Between the desks

Chapter 14

Amren's POV

I gave Lily a quick goodbye hug, feeling her familiar warmth as we parted ways. "See you tomorrow, okay?" I told her, reminding myself of the mountain of studying I had to do for Friday's exam.

"Of course, babe!" she replied with a playful grin, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before we both headed in opposite directions.

I turned back and made my way toward the library. It was nearing 5 p.m., and most of the classes had already let out for the day, leaving the campus eerily quiet. I welcomed the solitude as I walked through the halls, feeling the familiar comfort of knowing the library would be empty at this hour.

As I stepped inside, the silence wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Not a single soul in sight—I had the entire place to myself. My own little kingdom of books.

I headed straight to my favorite spot, a large, imposing table right in the middle of the bookcases. It was an old, robust table, the kind that made you feel like you were in a scene from a dark academia novel. Heavy, vintage lamps hung from above, casting a soft, golden glow that was just dim enough to feel cozy but still bright enough to read comfortably.

I sank into the chair and set up my space, pulling out my AirPods and letting calming music flow into my ears. My laptop whirred to life, and I cracked open my notes, the weight of the upcoming exam pressing in on me. But before I could dive in, I realized I needed a few books. I wandered through the labyrinth of shelves, fingertips trailing along the spines as I searched for the right ones.

Once I had what I needed, I returned to my spot and got to work, the outside world fading into the background. Time slipped through my fingers, and before I knew it, I glanced at my phone—7:30 p.m. already. Damn, girl! I thought, impressed by my own focus.

Feeling unusually inspired, I stretched my arms over my head, letting out a content sigh. That's when I caught a flicker of movement from the corner of my eye. I glanced up and saw her—Professor Olsen. She hadn't noticed me yet, her attention absorbed by the book she was flipping through. I froze for a moment, my gaze lingering on her as she stood there, her hair slightly messier than it had been this morning.

I quickly shifted my eyes back to my work, trying to focus again. But curiosity got the better of me, and after a few minutes, I looked up once more. This time, she was deep into the pages of the book, her brows furrowed in concentration.

Quietly, I slipped out my AirPods and closed one of my books with a soft thud. Clearing my throat, I broke the silence. She looked up, and a smile slowly crept across her face when our eyes met.

"Amren, I didn't see you there," she said warmly, her usual authority softened in the quiet of the library.

"Sorry if I startled you, Professor," I apologized quickly, feeling a bit flustered.

"Oh, not at all!" she waved off my apology with a casual gesture, her smile lingering.

"Are you studying for the upcoming assessment?" she asked, her voice much calmer, almost gentle, lacking the formality she usually carried in class. In that moment, she seemed less like a professor and more like... just a person.

"Yeah, among other things," I grinned back. "I've got another test coming up this Friday," I added, trying to keep my voice steady despite the strange knot forming in my stomach.

"If you need any help with the assessment, you know you can always send me an email, right?" She looked at me with an unexpected softness, her tone filled with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I know. Thank you, Professor," I nodded, appreciating her offer but not sure if I could handle the intensity of her presence for much longer.

A brief silence settled between us, the kind that felt oddly comfortable. Then she broke it again, her voice softer this time. "Mind if I sit here, or would you rather be alone?"

"Oh, you can sit," I said, smiling as I motioned to the chair across from me. "Suit yourself."

She gave a small nod of thanks and settled into the chair, flipping open her book again. The dim lighting of the library created an almost intimate atmosphere, making the space feel smaller, more personal. I could feel her presence on the other side of the table, but I forced myself to focus on my work.

I gathered my hair into a messy bun, taking a deep breath. Focus, Amren. Don't let this throw you off.

But deep down, I knew it wasn't just nerves about the exam that had my heart racing.