Chapter 1

Shit, I looked over at my alarm clock with the time being 8 a.m. my eyes widened as I hopped out of bed and headed straight towards the bathroom. I'm hardly ever late to school believe it or not. Class started at 7:30 and here I am just now getting out of bed. I grabbed some clothes and brushed my teeth. As for my hair, I brushed it out and tucked it behind my ears because I don't have the time to get fancy. My professor didn't play when it came to being on time so I knew she was gonna have something to say. I quickly grabbed my bag and headed for school. The air outside was foggy and humid, and my mind kept circling back to the lecture I was gonna get about being late. I checked my phone and saw that I had 3 missed texts from Riah.

Riah: Girl wya? Professor Harris isn't in the mood today soo you might wanna get here quick.

Why did I just know she wasn't in the mood? She's been on our asses for the past two weeks about Constitutional Law. I understand it for the most part but sometimes I tend to forget whenever she gets to talking super fast. It's like, slow down professor, the subject ain't going anywhere. I pulled up to the school and parked in front. Each step caused me to feel more anxious, like I was in trouble or something. Maybe it's because I knew how strict the Professor was and I wasn't trying to get on her bad side. I was just outside the door and I could hear the lecture going on. I took a deep breath in before I made my entrance. As I opened the door, I felt all eyes on me.

Professor Harris was front and center wearing that grey pantsuit that I loved so much. She was such a beauty and for a moment I was so caught up in her appearance that I didn't even realize I was just standing there. She turned her body slightly but just enough to still be facing the board. Her face hardened, and her eyebrows rose.

"Are you going to take a seat Ms.Wright? You're late."

My hands were becoming sweaty and for a moment I didn't know what to say. So, I didn't say anything. It was embarrassing enough being late for class and then have everyone staring at you. Then to have your Professor call you out for it, was a different kind of embarrassment.

"Y-yes ma'am, my apologies."

I didn't even give her the chance to respond as I was already on my way to my seat. Luckily, the lights were dim today so maybe she couldn't see me as much. I could see Riah sitting in her usual spot working hard like always. Riah was always the straight A's kind of student. She's the reason I have good grades because lord knows I'm a procrastinator sometimes when it comes to school work. If she didn't push me to do my work, then I probably would've failed a long time ago.

Her eyes were locked on me and I knew she was gonna have something to say about me being late. I sat down next to her adjusting in my seat.

"Did your alarm clock not go off or something?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I'm not even that late. It's only twenty minutes, Ri."

"Twenty minutes is a long time to be missing class. You wanna pass don't you?"

"Yes, mom. I do actually. I overslept today, but big deal considering I'm on time like everyday."

She turned her gaze forward still holding on to our conversation. "Yeah well, Professor Harris looked like she was scanning the room for you and she looked pretty annoyed when she realized you weren't here."

I let a little smirk form at my lips. I've always found our Professor pretty attractive, I means she's fine as hell. Of course I would never tell her that but I've always had my eye on her. The way she spoke so confidently to those around her made my heart flutter. Everytime she walked into a room it was like all eyes were on her. She had a way of making an entrance every time.

I sat up slightly in my seat looking over at Riah." Are you being serious?"

She was trying to keep her smile in check because she knew how much I liked Professor Harris. She was the only one I'd tell something like that.

"Yes, girl. It looked like she had a wandering eye for a minute. I think she wants a piece of you sis."

"Don't boost my head like that."

Just then, the room fell silent with only the sound of papers turning and pencils writing. Why did it just get so quiet?

"Am I interrupting your conversation?" She said, as she cleared her throat. She stopped the whole class for this. It was never that deep.

Riah was the more outspoken friend out of the two of us. Me on the other hand, I was the quiet, reserved kind of friend. Therefore, I didn't say a word. My heart started beating out of my chest and for a moment I thought I was gonna pass out. I hate having the spotlight on me.

"N-no ma'am, I was just telling Allura what she missed from earlier. We didn't mean to interrupt."

I felt so bad that Riah stepped in like that. Even though she was the one that started the conversation.

