It comes and goes

six

Camila's POV

The morning after was as awkward as any one night stand that lasts until breakfast. Luckily, the guy put on his clothes and left my apartment as soon as we both woke up to my alarm. My head hurt and my mouth was dry as the desert. I took a shower to get the hangover and post sex feeling out of my body.

That was not my first night stand, I had no problem with casual sex as long as I felt the man was not a predator or a potential killer and so far my gut had not failed me.

After the shower, I sat on my kitchen counter with a bowl of cereal on my hands. My mind was still so confused and foggy thinking about all the things that happened yesterdar. My God, I rode an ambulance with my professor in it yesterday, his son accused me of sleeping with him and then I got wasted and had sex with a stranger. I clearly didn't have the best coping mechanisms.

I checked my phone and besides Mandy's text to check on me, I had a few from Shawn.

[S: I'm really begging for your forgiveness and some of your time to explain myself. Please]

[S: I know I can't ask you for anything but my dad's worried about his classes and wants to talk to you. He would kill me if he knew what I said to you, please don't blame him and help him out, he loves teaching]

[S: Please Camila]

I didn't know if to believe or not that Mr. Mendes knew nothing about it, but the more I thought of it, the more it made sense he actually didn't. I knew him more than I knew the idiot he had as a son and I knew his character. He's never been anything but respectful, honest and nice to me and to all his students. That was why everyone liked him and wanted to be in his class.

Ok, maybe Shawn was being honest about that part. That didn't mean I wasn't mad as hell about all the rest he had pulled out.

[C: I'm only talking to my professor. When can I see him?]

The reply came quicker than I thought.

[S: Visits are form 9 am to 6 pm, you can come whenever you want]

It was 8:30 so I still had time to get ready and wrapped my head around everything.

The moment I put a feet in the hospital my stomach squeezed. What happened here yesterday was the worst rollercoaster I've experienced so far. It felt like a slap on my face for being so naive. I followed the instructions to get to Mr. Mendes' room and took a deep breath before knocking and opening the door.

"Hi", I said when I saw my teacher laying in bed with a hospital robe and tubes connected to both his wrists. There were machines checking on his vitals on each side of the bed. My eyes opened when I took in the scene in front of me. I never thought I was going to find him in this state.

"Hello, Camila", he said with some difficulty. He looked pale and weak. I never before had seen him like that.

"How... are you?", I asked carefully.

"I'll let you talk", Shawn said suddenly, standing up from an armchair in the corner of the room. In the middle of my shock, I hadn't even noticed he was there.

I took a step closer to Mr. Mendes and his son walked past me and closed the door when he was outside.

"I'm... uh. I have cancer", he said with a defeated smile. "Someone told me you came with me on the ambulance".

"I did", I said and took a seat next to his bed.

"I'm so sorry you had to do that and see me like that, but thank you so much", he said with the same kind eyes that I had always known.

"Don't worry at all. Are you... going to get better?", I asked cautiously.

He took a deep breath before giving me an answer.

"I'll have to recover from surgery first and then have some chemotherapy sessions", he explained and my heart broke.

I didn't know what to say, I was lost for words. I didn't understand why this could happen to such good people all the time. He looked just fine a few days ago.

"It's ok", he said when he saw my eyes. "That's not what I called you here. I need to ask you a favor".

"Of course", I said quickly, brushing the tears that were threatening to fall. "What do you need?"

"I obviously won't be able to dictate classes in a while, so before I announce this to the college board, I wanted to ask... will you be willing to work as my substitute?"

I was perfectly still for a few seconds trying to take in his words. He wanted me to teach his classes? Me?

"What?...", I whispered. "I mean. I don't know if I can do that".

"You're almost a master graduate and I've showed you everything you need to know to do as good as me in class. I know you will do a terrific job. Please think about it".

"What about the board... will they be ok with that?", I asked still too confused.

"You'll be my only recommendation and I let them know you're the best candidate. They'll accept, trust me".

"I don't know what to say..."

"Think about it, please. I have to inform them about all this on Monday so please let me know what you decide by then".

I nodded trying to understand everything. He had cancer. My professor was sick and he wanted me to teach his classes. To college kids. Teach. Not tutor. Oh God.

He gave me words of encouragement to convince me to take his place but I noticed how every new word that left his mouth came out slower and his voice sounded huskier. Talking was exhausting him and I knew he should be resting, so I assured him I was going to give him an answer in due time and said goodbye.

I didn't have any expectations to what had happened to him that made him go unconscious to the hospital. Things have gone south while I was waiting for updates yesterday, so I forgot about it a bit, but this was by far worse than anything I could have ever imagined. My heart was broken and my brain was still trying to process everything.

I closed the door behind me and rested my back on it for a few seconds. Both my hands were in my chest and I was looking at nothing in particular on the floor. I was just... in shock.

"Camila?", a voice said on the distance. "Camila".

"No", I said standing firmly on my feet when I recognize the voice. "I have nothing to talk to you. You're an idiot".

"Please let me explain and apologize", he said.

"I only came here to talk to him", I said pointing at the room. "I had nothing to say to you".

"I owe you an apology, please listen to me".

"I don't wanna hear anything from you", I said raising my voice even though I didn't intend to do it.

"Everything ok here?", I male voice said behind me.

"Yeah", Shawn and I said slowly, holding each other's gaze. I turned around slowly to face the person who had ask.

Shit.

"Camila?", he asked incredulous.

"Christian", I said wanting to run away.

"What are you doing here?"

"Uh... visiting a friend", I told him. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here", he said holding the white robe he had on and showing me his name with the word 'Dr' in front of it.

"Oh... that's amazing", I said because I didn't know what else to say.

Shawn cough behind me and I turned back to him.

"Goodbye, Shawn", I told him.

"Are you leaving already?", Christian asked.

"Yes. I have to go. Nice to see you again".

I walked down the hall leaving the two guys behind me and not looking back. That was awkward in so many levels. Not to mention the situation before that was overwhelming enough. I needed to be alone.