Chapter Twenty Four

Tuesday;

The line at Midnight Mocha stretched almost to the door, but I stayed put, shifting my weight from foot to foot as I waited my turn. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of pastries and muffins behind the glass display case.

When I finally reached the counter, the barista gave me a polite smile. "What can I get for you?" she asked, her fingers poised over the register.

"I'll have an iced coffee, please," I replied, then paused, considering my next order. "And a black coffee," I added with more certainty. This time, I knew what Prof. Montgomery liked—no surprises. Just straight, strong, black coffee. No cream, no sugar. She couldn't possibly find a reason to reject it.

As the barista began ringing up my order, my eyes wandered to the display of desserts. A slice of decadent chocolate cake sat on a delicate white plate, its glossy icing catching the light. I couldn't help but imagine Lea's eyes lighting up at the sight of it. I smiled to myself and pointed at the cake.

"And can I get a slice of chocolate cake, too?" I asked.

The barista nodded, jotting it down before moving to prepare my order. It was definitely too early for cake—barely past six in the morning—but knowing Lea, she wouldn't hesitate for a second. She'd devour it with her usual carefree attitude, not caring in the least about whether cake was considered "breakfast-appropriate."

As I waited for my order, I watched people bustling in and out of the café, all on their way to somewhere—students hurrying to early classes, business people with laptops under their arms, couples chatting over steaming mugs.

The barista called my name, pulling me from my thoughts. I stepped forward, grabbing the iced coffee, the black coffee, and the small box containing the slice of cake. I balanced the box carefully on top, thanking the barista before heading out of the café.

Back on campus, I turned off my ignition, grabbing my bag and balancing the coffee cups along with the box of cake as I climbed out of my car. The morning air was crisp, and a few students hurried past, their laughter and chatter carrying across the parking lot.

I had barely closed the car door when Lea emerged from nowhere, her grin as bright as ever.

"Val!" she called out, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. She jogged over, her expression a mix of excitement and amusement. "How's my favorite broken-nosed friend doing today?"

I rolled my eyes playfully as I clicked the lock on my car. "I'm your only friend, Lea," I teased, giving her a side-eye.

Lea laughed, nudging me lightly with her elbow. "Exactly! That's why you're my favorite." She threw me a wink before her eyes caught sight of the items in my hands. Her gaze zeroed in on the box, curiosity piqued.

"Coffee, coffee, and..." she trailed off, her eyes widening with delight as she peered into the small box. "Cakeee?" she squealed, her excitement barely contained.

I couldn't help but smile at her reaction, holding the box out toward her. Lea took it eagerly, flipping it open, and wasted no time sinking her teeth into the rich chocolate slice. "Thank you!" she managed to say, her voice muffled by the mouthful she was already savoring.

"You're welcome," I chuckled, watching her as she devoured the cake with no restraint, her eyes half-closed in contentment. The wind ruffled her hair, and she looked up at me, a smear of chocolate on the corner of her mouth.

"Figured it was a good way to start the day," I said, shifting the coffee cups to get a better hold on my bag.

Lea nodded, swallowing her bite with a dramatic gulp. "You sure know the way to my heart, Val—cake for breakfast." She grinned, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You're impossible," I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Just don't ever eat that in Prof. Montgomery's lecture."

Lea's expression turned mischievous, her eyes glinting with that familiar spark of trouble. "Oh please, she could use a bite of cake—maybe it'd make her less... Montgomery-ish." She snickered, and I had to bite back a laugh.

Lea's eyes drifted to the two cups of coffee I was juggling, her curiosity piqued. She swallowed the mouthful of cake she had been working on, a questioning look crossing her face.

"Who's the other coffee for?" she asked, motioning toward it with her plastic fork, her brow raised in interest.

I held up the second cup, giving her a knowing smile. "It's for Prof. Montgomery," I replied, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and nervousness in my chest.

Lea's eyebrows shot up, her expression shifting from curiosity to something bordering on amusement. "Black coffee?" she asked, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She let out a sarcastic scoff, shaking her head. "Hah! Just like her soul."

