My Teacher and I

Chapter Seventeen

As I slowly came to consciousness, I felt the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. The events of last night swirled in my mind, making my head feel a little foggy. I shifted slightly, trying to stretch out my limbs, but then I realized there was something else in my bed.

Toby!

In my groggy state, I turned my head and saw him sprawled across my bed, his messy hair covering his face. A mischievous grin spread across my lips as an idea popped into my head. I lifted my foot and playfully kicked him off the bed.

"Ahh! What the—?" he exclaimed, tumbling to the floor with a thud.

I burst into laughter at the sight of him sitting on the floor, rubbing his eyes and looking completely disoriented. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" I teased, leaning over to get a better look at him.

"Not cool, man!" Toby groaned, feigning annoyance as he pushed himself up. "I was having the best dream about winning the lottery. You just ruined it!"

"Maybe next time you'll remember to sleep on the floor instead of my bed," I shot back, still chuckling.

Toby shook his head, trying to muster a serious expression but failing miserably. "Fine, fine. But seriously, what time is it? We can't be late for our plans today!"

I glanced at the clock on my nightstand and groaned. "Ugh, it's already past eight. We should've been up an hour ago!"

I quickly threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, a wave of determination washing over me. "Let's get moving!"

"Okay, okay, I'm up!" Toby said, finally finding his feet. "What's the plan for today anyway? Are we doing more sightseeing or what?"

"Actually, I think we have a tour of some historical sites planned with Mr. Harris and Ms. Davies. Should be interesting," I replied, trying to keep my tone light even though the mention of Mathew sent a flutter of anxiety through me.

"Awesome! I'm down for some history, as long as there's food involved," Toby said, rummaging through his bag for a clean shirt.

As I rushed to get dressed, I couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty from last night. I still felt hurt from the conversation with Mathew, and now I had to face him in a professional setting. The prospect made my stomach churn.

"Hey, you good?" Toby asked, noticing my distracted demeanor as I pulled on my clothes.

"Yeah, just a little tired," I replied, forcing a smile. "I think I might have overdone it with the vodka last night."

"Ah, that'll do it. Just don't think too much about Mr. Harris. Enjoy the sights, man! You've got this!" he said, giving me a reassuring clap on the shoulder.

"Right. Just enjoy the sights," I echoed, trying to convince myself.

After a few more minutes of hurried preparation, we finally made our way out of the room. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to focus on the day ahead. I was in Athens, and I had a chance to explore and create memories with my friends—no matter how complicated my feelings for Mathew were.

As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a little thrill of excitement. Maybe today would be the day I could put my worries aside and just be in the moment. After all, this was an experience I didn't want to miss. As Toby and I made our way downstairs, I could hear the buzz of conversation coming from the lobby. The moment we stepped into the spacious area, I spotted the rest of our class gathered near the entrance, including Mr. Harris and Ms. Davies.

"Look who finally decided to join us!" Ms. Davies called out with a playful smile, her hands on her hips. "We were starting to think you'd sleep the day away."

"Yeah, well, some of us had a wild night," Toby joked, nudging me with his elbow, and I shot him a warning glance. I wasn't in the mood for more embarrassment today.

Mathew—Mr. Harris—was standing slightly off to the side, and our eyes met for a fleeting moment. I felt my heart race as I remembered last night and everything that had happened. His expression was unreadable, a mix of professionalism and something else I couldn't quite pin down.

"Glad you're both here," he said, maintaining that authoritative tone. "We'll be heading out shortly to visit the Acropolis, so let's gather everyone together."

I nodded, trying to appear nonchalant, but inside, I was a bundle of nerves. My classmates were mingling and chatting, some already discussing what they were most excited to see. I forced myself to focus on them instead of Mathew, who was now giving instructions to the group.

"Okay, everyone, remember to stick together and be mindful of the time," Mathew said, his voice firm yet reassuring. "We have a lot to cover today, and I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience as much as possible."

Toby, ever the jokester, leaned closer and whispered, "You know, I think he's trying to impress you with all this knowledge. Classic teacher move."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Yeah, well, he's got a funny way of showing it," I murmured back, still feeling the sting of last night's words.

As we waited for the last few students to arrive, I felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation building within me. The rest of the class was all in good spirits, and I wanted to be part of that. Maybe today was an opportunity to just enjoy the sights and share some laughs with friends, leaving my complicated feelings aside—at least for now.

Finally, with everyone gathered, Mathew motioned for us to follow him outside. "Let's make our way to the bus. It's a short ride to the Acropolis, and I promise it'll be worth it," he said, leading the way.

As I walked behind him, I couldn't help but notice the way he carried himself with confidence and authority. Deep down, I knew that despite the turmoil between us, he genuinely cared about the experience we were about to have. I took a deep breath, willing myself to push aside the hurt and just focus on the adventure ahead.

"Come on, Atticus!" Toby called out, breaking me from my thoughts. I quickened my pace to catch up, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store.