Her Heart

Chapter 5

Carter's POV

"I expect all of you to have the essay finished by the end of the week." Her voice is loud and clear. I don't think I've ever seen her smile and we've been in school for about a week now.

Bre is sick today so it's just me. But it's okay because I've managed to not glance at the professor at all. My head has been down the entire time.

I have this class at different times throughout the week and today this is my last class before I get to go home.

I smile when the bell rings. I quickly grab my stuff and as I'm about to walk out the door she speaks.

"Ms.Woods stay behind for a second."

"Can't professor I have to do something." I leave the classroom before she can say anything else.

I can't let her get to me. She's just a woman that's it.

I don't get to walk far because before I can comprehend what's happening my back hits the wall and a whimper escapes my lips.

"Carter so good to see you." Cadence says as her boyfriend is smiling at me.

I groan, "What are you doing?"

"Oh I'm just gonna have my boyfriend here teach you a lesson."

I laugh, "Let me get this straight you didn't want to hit me so you brought your boyfriend to do the job?"

She nods proudly, "You're gonna learn not to insult me."

Is she crazy? She was the one that insulted me.

"Are you really gonna put your hand on a woman?" I ask the guy.

He shrugs, "You gotta learn a lesson rich kid."

I groan, "Fine bring it on."

Cadence steps back and I glance at the people around us. The boyfriend brings his hands up and throws a punch. I duck and move around his body but decide not to punch him.

"Listen we can just call it a day." I try to reason with him.

He doesn't listen and throws another punch and I dodge. This time I elbow his stomach, grab his face and punch him in the face.

A loud scream leaves him and I step back.

"What's going on here?" The Deans voice rings through the hall.

"Carter hit my boyfriend." Cadence practically yells.

I open my mouth to object but the Dean brings his hand up, "Carter go get clean up and then come see me in my office." Great.

I nod and start walking away. I round the corner and then lean against the wall. I fish out my phone from my pocket and dial Mama's number. She answers on the second ring.

"Hey honey, everything alright?"

"Mama." I whisper.

"What's wrong Carter?" She asks immediately and I can hear how worried she is.

I sigh, "I got into a fight and now the Dean wants to see me."

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?

I shake my head even though she can't see, "No I'm fine. The guy isn't though."

"Did you start the fight?"

"No I tried to stop it too but he wouldn't listen."

"Then don't worry sweetie. Just go talk to the Dean and if it's anything serious I'll come in."

I smile, "Thank you Mama you're the best."

She laughs, "Stay out of trouble."

"One more thing." I say before she hangs up, "Don't tell mom."

"We both know I can't like to your mom but If she doesn't ask then I won't tell her."

That means she won't say anything so I laugh, "Alright, see you later."

I hang up and start heading towards the deans office. There's three chairs outside of the his office. A little girl is sitting on the far one and I sit by the one close to me and leave the middle seat empty.

I can't believe I'm in trouble. I didn't even know you could still get in trouble in college.

The little girl moving to the middle seat catches my attention. She looks to be around 2 or 3.

"Hi." She whispers.

I look at her and try not to frown, "I'm not trying to be rude but I don't get along with your species. I don't like you guys."

Her little eyes get bigger, "What does that mean?"

I turn my body a little towards her, "You guys cry all day and night. I could never put up with that."

She frowns, "I don't cry."

I smile genuinely, "Are you lying?"

She shakes her little head, "Mommy says lying is bad."

"Good. Listen to your mom."

She smiles, "My name is Maya, what's yours?"

I reach my hand out and her little fingers wrap around two of my fingers, "Carter."

Maya giggles, "I like you."

I laugh, "Can't say the same thing."

The door to the deans office opening grabs my attention. I look away from Maya and am surprised to see professor Valdez.

"Ms.Woods, professor Valdez explained everything to me. We don't need to speak anymore."

My eyes widen, "What?"

"Everything happened in front of my classroom so I saw everything and told the dean how you were just protecting yourself."

My mouth slightly falls open. The dean just simply smiles at us and goes back into his office.

"Maya, honey ready to go?"

The child nods her head and gets up, "Nice meeting you carter."

I stand there for a second with my mouth open even wider now. This child is her daughter?

I look at professor Valdez and she tilts her head slightly, "You've already met my daughter?"

I'm so shocked that I can't even answer her. I immediately look down to her left hand and I don't see a wedding ring. Maybe a boyfriend?

She clears her throat and I snap out of my thoughts, "Umm yeah I met your offspring."

She chuckles and I feel my heart do this weird thing. For the first time ever the rhythm of my heart isn't the same.

"Well okay then. We're gonna get going."

I nod and the child grabs her hand and they start walking. I take a deep breath and start walking behind them. I run a hand over my heart and clutch my shirt slightly.

Why am I feeling like this? I'm never the type to feel jealous but her having a daughter means she probably has someone waiting for her at home.

I frown and walk outside. I can still see them, they're not parked too far from my car. I watch her grab her child and put her in her seat.

She looks back and we make eye contact. I immediately look away and go towards my car. I get in and take a deep breath. I feel like I can't breathe.

I hit the steering wheel. Damn this woman. It would be so much better if she remembered who I was.

I need to get laid. That's gonna keep her off of my mind.