I rolled my eyes playfully, though a grin crept across my face. We began walking toward the fountain, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze creating a calming ambiance around us. Morning sunlight dappled through the branches, casting shifting patterns across the concrete walkway.

We reached the bench near the fountain and plopped down with simultaneous sighs, the kind that felt like a mix of reluctance and acceptance of another long day ahead. I leaned back, feeling the weight of my bag resting on my shoulder, a sigh slipping out once more. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood for today—not with the throbbing reminder of Saturday night still painted across my face.

My fingers brushed against my swollen nose absentmindedly, and I winced. It felt worse than it had yesterday, the bruises darker, like ugly patches of ink staining my skin. I knew Prof. Montgomery would probably make a comment about it. She wasn't exactly one to hold back on blunt observations, and I wasn't in the mood for any more snarky remarks.

Lea, seemingly lost in the cake again, paused mid-bite. Her fork hovered in the air for a second, and she turned toward me, her lips quirking into a teasing grin. "Shouldn't you go give her the coffee?" she asked, her eyes darting toward the cup still sitting untouched by my side. "I mean, it's gonna get cold, and I doubt Montgomery would appreciate cold coffee."

I sighed, knowing she had a point. As much as I dreaded seeing Prof. Montgomery, I didn't want her to have yet another reason to criticize me today. Lea was right, cold coffee wouldn't win me any favors, especially not with someone as rigid as Montgomery.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, reluctantly getting to my feet. The bench creaked slightly as I pushed myself up, the comforting weight of it disappearing as I prepared to step back into the lion's den. Lea gave me an exaggerated thumbs-up, her mouth already stuffed with another forkful of cake, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief.

"Good luck, warrior," she mumbled through her mouthful, her voice muffled by the cake.

"Thanks, I'll need it," I sighed dramatically, giving her a playful salute before heading off.

I walked into Prof. Montgomery's office, and the sight of her, focused and scribbling something down on a bright sticky note, greeted me. I cleared my throat lightly, trying to get her attention.

"Morning, Professor," I greeted her, my voice cheerful, though with a touch of nervousness. "I brought you a coffee."

Prof. Montgomery looked up from her writing, her eyes flickering briefly to meet mine before moving to the coffee cup I held out toward her. Her gaze lingered on it for a beat, and she reached out, fingers delicately curling around the cup.

"Hmm," she hummed in acknowledgment as she took it from me, placing it on the far edge of her desk without much thought. "Thank you," she added in an offhanded manner, her focus already drifting back down to her work.

I watched her for a moment longer, feeling the tension of the silence before deciding to take a seat. Plopping down in the chair opposite her, I sighed quietly, allowing myself a sip of my Iced Coffee.

I had barely begun to feel settled when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Prof. Montgomery suddenly push her chair back. She stood up with purpose, quickly gathering a few hefty books from the shelf beside her. The sharp thud as they piled into her arms made me jolt slightly, and I straightened in my seat, feeling the air in the room shift.

She grabbed her handbag in one swift motion, her eyes glancing at me briefly. "Grab the book and follow me," she instructed, already turning on her heel and striding toward the door without waiting for a response.

I hurriedly slung my bag over my shoulder, the strap tugging slightly as it settled into place. With my free hand, I grabbed the hefty book I needed to continue with the lesson plan.

Prof. Montgomery stood by the door, her silhouette framed against the hallway light. She tapped her foot impatiently, the sharp sound echoing through the small office, each beat like a countdown. Her eyes narrowed in a pointed look as I turned to follow, but something caught my attention.

Her coffee. She hadn't taken it with her.

Before I could think twice, I heard her voice, her sigh practically dripping with exasperation. "Can you hurry up?" she called, her tone clipped, "I have a lecture in a few minutes."

Without another word, I quickly reached for the cup and followed her out the door, my heart racing as I hurried to catch up. She was already halfway down the hallway, her heels clicking against the polished tiles, the rhythm sharp and relentless.

