Chapter Twenty Nine

Tuesday;

Lea and I sat on the bench by the fountain, our eyes unfocused as we stared into the distance. The air was crisp, the morning sun filtering through the branches of the nearby trees, casting dappled light across the cobblestones. It was just a few minutes before seven, the campus still mostly asleep, the early quiet comforting in its stillness.

"You think Montgomery will say anything about last night?" I broke the silence, glancing over at Lea, who had just brought a cigarette to her lips.

She flicked her lighter and inhaled deeply, the tip of the cigarette glowing a bright orange. She turned her head and blew the smoke away from me, a smirk forming on her lips. "Yeah," she said with a snort, "she'll probably ask for another slice."

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress my growing worry. "I'm serious, Lea!" I ran a hand through my hair, the anxiety tightening my chest. "What if she suddenly decides to report us? I mean, breaking in isn't exactly something we can shrug off."

Lea shook her head, letting out another puff of smoke as she looked at me, her expression calm, almost amused. "Relax, Val," she said, her tone dismissive. "She has feelings for you. She's not going to do anything."

Her words hung in the air between us, the implication making my face heat up despite the cool morning breeze. I looked away, pretending to be interested in the fountain, its water catching the early sun in sparkling ripples.

"You don't know that," I muttered, my voice a little weaker now. "What if she was just messing with me?"

Lea sighed and leaned back against the bench, crossing one leg over the other. "Trust me," she said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she tapped the ash off her cigarette, "I've seen the way she looks at you. She wouldn't risk it."

The thought left a confusing mix of emotions churning in my stomach. I hugged my arms closer to my body, my gaze lowering to my feet. "I don't know... She's always so harsh with me."

Lea gave a low chuckle, shaking her head. "That's just her being a hard-ass. People act weird when they don't know how to deal with their feelings." She took another drag of her cigarette and then smirked. "Anyway, if she does report us, I can always say it was my idea. She might be mad, but she won't drag you into it."

I glanced at Lea, her confident grin, her carefree demeanor, and I felt a pang of something—gratitude, maybe, mixed with a little guilt. She really would take the fall if it came to that, wouldn't she?

I exhaled slowly, letting some of the tension in my shoulders ease. "Thanks, Lea," I said, and for once, the sarcastic edge in my voice was gone, replaced by something softer.

Lea glanced at me and then rolled her eyes dramatically, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Don't get all sappy on me now," she teased, blowing a playful puff of smoke in my direction.

I wrinkled my nose, waving the smoke away, a smile breaking through despite my worries. "Fine, fine," I muttered, and we both fell silent again, watching as the sun rose a little higher, warming the chilly morning, the sounds of campus slowly coming to life around us.

I eventually glanced down at my watch, noting the time. Well, it was time for me to head to Montgomery's office. I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the upcoming encounter settle into my chest, and slowly rose from the bench, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Lea looked up at me, her eyes widening as if she'd just remembered something important. She held up a finger, indicating for me to wait, and quickly began rummaging through her bag, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"Lea, what are you—?" I started, but she ignored me, her movements frantic.

A second later, she pulled something out triumphantly and tossed it in my direction. I caught it easily, staring down at the familiar wrapper. "Chocolate?" I asked, confused, my eyebrows knitting together as I looked back at her.

Lea chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not for you," she said, giving me an exaggerated grin. "It's for Montgomery, in case she does plan to report us."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what?" I spluttered, the anxiety flaring up again. "You just said she wouldn't do anything!"

Lea held up her hands, palms facing me in a gesture of defense, her grin unfazed. "Hey, you can never be too careful," she said with a shrug. "Think of it as an extra layer of insurance. Besides, who doesn't like chocolate?"

I stared at her for a long moment, my emotions torn between irritation and amusement. Only Lea would think a bar of chocolate could somehow act as a bribe to avoid disciplinary action. I shook my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips.

"You're ridiculous," I muttered, stuffing the chocolate into my bag.

