Chapter Thirty

Thursday;

Lea and I sat in the lecture hall, waiting for Prof. Montgomery to arrive. The room was still half-empty, a handful of students scattered about, some on their phones, others chatting in low voices. The air was filled with the faint buzz of idle conversation, the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above us. We had come in a little early, much to Lea's annoyance, and she was slouched beside me, her face half-hidden behind her coffee cup.

We'd stopped by Midnight Mocha on our way, and I'd bought myself a vanilla iced coffee while Lea had opted for her usual double-shot espresso. And then there was the black coffee I had picked up for Montgomery. I wasn't even sure why I had done it—after everything that had happened yesterday, I doubted she'd appreciate it. She'd probably throw it in the trash without a second thought. But still, I'd placed it on her desk when we walked in, the black cup sitting alone on the otherwise pristine surface.

Lea glanced at me, her eyes half-lidded from sleep deprivation, and gave a dramatic sigh. "You know, we didn't have to be here this early," she grumbled, taking another sip of her espresso. I could tell she wasn't in the mood for much conversation, her fingers tapping absentmindedly against the side of her cup.

I just gave her a small smile, my eyes drifting back to Montgomery's desk. Maybe this was my way of extending an olive branch—some small attempt at peace after yesterday's disaster.

"She's going to hate it, you know," Lea said, nodding toward the cup on the desk. I shrugged. "I know. But it's worth a shot."

Lea raised an eyebrow, a curious glint in her eyes. "Did anything happen between you and Montgomery? You seem... different."

I avoided her gaze, focusing instead on the lid of my coffee cup. "Nope. Just trying to keep the peace, that's all."

I hadn't told Lea about what had happened yesterday. How Prof. Montgomery had leaned over me, her voice low and commanding, her eyes boring into mine. How she'd said those words—"good girl"—and how they had sent an unexpected shiver down my spine, a mix of embarrassment, anger, and something else I couldn't quite place. It had left me feeling unsettled, a strange mix of emotions I wasn't ready to share, not even with Lea.

Lea narrowed her eyes at me, but before she could ask any more questions, Prof. Montgomery walked in. My heart skipped a beat, my eyes flicking to the black coffee on her desk. Would she notice? Would she throw it away without a word?

Lea nudged me, her expression amused. "Here we go," she whispered, and I forced myself to sit up straighter, my attention on the professor as she made her way to the front of the room.

She approached her desk with that same air of authority she always carried—confident, detached, untouchable. She set her handbag on her chair, and as she turned to face her desk, her eyes fell on the coffee cup I'd placed there.

For a moment, her brow furrowed, her lips tightening into a thin line. I watched, my heart pounding, as her gaze flickered up, searching the room until her eyes landed directly on me. My face flushed instantly, and I gave her a hesitant, small smile, trying to convey, without words, that the coffee was from me—that this was my attempt at making amends.

To my surprise, her expression softened, just barely. She gave me a nod, and I swore I saw the faintest hint of a smile tug at the corners of her lips. It was so subtle, so fleeting, that I almost thought I imagined it. She reached for the cup, lifted it to her lips, and took a sip.

Did she just...?

My eyes widened in shock. I turned my head slowly, looking at Lea beside me, her expression mirroring my own disbelief. She stared at Montgomery for a moment, then shifted her gaze to me, her mouth slightly agape.

Leaning closer, she whispered, her voice filled with astonishment, "Dude, I can't believe she actually took a sip." She shook her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Now I'm a hundred percent certain she has feelings for you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. My heart still raced, and I couldn't seem to shake the image of Prof. Montgomery drinking the coffee I'd bought. It was such a simple gesture, yet it carried so much weight. It was the first time she had accepted something from me.

Lea nudged me playfully, her lips curling into a grin. "What did you do to her, Valentina?" she teased. "I've never seen her so... human."

I forced a smile, my thoughts still spinning, unsure of how to process what had just happened. The entire room seemed to fade away, and all I could focus on was Prof. Montgomery as she turned to address the class, her gaze briefly meeting mine before moving on. For the first time, there was no coldness, no disdain in her eyes—just a hint of something else, something softer.

Prof. Montgomery took another deliberate sip of her coffee before setting it down on the podium beside her. She straightened up, interlocking her fingers and giving the room a calculating gaze. "I'm sure everyone remembered the assignment that needed to be emailed before this lecture," she said, her voice crisp and demanding. Her eyes swept across the room, pausing briefly on a few students before continuing, as if daring anyone to admit otherwise. "And no, I do not accept any late hand-ins."