I tried to match her pace, but it was no easy feat. How does anyone walk so fast in heels? I thought as I struggled to keep up. My steps felt heavy and awkward in comparison to her smooth, almost effortless strides. She moved with a purpose, every step precise, as if she owned the very ground beneath her feet.

Finally, we arrived at the library, the massive glass doors sliding open with a gentle whoosh as we approached. I looked around at the towering shelves, their rows filled with countless books that stretched far beyond my view.

"What're we doing here?" I asked, my voice hushed out of habit as I followed her inside. The cool, sterile air of the library made the question feel almost insignificant.

"We'll be working here today," she replied curtly, her eyes fixed ahead, scanning the room for a place to set up. She didn't slow her stride, and I nodded in response, even though she didn't see it. Her focus was elsewhere, her attention already on the next task at hand.

I trailed behind as she made her way past rows of desks and chairs, eventually stopping at a quiet corner of the library. She set her books down on a table with a thud, her expression unchanging, and sat down.

I placed her coffee beside the books, hoping she'd acknowledge the effort, but she didn't even glance at it. She was already flipping through one of the books, her eyes scanning the pages, her fingers moving deftly.

I set the book and my iced coffee on the table opposite her, ready to sit down and start working. But just as I was pulling out my chair, Prof. Montgomery's head snapped up, her sharp gaze locking onto me.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her brows knitting together in irritation.

I hesitated, her sudden attention catching me off guard. "Uh, sitting down?" I said, confusion evident in my voice.

She shook her head dismissively, her eyes narrowing as if I should've known better. "Not here, you're not."

"Excuse me?" I blinked at her, confusion turning into disbelief. I thought we were working together here today—wasn't that the whole point of bringing all these books to the library?

"You're excused," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I don't want to look at that bruised face of yours. Go sit at another table, preferably one where I don't have to see you." She made a vague motion with her hand, already shifting her attention back to her notes.

For a moment, I stood there, caught between disbelief and frustration, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and adrenaline. A part of me wanted to argue, to tell her off for her rudeness, and suddenly, I realized—why shouldn't I?

I had enough of Prof. Montgomery and her incessant rude comments. I drew in a shaky breath, and before I knew it, the words were spilling out of my mouth. "You... you are one of the rudest people I have ever met." My voice trembled, but I stood my ground. Prof. Montgomery's gaze lifted from her work, her cold eyes narrowing at me.

"How hard could it possibly be to be nice, even if it's just for five minutes?" I pressed on, feeling a strange rush of both fear and release. There was no stopping now—years of pent-up frustration clawed to the surface, demanding to be heard.

She leaned back in her chair, her movements deliberate and measured, the hint of a smirk curling at her lips. She clasped her hands together, crossing one leg over the other, as if settling in for some sort of show.

Her eyes gleamed with challenge, the smirk widening. "Oh? Please, do continue," she said, motioning with her hand for me to go on, her tone dripping with mockery.

Is she about to kill me? I thought, as a flash of panic shot through me. Please let me at least finish my coffee first.

I opened my mouth, but the words died on my tongue. I had said enough. I just shook my head, my hands trembling slightly as I threw them up in defeat. There was no use. She wasn't listening; she never had.

Without another word, I grabbed my coffee, the coldness of the cup grounding me, and snatched up the book I needed for the lesson plan. My eyes burned with a mix of anger and humiliation, but I refused to let her see me cry. I turned away from her, my legs moving before my brain could catch up.

I walked away from her table, feeling the weight of her gaze on my back, her smirk probably still in place. I clenched my jaw, my steps echoing softly in the quiet of the library as I made my way to another table—far enough that I wouldn't have to see her, but close enough to do what was expected of me.

I set the book down with a thud, dropping my bag beside the chair as I slumped into the seat. My face flushed with both anger and embarrassment, my hands tightening around my coffee cup.

