Eighteen With A Chalkboard

Chapter 23: Shocking news

Stepping into the beach house feels like surfacing from a stormy ocean. The muffled thump of music seeps through the walls, a low hum compared to the chaos outside. There's a certain stillness in here—just a few scattered groups chatting, laughing, holding those telltale red cups. I feel my shoulders relax, just a little. Less noise, fewer eyes.

Chris walks in beside me, scanning the room with his usual ease. He nods toward the clusters of people on the landing above. "Dang," I mutter with a grin, "how many people did Vienna invite?"

"Half the campus, apparently," Chris replies, chuckling. "Not like her dad's gonna care—this place is his, and he lets her throw these insane parties every month."

I nod, my stomach twisting at the sight of more faces in every direction. "Sounds like you know her well."

He shrugs. "Since elementary school. She's always been... a bit much."

"Right." I try to match his casual tone, but my voice wavers.

Suddenly, he straightens. "Speak of the devil." He points down a narrow hallway, where a girl in a sparkly top is draped over a tall guy with the easy swagger of someone who's used to being admired. "Vienna and her studmuffin boyfriend," Chris says with a smirk.

I squint at the couple. "Studmuffin?"

Chris just laughs and leads us over.

"Professor Poland!" Vienna's voice rings out as soon as she spots me. Her smile is a little too wide, like she's playing up some joke. "You actually came! Meet my boyfriend, Jimmy Brown."

I extend a hand, my palms suddenly sweaty. "Nice to meet you, Jimmy."

He shakes my hand firmly, flashing a polite smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You too, man."

I try to respond, but Vienna jumps in, her voice high and bright. "You're enjoying yourself, right? My parties are never boring. Right, babe?"

Jimmy just nods, giving her a look that says he's used to letting her do the talking. "Absolutely not, babe."

Chris nudges me, leaning in. "V, have you seen Millie around? Professor have been looking for her," he asks casually, like it's just some throwaway question.

My stomach drops. Why did he ask that? I can feel my face heating up as both Vienna and Jimmy's gazes snap to me, eyebrows raised.

"Uh, not like that," I stammer, trying to keep my voice still. "I just... need to ask her about math. Important stuff."

Chris sighs beside me, running a hand over his face. I must sound like the world's biggest loser.

Vienna bursts out laughing. "Professor, this is a party, not a math tutoring session!"

"I know, but—" My voice trails off. Every second I stand here feels like the walls are closing in. "Look, I just... Do you know where she might be?"

Vienna raises an eyebrow, exchanging a look with Jimmy. He shrugs, murmuring something in her ear that I can't quite make out.

"Fine," she says, drawing out the word. "Down the corridor, take a right, then left up the stairs. Good luck, Professor."

I give a stiff nod, grateful for any excuse to get away. But as we turn to leave, Chris leans in with a sly grin. "I've got some good news for you, Mobius."

"What's that?"

"Well," he says, smirking as we pass a couple engrossed in each other near the stairs. I glance over, recognizing Julie and Kane with his arm wrapped around her waist. Chris whistles under his breath. "Thought she was into you, man."