my heart nearly stopping, and there she was—Prof. Montgomery—only a few feet away, her eyes fixed on me like she was mentally noting my every awkward move.

Heat rushed to my face as I immediately picked up my pace, walking with purpose now, though my feet felt like lead. Forget what I said. Quitting sounds more and more appealing.

When we finally reached her office, Prof. Montgomery pulled out her keys and unlocked the door, pushing it open without a second glance at me. Age before beauty, I guess, I thought sarcastically, suppressing a smirk. Not that I'd ever dare say that out loud.

I stepped inside after her, immediately heading to the familiar chair where I usually sit. She busied herself with her usual routine—shuffling papers around, her face buried in work. I waited for the inevitable task she'd throw my way, my hands resting idly on my lap.

"Before you cut me off," I started, knowing full well she would, and sure enough, her head lifted slightly, her eyes narrowing as if bracing for whatever I was about to say. "I just wanted to apologize again for Saturday. I didn't mean to—"

"You've already apologized," she interrupted, her voice clipped and dismissive. "I don't need to hear about it anymore."

I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair. "I know, I just—"

She didn't let me finish. With a dull thud, she dropped a stack of papers on the desk in front of me. "Quizzes," she said flatly, barely glancing my way as she pointed at the stack. "Mark them."

I sighed inwardly, staring at the stack of quizzes that seemed to taunt me from the desk. This is exactly why I never wanted to go into teaching. Grading papers? Absolute nightmare. Resigned to my fate, I grabbed a red pen from the cluttered pen holder and tapped it against the desk, the rhythmic sound filling the awkward silence between us.

"Where's the answer sheet?" I asked, hoping that if I sounded casual enough, she wouldn't bite my head off. The pen tapping became my only source of comfort as I waited.

Prof. Montgomery lifted her head from her paperwork, her lips pressed tightly together. She began rummaging through the mountain of papers and books on her desk with sharp, precise movements. "Where the hell is it?" she muttered under her breath, her frustration palpable.

After what felt like a minute of chaotic searching, she stopped, standing still in a moment of defeat. "Yeah, I don't know," she finally admitted, exhaling sharply and pushing her hair back.

I blinked. Wait, so what am I supposed to do now? For a split second, hope fluttered in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this meant I'd get to go home early.

Without a word, she gathered the stack of quizzes from the desk and slid them into a drawer with a heavy thud. I held my breath, the possibility of freedom looming.

Please say I can leave. Please.

Prof. Montgomery sighed deeply, and I tried not to look too eager, but I just couldn't help myself—my grin stretched ear to ear, fully expecting her to dismiss me. Just say it, Professor, let me go. The anticipation had me nearly bouncing in my seat.

But then she glanced up, her eyes narrowing as they zeroed in on my face. "Why are you smiling like that?" she asked, her voice cutting through my moment of bliss. "It's creepy."

Instantly, the grin evaporated, leaving me coughing awkwardly, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Sorry," I muttered, my eyes dropping to the desk as if it were the most interesting thing in the room.

Without missing a beat, Prof. Montgomery slid a thick book across the table toward me, several pages marked with bright sticky notes. She gestured toward the book, clearly unimpressed by my earlier enthusiasm.

"I need you to do another lesson plan," she said, her voice as sharp as always. "This needs to be done by Thursday."

I gave her a quick nod, trying to keep my face neutral as I reached into my bag and pulled out my laptop. Honestly, doing the lesson plan last week wasn't so bad—it was definitely more engaging than mindlessly grading quizzes. At least with this, I could get creative.

As I flipped open the laptop, the faint whir of the fan kicked in, and I pulled up PowerPoint, waiting for the program to load. In the meantime, I skimmed through the marked pages of the book she had handed me, taking mental notes on the content. She never said anything about the last lesson plan I did, so I guess that means I did okay, right?

Cracking my knuckles, I stretched my fingers out before setting them on the keyboard, my knuckles making faint popping sounds that echoed in the silence of the office. With a deep breath, I dove in, my fingers flying across the keys. Alright, let's do this.

The clacking of the keys filled the air, steady and determined. If I had to be here, I might as well do something worthwhile.