Between the desks

Chapter 45

Amren's POV

The next day, I woke up with a throbbing headache that felt like a marching band was playing inside my skull. What a wild night it had been. The memories of the wedding flooded my mind in bits and pieces—dancing, laughter, and that moment in the bathroom with Professor Olsen. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow, but the memories lingered like an unwelcome guest.

The conversation with her haunted me. I had been harsh, unkind even. What had come over me? I felt a wave of shame wash over me as I recalled the look in her eyes, a mixture of confusion and hurt. She didn't deserve that. I knew I needed to apologize, but the thought of facing her again made my stomach twist into knots.

I tried to push the memory away, focusing on the present instead. As I turned over in bed, my heart skipped a beat when I realized Jess wasn't beside me. A rush of anxiety surged through me. I quickly grabbed my phone from the bedside table, hoping for a message from her. I found one—my heart sank as I read it:

"I had to leave early for work. See you tonight!"

It felt cold and impersonal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it hinted at something deeper. Why hadn't she told me before? I felt a pang of disappointment mixed with anxiety. The hangover was already suffocating me, adding a weight to my chest that made it hard to breathe.

I reluctantly swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, the world spinning slightly as I steadied myself. I shuffled to the kitchen, trying to ignore the ache in my bones and the relentless pulsing in my head. As I walked through the living room, I noticed Lily sprawled out on the couch, her hair a wild halo around her head. She was still in her clothes from the night before, looking like a tornado had hit her.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen. I popped a couple of aspirin into my mouth, chasing them down with the water, hoping it would help alleviate the pounding in my head. An idea suddenly struck me, and I stifled a laugh at the thought. I poured the remaining water in my cup over Lily's face, grinning at the impending chaos.

"What the hell?!" she shrieked, bolting upright, her eyes wide with shock.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, nearly doubled over as I watched her reaction. "I hate you!!!" she screamed, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief.

"I love you too!!" I shot back, my laughter bubbling over. Lily always had a grumpy demeanor in the mornings, and it was one of my favorite things about her. It was like a ritual.

As she groaned and scrubbed her face with her hands, I heard the shower running in the background. Lily always showered here after a long night, needing to wash off the remnants of whatever mischief we had gotten into. I moved back to the kitchen and started baking some eggs, hoping the smell would coax her into a better mood.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom, looking a little more awake and slightly less disheveled, I presented her with the steaming plate of eggs. "Here's your peace offering," I said, trying to sound innocent.

She took the plate with a forced smile, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "We're good again, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, taking a bite of the eggs. The tension of the morning dissipated a little, and I felt the familiar ease of our friendship returning.

"I'm going to do my homework for tutoring today, so I'll be busy," I stated, trying to sound serious.

Lily raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"I'm serious!" I pleaded, my tone defensive but playful.

"You should do it. I think Professor Olsen will kill you if you don't show up prepared." Lily said, her mouth full with eggs.

I chuckled at the thought. "I hope she wears that suit in class on Monday. She looked hot yesterday." The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I felt a flush creep up my cheeks.

Lily's eyes lit up with mischief, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You're imagining it, aren't you?" She chuckles.

"Maybe," I said, my mouth full of egg, trying to sound nonchalant but knowing my expression gave me away.

"Definitely," she laughed, nodding knowingly. I shot her a playful wink, and we both burst into laughter, the morning's earlier tension dissipating completely.

As we continued to eat, the familiar banter between us flowed easily, and I felt grateful for the moment. But still, the thought of Professor Olsen lingered in my mind— I couldn't shake the feeling that my interaction with her from last night needed resolution.

For now, I let Lily's laughter fill the space, pushing the complicated thoughts aside, at least for a little while longer.