I exhaled quietly in relief. Luckily, Lea and I had managed to finish the assignment last night at her place. It had taken us a while, especially since distractions seemed to come so naturally to Lea, but somehow, we focused and pulled through. Her parents weren't home, which was a bummer—I had been looking forward to meeting them after hearing all of Lea's stories. The house had been eerily quiet, save for our hushed conversations and the scribbling of pens.

We worked late into the evening, occasionally taking breaks to order pizza and devour a ridiculous amount of junk food. Empty cans of soda and crumpled snack wrappers littered the coffee table, and the TV flickered in the background, muted but casting a comforting glow. By the time we finally submitted our work, we were sprawled on the living room floor, exhausted but satisfied.

Lea had tried to convince me to stay the night, playfully insisting that I could borrow some of her clothes. But I declined—I hadn't brought anything with me, and besides, a part of me needed to get home and sleep in my own bed after such a long day. Still, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret as I remembered the way she pouted when I said no. There was something comforting about her home, the way it felt lived-in, welcoming, and undeniably her.

Snapping back to the present, I glanced over at Lea, who was lounging in her seat, twirling a pen between her fingers and clearly not paying much attention to the lecture. She caught me looking and gave me a grin, her eyes dancing with mischief. I knew she was proud of the fact that we managed to get the assignment done on time, despite her usual procrastination habits.

Meanwhile, Prof. Montgomery continued her lecture, her voice commanding the room's attention, even if some students seemed more interested in their phones than the topic at hand. Her gaze occasionally drifted over in my direction, and each time it did, I felt my heart skip just a little. Was it my imagination, or was her expression a bit less stern today? The way she took a sip of the coffee I'd bought for her, and the subtle nod she gave me—it was still replaying in my head.

Lea pulled out her laptop, propping her chin on her hand as she waited for it to start up. I raised an eyebrow at her. Was she actually planning to take notes for once? That would be a first.

She took out her AirPods, but only placed one in her ear. I couldn't help but peek at her screen as she opened her laptop, watching her cursor move across the screen before opening YouTube. I should have known—of course she wasn't taking notes.

The classroom was still, filled only with the steady, authoritative rhythm of Prof. Montgomery's voice as she explained a formula on the board, her back turned to the students. I tried to focus, but out of nowhere, a loud voice cut through the air, echoing around the quiet room: "How to survive a boring lecture."

Lea's laptop speaker was blaring, and I could see the heads of our classmates snap towards us in surprise. Even Prof. Montgomery stopped mid-sentence, her chalk poised in the air. I felt myself cringe internally. Lea's eyes went wide, panic written across her face as she quickly fumbled with her laptop. "Oh shit!" she muttered, hastily pausing the YouTube video, her cheeks flushing bright red.

Prof. Montgomery slowly turned to face us, her expression stony. She gave Lea a look that could have frozen fire, her gaze narrowing, her lips pressed into a thin, unamused line. Silence hung in the air, heavy and tense, the rest of the class watching the unfolding drama with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Lea sat there, frozen, her mouth half-open as if trying to come up with an explanation that might save her. I gave her a nudge under the table, whispering, "Just apologize, quickly."

Lea snapped her mouth shut, then opened it again, her voice a little too loud in the awkward stillness. "Uh, sorry, Professor. My laptop—uh, the volume..." she trailed off, her eyes darting downwards.

Prof. Montgomery didn't respond immediately. She simply sighed, exasperated, and tapped the chalk against her palm. "If you're so disinterested, Ms. Grayson," she said icily, "I suggest you remove yourself from my lecture. Either take notes or don't be here at all."

I could feel the heat in my cheeks just from being associated with Lea at that moment. She looked over at me, and I gave her a pleading look—just comply, just once. Lea let out a soft sigh, then closed her laptop, setting it aside and nodding her head towards Prof. Montgomery. "It won't happen again," she muttered.

Prof. Montgomery gave a final pointed look, then turned back to the board, resuming her lecture as if nothing had happened. The tension slowly dissipated, and people began to refocus. I glanced at Lea, who gave me a sheepish grin, mouthing, "My bad." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept across my lips.