Lea leaned back against the bench, her expression relaxed, her eyes glinting with that familiar mischievous spark. "I know," she said simply, taking another drag from her cigarette.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I took a step away from the fountain, glancing over my shoulder one last time. "Wish me luck," I said, the nervousness creeping back into my voice.

Lea smirked, giving me a lazy salute with her cigarette hand. "You got this, Val. Just flash that smile of yours, and if that doesn't work, well—" she nodded towards my bag, "you know what to do."

I let out a snort of laughter, shaking my head as I turned and started down the pathway, the chocolate bar feeling oddly heavy in my bag.

I arrived at Prof. Montgomery's office and paused in front of the door. I remembered what had happened the last time I'd barged in unannounced, so I decided to knock this time.

"Come in," her voice called out from inside, and I took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping in.

My eyes immediately found her—she was seated at her desk, her focus entirely on her phone. The room was softly lit, with papers strewn across her desk. The morning light filtered in through the blinds, casting gentle streaks of gold across the cluttered office.

Prof. Montgomery looked different today. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face, giving her an uncharacteristically relaxed look. I couldn't help but notice she wasn't wearing her usual reading glasses. There was something about the way they perched on her nose that I always found oddly... nice.

"Morning, Professor," I greeted her, my voice breaking the silence. She glanced up at me, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment, a flicker of recognition crossing her gaze before she returned her attention to her phone.

"Morning," she replied absently, her fingers still swiping across the screen. Her tone was neither cold nor warm—it simply was, and it left me standing there, unsure of what to do next. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, waiting for some kind of acknowledgment, but she remained engrossed in whatever was on her screen.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the awkwardness that seemed to linger between us.

"Uh, I brought something for you," I said, my fingers brushing the edge of my bag, where the chocolate bar Lea had given me rested. Montgomery finally looked up, her brows knitting together, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

"For me?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of skepticism.

"Yeah," I nodded, reaching into my bag and pulling out the chocolate bar. I took a hesitant step closer, extending it towards her. Her gaze shifted from my face to the chocolate, her lips twitching slightly as if suppressing a smile.

"Is this some kind of bribe?" she asked, her tone teasing, but there was a challenge in her eyes, and I suddenly felt my face grow warm.

"No, no," I said quickly, shaking my head. "Just... a peace offering."

She raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth quirking up into a faint smirk. "A peace offering, huh?" she echoed, finally setting her phone down. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes studying me as if trying to read my intentions.

I swallowed hard, my nerves getting the best of me. "I just thought... you know, in case you were having a rough morning."

For a moment, she said nothing, and I wondered if I had overstepped some invisible boundary. But then she reached out, her fingers brushing against mine as she took the chocolate. The touch was brief, but it sent a jolt through me, and I quickly pulled my hand away, trying not to show any reaction.

Prof. Montgomery looked at the chocolate bar, turning it over in her hand with an air of indifference. "Yeah, no," she said, her tone shifting back to its usual dismissiveness. "I only eat dark chocolate, and I don't like being bribed."

My smile faltered, and I felt my shoulders slump slightly. "Oh," I muttered, my hope fading. Desperation crept into my voice as I looked at her. "Just... please don't report us," I practically begged, my eyes searching hers for any hint of leniency.

She raised an eyebrow at me, her lips twisting into a scoff. "Please, Ms. Wilson," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Your pretty little face wouldn't look good behind bars. Besides, if I report you and you end up in jail, I'd have to find another TA."

My pretty little face? Did she actually just say that? The words caught me completely off guard, and despite the underlying rudeness, I could feel my face heat up. I tried to keep my composure, but her casual remark threw me off balance.

She tossed the chocolate bar back at me, and I caught it clumsily, my fingers fumbling for a second before holding it steady. "Eat it and calm down," she said, rolling her eyes as if my worries were nothing more than an inconvenience to her. "If I wanted to report you, I would've done it last night."

I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding, clutching the chocolate bar as if it were a lifeline. Her words, dismissive as they were, carried a surprising sense of reassurance. I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and residual embarrassment. "Right," I managed to say, giving her a small, awkward smile.

