Chapter Forty Three

Tuesday;

I closed Elizabeth's door softly behind me, letting out a small sigh. She was getting tired; I could see it in the way her eyelids drooped, despite her insistence that she wanted to keep talking. I'd made up an excuse about having work to do, just to get her to rest. It was better this way.

With my aunt out for dinner, I already knew what my meal was going to look like—candy. I had asked her to bring me something back to eat, but I wasn't holding my breath. She was too swept up with Dr. Bryson, probably wouldn't even remember.

Making my way back to the nurse's lounge, I grabbed my book from the coffee table and slung my bag over my shoulder, ready to head home. But before I could leave, I decided to make one last stop by the pit.

"Auntie Grace," I called when I spotted her chatting with another nurse. She looked up, her face brightening when she saw me. After excusing herself from the conversation, she walked over, smiling warmly.

"Val, honey," she greeted, her eyes sparkling, "You done for the day?"

I nodded, offering her a small smile. "Yeah, just wanted to come say goodbye."

She pulled me into a warm hug, her familiar scent comforting. "I'll see you later," she said, planting a kiss on my cheek. I smiled one last time, feeling her love and care in that small gesture, before turning on my heel and walking away.

When I reached the parking lot, a sudden craving for ice cream hit me. Maybe I'd go to that ice cream truck Octavia had taken me to once. The thought made me sigh as I slid into the car and reversed out of the parking space, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and frustration bubbling up inside.

The drive wasn't long, just a few turns through the quieter streets, and before I knew it, I had parked on the side of the road. The ice cream truck sat ahead, its bright colors standing out against the gray evening sky. I got out of the car and walked over, joining the back of the small line of people waiting for their treats.

As I scanned the crowd, my eyes landed on a familiar figure at the front. The woman's posture, the way she carried herself—it felt too familiar. Is that... Octavia?

The moment she grabbed her ice cream and stepped out of line, I saw her face clearly. It was her. Octavia. My heart raced for a second. She's alive and well, then.

Without thinking, I stepped out of line and hurried after her, grabbing her elbow gently but firmly, pulling her aside.

"What the—" she began, startled, before her eyes widened in recognition. "Valentina," she breathed, her tone both surprised and hesitant.

I let go of her arm, the weight of my unanswered questions pressing down on me. My brows furrowed, frustration flaring. "Where the hell have you been?" I demanded, my voice a mix of anger and confusion.

She sighed softly, running a hand through her hair in that familiar way, her eyes darting to the ground. "It's complicated," she muttered, as if that could explain everything.

Octavia stayed quiet for a few moments, staring down at her ice cream, then motioned for me to sit beside her on the curb. The weight of the moment hung between us as I settled next to her. She sighed deeply, her breath catching as if she didn't really want to say what was coming next.

"Look," she began, her voice low and hesitant. "I really had fun with you, Valentina, but... it just wasn't worth it."

My brows furrowed, confusion settling in. "What do you mean by that?" I asked, watching as she twirled the melting ice cream cone in her hands, not meeting my gaze.

She shook her head with a soft, bitter scoff. "I was basically threatened by this woman. Told to back off. I don't know you well enough to ignore something like that."

I stared at her in disbelief, trying to process what she was saying. "So you blocked me on everything, stood me up, and just stopped talking to me... because some woman allegedly threatened you?" My voice rose in frustration, the sting of her words cutting deep. Was I really not worth fighting for?

Octavia rolled her eyes, her frustration matching mine. "I was actually threatened, Valentina!" she threw up her arm, her face twisting in disbelief. "You can keep that woman because I'm not about to compete with her."

I blinked at her, caught off guard. "Who said anything about competing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, glancing at her as she took another lick of her ice cream, her eyes cold and distant.

"Trust me," she said quietly, the bite in her voice softened by a hint of resignation. "She made it very clear I was just a distraction... and that your heart isn't with me."

