Lessons In Butterflies ｡ ｡ ｡ (StudentxTeacher Romance)

Chapter 43: Go To Sleep, Sweetheart.

Shella's POV:

I groaned as my phone buzzed obnoxiously on the nightstand, jolting me out of a peaceful dream. I squinted at the clock—2:14 AM. 

Who on earth was calling me at this hour?

"Piss off," I muttered groggily, fumbling for the phone. My heart sank a little when I saw the screen light up. It wasn't Dani or Juliet. It wasn't even Theo or Leo pulling some kind of late-night prank.

It was him.

Suddenly, I was wide awake. My heart thudded in my chest as I sat up, gripping the phone tightly. 

Why was Mr. Caldwell calling me?

I hesitated for a moment before sliding my finger across the screen. "Hello?" I whispered, voice still thick with sleep.

"Sweetheart," his voice came through, low and warm. It sent a shiver down my spine. "Did I wake you?"

I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake the grogginess. "Obviously," I teased softly, but the corners of my mouth tugged upward despite myself. "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

There was a pause on the other end, just long enough for me to start worrying.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," he finally admitted, his voice dropping even lower.

I blinked, heat rushing to my cheeks. "Oh."

Oh? That's the best you've got, Shella?

"I'm sorry," he continued, sounding almost sheepish now. "I shouldn't have called. It's late."

"No!" I blurted out, clutching the phone like it might disappear. "I mean, it's okay. I don't mind."

He chuckled softly, and I could practically hear the smile in his voice. "You're not mad?"

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "No. I'm just... surprised, I guess."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn't awkward, though. It felt warm, comfortable, like we didn't need words.

"What were you dreaming about?" he asked suddenly.

I let out a small laugh, leaning back against my pillow. "I don't even remember. You kind of ruined it."

"Oh, I see," he teased. "I'm the bad guy now."

"Always," I shot back, grinning despite the hour.

He laughed, the sound deep and genuine, and my heart did a little flip. How was it possible for someone's voice to make me feel so... giddy?

"You should get some sleep," he said after a while, his tone softening. "You have school tomorrow."

"Yeah," I murmured, already dreading the thought of waking up again.

"I'll let you go, then." He paused, and I could hear him take a deep breath. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Goodnight," I whispered, a smile still tugging at my lips as the call ended.

I set my phone back on the nightstand, staring up at the ceiling. My heart was still racing, and I knew it would be a long time before I fell back asleep.

__

I tried to go to sleep—I really did. I curled up under my blankets, counted sheep, and even hummed a stupid lullaby under my breath. But none of it worked. My brain refused to shut off, replaying his voice over and over like it was on loop.

I groaned, flipping onto my side for the hundredth time. Why did he have to call me? Why did he have to say those things? Now, every time I closed my eyes, all I could think about was him.