Prof. Montgomery waved a hand, already turning her attention back to the papers scattered across her desk. "Just don't make a habit of it, Wilson," she added without looking up, her voice firm. "I can only tolerate so much idiocy."

I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. Despite the sting of her words, there was something almost protective about the way she said it. I slipped the chocolate bar back into my bag, nodding even though she wasn't watching. "Understood, Professor," I said softly, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest as I took my usual seat.

Prof. Montgomery shuffled some papers on her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration as I sat silently, waiting for her to assign me something to do. The quiet rustle of the papers filled the office, and I watched her slender fingers move with practiced efficiency.

Suddenly, her phone started ringing, cutting through the silence. She glanced at the caller ID before picking it up, her voice softening just slightly as she answered, "Hey," she greeted the person on the line. There was a pause as she listened, her expression still as unreadable as ever.

"Yes, I'd love one," she said eventually, her eyes flickering towards me. She paused for a moment, then covered the receiver with her hand, leaning back slightly in her chair. "Would you like a coffee?" she asked, her tone blunt, as if she were asking if I wanted a root canal.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, really?" I said, a mix of surprise and confusion in my voice.

She rolled her eyes, exasperation creeping into her features. "Yes," she repeated, "now do you want one or not?"

"Uh, a vanilla iced coffee, please," I replied, a hesitant smile spreading across my face. I caught the way her lips curled in slight disgust, and I couldn't help but feel a bit amused. Clearly, my choice wasn't to her liking.

She removed her hand from her phone and spoke again, her tone flat, "And a vanilla iced coffee." She listened for a moment longer before rolling her eyes, her lips curving into a scoff. "It's not for me," she said with an air of impatience, "you know I don't drink that shit."

Professor Montgomery ended her call with a curt "Goodbye" before placing her phone back on her desk. She leaned back in her chair, her fingers interlocking as she regarded me with an almost bored expression. "Honestly, Ms. Wilson," she said, crossing one leg elegantly over the other, "I have nothing for you to do."

I hesitated, unsure whether to take that as my cue to leave. The silence in the room stretched, and I could feel the weight of her gaze on me. Should I just go?

Clearing my throat, I finally spoke up, "Is it okay if I work on my assignment here?" My voice came out quieter than I intended, tinged with the worry that she'd refuse and kick me out. Though, given that she'd just offered to get me coffee, maybe I was safe from being sent away—for now.

Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she studied me, then a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Sure," she said casually, her tone suggesting she found something amusing about my request. She picked up her phone again, seemingly already dismissing me.

Relieved, I let out a small sigh and smiled, quickly grabbing my laptop from my bag. I set it up on the edge of her desk, arranging my things neatly, careful not to invade her space.

I kept my eyes on my laptop, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the keys as I worked through the assignment. I was almost finished with my part—just a little more to go before Lea and I could finalize the sections we had to collaborate on. Hopefully, she was keeping up her end of the deal. Sometimes, she could be a bit too carefree for comfort.

"Be back in a second," Prof. Montgomery said, pushing her chair back as she stood up. Her voice barely registered over my focus on the screen, and I gave a distracted nod, not bothering to look up.

As she moved past me, though, I couldn't help but let my gaze drift from my screen. My eyes followed her figure as she walked towards the door, her fitted jeans hugging her in a way that made it impossible not to notice. It wasn't like I was doing anything wrong—I mean, who wouldn't appreciate a quality pair of jeans?

Just as I was beginning to snap myself out of it, Prof. Montgomery paused, her hand resting on the door handle. She turned her head suddenly, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Her sharp eyes caught mine, and a sly, knowing smile curved her lips.

"Tsk, tsk," she clicked her tongue in mock disapproval, her eyebrow arched in a mix of amusement and reprimand.

I blinked, caught red-handed, and all I managed was a sheepish smile as she slipped out the door. The sound of it closing behind her left the room quieter, though my heart was beating just a bit faster.