Letting out a shaky breath, I turned my gaze to the window, trying to refocus. Outside, the day was bright, students moved across the campus, oblivious to my small moment of rebellion. I couldn't help but feel both proud and terrified. I had stood up to her, even if it had been messy and emotional, and for that, I was proud of myself.

I had just finished setting up my workspace when I noticed Prof. Montgomery get up from her desk. She didn't say a word as she gathered her things and left the library for her lecture, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor.

With her gone, I turned my focus back to the task at hand—the lesson plan due tomorrow. I opened the book and skimmed through the marked pages, my eyes narrowing at the dense, wall-to-wall text. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips. There was just so much information, too much detail packed into each line. It was overwhelming, but complaining wasn't going to change anything.

No point in whining about it. I had signed up for this TA position, after all. I was the one who thought it would be a good opportunity. So I had to suck it up and get through it, no matter how difficult or tedious it seemed.

As I started to type, a sudden thought crossed my mind—the coffee. The one I had bought for Prof. Montgomery. Did she take it with her when she left? I glanced over my shoulder towards the table she had been sitting at, silently hoping that she had taken it, at least as a small sign of appreciation.

My gaze landed on the cup, still sitting there, untouched and forgotten. My shoulders slumped, the small hope that she had taken it vanishing in an instant. I stared at the cup for a moment, feeling a mix of resignation and annoyance.

Well, that was it. I was done trying to be nice to her. Done wasting my money, my time, and my energy on someone who didn't care in the slightest. I had tried—tried to show kindness, tried to break through that icy demeanor of hers, and all I had gotten in return were biting remarks and dismissive glares.

I turned back to my work, a determined expression crossing my face. No more coffee, no more trying to please her. She looked wealthy enough to buy her own, with all those designer clothes and expensive handbags she carried around campus. She didn't need me to do it for her.

I shook my head, refocusing on the screen in front of me. My fingers moved over the keyboard, the soft clicking filling the silence of the library. I needed to focus on what mattered, on doing my job well and not letting her rudeness affect me.

The sun streamed through the tall library windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden tables and the rows of books that surrounded me. The library was mostly empty, the few students scattered here and there, their heads bent over textbooks.

An hour had passed faster than I'd expected. The clicking of the keyboard was almost hypnotic as I immersed myself in the work, my fingers flying over the keys while the lesson plan took shape on the screen in front of me. I was making good progress, and if things continued at this pace, I'd probably be able to finish it today.

Suddenly, a voice behind me broke the silence, startling me enough to make me jolt in my seat. "How many pages do you have left?"

I turned my head sharply, locking eyes with Prof. Montgomery. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't even heard her approach—too focused, I guess. She was standing close, one hand on her hip and the other resting casually on the backrest of my chair, her gaze fixed firmly on me.

"Well?" she prompted, one eyebrow raised, her expression a mix of impatience and expectancy.

I blinked, feeling caught off guard. "Oh, uhm, yeah, been doing good," I stammered, trying to sound coherent despite her intense stare.

She sighed, clearly unimpressed. "That's not what I asked," she said, her voice sharp, her patience evidently wearing thin.

I looked at her, confused, unsure of what she was getting at until she spoke again, more slowly this time, as if I might not be capable of understanding her otherwise. "How many pages do you have left?"

"Oh!" I let out a nervous chuckle, feeling a bit foolish. "About fifteen," I finally answered.

She nodded her head, her eyes narrowing briefly, and then without another word, she turned on her heel and walked back to the table she had been working at before. Her stride was confident, heels clicking softly on the library's polished floor. The atmosphere around her seemed to shift with her movements, an aura of authority and aloofness that followed her wherever she went.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, watching her retreat to her seat. It was strange—her presence was almost like a storm cloud looming over everything, and when she left, I could breathe again.

Shaking off the tension, I refocused my attention back on the screen, fingers tapping the keys once more.