Before I could form a response, Octavia stood up abruptly, her eyes scanning the street as if already planning her escape. She took a small step back, giving me a tight-lipped smile. "Best of luck with everything," she said, her voice soft but distant. "And... good luck with that woman. She seems like a handful." With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me alone on the curb, my thoughts tangled and heavy.

I sat there for a moment, watching her retreat, trying to make sense of it all. So, Montgomery had really scared her away. But why? Especially when she already has someone—literally the nicest person ever. That woman should just stop messing with my head. The confusion and frustration swirled in my chest. If Octavia doesn't think I'm worth fighting for, then she's not worth my time either. I don't want to waste my energy chasing someone who's already given up.

With a sigh, I pulled myself off the curb and wandered back over to the ice cream truck. I could feel the weight of disappointment, but maybe ice cream would take the edge off—at least for a little while. It always did.

As I approached the truck, I was ready to order my usual Vanilla cone, but before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. "Black Cherry, please." Damn it. Of course, I'd end up ordering Montgomery's favorite flavor. Wasn't I supposed to be forgetting her, not indulging in things that reminded me of her?

The man handed me the cone, and I quickly paid, gripping the cold treat like it might somehow soothe the storm of emotions in my chest.

With the ice cream cone in hand, I strolled over to my car, settling into the driver's seat. The first lick of the Black Cherry ice cream hit my tongue, and to my surprise, it was actually pretty good. A small smile tugged at my lips as I savored the flavor. Who would've thought Montgomery's taste in ice cream was this spot on? I took my time finishing it, knowing full well that trying to eat and drive was not my strong suit.

Last time I attempted that, I nearly caused an accident just trying to eat a sausage roll. In hindsight, maybe risking my life for pastry wasn't the best move, even if it did taste amazing. Since then, I've learned to save my snacks for when the car is parked.

Once the last bite of the cone disappeared, I wiped my hands, started the engine, and let the soft hum of the car settle around me. Before heading home, I queued up a playlist, the familiar beats filling the car. With the music guiding me, I pulled out of the parking spot and set off.

At home, a night of pure indulgence was waiting for me. Candy, soda, and the most exciting part—finally catching up on my favorite show Psych. It was the perfect remedy for a chaotic day, and I could already feel the anticipation buzzing as I thought about sinking into the couch.

✿

Wednesday;

The sun was already high, casting a warm glow over the campus as I whistled my way toward the fountain. Lea was easy to spot, lounging on the bench with her head tilted back, a cigarette dangling lazily between her lips. Her eyes were closed, soaking in the warmth, looking like she didn't have a care in the world.

As I approached, she cracked one eye open, her gaze meeting mine for a moment before she took the cigarette from her mouth. "You seem happy," she drawled, her voice relaxed before her eye closed again, the cigarette smoke curling upward in lazy spirals.

I dropped onto the bench beside her, mimicking her laid-back pose, letting out a long sigh. "Not really," I admitted, shaking my head with a small smile. "I'm just trying to force it, you know? Fake it till you make it."

Lea inhaled deeply, taking another drag before exhaling slowly. Her eyes stayed closed, but her voice had a curious edge to it. "What happened?" she asked, her tone soft but probing.

"I saw Octavia yesterday," I replied, the words lingering in the air. In an instant, Lea's casual demeanor vanished. She snapped upright, her eyes wide in disbelief, the cigarette nearly falling from her fingers.

"She's alive?" she blurted out, her voice louder now, filled with shock. I nodded, trying to keep the situation light, but the weight of yesterday's encounter still sat heavily on my chest.

I recounted the entire conversation with Octavia from the ice cream truck, detailing how she revealed that some woman had threatened her, causing her to disappear. Lea's face remained serious, her lips tightening around the cigarette as she listened closely. Every so often, she'd take a slow drag, the smoke swirling around us as I spoke.

"...And I just can't believe Montgomery would do something like that," I sighed, my frustration palpable as I leaned back on the bench. The weight of it all made my shoulders slump. Lea exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching it dissipate before she crushed the cigarette under her heel, flicking the butt into the trash can without missing.