I couldn't believe it. She caught me staring at her ass. How humiliating could I get? Why did I always manage to embarrass myself in front of her, of all people? My cheeks were still warm, the flush of embarrassment refusing to fade.

After a minute or so, Professor Montgomery returned, carrying the coffee cups. She approached my desk and set my iced coffee down next to my laptop with a nonchalant motion.

I glanced up at her, offering a small, apologetic smile. "Thank you, Professor."

She merely waved me off, as if it was no big deal, and took her seat again. Without a word, she took a sip from her own cup, her eyes drifting back to her phone. I turned my focus back to my assignment, trying to immerse myself in the work, hoping the rest of this meeting would pass without any more awkwardness.

Eager to keep working, I attempted to grab my iced coffee while keeping my eyes on the screen, reading a paragraph on a website. But instead of wrapping my fingers around the cup, I ended up knocking it over.

"What the fuck!" Professor Montgomery shrieked, her voice cutting through the quiet of the room like a sharp blade.

The cold coffee spilled across the desk, spreading rapidly like an unstoppable tide. It drenched her papers, seeping into the documents, turning everything into a sopping mess. The chaos that followed was overwhelming—papers were wet and ruined, and I could hardly breathe.

"Professor," I gasped, my heart pounding in my chest as I scrambled to move anything that hadn't already been ruined, "I am so incredibly sorry!"

Her expression was a mixture of shock and exasperation, her eyes widening as she tried to lift what she could out of the coffee's path. "For fuck sake, Ms. Wilson," she muttered, shaking her head, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as if trying to ward off a headache.

I grabbed a stack of napkins from my bag, frantically blotting the desk, my fingers trembling. The iced coffee had dripped down onto the floor, leaving a dark, sticky puddle. I tried to wipe everything up, but I knew it was too late—the damage had already been done.

"I swear it was an accident," I babbled, my voice almost a whisper as I dared to glance at her face. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the soaked papers, the now-empty cup tipped on its side.

Professor Montgomery shot up from her chair, her face a storm of irritation. She reached out and yanked the napkins from my trembling hands. Her voice was sharp and clipped, each word like a cold dagger. "Leave," she ordered, her finger pointing firmly towards the door. "And try not to fall on your way out."

I swallowed hard, opening my mouth to protest, "But—"

"Leave," she cut me off, her glare withering, as if she could incinerate me where I stood, "before I actually kill you."

My heart pounded, and I looked back at my things scattered across her desk—my laptop, my notes. I moved to gather them, but she stopped me in my tracks.

"You can get those when I'm not in my office," she snapped, barely glancing up at me as she checked her watch. "Which will be in an hour. Now get the hell out."

Is she serious? My mind reeled. How could she just throw me out without even letting me pack up my stuff? What am I supposed to do without my laptop and notes for a whole hour? I hesitated, my feet feeling like they were glued to the floor.

Professor Montgomery's eyes narrowed as she noticed my lack of movement. Without a moment's hesitation, she strode over to me, the sharp click of her heels echoing in the room. Before I could react, her hand found the small of my back, and with a firm push, she propelled me towards the door.

"Out," she growled, her tone brooking no argument.

I stumbled, catching my balance as she guided me out of her office. My face burned, a mix of embarrassment and frustration simmering beneath my skin. The hallway beyond her office seemed to stretch on endlessly, and as she shut the door behind me with a resounding thud, I was left standing there, empty-handed and humiliated.

Where the hell am I supposed to go now? I don't have anything with me except my damn phone.

Stomping down the hallway and out of the building, my footsteps echoed against the pavement. I absolutely hate that woman sometimes!

I made my way to the fountain, where Lea was lounging, sipping an energy drink with her usual air of nonchalance. The early morning sun reflected off the water, casting ripples of light across the courtyard, but I was too angry to appreciate it.

I plopped down beside her with a heavy sigh, burying my head in my hands. Lea glanced over, her brows knitting together in confusion. "What's up with you?" she asked, her tone somewhere between curiosity and amusement.