Lea might have her flaws—sometimes careless, often reckless—but she was still my friend. And if she was going to sit through this lecture without YouTube, well, that was probably the best apology she could give.

The rest of the lecture, Lea sat in silence—no notes, no YouTube, just an expression of boredom plastered across her face. She shifted in her seat every so often, clearly itching for the class to end.

When Prof. Montgomery finally dismissed us, Lea let out an exaggerated sigh of relief and slammed her palm on the desk. "Finally!" she practically shouted, drawing a few curious looks from our classmates. She started shoving her belongings into her bag with reckless haste, completely oblivious to the withering glare Prof. Montgomery was sending her way.

She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door, with me trailing right behind. As we reached the front, Lea suddenly paused, turning around with an all-too-bright grin. "Professor!" she called, her arms thrown wide open. "Do you want another slice of pizza? I have like two left."

My heart sank, my eyes widening in disbelief. "Lea!" I hissed, giving her a hard punch on the shoulder. I could hardly believe she was bringing up pizza right now, especially considering how annoyed Prof. Montgomery had been earlier.

Prof. Montgomery slowly raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile. "Valentina might not look good behind bars," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, "but you..." She pointed a finger directly at Lea, her gaze icy, "...you would look right at home behind them."

Lea blinked, her confident grin faltering. "Uh... I was just kidding," she muttered, rubbing the spot on her arm where I'd punched her.

I quickly grabbed Lea by the arm and started dragging her out of the classroom before she could make things any worse. "Thanks for the lecture, Professor," I called back, trying to smooth things over with a strained smile. I could still feel the tension radiating off Prof. Montgomery as we escaped out into the hallway.

Once we were outside, Lea let out a nervous laugh, her voice still tinged with disbelief. "Maybe it was too early to bring up pizza."

I shot her a look that screamed really?, my eyebrows furrowed. "You think? Us breaking in is still fresh in her mind, Lea."

Lea shrugged nonchalantly, as if the whole situation was just a minor inconvenience. "It's not like we stole anything valuable. I mean, the pizza slices were like six bucks each."

I gave her a sideways glance, suspicion evident in my expression. "And how many slices did you take?" I asked, already half-knowing that her answer would be absurd.

Lea paused, counting on her fingers with a pensive frown. "Uh, like nine?" she said, not an ounce of shame in her voice.

I quickly did the math in my head, my eyes widening slightly. "So we stole and ate fifty-four dollars' worth of pizza."

Lea immediately held up a finger, shaking her head as if correcting an error on a homework problem. "Technically, we only ate forty-eight dollars' worth of pizza," she countered. "Montgomery took one, remember? Right out of your hands."

I sighed, recalling the moment. "Well, you've got a point there." I nodded, trying not to let a smile creep onto my face.

Lea grinned triumphantly, puffing her chest out slightly. "See? I always have a point." Without warning, she slung her arm over my shoulder in her usual carefree manner, steering us towards the fountain.

✿

I made my way through the hallway towards Prof. Montgomery's office, my footsteps echoing slightly against the tiled floor. I had just wrapped up my lecture with Prof. Martin, and with three hours to spare before my last lecture with Prof. Vargas, I figured I should face Montgomery sooner rather than later. Maybe she would still let me be her TA, or at least, I could try to smooth things over.

Reaching her door, I knocked softly, hesitating for a brief moment before opening it and stepping inside. I quietly closed the door behind me, glancing over at Prof. Montgomery. She was leaning back in her chair, her attention fully focused on her phone as her fingers moved deftly across the screen. When she finally looked up and saw me, she immediately put her phone down on the desk.

"Professor, I came to—" I began, hoping to explain myself, but she cut me off, her voice sharp and immediate.

"Shut up," she snapped, and I bit my tongue, my words dying in my throat. I stood there in silence, unsure of what to expect next.

Prof. Montgomery took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she was gathering her thoughts. "Ms. Wilson," she started, and for the first time, there was something in her expression that I couldn't quite read. It almost looked... uncomfortable? Awkward, even.

She hesitated, her eyes flickering away from mine, and her hand came up to pinch the bridge of her nose as if she was annoyed with herself. "I wanted—" she paused, her voice dropping, "I wanted to apologise for yesterday," she muttered, clearing her throat.

My eyes widened in disbelief. Apologise? Montgomery? The words sounded so foreign coming from her that I half-expected to be dreaming. I even pinched myself subtly, just to make sure.