"You need to talk to her," Lea said, her voice steady but with an edge of practicality. Her sharp eyes met mine, and she raised an eyebrow. "Ask her why she did it. Get some answers."

I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the bench, slinging my bag over my shoulder with more force than necessary. "Yeah, no thanks," I muttered, shaking my head. "I'm done with her."

Lea gave me a knowing look but didn't push the subject further. I gave her a quick wave as I turned on my heel, heading toward Professor Vargas' lecture, eager to put Montgomery, Octavia, and all the drama behind me for now.

As I made my way toward the lecture hall, I felt someone fall into step beside me. A quick glance to my right revealed Prof. Vargas, striding alongside me with a radiant smile that practically lit up her face.

"Well, someone looks happy," I remarked, raising an eyebrow as I shifted my gaze back to the path ahead, though the corner of my lips twitched upward.

Prof. Vargas chuckled, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes!" she beamed, her energy infectious. "I'm going out for dinner tonight."

I gave her a puzzled look, my smile growing a little. "Dinner makes you this happy?"

She laughed again, the sound light and unreserved. "I haven't gone out for dinner in so damn long! Of course, I'm excited!" Her voice was filled with genuine joy as we approached the door to the lecture hall.

With a slight gesture, she motioned for me to enter first. I offered her a grateful smile and stepped inside. "Well, I hope you enjoy it," I said with a small nod, making my way to my usual seat as Prof. Vargas' laughter lingered in the air behind me.

Well, I'm glad she thinks her relationship is going strong. Or maybe she wants to believe it is. I wonder if she has any idea how Montgomery acts around me. No, if she's excited about dinner, then there's no way she knows.

It's such a shame, though. She believes everything's perfect, but then there's Montgomery, her girlfriend, who flirts with me and touches me like we're more than just colleagues. Should I tell Vargas? Would that even be the right thing to do? Morally, it feels like I should, but if we're being technical, nothing has really happened between Montgomery and me. We never kissed or crossed any clear boundaries—well, except for every other boundary we've quietly tiptoed around. Still, it's wrong. Definitely wrong.

"Alright, thank you everyone!" Prof. Vargas' voice broke through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I blinked, glancing around as the other students started packing up their things.

What the—? Did I seriously just zone out the entire lecture?

I hurriedly shoved my notebook into my bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I made for the door. Just as my hand touched the handle, Prof. Vargas' voice rang out behind me.

"Valentina, could you stay for a moment?"

I paused, turning around to see her leaning against her desk, arms crossed, her brows knitted together in mild concern. She unfolded her arms and rested her hands on the edge of the desk, her gaze soft but curious. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice more gentle than usual.

I plastered on a small smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Why do you ask?"

She tilted her head slightly, pushing herself off the desk and turning to shuffle some papers around. "You seemed distracted during the lecture," she said nonchalantly, though I could hear the underlying concern in her voice.

So she had noticed.

I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of everything pressing on me. "Sorry about that," I murmured, my gaze dropping to the floor.

Vargas turned back to face me, a chuckle escaping her as she waved it off. "It's fine," she said with a lightness in her tone. "Everyone has those days." She gathered a small stack of papers and handed them to me. "Here, these are the notes from today. You can go over them when you have time."

I took the papers from her with a grateful smile, carefully slipping them into my bag, making sure not to crumple the edges. "Thank you, Professor," I said as I adjusted the strap over my shoulder, ready to leave.

Vargas nodded but stepped closer, her expression softening. "It's no problem," she murmured, her voice gentler now. "But, Valentina," she paused, her eyes locking onto mine, "if you ever want to talk, I'm here." She shifted her weight slightly, her tone earnest. "I'm not one to judge. I'll just listen."

Her offer lingered in the air between us, and for a moment, I felt a wave of warmth. "I'll keep that in mind," I replied, offering her a small, sincere smile. "Thank you."

She returned the smile, and there was something almost comforting about the way she looked at me. With that, I turned and walked out of the classroom, the door closing quietly behind me.