I exhaled deeply, leaning back against the bench, trying to release the tension in my shoulders. "Oh, you won't believe it," I began, my voice thick with exasperation. I launched into the entire story—the awkward peace offering, Prof. Montgomery's snarky comments about not reporting us, how she ordered coffee for me, and then how I'd accidentally knocked it over, spilling the iced coffee all over her desk, her papers, everything.

Lea's expression turned from confusion to amusement as I spoke, her lips curving into a small smirk. "And then," I continued, "she literally—and I mean literally—pushed me out of her office." I threw my hands up for emphasis, the memory of her hand on my back, shoving me out the door, still fresh and humiliating.

Lea burst out laughing, her head tipping back as she cackled, practically choking on her drink. "She pushed you out?" she repeated between laughs, her eyes tearing up from the hilarity she found in my misery.

"Yes! Like I was some unruly kid or something!" I groaned, rubbing my face with both hands. The embarrassment I'd been trying to shake off seemed to cling even tighter with Lea's reaction.

She shook her head, still laughing, "You must've really pissed her off this time."

"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered. "I mean, she even said I can't go back to get my stuff until she's gone. What am I supposed to do now?"

Lea finally calmed down, her eyes still shining with mirth. She shrugged, "Guess you'll just have to wait. But hey, at least she didn't report us for last night, right?"

I sighed, leaning back against the bench, my eyes fixed on the sunlight dancing across the surface of the fountain. Its gentle splashes filled the silence between Lea and me, though it did little to ease the knot of frustration in my chest. "After what happened in her office, I wouldn't even be surprised if she does decide to report us."

Lea nearly choked on her drink, her laughter bubbling up suddenly. "Dude, you're so right!" She chuckled, her eyes squinting in amusement. "She's definitely going to report us now. No doubt about it."

I groaned, but her infectious laughter brought a reluctant smile to my face. Lea finished her energy drink and, without even standing up, tossed the empty can towards the trash can at the far end of the courtyard. The can sailed through the air in a perfect arc, clattering into the bin with a loud clang. "Booya!" She pumped her fist in the air triumphantly, her grin widening as she turned to me.

I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back a small laugh. "Show off."

Just then, a voice called my name. "Valentina!" It echoed across the courtyard, drawing both of our attention. I turned my head, spotting Prof. Vargas waving me over from the entrance to one of the nearby buildings. Her curled hair bounced slightly as she waved, her expression warm and expectant.

"Be right back," I said to Lea, pushing myself off the bench. Lea just gave a lazy wave, her attention already shifting to her phone.

I jogged across the courtyard, the sunlight flickering between the branches above, and stopped in front of Prof. Vargas, a polite smile on my face. "What's up?"

She gave me a hopeful smile, her eyes soft and a little pleading. "Can you please help me carry some books to my car?"

I nodded, the tension from earlier melting just a bit. "Of course, Professor. Lead the way."

She smiled gratefully and turned, leading me toward the faculty building. As I followed, I glanced back at Lea for a second. She was lounging on the bench, now fully engrossed in her phone, a carefree figure against the backdrop of the morning sun.

Prof. Vargas led me through the building's quiet hallway to her office, the heavy smell of old books and coffee lingering in the air. She gestured to a pile of books on her desk, each one thick and worn, their spines cracked from use.

"Here they are. I need them to do a lesson plan, but it's a bit much for just me," she explained with a small smile, as if embarrassed by the stack. I returned her smile, moving to pick up as many as I could carry.

"No problem," I said, lifting the books carefully. Their weight pulled at my arms, and I could already tell it was going to be a challenge getting them all the way to the car. But anything to avoid Montgomery's office for a while.

We walked in a comfortable silence toward her car, the soft rustle of leaves above us and the chatter of students around blending into a background hum. I carefully balanced the stack of books in my arms, focusing on not bumping into anyone as we dodged a few students who were too absorbed in their phones to notice us.

