Between the desks

Chapter 84

Amren's POV

The days spent at home recovering felt like they stretched into eternity. It had only been two weeks, but it might as well have been two years. I never thought I'd miss the chaos of college life—the rush of students, the lectures, the constant hum of activity. But here I was, practically itching to get back to it.

The past two weeks had been quiet, a little too quiet. Lily had come by every day, keeping me company and bringing food since I could barely manage with the cast on my arm. It was a kind of routine now—Lily making sure I didn't starve, while I sat helplessly in my living room, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. And then there was Lizzie—Professor Olsen. She came over whenever she could, which was practically every other day.

Those visits were the highlights of my week. We talked. We talked a lot. The kind of conversations that made time fly by, that peeled back layers of each other we hadn't shared before. We got to know each other in a way that felt deeper than anything I had experienced before. There was something about the way she made me feel, something I couldn't quite put into words. We didn't cross any lines beyond kissing—although, I'll admit, I wanted to. My cravings for her were undeniable, but we had agreed to take things slow. And somehow, that made the anticipation even sweeter, more intoxicating.

This wasn't going to be easy, though. But then again, when is anything worth it ever easy?

Today, however, was a big day. It was Monday, and I was finally able to go back to school. I couldn't deny the excitement bubbling inside me. I had a lecture today from Lizzie—Professor Olsen—and even though I had seen her just yesterday, the thought of seeing her in a professional setting again stirred something deep within me. I had missed her presence, her voice, her eyes... and, God, her lips. My mouth craved hers. My hands itched to touch her again, to feel her close.

Lily picked me up as planned, as she had been doing since my injury. As soon as I got in the car, she gave me a quick look, immediately sensing my mood. "You look way too happy for someone going back to school," she stated with a teasing grin.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I guess I am."

Lily shot me a sly smile, eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I know why. It's because you're going to see your beloved professor today, isn't it?" She chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction.

I tried to brush her off with an eye-roll. "One of the reasons," I said dryly, knowing full well that was the understatement of the year. My heart was practically racing at the thought of seeing Lizzie in her element, standing at the front of the lecture hall, commanding attention.

Lily sped towards campus as usual, her driving a perfect match for her energetic personality. I gazed out the window, watching the familiar suburban landscape blur past us. My thoughts drifted to Lizzie again, to how I would see her soon, and I felt a giddy rush of excitement that I hadn't felt in a long time.

When we pulled into the college parking lot, we lit up cigarettes—our usual pre-class ritual. As we stood there, enjoying the quiet buzz of campus before the day truly began, I spotted a familiar figure walking towards us. My stomach did a little flip.

It was Lizzie.

Dressed in a sharp black suit that hugged her in all the right ways, with just a hint of cleavage visible beneath her jacket. My eyes flicked there, then back up to her face. She was breathtaking, and seeing her like this—professional, composed, and undeniably sexy—made my heart race.

Lily noticed too. She nudged me playfully. "There she is, your professor," she teased, her voice light, but her eyes studying me. She had no idea just how accurate her teasing really was.

"Stop teasing," I muttered, feeling my cheeks flush. I still hadn't told Lily anything. Lizzie and I had agreed to keep whatever was happening between us private until we figured it out for ourselves. Lily had been teasing me ever since I got out of the hospital, but she didn't know the whole story. Not yet.

Lizzie approached us, her presence commanding as ever. She gave us a warm, confident smile, and my heart skipped a beat at how effortlessly she carried herself. "Good morning, ladies," she said, nodding at both of us, her tone professional yet soft.

"Good morning, Professor," Lily and I replied in unison. Lizzie stopped in front of us, her gaze lingering on me for just a moment longer than necessary.

"Amren, it's good to have you back," she said, her voice kind but laced with authority. The way she said it sent a shiver down my spine, heat pooling low in my stomach. There was something about the way she spoke to me in that tone—the balance of warmth and professionalism that made my knees feel weak.

"Thank you, Professor," I stammered, my words coming out a little too rushed, a little too eager. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I could see the amusement dancing in Lizzie's eyes. She liked this. She liked seeing me flustered.

"I'll see you in class," she said, her voice dipping lower, more intimate, though still within the bounds of professionalism. It was a voice meant just for me, and it set my nerves on fire.

"See you in class," Lily and I chorused again, and as Lizzie walked away, I caught her casting a quick glance back at me, her lips curling into a barely-there smile. God, she was so hot.

As Lizzie disappeared into the building, Lily turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, seriously, why is she being... nice? She's never nice. It's weird."

I shrugged, trying to hide my grin. "Maybe she's in a good mood," I said, as nonchalantly as I could manage.

Lily gave me a skeptical look but dropped the subject. "Let's go," she said, and we made our way inside.

But as we walked towards our class, my mind was already racing. How was I going to sit through Lizzie's lecture today without my thoughts betraying me? Without letting everyone see the fire that burned between us?

One thing was for sure—I couldn't wait to see her teach again.