The Phlebotomy Professor (Teacher x Student || Intersex)

37.

Sage:

The house was quiet during the weekend. There was no giggling like there usually was, no fighting over the syrup bottle, or laughing at keeping up with the kardashians. Claire stayed in her room, and so did Novalie. Brooke decided it was best to get a hotel for her and Anya for a few days until things calmed down. Anya was still shaken up from the night Austin hurt her mom, so she didn't want her to be around any yelling which was understandable.

No making love in the middle of the night like we usually did. It was dull, Novalie quiet and not eating full meals, but all of the snacks she scarfed down seemed to do it for her. Claire ate the dinner I made in silence, before going right back up to her room.

It was tense. I didn't know what to do, so I just watched and made sure Novalie ate something that wasn't filled with chocolate. Their mother didn't come back, but I knew Claire was keeping in contact with her from the hushed phone conversations I heard the last two nights and the constant clicking of her iPhone keyboard.

It was now Monday morning and I was getting ready for work, Novalie already dressed and sipping her coffee as she stared into space in the kitchen. Footsteps rushed downstairs and I watched as Claire grabbed her book bag while glaring at Novalie.

"You didn't wake me up for school." Claire hissed and Novalie let out a humorless chuckle before continuing to sip her coffee without answering the frustrated teenager. Claire scoffed and stormed out of the house before slamming the door shut.

"You ready to go?" I asked quietly as I grabbed my keys. She nodded and walked toward the door and I opened it for her before shutting it while praying that today went by smoothly.

Class wasn't too bad. Novalie didn't participate but it was expected since she was still upset. Instead, she vigorously wrote her notes and practice her labs as she's always done, but she had a cold stature to her. She wasn't the same smiley student, and I was the only one who knew why.

I watched as she wrote down the rest of her notes, still staring down at the notebook as she waited for me to finish my lecture. My eyes patrolled the rest of the classroom and I swallowed hard. The class finished and I watched as everyone left the classroom except for Novalie who waited for me by the door. She was staring down at the floor and I walked over before grabbing her bag like I always do.

"How about we go grab something to eat, hm? Just me and you. Anywhere you'd like." I breathed as I leaned in and kissed the side of her face. She looked up at me with sad eyes before nodding and I smiled before walking out with her by my side.

The ride to the restaurant was quiet, but I didn't want to push her into talking about it. I already knew this was going to be a tough one, but I know Novalie is strong and will get through this despite Claire's choices.

"She just texted me saying she's not going to be home later. She's going to be with that bitch." She suddenly hissed as I parked the car. I took her phone and ignored her protests as I shut it off and put it into the glove compartment.

"What the hell-"

"You need to relax, babe. Seriously. I think it's time you decide what to do to make yourself feel better. She's not coming home? Okay. Let her see for herself. She's old enough like you said, so come on. Let's enjoy the afternoon."

Novalie stared at me for a second before letting out a breath with a wobbly chin. She looked down at her hands before looking up at me with a pout as the tears started to well in her eyes.

"Even though I'm mad, I can't help but worry. What if she gets hurt? Or disappointed? What if it's not what it seems?" Novalie sniffed.

"There's nothing you can do about it, anymore. Claire is old enough to make certain decisions and handle certain lessons. You did everything that you could. I'm sure the woman knows how protective you are of Claire, so maybe she won't try anything."

"Fuck. This is harder than I thought. If she really loved us, how did she just let go so easily? Claire is here and I can barely let go even though she's pushing me away."

"You need to let her push you away. The sad reality is, she's a teenager and she's capable of making her own decisions. Time and time again she reminds you that you're not her mom. So show her that you aren't. Let go of that obligation now. You're nothing like her. I know that's why you're beating yourself up. But you're nothing like her. You're not abandoning anyone. Claire is pushing you away, not the other way around. So let it happen."

Novalie sniffed as she nodded, the tears streaming down her face as she looked up at me with sad, but relieved eyes. She didn't even have to tell me anything because I already knew she felt bad for wanting to let go of Claire. But she did everything she could to raise the young woman.

"Can we go home and order something?" She asked quietly and I nodded as I started the car.

"Anything in particular?" I asked as I handed her my phone to scroll through Uber eats. She sighed and shrugged and I started to drive home, when her phone chimed.

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She gave her my number because she wants to talk to me about letting Claire sleep over. The audacity. I'm not even going to answer."

"Don't. You're not obligated anymore, remember?"

"But..it's like Claire is so blind. I'm not your mother, she is, but yet she's calling me to ask to sleep over? Oh fucking please."

"Tell her to do whatever she wants. She won't know how to react." I responded causing Novalie to groan.

"But what if she takes that literally?"

"She's already doing it."

Her phone chimed again and this time it was from a random number. Novalie looked at me and I shrugged while staring briefly before focusing on the road again. I ended up having to pull over as a loud, maniacal laughter caused me to jump before looking at Novalie who was laughing with tears streaming down her face.

"What-"

"I can't do this anymore. I can't. I just.." Novalie ripped the car door open and stepped outside and stood on the concrete as she tried to calm her breathing as she sobbed. I grabbed the phone and read the text message before scoffing and getting out of the car to console her. She was sobbing so hard that it scared me, her arms hanging at her sides as I held her to my chest.

Hey it's Vic, your mom. Claire gave me your number because I wanted to ask if she can sleep over. She's having a great time with her little sisters who I really would love you to meet too. Please take it into consideration, I would love to speak with you over dinner. - V.