Our Secret Love

Sixteen

Ashley awoke to the faint light of dawn spilling through her apartment windows, her heart heavy with the reality of the night before. Megan was still asleep beside her, her face serene and peaceful. Ashley reached out instinctively to brush a strand of hair from Megan's cheek, but her hand froze mid-air. What had she done?

Sliding out of bed carefully, Ashley wrapped herself in a robe and made her way to the kitchen. The scent of coffee soon filled the air, but it did little to calm her nerves. She stared out the window, gripping her mug tightly as the enormity of her decision sank in. She had promised Megan she would stay. She had crossed a line she never thought she would, and now, there was no going back.

"Good morning," came Megan's soft voice from behind her. Ashley turned to see Megan standing in the doorway, her oversized t-shirt falling loosely around her frame, her hair still tousled from sleep. She looked radiant, and Ashley's heart ached at the sight of her.

"Morning," Ashley replied, her voice strained. "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have in weeks," Megan said with a small smile as she stepped closer. "And you?"

Ashley hesitated. "Not really," she admitted. "I couldn't stop thinking."

Megan's expression faltered, and she reached out to touch Ashley's arm. "Thinking about us?"

Ashley nodded, setting her mug down. "Megan, I don't regret what we shared, but we need to be careful. This can't be reckless."

Megan's eyes searched Ashley's face, her voice steady. "I understand. I don't want to make things harder for you, Ashley. But I meant what I said last night—I'll do whatever it takes to protect us."

Ashley sighed, torn between her growing affection for Megan and the fear of what their relationship could cost. "It's not just about us, Megan. People talk. Administrators investigate. I could lose my job, my career...everything I've worked so hard for."

Megan's determination didn't waver. "Then we'll be careful. We'll keep this quiet until I graduate. It's not forever."

Ashley shook her head. "Secrets have a way of unraveling. One slip, and everything could come crashing down."

Megan stepped closer, her hand finding Ashley's. "I know this is scary, but isn't it worth it? What we have... it's real. I can feel it, and I know you can too."

Ashley's defenses crumbled as Megan's words resonated with the longing in her own heart. She squeezed Megan's hand, her voice barely a whisper. "It is real. That's what makes it so terrifying."

Megan smiled faintly and leaned her head against Ashley's shoulder. "Then let's be brave together."

Ashley wrapped an arm around Megan, holding her close as the sun climbed higher in the sky. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of happiness, even if it was fragile and uncertain.

Later That Day

Ashley sat at her desk in her office, her mind restless. She had a stack of papers to grade, but her thoughts were consumed by Megan. Every interaction they'd ever shared replayed in her mind, and she found herself questioning how she had let her guard down so completely.

A sharp knock at her door startled her. Ashley composed herself and called out, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Susan, a fellow professor and Ashley's closest confidante. Susan stepped inside, her brow furrowed. "You look like you haven't slept," she observed.

Ashley forced a smile. "Just a lot on my mind."

Susan closed the door and leaned against the desk. "Anything you want to talk about?"

Ashley hesitated, the weight of her secret pressing down on her. She trusted Susan, but this wasn't something she could share—not yet. "Just work stress," she said evasively. "You know how it is."

Susan studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Well, if you need to vent, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Susan," Ashley said, grateful for the out. As Susan left, Ashley exhaled deeply. The walls seemed to be closing in, and she realized how precarious her position had become.

Meanwhile, in Class

Megan sat in the lecture hall, her eyes fixed on Ashley as she spoke. Ashley's usual confidence seemed subdued, her gaze flickering nervously across the room. Megan's heart ached for her, knowing the burden Ashley was carrying.

After class, Megan lingered until the other students had filed out. She approached Ashley's desk cautiously.

"Hey," she said softly.

Ashley looked up, her eyes tired but warm. "Hey."

"I just wanted to say... I'm here for you. Whatever you're feeling, you don't have to go through it alone."

Ashley smiled faintly, her resolve strengthening in the face of Megan's unwavering support. "Thank you, Megan. That means more than you know."

As Megan left, Ashley watched her go, her heart torn between fear and hope. For now, they had a plan, however fragile it might be. But Ashley knew that secrets could only be kept for so long—and the clock was already ticking.