I was deep in concentration when someone plopped down beside me, and I turned my head to see Lea smiling at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Have you ever had the cafeteria pizza?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she opened the box in her hands. Inside was a massive slice of pepperoni pizza, the cheese glistening under the library's gentle lights, the pepperoni slightly curled at the edges. It looked mouthwateringly delicious, the kind of slice you'd see in food commercials.

"Nope," I replied, exaggerating the P. "Is it any good?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. Lea's eyes widened dramatically as if I'd just confessed to a heinous crime.

"Good?" she gasped, putting a hand over her heart. "Bro, this is delicious. I've had three of these big slices already."

She grabbed the pizza from the box, taking a huge bite, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed, the delight clear on her face. "You've goffa pry phis," she managed to mumble, her words muffled with her mouth full.

Lea held out the slice, her eyes urging me on, and I reached over to break off a piece, popping it into my mouth. The flavors hit me instantly—savory cheese, a hint of spice from the pepperoni, the slight crunch of the crust.

"Damn, this is good!" I nodded, breaking off another piece, savoring the blend of flavors. It was surprising, I'd never expected cafeteria food to taste like this.

Lea beamed at my reaction, her expression triumphant. "I know, right?" she said, her voice filled with satisfaction as she took another big bite. She chewed quickly, pointing at me with the crust. "And I am definitely going to sneak in and steal some when I get late-night cravings."

I laughed, shaking my head at her enthusiasm. "Honestly, I wouldn't blame you. This could easily become a guilty pleasure."

We devoured the pizza with a sense of urgency, glancing around every few bites like we were part of some covert mission. The librarian had a reputation for having eyes everywhere, and the last thing we wanted was to face her wrath—or worse, Prof. Montgomery's scathing remarks. The thought of her tossing our precious pizza in the trash made us extra careful.

Lea finished her slice and leaned back in her chair, her fingers interlaced behind her head, looking entirely too relaxed for someone sneaking food in a library. She eyed the open book and laptop in front of me. "What are you working on?" she asked, her voice low but curious.

"A lesson plan," I replied, my voice betraying my fatigue. "For the first-year students." I sighed, tapping my pen absentmindedly against the desk.

Lea raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and disbelief in her eyes. "Why'd you even sign up for the TA position with Montgrumpy?" she asked, her tone genuinely baffled. "I mean, you can't be that desperate for extra credits, especially not to be stuck working with her."

I looked at her and shrugged, letting out a longer sigh. "Honestly? I did it just as a safety net, you know, in case I mess up an assignment or bomb a test." The thought of it made me frown, and I leaned back against the chair, rubbing my temples. "Which, unfortunately, I already did with that sixty I got on that stupid assignment."

Lea nodded, her face sympathetic, her mouth twitching as she tried to keep herself from laughing. "I remember that assignment," she said, her voice laced with mock solemnity. "You stormed into her office and demanded some answers."

I couldn't help but let out a snort, the memory of that first encounter playing vividly in my mind. It felt just like yesterday—me storming into her office, determined and fed up, only for Prof. Montgomery to dismiss me without a second thought. I remember the frustration boiling inside me as I left, and now here we were, seemingly stuck in an endless loop. She was just as sharp-tongued as ever, and I was still dealing with her mood swings. Nothing had changed. Not really.

Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throat behind us made me wince, my shoulders tensing instinctively. I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

"Are you done?" Prof. Montgomery's voice sliced through the air, cool and direct.

Lea twisted around in her seat to face the professor, a grin playing at her lips. "Nah, Valentina was just about to take a break," she quipped, standing up from the chair with a cheeky air about her. She dusted some imaginary crumbs off her shirt, an obvious display of nonchalance.

Prof. Montgomery's gaze shifted, narrowing slightly as her eyes landed on me. She tilted her head just a bit, her lips curling into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Is she now?" she said, her voice smooth but edged. "I figured she already took a break while sharing that pizza with you."

I felt my face flush with embarrassment. Her eyes, dark and calculating, bore into mine, making me squirm in my seat. I glanced down at the remnants of our ill-advised meal—the empty pizza box now a glaring sign of my lack of discipline.

