Between the desks

Chapter 27

A day later...

Elizabeth's POV

Flashback:
As I stood by my office window, gazing out at the bustling campus grounds below, my eyes landed on a familiar figure. It was the same girl I'd seen with Amren at the club. The one who had kissed her so boldly in front of everyone, as if the world didn't exist around them. I watched from a distance as she leaned in again, this time in the bright light of day, her lips meeting Amren's in that same intimate, unapologetic way. My chest tightened as I saw them share that quiet moment before they both slipped into the car with Lily. The scene played out so casually, yet the image of them together had been haunting me since that night—an unwelcome thought, circling in my mind, refusing to leave me in peace. I couldn't understand why it lingered so persistently, why it unsettled me so deeply, but there it was, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. 

End of flashback.

Today was going to be different. I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach as I prepared for class. I had Amren in my lecture again, but after today, I wouldn't see her for an entire week. This would be the last opportunity I had to set the tone before the break. It was crucial that I maintained my composure and established boundaries, and that thought weighed heavily on my mind.

I stared into my closet, scanning through the array of clothes hanging there. After a moment of deliberation, I reached for a dark green suit that I knew fit me perfectly. The fabric was smooth and slightly form-fitting, a subtle reminder of the authority I needed to project. Beneath it, I slipped on a tight white shirt that accentuated my figure without crossing the line into inappropriate. I needed these clothes to bolster my confidence; they were my armor.

I completed my look with a pair of black pumps that clicked against the hardwood floor as I walked. The sound was reassuring, a rhythmic reminder that I was in control. I couldn't afford to be seen as a bitch today, but the truth was that I had to maintain my distance. The emotional pull of Amren was a distraction I could no longer entertain.

As I hurried through breakfast, I grabbed a yogurt from the fridge, barely taking the time to enjoy it. The spoon clinked against the container as I rushed to finish, my mind racing through the day ahead. After tossing the empty container into the trash, I grabbed my bag and headed to my car. The drive to campus was the same every day, but today felt different—charged, almost electric, as I anticipated the class ahead.

When I arrived, I spotted Scarlet waiting for me at the café, her usual smile brightening the space around her. "Hey there! You look sharp," she remarked, gesturing for me to join her at a small table. I slid into the seat across from her, grateful for a moment of camaraderie before diving into my responsibilities.

"Thanks. I'm trying to set a different tone today," I confessed, my voice a mix of determination and apprehension. "I have Amren again, and I need to establish some boundaries. It's the last class before the break, so I want to make sure there's no confusion about my role."

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Okay, I'm listening. What's the plan?"

I took a sip of my coffee, its warmth a comfort against my nerves. "I've decided to be more authoritative in class. This way, I can clearly draw the line between my personal feelings and my professional responsibilities."

Her expression shifted, a hint of concern crossing her face. "Just be careful, okay? You don't want to alienate everyone. Not everyone is involved in your situation with Amren, and you shouldn't make it uncomfortable for them."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "I know, Scar, but I can't just treat Amren differently. I need to adopt a whole new way of teaching to protect myself, and it feels like I'm going to end up being that 'stern professor' everyone talks about."