Prof. Vargas cast a glance at me, her tone conversational. "Have things calmed down between you and that professor you were complaining about?" she asked, her eyes betraying just a hint of curiosity.

I let out a scoff, shaking my head. "No. If anything, they've only gotten worse."

She arched an eyebrow, a playful curiosity in her gaze. "So, you're still not going to tell me who it is?"

I met her eyes for a moment before shaking my head stubbornly. "Nope."

She chuckled softly, her laughter almost drowned out by the hustle of campus life. "That's fine," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "I'm pretty sure I know who it is, anyway."

My curiosity piqued, and I turned to look at her, almost tripping over my own feet in the process. "Who?" I asked, my voice skeptical.

Prof. Vargas pressed her lips into a thin line, as though deliberating whether she should even say it. But then, her smile turned knowing, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Professor Montgomery."

I nearly dropped the books at her words, my heart skipping a beat, and I could feel my expression betray my surprise. Prof. Vargas caught on instantly, a triumphant little grin spreading across her face.

"What makes you think that?" I tried to sound casual, but the warmth creeping into my cheeks was impossible to ignore.

Prof. Vargas raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of slight frustration. "Oh, please," she said, her tone dripping with exasperation. "She can be an absolute bitch sometimes—most of the time, really."

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I was caught between wanting to defend Prof. Montgomery and a silent agreement with Vargas' blunt assessment. The awkward silence was broken when we reached her car, and I let out a relieved sigh as she popped open the trunk. Carefully, I placed the books inside, taking extra time to adjust them, grateful for the distraction.

Straightening up, I wiped my hands on my jeans, but her words still weighed on my mind. Prof. Montgomery could be harsh, and yes, sometimes insufferable. But there was more to her than just that cold exterior—something I was starting to glimpse, something that complicated the image Vargas painted of her.

"Thank you, Valentina," Prof. Vargas said warmly, her voice snapping me out of my thoughts. Her eyes still held that knowing glint, and I couldn't help but feel she was trying to look out for me, in her own way. "I appreciate the help. And, please, do not tell her I said that. I do not want her biting my head off."

I forced a smile, nodding in acknowledgment. "Sure thing, Professor," I said, stepping back to give her space as she closed the trunk.

With a parting wave, she climbed into her car, the engine coming to life with a low hum. I stood there as she drove away, her words echoing in my mind. She was right in some ways—Prof. Montgomery was tough, and she often left me feeling like I was fumbling in her wake. But there were moments, fleeting though they were, when I saw a different side to her, one that made me think there was more beneath the surface.

Back at the fountain, I plopped down beside Lea, who was still engrossed in her phone. Her fingers swiped lazily across the screen, her eyes glued to whatever had her attention. The morning sun was warmer now, glinting off the water, and I watched a few stray leaves drift lazily across the surface before turning my attention back to her.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.

Lea barely looked up, her eyes shifting towards me for a split second before drifting back to her screen. "Yup," she said, popping the 'p' for emphasis. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned. "But I was too tired to go." She shrugged, crossing one leg over the other. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask, do you want to come over later to finish the assignment?"

"Sure," I nodded, leaning back against the bench and staring at the sky. "Just text me an address and a time." She gave me a thumbs up, flashing me a bright smile, her fingers already back to tapping on her phone.

I checked the time on mine and sighed. "I'm going back to her office," I said, standing up. I knew it hadn't quite been an hour yet, but I needed to get my stuff. The thought of seeing Prof. Montgomery so soon made my stomach twist uncomfortably, but I couldn't leave my laptop there all day.

Lea lowered her phone and gave me a knowing smirk. "Good luck," she said, a teasing lilt to her voice. "If you do die, can I have that Stitch plushie I saw in your room?"

I stared at her, wide-eyed for a moment, then chuckled, shaking my head. "I—sure," I said, amused. "Guess I won't be needing it if I'm dead."

Lea grinned, giving me a thumbs up. "Cool. See you later."