"Wow," I chuckled awkwardly, a nervous laugh escaping my lips, "I didn't expect you to ever apologise." Prof. Montgomery snorted softly, her eyes narrowing in a way that seemed almost amused.

"I know, right?" she replied, rolling her eyes. "It felt... weird."

I took a step closer to the chair opposite her desk and sank down into it, still trying to process her unexpected shift in attitude. She cleared her throat, her fingers drumming lightly against the desk for a second. "Also," she said, her voice softer now, "thank you for the coffee."

"No problem," I responded, offering her a small smile, feeling a tiny wave of relief wash over me. Perhaps things were starting to look up after all. "Is there anything I can do today?" I asked, hoping to be useful.

She paused, her gaze drifting around her cluttered desk. Papers were stacked in somewhat chaotic piles, but even then, nothing stood out as an immediate task. "Hmm, honestly?" she looked back at me with a shrug, "No."

I felt my shoulders slump slightly, a sigh slipping from my lips. "Then what the hell am I supposed to do for three hours?" I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice.

Prof. Montgomery's gaze flickered over to me, her expression softening ever so slightly. "You can leave," she said, her tone neutral, "only if you want, of course." She hesitated, then added, almost as an afterthought, "I mean, I wouldn't mind if you stayed."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and I blinked, taken aback. There was something genuine about the way she said it, as if she was giving me a rare glimpse behind her usual guarded demeanor. The suggestion was so casual, yet the implication felt significant. I studied her for a moment, her eyes watching mine with that same unreadable look.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice softer, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, "I think I'll stay."

Prof. Montgomery's lips twitched, just for a moment, hinting at a smile before settling back into her usual stoic expression. She reached for her phone, her fingers moving quickly as she typed a message. I watched her quietly, wondering what she might be thinking.

After a few seconds, she looked up, her eyes meeting mine. "Are you coming to the hospital on Saturday?" she asked, her tone casual.

I shrugged, trying not to make too much of the question. "Probably," I replied, "If I don't have a lot of work. Why?"

She sighed, leaning back in her chair, her gaze wandering momentarily to the window. "My mother wants to have a picnic in the garden," she said, her voice laced with a hint of exasperation. She shook her head slightly, as if she couldn't believe the words herself. "...And she invited you."

"Oh." I nodded slowly, a little surprised but also oddly touched by the invitation. "Yeah, then I'll probably be there. Do I need to bring anything?" I asked, already mentally making a list of what might be suitable for a hospital garden picnic.

Prof. Montgomery bit her lip in thought, her gaze unfocused as she considered it. After a moment, she shook her head, her eyes returning to mine. "No," she said, "I'll bring some things."

There was something softer in her eyes now, something that almost made her seem... approachable. It felt strange, seeing her like this—less like the intimidating professor I'd known and more like a daughter, just trying to fulfill her mother's wishes. The vulnerability made me feel a pang of empathy.

"Alright," I said gently, nodding, "I'll be there."

She gave another small nod, her eyes lingering on me for a second longer before returning to her phone.

I kept my eyes on Professor Montgomery for a few more moments, watching as her focus shifted back to her phone, her fingers gliding over the screen.

Deciding I needed a distraction—and desperately needing to catch up on my studies, considering I had literally failed her last three quizzes—I pulled my books and notes from my bag, spreading them out on my part of her desk.

I opened my textbook, flipping to the right page, when I noticed her gaze shift toward me. She arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on her face. "Ms. Wilson, I'm surprised," she remarked, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. "I thought studying wasn't something you did."

I rolled my eyes playfully, unable to stop the grin tugging at my lips. "Very funny, Professor," I muttered, trying to focus on the text in front of me.

But her smirk vanished, her eyes narrowing in a way that made the air between us shift. Her voice dropped, carrying a note of warning. "Roll your eyes at me one more time, and I might have to punish you." Her gaze swept over me, lingering for a moment too long, and I could see the subtle darkening of her expression.

My heart gave an unexpected flutter at her words, something between nerves and intrigue tightening in my chest. Punish me? I stared at her, trying to decipher the meaning behind that statement. There was a glint in her eyes—one that felt daring, challenging.

"And how exactly are you going to punish me?" I asked, my voice holding a hint of curiosity as I leaned back against the chair, testing her, waiting for an answer.

