Lessons In Butterflies ｡ ｡ ｡ (StudentxTeacher Romance)

Chapter 56: You're Mine to Fuck. Mine to Ruin

Elias's POV

The classroom hadn't changed.

Same creaky floors, same dusty corners, same pile of ungraded economic papers mocking me from the desk. But everything felt... wrong.

Or maybe it was just me that felt wrong.

I hadn't even finished unlocking the door before I heard the click-clack of heels and the overly sweet voice that haunted my mildest nightmares.

"Eli! You're back!"

I flinched. "It's Elias."

"Oh, you." Mrs Palmer fluttered her lashes as she leaned against the doorframe like we were starring in some off-brand teacher rom-com. "I was so worried. When I heard what happened on the trip, I nearly dropped my wine."

Of course she did.

"I'm fine," I muttered, already walking past her and flipping the lights on. I didn't care that I looked like hell. I felt like hell. I hadn't slept properly since we got back—just flashes of Shella slipping on ice, the echo of her voice, that unbearable silence in the glacier. And the moment I saw her in that hospital bed? God, I didn't know if I wanted to kiss her or break down.

She didn't get the hint.

"I mean, thank goodness you're okay. What would this place do without you?" She laughed like she was expecting me to laugh too. I didn't.

I dropped my bag at the desk and pulled out the register. "Is there something you needed?"

Her lips puckered like I'd personally offended her cappuccino. "Just checking in. And... you know... there's still that staff dinner next week. I thought you and I—"

"No," I said, sharper than I meant to. "I'm not going."

"Oh." Her tone soured instantly. "Right. Well. I'm sure Shella kept you company enough anyway."

That stopped me.

I looked up.

Her smile was still there—but it didn't reach her eyes. She knew. Or thought she did.

I didn't say anything.

She sniffed, adjusted her blouse like she needed a new excuse to stick around, and then finally turned to leave. "Well. Welcome back."

The door clicked shut behind her.

I sank down into my chair and scrubbed a hand down my face. My head was still pounding. My body still ached. And all I could think about was her. Her hand in mine. Her ridiculous snort-laugh. Her biting her lip when she was nervous.

I wanted to see her. Needed to.

But I also needed to pretend like nothing had happened.

Because if the wrong person found out?

I could lose everything.

__

Shella's POV

I wasn't ready.

Not for the hallway whispers.
Not for the way people looked at me like I'd been off having some kind of romantic ski holiday instead of, you know, surviving a freaking glacier collapse.

And I definitely wasn't ready for what was waiting near my locker.

"Shella!" Dani's voice cut through the noise, loud and chirpy and so fake I nearly choked on my gum. "Oh. My. God. Look who decided to come back to school!"