Lea, unfazed as ever, flashed a smile at Montgomery and then shot me a quick wink. "Guess it's my cue to leave," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She gave me a nod, her face still etched with that unmistakable Lea confidence, like she was walking away from just another harmless prank. "Catch you later, Val."

I watched as Lea sauntered away, completely unbothered. Meanwhile, I slowly turned back to face Prof. Montgomery, already anticipating whatever sharp remark she'd throw my way next. She stood there, her arms folded, her gaze still fixed on me.

"Well?" she prompted, her eyes flicking to my laptop and the half-completed lesson plan on the screen. "Since you're apparently so refreshed from your little...intermission, perhaps we can get back to actual work."

I swallowed hard, nodding as I straightened up in my chair, my fingers quickly moving to the keyboard. No more distractions, I thought. Not today.

Prof. Montgomery returned to her table, gathered a few books, and grabbed her handbag before striding out of the library. She must have another lecture. Her heels clicked on the polished floor, a rhythmic echo that gradually faded as she disappeared down the hall.

Just a few minutes after Montgomery left, Lea slipped back into the seat beside me, her presence a welcome contrast to the harshness of the professor.

"You're back?" I asked, my eyes still glued to my laptop screen, fingers resting idly on the keys.

"Of course," Lea said with a shrug, leaning back into the chair. "I just waited till the coast was clear. You looked like you needed some time without the dragon breathing down your neck." She eyed me knowingly, a smirk playing at her lips.

I sighed, the exhaustion evident in my voice. "I really should finish this lesson plan." My eyes flicked over the seemingly endless document—pages and pages of dry content to organize and present in a way that first-year students could make sense of. It felt like a mountain I was halfway up, but nowhere near done.

Lea, unfazed, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Dude, you've been at this for hours. You're allowed to rest for a few minutes. Even Montgomery can't complain if you're keeping your sanity intact."

I hesitated, biting the inside of my cheek. The rational part of me knew Lea was right. I had spent the better part of the morning hunched over this table, drowning in lecture notes.

Finally, I exhaled and nodded, leaning back into my chair with a reluctant smile. "Alright, alright," I relented, motioning for her to get up. Lea's eyes lit up in delight, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. She shot up from her seat and stretched her arms above her head like she had just won a victory.

"See? That wasn't so hard," she teased, giving me an exaggerated thumbs-up. "Now, c'mon. Let's do something to get that tired brain of yours functioning again."

I smiled, my first real one in hours. I stood up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my body from sitting for so long. As we walked away from the table, Lea nudged me playfully, her expression softening. "I swear, Val, you need me around just to remind you to be human sometimes."

✿

It was just past two in the afternoon, and I was on the verge of completing the lesson plan. Prof. Montgomery had stepped out about twenty minutes ago, leaving me alone to finish up. She didn't mention where she was going, and honestly, I didn't have the energy to wonder.

My body ached from sitting for hours, my back hunched over the desk. My eyes were sore and dry, the kind of fatigue that settled in after too much time staring at a screen, and my lower half felt like it had melded with the chair. I let out a deep sigh, pushing myself back in my seat and raising my arms above my head in a much-needed stretch. The joints in my shoulders popped, a fleeting moment of relief.

"Ms. Wilson," a voice called from behind me. I twisted my head to see Prof. Montgomery approaching. She was striding with purpose, her sharp eyes set on me, the heels of her shoes clicking against the floor as she walked closer. I lowered my arms quickly, rubbing my eyes to look more alert.

She stopped beside my chair, looking down at me. "Are you done?" she asked, her tone as curt as ever. There was an edge of expectation in her voice.

"Almost," I said, yawning despite myself. I tried to stifle it with my hand, but it slipped through. "Probably less than ten slides to go."

She gave a curt nod, and without another word, she reached for my laptop. She turned the screen toward herself, her eyes narrowing as she clicked through the presentation. I watched her face for any sign of approval or disapproval, the tension in my chest growing.