She held my gaze for a moment longer, her eyes boring into mine, the tension between us growing thicker with every second that passed. Her lips twitched slightly, as if she were debating whether to indulge me with an answer. Finally, she rose from her chair, the creak of the seat echoing through the quiet room as she walked over, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She stopped just behind my chair, her presence looming over me.

I kept my eyes fixed forward, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel her standing there, the space between us charged and electric, but I didn't dare turn my head to look at her. Suddenly, I felt her lean forward, her breath warm against my ear. "Trust me, Ms. Wilson," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, sending a shiver racing down my spine, "I don't think you want to find out."

My breath caught in my throat, and my grip tightened on the edges of my book, the words on the page now entirely forgotten. She straightened up, the warmth of her proximity fading as she pulled away. "I have a meeting," she said coolly, her tone back to its professional demeanor, as if nothing had just transpired between us. "Good luck with your studying."

And just like that, she turned on her heel, her heels tapping steadily as she walked out of the office. The door closed softly behind her, the click of the latch echoing in the now-empty room. I let out a shaky breath, my skin feeling flushed, my mind reeling from what had just happened. I felt hot and bothered, a mix of confusion and something I didn't quite want to name twisting in my stomach.

Why do I get this nagging feeling that she likes to toy with my emotions? It's maddening, trying to understand her motives. I don't know if she means everything she says, or if it's all just a game. Does she actually like me, or is she simply enjoying the power she has over me, the way she can make my heart race with a few well-placed words and a dangerous smile?

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face, trying to shake off the lingering feeling. Whatever her intentions were, one thing was for sure—Prof. Montgomery was messing with my head, and I was letting her.

✿

I had just finished my last lecture with Professor Vargas and was making my way over to the fountain, where Lea had texted me she was waiting. I spotted Lea sitting casually on the edge of the fountain, her attention on her phone, her foot bobbing in rhythm to whatever music was playing in her AirPods.

With a heavy sigh, I plopped down beside her, letting my bag slide off my shoulder onto the ground. Lea glanced at me, her eyes taking in my exhausted expression, and without a word, handed me her half-eaten chocolate bar.

I gratefully took it from her hands and bit into it, the rich sweetness melting on my tongue. "I needed this," I muttered, my voice muffled by the mouthful of chocolate.

Lea wiggled her eyebrows, a mischievous smirk spreading across her face. "Yeah, I could see that." She leaned back against the bench, stretching her arms out along the top and crossing one leg over the other, her expression half amused, half curious. "Alright, spill."

I glanced at her, my eyebrows knitting in confusion. "Spill what?" I asked, taking another bite, the weariness of the day still clinging to me.

Lea sighed dramatically, shaking her head like I was being hopelessly dense. "About you and Montgomery," she said, drawing out the professor's name in a teasing singsong tone.

I felt my face heat up immediately, and I looked away, chewing slowly as if that would give me more time to think. The sunlight glittered across the surface of the fountain, and I tried to focus on it instead of Lea's piercing gaze. I knew she wouldn't drop the topic easily—once she got an idea in her head, she was like a dog with a bone.

"There's nothing to tell," I finally said, shrugging, though I could hear the defensiveness in my own voice.

Lea scoffed, leaning in closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, please, Val. The way she looked at you today, the way you looked at her..." She gave a low whistle. "Come on, I'm not blind. There's definitely something going on."

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest, my gaze still fixed stubbornly on the fountain. "It's not like that, Lea. She's just—" I paused, struggling to find the right words, but everything I thought of felt like a lie or an excuse, and I wasn't even sure which anymore.

Lea nudged me with her elbow, her voice softening just a fraction. "Hey, you know you can tell me, right? I won't judge. I'm just curious."

I glanced at her, her eyes earnest despite the teasing smile still tugging at her lips. I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion welling up inside me. "I don't know what it is, okay?" I said quietly. "Sometimes I think she likes me, but then sometimes I think she's just messing with my head. I can't figure her out."

Lea tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Sounds like she's got you all twisted up," she said, her tone gentler now, more serious. "But maybe she's just confused about her own feelings."

I bit my lip, nodding slowly, though part of me knew it wasn't that simple. Something about Prof. Montgomery kept pulling me back in, despite the confusion, despite the doubts. Maybe it was the challenge, maybe it was the way she could make my heart race with a single look.

