Lessons In Butterflies ｡ ｡ ｡ (StudentxTeacher Romance)

Chapter 49: Just a little Nervous.

Mr. Caldwell's POV:

Break time.

I sat at my desk, staring at the chipped edge of my coffee mug like it held the answers to all the questions racing through my head. The staffroom was unusually quiet, save for the hum of the vending machine in the corner. I wasn't interested in coffee, snacks, or even the lunch I'd packed.

What I wanted was to see her.

Shella.

Ever since Ezra's little stunt—his smug grin as he hinted at her being anything more than a student—it had been impossible to get her out of my head. I'd tried to act indifferent, to keep my cool, but I knew I'd failed. Ezra had seen right through me, and the thought infuriated me.

Now, sitting here, the urge to find her was unbearable. I needed to see her, talk to her—hell, just be in her orbit for a moment.

I stood abruptly, grabbing my jacket. The corridors were already bustling with students heading outside, their chatter bouncing off the walls. My eyes scanned the crowd, and then I saw her.

Shella.

She was walking down the hallway, her bag slung over one shoulder, her steps slow and deliberate. She looked distracted, her gaze fixed on the floor as if lost in thought. Something about her demeanor made my chest tighten.

Without thinking, I moved.

"Shella," I called out, but my voice was barely audible over the din. She didn't hear me.

I quickened my pace, weaving through clusters of students until I was practically jogging to catch up to her.

"Shella," I said again, louder this time.

She stopped, turning her head slightly, and our eyes met. For a moment, everything else faded.

"Mr. Caldwell?" she asked, her voice soft, almost uncertain.

Before I could respond, two figures slinked up beside her—Dani and Juliet.

"Hey, Shella!" Dani said, her tone light and teasing. Then her eyes darted between us, her brows raising slightly. "Oh... Mr. Caldwell."

Juliet wasn't far behind, a curious smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, this is... interesting."

Shella shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that made my pulse quicken.

"Uh, hi," she mumbled, glancing between her friends and me.

I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. "Shella, I just needed to ask if you've finalized the list of supplies for the trip. I wanted to double-check everything's in order."

It wasn't the smoothest excuse, but it was the best I could come up with on the spot.

"Oh, uh, yeah," she said, fumbling with the strap of her bag. "I think so. I can double-check tonight if you want."

"That would be helpful," I said, my tone a bit too formal. "Just let me know."

Dani and Juliet exchanged a look, and I didn't miss the way Juliet's smirk widened.

"Well, we'd better get going," Dani said, looping her arm through Shella's. "Come on, Shella. We've got important break-time business to attend to."

Juliet gave me a little wave as they turned to leave. "See you later, Mr. Caldwell."

I stood there, watching them walk away, my hands clenched at my sides.

Shella glanced back over her shoulder just once, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment before Dani pulled her along.