Her expression remained unchanged, her gaze moving quickly across the text and images I had carefully compiled. She clicked again, moving to the next slide, and each second that ticked by felt like an eternity. My impatience grew, and I couldn't help but think, If you're going to criticize me, just do it already.

Prof. Montgomery finally glanced up at me, her gaze cool and detached. "Not bad," she said, her voice lacking any real warmth. "But I could do with fewer pictures in the slides." She stood up, straightening her posture. That was it? No biting sarcasm or demeaning comment?

I must've looked more shocked than I realized, because she raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her tone edged with curiosity.

"I—well," I stammered, still processing, "I expected you to throw a rude comment my way." My eyebrows were raised, genuinely confused by her uncharacteristic restraint.

Prof. Montgomery let out a sharp sigh, her lips pressing into a thin line. "And I expected you to be done with the lesson plan by now," she snapped, her tone back to its usual harshness. "But I guess we both got surprised." Without another word, she turned on her heel, her shoes clicking against the floor as she made her way back to her table, leaving me stunned in my seat.

I should've seen that coming—there's no way she could be nice for five minutes. Maybe she's cursed. That would explain everything. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Can someone even be cursed? I wasn't sure, but if anyone was, it had to be Prof. Montgomery.

Rolling my eyes, I turned back to my laptop, determined to finish the last few slides. Her criticism echoed in my mind as I reluctantly removed some of the pictures. I still didn't understand why she disliked them. The images made the material more engaging, less overwhelming. But, she was the professor, not me, and I wasn't about to argue.

After finally finishing the lesson plan, I saved my work and sent it off to Prof. Montgomery. Turning off my laptop, I felt a rush of relief wash over me as I began packing my things away. It was hard to believe that I was finally done with this exhausting project. Now I can finally go home and take that long-awaited nap.

I stood up, stretching my stiff muscles, and slung my bag over my shoulder. Before leaving, I made my way over to where Prof. Montgomery sat, engrossed in her reading. Without a word, I plopped down across from her, watching her for a moment.

She didn't look up from her book. "What do you want?" she asked flatly, her voice dripping with indifference.

Hmm, what do I want? My mind wandered mischievously. I want to smack that book over her head. I want to trip her while she's walking in those ridiculous heels. I want to— Okay, maybe I was getting carried away.

"I just wanted to say I finished the lesson plan," I said, my voice betraying my triumphant mood as I leaned back in the chair, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Prof. Montgomery rested her elbows on the table, her fingers interlocking as she eyed me from behind her reading glasses. Her gaze was cold, calculating, as if she were assessing every move I made.

"Did you email it to me?" she asked, her voice measured. I nodded in response. She pressed her lips together, her expression unreadable. "Well, I have nothing else for you to do, so feel free to leave."

"Oh, thank goodness!" I burst out, practically leaping from the chair. "I can't be in the same room with you any longer." I knew it was rude, but honestly, she'd been rude to me from the start, and I was just returning the favor. Fair game, right?

Prof. Montgomery tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as if she were studying a bug under a microscope. "You're playing with fire, Ms. Wilson," she said slowly, her voice dripping with an eerie calmness. Her gaze swept over me, scrutinizing. "Careful not to get burned."

What? Her words hung in the air, and I furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of her warning. Was she being serious? Or was this just another way of flexing her superiority?

"You can leave now," she said, waving her hand dismissively as if she were shooing away a fly.

Clicking my tongue in irritation, I turned on my heel and strode out of the library, my footsteps echoing in the stillness. Today was absolutely dreadful. If I had to spend one more second in her presence, I was certain I would lose my mind. In fact, I'd rather go back to marking quizzes—at least they didn't talk back.

As I walked across campus, I let out a tired sigh, the tension of the day slowly leaving my body. All I could think about now was getting home. I could practically hear my bed calling my name. "Valentina! Valentina! Come take a nap!" I smiled at the thought, my steps quickening. Yes, a nap was exactly what I needed—some well-deserved rest away from all this madness.