Between the desks

Chapter 10

Narrartive POV

The bell above the door chimed softly as Amren stepped into Free, the coffee shop buzzing with life. The warmth enveloped her, contrasting with the chill of the autumn air outside. She spotted Lily sitting at a corner table, her fiery red hair catching the light like a beacon.

"Hey, you!" Lily called out, waving her over. Amren felt a flicker of relief wash over her as she approached.

"Hey!" she replied, sliding into the chair across from her.

Lily leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, how did it go with Professor Olsen after class?"

Amren felt her stomach knot slightly at the question. The memory of their conversation lingered uncomfortably in her mind, like a ghost she couldn't shake. "It was... okay, I guess," she started, unsure how to articulate the mixed feelings swirling inside her. "She apologized for being harsh last time."

"Really?" Lily's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What did she say?"

Amren shrugged, trying to downplay the encounter. "Just that she overstepped. She seemed... genuine about it." The knot in her stomach tightened. She hadn't expected the professor to reach out, and part of her was still processing how much it affected her.

"Wow, that's surprising," Lily said, leaning in closer. "So, did you talk about anything else?"

"Not really," Amren replied, biting her lip. "It was brief. Just her trying to smooth things over. She said she wouldn't get mad again." The words felt heavier than they should have, resonating within her as if they carried more weight than just a simple apology.

Lily chuckled, breaking the tension. "So, no deep revelations or heart-to-hearts?"

"Nope, just an awkward chat," Amren said with a forced smile, but the knot in her stomach wouldn't loosen.

"Still, that's something! It sounds like she's trying to make things right," Lily remarked, taking a sip of her coffee.

Amren nodded, but the unease lingered. "Yeah, I guess. It just feels... strange, you know? She's my professor, and I don't want to cross any lines."

"Lines can be blurry sometimes," Lily teased, a grin spreading across her face. "You know you could handle it, right? Just be yourself."

Amren chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "I'm not sure if I could handle anything like that. I just want to focus on class and not make things weird."

"Fair enough," Lily said, her expression softening. "But you have to admit, it's kind of cool that she's willing to apologize. Not every professor would do that."

"Yeah," Amren agreed, her mind wandering back to the way Professor Olsen had looked at her, the sincerity in her voice. But with each thought, the knot in her stomach tightened further. "It's just... it made me think about how I might have misjudged her."

Lily reached across the table, giving Amren's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever happens, you're not alone in this. Just talk to me if it gets too much."

"Thanks, Lil," Amren replied, grateful for her friend's support.

As they continued to chat, Amren couldn't shake the feeling that her encounter with Professor Olsen had unsettled something within her. The knot in her stomach remained, a reminder of the complexities that lay ahead, but for now, she focused on Lily and the warmth of their friendship, hoping to push away the swirling thoughts that threatened to pull her under.

After her call with Scarlett, Elizabeth felt a rush of anticipation as she entered Free. The familiar hum of chatter mixed with the aroma of coffee grounded her, and she scanned the room for her friend. There, at a cozy table in the corner, Scarlett sat, her laptop open, papers strewn about, and a focus that screamed "busy teacher."

"Scar!" Elizabeth called out, weaving through the tables as she approached. Scarlett looked up, her face breaking into a wide smile.

"Liz! There you are!" she exclaimed, closing her laptop with a thud.

Elizabeth plopped down in the chair opposite her, feeling a mix of relief and nerves. "You won't believe it, but I actually spoke to an student after class."

Scarlett's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? How was it?"

Elizabeth took a breath, trying to convey her experience without letting her thoughts wander into territories she didn't want to explore. "She's cool, honestly. I had a moment of weakness, and I snapped at her during class last week. But after everyone left, I apologized, and she handled it like a champ. No hard feelings or anything, which was refreshing."

Scarlett leaned forward, her interest piqued. "So, no sparks flying between you two?"

Elizabeth laughed lightly, shaking her head. "No, not at all! It was purely professional, I promise."

As they chatted, Elizabeth's gaze drifted across the café and landed on Amren, who was seated with Lily at another table. Amren looked relaxed, her brown hair catching the soft light as she laughed at something Lily said. Without thinking, Elizabeth raised her hand and gave Amren a small wave.

Amren caught her eye, offering a shy smile and a wave in return. There was something almost tender in that moment, but Elizabeth quickly shook off any feelings that threatened to bubble to the surface. It felt awkward, a momentary lapse that she could easily brush aside.

"Did you just wave at her?" Scarlett asked, amusement dancing in her eyes. "That looked a bit awkward, Liz!"

"Yeah, I guess it was," Elizabeth admitted, a light chuckle escaping her lips. "But it's fine. Just trying to be friendly. It's important for a professor, right?"

Scarlett smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Sure, but it might complicate things if you're not careful. Have you ever thought about how being friendly could lead to... well, other feelings?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Nope! I'm not going there, Scar. I just want to keep my head clear and focus on teaching. Besides, you're the sports coach around here—what do you know about feelings?"

Scarlett laughed heartily. "Touché! But coaching has taught me a lot about dealing with personalities and conflicts. It's all about keeping things professional while still building rapport, right? Just don't let it become messy."

"Exactly," Elizabeth agreed, her thoughts drifting back to Amren. "But really, I'm not feeling anything romantic. Just my anxiety I think."

Scarlett nodded knowingly, her expression softening. "That makes sense. You're always so hard on yourself. Just take it one day at a time. And hey, if it ever gets too complicated, I'm right here to talk it through."

"I appreciate that, Scar," Elizabeth said, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. "But enough about my drama. How's your coaching going?"

Scarlett's face brightened. "It's going great! We just started training for the new season, and the team is looking strong. It's exhausting but fulfilling. I love pushing them to be their best. Plus, I think I'm finally getting through to a few of the more stubborn players."

Elizabeth laughed, imagining Scarlett's determined coaching style. "I bet you are! Just make sure they don't run you into the ground while you're at it."

Scarlett waved her hand dismissively, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Never! I thrive on this stuff. It's all part of the job, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Their conversation flowed easily, laughter punctuating the air as they shared stories about their students and the challenges of teaching. Yet, in the back of Elizabeth's mind, Amren lingered, a knot of uncertainty weaving itself into the fabric of her thoughts. Would she ever be able to keep that feeling at bay? Only time would tell.