"Yeah, maybe," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lea gave me a soft smile, her arm looping around my shoulder in a comforting half-hug. "Why don't we go grab lunch?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, I'd like that."

Lea and I rose from the bench, brushing off crumbs of chocolate from our laps, and began making our way to the parking lot.

We walked side by side, our footsteps echoing faintly against the concrete as we chatted idly about our plans for the weekend.

The moment we reached the parking lot, Lea's arm shot out in front of me, abruptly halting my steps. Her sudden action caused me to stumble slightly, my confused gaze darting to her. "What're you—" I began to ask, but she cut me off with a frantic wave of her hand, her eyes fixed on something beyond us.

I turned to follow her line of sight, and there they were—Prof. Montgomery and Prof. Vargas, locked in what seemed to be a heated argument. The tension between them was palpable even from this distance. I could see the way Prof. Vargas's brows furrowed, her lips moving rapidly, her hands slicing through the air as she spoke.

"Damn," Lea chuckled under her breath, her voice laced with amused curiosity. "They really look pissed." She leaned forward slightly, as if to get a better look, her eyes gleaming with interest.

Prof. Vargas was gesturing wildly now, her arms flailing in broad, exaggerated movements. Every few seconds, she'd point accusingly at something, her voice rising enough that even though we couldn't hear her exact words, the intensity was unmistakable. Prof. Montgomery, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed by the display. She stood casually against her car, her arms folded across her chest, her expression one of detached boredom, almost like she was mildly inconvenienced by an unruly student rather than a fellow professor.

The contrast between them was almost comical—Prof. Vargas's flushed face and frantic gestures versus Prof. Montgomery's composed indifference. I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and unease about what could possibly be causing such a scene.

"Do you think it's about... us?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. My mind raced, wondering if the argument had anything to do with our recent escapades, the late-night pizza raid, or maybe even something about the coffee I had left on Montgomery's desk. A pit of worry settled in my stomach.

Lea snorted, nudging me lightly with her elbow. "Nah, I doubt it," she said, her voice filled with a confidence I didn't quite share. "If it was about us, I'm sure they'd already be hauling us into the dean's office. Besides, look at Montgomery—she looks like she couldn't care less."

I stole another glance at Prof. Montgomery. Her head was slightly tilted, her gaze half-lidded, as if she was mentally somewhere far away. When Prof. Vargas jabbed a finger at her, Montgomery responded with a barely perceptible shrug, which only seemed to further infuriate Vargas. The tension seemed to hang in the air like an invisible storm cloud, ready to burst at any second.

"Still," I muttered, "It's weird seeing them like this."

Lea hummed in agreement, her eyes not leaving the scene. "Yeah, it is. But, you know, I kinda admire how Montgomery handles it. It's like, no matter what anyone throws at her, she just... doesn't flinch."

I nodded, though a knot of unease still twisted tightly in my chest. The professors' voices echoed faintly in the distance, a discordant murmur against the otherwise tranquil afternoon. The distant sound of birds chirping and the occasional rumble of passing cars made the scene feel almost surreal. Lea tugged on my arm, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I shook my head as if to clear it.

We were just about to turn away when something in the distance caught our attention—Prof. Vargas took a step closer to Prof. Montgomery, her face twisted in frustration, her body language all tension and aggression. Her arm shot out, trying to jab another finger into Prof. Montgomery's chest. In one swift movement, Prof. Montgomery caught it effortlessly, her fingers closing around Vargas's wrist with a calm but firm grip.

Prof. Vargas shook her arm free, but before she could move further, Montgomery grasped both her hands, holding them in place. There was a change in the air, an almost palpable shift in the dynamic between them. I watched, captivated, as Prof. Montgomery leaned in, her expression softening, her lips moving as she spoke. Whatever she said had an effect; Prof. Vargas's rigid posture slackened, her shoulders dropping as she let out a visible breath. The stormy expression on her face began to dissipate, replaced by something more resigned—something more vulnerable.

They stood like that for a moment, facing each other, a bubble of intimacy that seemed to block out the rest of the world. Then it happened—something that absolutely shattered my understanding of everything I thought I knew. Prof. Montgomery leaned in further, closing the distance between them, and their lips met. It was soft and slow, a lingering kiss that seemed to transcend all the tension that had been there just seconds before.

I felt my heart drop, and for a moment, the world around me seemed to go completely still. The only thing I could hear was the pounding of my own pulse in my ears.