"See you." I waved at her as I walked away, trying to keep my nerves at bay. The closer I got to Montgomery's office, the more I felt my heart pound. I didn't know what I'd be walking into—calm Montgomery or the one that had shoved me out the door earlier. Either way, I just hoped I could slip in, grab my things, and get out without any more drama.

I knocked softly on her door, just in case she was still inside. The door creaked as I slowly pushed it open, revealing Prof. Montgomery at her desk, her eyes glued to her laptop screen. She looked up, her expression unreadable.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice coming out in a rush. "I thought you left. I'll come back later." I quickly turned, ready to make my escape, but her voice stopped me.

"Ms. Wilson," she sighed, the exasperation clear, "just sit down."

I paused in the doorway, my hand still on the handle. For a moment, I thought about bolting, but I swallowed my pride and nodded. I walked over to the chair, my steps cautious as if I was afraid the slightest noise might set her off again. I eased myself down into the chair, careful not to scrape it against the floor.

I glanced at her desk and noticed the stack of papers I had ruined earlier. They were spread out, the coffee stains still visible as they dried. Guilt gnawed at me. I knew I had really messed up this time.

"Once again, I'm really sorry—" I began, but she cut me off with an irritated wave of her hand.

"Shh," she snapped, her gaze flicking up from her screen to meet mine, her eyes narrowed. "I don't want to hear it."

"Just let me—" I tried again, my voice barely a whisper, hoping maybe I could explain or at least express how much I regretted what happened.

She rolled her eyes dramatically, her patience obviously worn thin. "Oh my fuck! Do you ever shut up?" she snapped, her voice dripping with annoyance.

I stared at her, my eyes wide and my mouth slightly open in shock. My cheeks burned, and the humiliation stung deeper than I had expected. Something inside me snapped—my patience, my tolerance, my willingness to keep trying with her. That was it. I was done with this woman.

"You know what?" I hissed, my voice trembling with anger as I began shoving my things into my bag. "Fuck you! I quit this stupid job!" The chair scraped against the floor as I pushed myself up, my heart pounding with a mix of frustration and adrenaline. I threw my bag over my shoulder and turned towards the door, pausing just long enough to add, "Oh, and one more thing—you can shove those extra credits I'm supposed to get, right up your ass."

Prof. Montgomery's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, her composed facade faltering. She stood up, her movements sharp and deliberate, and before I could take another step, she was in front of me, blocking my path.

"You have some mouth on you," she said, her voice low, her lips curving in a slight, humorless smile. Without warning, she pressed a hand to my chest, forcing me back down into the chair. I barely had time to react, my heart still racing as I found myself seated, my breath caught in my throat.

She leaned over me, her face inches from mine, her hands braced on the armrests of the chair, her presence dominating the small space. Her gaze locked onto mine, a steely intensity in her eyes that sent a chill down my spine. "When I tell you to shut up," she said, each word deliberate, her voice a dangerous whisper, "you shut up. Do you understand?"

I swallowed, the fire that had fueled my outburst extinguished by the force of her authority. My defiance crumbled, replaced by a meek nod. My throat felt tight, my pride bruised as I muttered, "Yes, Professor."

Her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes still locked onto mine, as if savoring her victory. "Good girl," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She straightened up, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer, her gaze piercing, before she turned on her heel and walked back to her desk, her posture relaxed as if nothing had happened.

My heart pounded violently against my ribcage, each thud reverberating through me as if it were trying to escape. Why did I find this situation so intoxicating? The way she had effortlessly put me in my place, the authority in her voice, ignited something within me, leaving me hot and bothered all over.

Trying to regain my composure, I pulled my laptop from my bag, my fingers trembling slightly as I set it down on her polished desk. The cool surface contrasted sharply with the heat radiating from my cheeks, a reminder of how easily she had thrown me off balance. As I opened the screen and navigated to my assignment, my mind replayed her words in a relentless loop, each syllable etched into my memory.

She had some sort of magnetic effect on me, an alluring power that I couldn't quite comprehend, yet I found myself enjoying it more than I should.

It was maddening, thrilling, and undeniably captivating all at once.