As I made my way down the hall, her kindness gnawed at me. Vargas was so damn sweet, so genuine, and it only made the guilt about what was going on with Montgomery that much heavier.

I shook off my thoughts, refocusing as I headed toward the fountain. Lea usually finished her lecture around this time, though I was too lazy to check for sure.

When I reached the fountain, it was empty. No Lea. With a sigh, I turned on my heel and decided to make use of the hour between lectures by heading to the library. I wasn't thrilled about it, but I figured I could get a bit of studying done.

Once inside, the usual quiet hum of the library filled the air. I scanned the rows of tables, searching for a free spot. That's when my gaze landed on Montgomery and Victoria. They were sitting close together, leaning in and whispering to each other, occasionally glancing at nearby students.

Their eyes darted around the room, and every time they pointed at someone, they exchanged another hushed remark, a smirk here and there. It was as if they were judging every student that crossed their line of sight. Why does it look like they're gossiping about everyone? I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Of course, Montgomery would be doing something like this.

They hadn't noticed me yet, thankfully, as I made sure to sit out of their line of sight. From my hidden corner of the library, I could still observe Montgomery and Victoria without drawing attention.

With a soft sigh, I pulled out the textbooks I needed to study, setting them on the table in front of me. I wasn't in the mood for this, but skipping study time wasn't an option. I had a lecture with Montgomery next—Lab Skills—and although she hadn't given us a quiz in a while, I didn't want to take any chances.

I thumbed through my book absentmindedly, not fully absorbing the material. Realizing I needed more information for my research, I stood up and headed toward the reference section. Just as I turned, I collided with someone.

"Watch it!" they hissed, startling me.

I glanced up, my heart skipping a beat. It was Victoria, glaring at me with a sharpness that could cut glass. Why do I always bump into people at the worst times?

"I'm so sorry!" I blurted, trying to keep my voice calm.

Victoria studied me for a second, her expression softening just a touch as recognition flickered in her eyes. "Aren't you the TA? Valentina, right?" she asked, raising a brow.

Montgomery talks about me? Now I'm curious. What does she say about me? I cleared my throat. "Uh, yes ma'am," I nodded, feeling a bit awkward. "But I'm not her TA anymore."

Victoria tilted her head, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Why not?"

"I quit," I shrugged, trying to keep my voice neutral. I didn't want to get into it, especially not with someone I didn't know.

Her lips curled in what looked like disappointment or maybe disgust. "What a waste," she muttered, giving me one last look before brushing past me with a sharp shoulder, making her way toward the exit.

I stood there, stunned for a moment. What just happened? I turned back to glance at the table where she and Montgomery had been sitting, only to find it empty. When did Montgomery leave?

"Looking for someone?" A voice came from behind me, low and teasing.

I jumped, letting out a soft squeal before spinning around. There, leaning casually against the bookshelf, was Montgomery. She stood with one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, a smirk dancing across her lips.

Montgomery wore a silk blouse, the top two buttons undone, offering just a hint of what lay beneath—though, thanks to my height, I couldn't quite see. Her hair was pulled into a low, messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. Light makeup enhanced her features, so subtle that you might not even notice unless you were really paying attention. And, honestly, it was hard not to pay attention. She looked breathtaking.

Her smirk deepened as she caught me staring. "Careful, sweetheart," she purred, her voice dripping with amusement. "Keep looking at me like that, and I might start thinking you want more than just my... teaching."

My throat went dry, and I quickly cleared it, forcing my gaze away from her. I needed to stay focused. I had work to do, and I couldn't let her distract me like this. Without another glance in her direction, I walked past her, heading for the bookshelves to find the text I needed for my research.

I could feel her eyes lingering on me for a few more moments before she finally pushed herself off the shelf and made her way out of the library, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

Thank fuck she didn't try to talk to me more. That would've made things so much more complicated. Now, at least, I could focus on my studying before I had to head to her lecture.