Lessons In Butterflies ｡ ｡ ｡ (StudentxTeacher Romance)

Chapter 44: My Office. Now.

Shella's POV:

I sat in Mrs. Thompson's class, trying to focus on the shading in my portfolio. My pencil wavered as I brought it across the page, smudging a line I'd just drawn. Letting out a shaky breath, I rubbed at my temple with my free hand.

I felt awful. Guilty.

Yesterday had been... intense. I knew teasing him like that and then walking out had been cruel. But at the time, it felt like I had no other option. Now, though, the regret was gnawing at me.

I reached for my phone, carefully pulling it out from my bag under the desk. Tapping the screen, I stared at the empty notification panel. No reply.

Of course not.

I tucked my phone away and tried to focus on my work again, but my concentration was shot. My fingers trembled as I shaded another section of the drawing, my breath hitching. What if he was angry? What if I'd ruined things between us?

A lump settled in my throat as I stared at the message I'd sent this morning. Hey. Sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to mess with you like that. It had been hours, and I'd gotten nothing but silence in return.

Dani nudged me, her sharp elbow digging into my side.

"What's wrong with you? You've been acting weird all day," she whispered, leaning over her sketchpad.

"Yeah," Juliet chimed in from my other side. "You're like... distracted or something. Spill."

I stiffened. There was no way I was telling them about Mr. Caldwell. Not yet. Not ever, if I could help it.

"It's nothing," I mumbled, ducking my head as if focusing on my sketch would somehow make them drop it.

Dani gave me a skeptical look but didn't push. Instead, she flipped open her laptop and started tapping away at the keyboard.

A few moments later, she let out a squeal that made half the class turn to look at us.

"What?" Juliet asked, leaning over to see Dani's screen.

Dani grinned and spun the laptop around to face us. "Look!"

On the class homepage, a banner flashed across the top in bold letters: Year 13 Outdoor Excursion to Mt. Halloway.

"It's a hiking trip!" Dani practically shouted, her excitement bubbling over. "We're going to climb to the top, do all these activities, and then hike down and enjoy the scenery. It's going to be amazing!"

I stared at the screen, my stomach twisting into knots.

"Oh god," I muttered under my breath.

Juliet leaned closer, reading the details aloud. "Four days in the mountains. Hiking, team-building activities, and—oh my gosh—rock climbing?" She turned to me, her eyes wide. "This is going to be so fun!"

"Fun?" I repeated, my voice laced with dread. "You think hiking up a mountain, sweating for hours, and risking death is fun?"

Fun? For you, maybe. I'm not exactly the hiking-and-climbing type.

Dani rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic, Shella. It's not like we're climbing Everest."

"It might as well be," I grumbled, slumping back in my chair.

Dani laughed, nudging me again. "Come on, it'll be good for you. Fresh air, stunning views, maybe even a chance to spend some time with—"

"Don't," I interrupted quickly, cutting her off before she could finish that thought.