"What the fuck?" Lea gasped, her voice filled with pure disbelief. Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape as she stared at the scene unfolding before us. My own reaction wasn't much different; I felt like I was rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to tear my eyes away from the two professors.

Prof. Vargas placed her hand gently on Prof. Montgomery's cheek for just a second, her fingers brushing softly against her skin before she pulled away, dropping her hand with a finality that left no room for doubt. She turned, her face a mixture of conflicted emotions—anger, regret, tenderness—all at once. Without another word, she got into her car, her movements brisk and efficient, as if she were determined to leave before her emotions betrayed her.

The car door slammed shut, and the engine roared to life. We watched as Prof. Vargas drove away, the car disappearing out of sight, leaving Prof. Montgomery standing there, her gaze following the vehicle until it vanished from view. For a moment, she just stood there, her face unreadable, before she finally turned away, her eyes falling to the ground.

Lea and I exchanged a look, her shock mirroring mine. My stomach twisted with a mixture of confusion and something I couldn't quite put into words—something close to betrayal, but tinged with an inexplicable sadness. We had just witnessed a private moment that was never meant for our eyes, and it left a strange emptiness in its wake.

I turned away, and without a word, Lea and I started walking, the energy from just moments before evaporating into an uneasy stillness. The air between us felt heavy, weighed down by what we had just seen. Our earlier chatter was forgotten, replaced by an oppressive silence that neither of us seemed ready to break. Our footsteps echoed through the empty parking lot, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath our shoes the only sound cutting through the otherwise quiet space.

Questions raced through my mind, each one louder than the last, clambering over one another for attention. How long had this been going on? Why had Prof. Montgomery acted the way she did with me if she and Prof. Vargas were... involved? What did this mean for everything that had happened between us? But the words refused to leave my lips, tangled up in my throat, forming a knot I couldn't swallow down.

Lea's voice finally shattered the silence, her tone sharp and full of anger. "So she is messing with you!" she spat, her eyes flashing as she turned to look at me. I glanced at her, taken aback by the intensity in her gaze.

"Apparently so," I murmured, my voice barely audible, barely there, as though saying it aloud would make it more real—more painful. The admission made my heart feel heavy, a hollow ache settling in my chest.

Lea scoffed loudly, shaking her head in disbelief, her face a mix of anger and disgust. "That fucking bitch!" she exclaimed, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She stopped abruptly, spinning on her heel to face the direction we had come from, her eyes narrowing on Prof. Montgomery, still standing in the distance.

"I'm going to go give her a piece of my damn mind!" Lea announced, her voice rising as she took a determined step back toward the parking lot.

Panic gripped me, and I quickly reached out, grabbing her arm before she could storm back over. "Lea, no," I said firmly, my fingers tightening around her wrist. She turned her head, her face flushed with frustration, her eyes ablaze with the need to act, to do something. "It won't help," I added, trying to reason with her, even though a part of me wanted nothing more than to see Prof. Montgomery confronted.

Lea hesitated, her jaw clenched. "She can't just get away with this, Valentina," she argued, her voice raw with emotion. "She can't just mess with you like that and act like it doesn't matter."

I swallowed hard, my gaze shifting away, focusing on a point in the distance. "I know," I said, my voice barely a whisper, "but confronting her won't change anything. It'll just make things worse." I met Lea's eyes again, trying to convey the weight of what I was feeling—this strange, suffocating mixture of hurt and confusion that had left me feeling raw and exposed.

Lea's expression softened slightly, and she let out a slow breath, her shoulders slumping. She glanced back toward Prof. Montgomery one last time, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Fine," she muttered, turning back to me, "but if she tries anything else, I swear I'll—"

"I know," I cut her off with a faint smile, trying to ease the tension, "you'll have my back, like always."

Lea's face softened further, and she gave me a small, reassuring smile, her arm slipping around my shoulders in a comforting gesture. "Of course I will," she said, her voice quiet but full of conviction. She gave me a gentle squeeze before we resumed walking, her arm still resting around me as we moved away from the parking lot.

The silence that followed wasn't as heavy as before, though the questions still lingered, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. I leaned into Lea's support, grateful for her presence, even as I tried to make sense of everything that had just happened. For now, I would push the questions aside, just for a little while longer, and focus on the simple comfort of having my friend by my side.