Between the desks

Chapter 83

Elizabeth's POV

The next morning, I woke up feeling lighter than I had in months. It was as if the world had shifted overnight—my room felt more vibrant, the colors around me seemed brighter, and even the air seemed easier to breathe. I was alive. Truly alive.

I stretched beneath the soft sheets, a smile creeping onto my face before I could stop it. I hadn't been able to fall asleep right away last night. My mind had been replaying every moment I shared with Amren—the feel of her lips against mine, the warmth of her hands on my skin. It was as if I could still feel the tingle she'd left behind, lingering in my core like an aftershock.

God, her lips. The way they had felt swollen and tender when we finally pulled away... I couldn't stop thinking about it. About her. And how alive she made me feel. I was thirty-five years old, but this feeling—this giddy, lovestruck happiness—made me feel like I was sixteen all over again.

With a surge of energy, I tossed off the covers and threw on some music, something upbeat and light, matching the joy that buzzed through me. I danced around my kitchen as I made toast, my body unable to stay still. Every little thing made me smile—burning the toast slightly, spilling some coffee—and none of it could dampen my mood.

By the time I'd finished eating, I felt like I was floating. I dressed quickly, humming along to the music as I applied makeup, unable to stop the grin that tugged at my lips. This energy—it was like something I hadn't felt in years.

Then I heard a car horn outside. It was Scar, waiting to pick me up for our regular coffee date before the madness of our day would begin. I practically skipped out of the house, throwing the door open with more enthusiasm than usual.

As I slid into the passenger seat, I beamed at her. "Good morning!" I sang, my voice so bright it almost sounded foreign.

Scar raised an eyebrow, her raspy morning voice amused. "Well, someone's in a good mood."

"Because I am!" I couldn't help it—I practically squealed with joy. It was bubbling up inside me, impossible to contain.

Scar chuckled softly, casting a quick glance at me as she pulled away from the curb. "Okay, spill it. What's got you so happy? Did you finally win the lottery? Or are you secretly a superhero now? Because this energy is something else."

My heart skipped a beat. This was the tricky part. I couldn't tell Scar the real reason behind my glow—at least, not the full story. My relationship with Amren, was... complicated. Forbidden, even. I needed to protect us, to protect her, from the inevitable judgment or worse that could come if people knew. But still, I wanted to share at least a part of my happiness with Scar. I needed to tell someone, even if I had to be vague.

"I met someone," I said, my voice softening as the words slipped out. Just saying it aloud made my stomach flutter all over again.

Scar's eyes widened, and a huge grin spread across her face. "Oh my God, really? That's amazing!" she exclaimed, giving me a playful nudge. "I'm so happy you've moved on from... well, you know." She didn't say Amren's name, but the unspoken history between us hung in the air for a moment.

I smiled, but guilt pricked at my chest. Moved on? The truth was, Amren was the very reason I was on cloud nine. She made me feel like this—giddy, euphoric. But Scar couldn't know that. No one could.

"Yeah, me too," I said, forcing my voice to sound as convincing as possible. I was walking a fine line between truth and lies, and it wasn't sitting well with me. But I had to protect us, even from my closest friend.

"So," Scar leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye, "tell me more. How's she? Or he?" She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, always loving a good romantic story.

"SHE is great," I emphasized with a smile, hoping to steer the conversation in a safer direction. "She makes me feel so... happy. Like, unbelievably happy." The words flowed easily because they were true, even if the details had to remain hidden.

Scar's eyes sparkled, and for a second, I thought I saw her eyes misting over. "Girl, finally!" she practically squealed, reaching over to give my hand a tight squeeze. "I am so, so happy for you, Liz. You deserve this. You really do." Her voice softened, and I could tell she meant every word.

The sincerity in her words warmed my heart, but there was a part of me that tightened with anxiety. What if she found out? What if she discovered that the person making me feel this way was not just any woman, but Amren—her student too? The thought gnawed at me, but I pushed it down, trying to focus on the happiness of the moment. For now, it didn't matter. For now, I was happy. We were happy.

"Thanks, Scar," I murmured, my heart full. She gave me one of her knowing looks, the kind that said she could see right through me, but she didn't push. Instead, she smiled and turned her attention back to the road.

"Well, I want all the juicy details later," she teased, her voice light and playful as we arrived at the café. "I'm already planning the wedding in my head."

I laughed, my chest tightening with a mix of joy and nerves. "One step at a time, Scar," I said, grinning as we both climbed out of the car and headed inside. But as we ordered our coffee and found a seat by the window, I couldn't shake the image of Amren from my mind—her smile, the softness of her lips, the way she made me feel more alive than I had in years.

For now, I was holding onto that feeling, cherishing every second of it. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this wasn't going to be easy. This thing between us—whatever it was—was complicated. Forbidden. But for now, I let myself enjoy the happiness.