ECHOES OF FORBIDDEN LOVE | (ongoing and undergoing editing)

✤Chapter Sixteen✤

✭Laurent✭

AN: In this chapter, I added plenty of French words and phrases because I really want that part of Laurent's Background to stand out. Don't worry though, I've got all the translations waiting for you at the end.

FYI: Laurent curses a lot, so heads up!

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"The loud, annoying noises of my alarm pulled me out of a beautiful slumber."

I was dreaming about the most beautiful woman in the universe, but it was all gone now.

I was still thinking about my talk with George, who hadn't yet gone back to LA.

'What was she thinking about?' It bothered me more than I'd like to admit. I continued my daily routine, skipping breakfast...partly because I can't cook, partly because I'm too lazy to learn, and partly because I have nothing in my apartment that could even be called food.

Sitting in the university café, sipping my coffee, my phone buzzed with a notification.

'You have an upcoming meeting with Professor McAllister.'

My heart skipped.

Putain, I cursed, realizing I'd just poured half my coffee on myself. The irony didn't escape me, especially considering our awkward conversation yesterday.

This was my chance to clear the air with her...or so I hoped.

I stood up awkwardly, trying to hide the coffee stain spreading across my clothes...all because I'd been distracted by a notification from my professor, who, incidentally, I'd had a rather heated dream about last night.

Merde, it was seriously embarrassing. I had no clue how to clean this mess, and going home to fix it wasn't an option since my first class was starting in just a few minutes.

"Comment je vais faire ça? Putain, c'est vraiment embarrassant," I muttered, feeling the frustration building as I looked down at the spreading stain.

Hey, Laurent hi, how you doing...Elijah squinted, looking me up and down. "Man, I've never seen you like this. Did something blow up on you?"

I forced a laugh, but it sounded tense. "More like I blew up on myself," I muttered, glancing down at the coffee stain darkening my Shirt.

Sigh... "Hey, Elijah, what are you doing here?" I asked, feeling a bit foolish for even asking.

"Well...I happen to be a student here, so..." he replied with a smirk.

Where did he come from? And why did he always seem to find me in the most awkward and uncomfortable moments? Actually, he was more useful to me at this moment than anyone else could be. Being part of the campus hockey team meant he might have a clean change of clothes with him, and I desperately needed that right now.

"Huff...can I ask you a favor?" I said as I looked at him hopefully.

"Yeah, sure what is it?"

"Do you have some spare clothes"

Elijah chuckled, reaching into his backpack. "Lucky for you, I brought a spare jersey. 

Taking the shirt, I sighed. "I owe you one, man." 

Elijah smirked, shaking his head. "You? Owe me? This is a first!" He clapped  me on the back, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Tell you what, you can repay me by actually coming to a hockey game for once."

I rolled rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile. "Fine, fine. Just don't make me wear your jersey."

"Hey, it's better than wearing half a cup of coffee!" Elijah laughed, giving me a once-over.