Professor Harris looked between the both of us as she formed her lips into a thin line. "Well, how thoughtful of you Ms Williams, but if Allura would have made here it on time you wouldn't have to be going over notes with her now would you?"

The room stayed silent. Neither one of us saying anything. Did I mention that our professor could be a bitch sometimes? She was like fire and ice and you never knew which side you were gonna get that day. Today was definitely ice, and what a coincidence that the room was cold as shit.

Nodding her head like she was so proud of her statement was crazy." Mhm, I thought so. Let's get back to the lesson now, shall we?"

She was so mean sometimes but it didn't stop the smile that was slowly creeping on my lips. For the remainder of the class, she would give me subtle glances. From the outside looking in, she's just making eye contact and engaging with everyone. But to me, she was definitely flirting with her eyes. Call it delusion, but those eyes were saying otherwise. I didn't want her to see me blush so I made sure to keep a straight face as I tried to keep my eye contact to a minimum. As the class came to an end, everyone began to pack up. Not before Professor Harris stood in front of her desk to give her daily speech. She leaned back, pressing her hands against the edge of the desk.

"Alright class, we will continue to pick up where we left off tomorrow morning. I want you to all be studying the material we've been covering for the past couple of weeks. We have exams coming up and I want you to all be prepared. If you need help, please don't hesitate to ask me. And lastly, let's make sure we're coming in on time."

Riah and I turned our heads to each other having a conversation without words. She just had to call me out. Might as well should've said my name while she was at it. I rolled my eyes as I turned my attention back to the front. Just as I turned back, we locked eyes and she seen it. Fuck. Why did she have to look at me just as I was rolling my eyes? I pray to god that she doesn't say anything about that because I already feel like I'm slightly on her bad side today.

"That's all I have for today. You're all dismissed."

I stood up quickly, ready to get the hell out of there. I could hear Riah following closely behind me.

There was a shout from across the room. "Ms Wright! Could I have a word?"

"I'm gonna pray for you girl. I'll catch you later."

I wanted Riah to stay so badly. I don't know why I was shitting bricks. I've never been alone with her before so I didn't know what to expect. I took a deep breath in before I turned back. There was a seriousness to her that scared me so badly. Like, how could someone be so serious all the damn time?

As I turned back around and made my way down the steps, Professor Harris was already sitting behind her desk and waiting for me to approach. I walked up slowly not saying anything too soon. It felt like I was walking into the lions den.

"Y-yes, Professor?"

She extended her hand motioning for me to sit in the chair in front of her. I sat down and broke the eye contact because her stare game went pretty crazy.

"Why were you late today? That's unusual for you."

"Am I in trouble?"

She tilted her head to the side with her finger placed on her temple." That wasn't my question, Ms Wright. Why were you late today?"

I slowly slouched in my seat. My breath becoming caught in my throat. "My alarm didn't go off on time this morning. I'm sorry about being late."

She let out a low laugh as she laid back in her seat.

"Alarm clocks don't just stop going off, Ms Wright. What were you doing last night?"

I was taken back by her question and I didn't even know how to respond to that. How does that even relate to the conversation? I blinked a few times trying to process her question.

"Umm, I was up kind of up late last night just hanging out I guess."

"You guess? Is that what caused you to forget to set your alarm?" Her tone became low and almost angry.

Damn, is this 21 questions? Why did she even care this much? I forgot to set my alarm, big deal.

"Well, yeah. I was up late hanging out and I must've forgot to set my alarm. But I don't see why that matters."

She leaned back up clasping her hands together on the desk. She looked directly in my eyes and didn't say anything for a second.

"You don't see why it matters? It matters because you're the smartest student in my class and I want to see you excel. You shouldn't be staying up late and hanging out when you've got a bright future awaiting you. You need to start going to bed earlier and making better habits."

Wow, she's really clocking me right now and I was kind of at a loss for words. Staying up late was one of my bad habits and I've been trying to work on it. But like, where did this come from? I didn't even think she liked me like that.

She leaned in a bit closer as her voice became that of a whisper. "Tell me you'll make better habits and you won't come to my class late anymore."

I instinctively tucked my bottom lip at her words." I'll make better habits and I won't come to your class late anymore."

She reached her hand out, extending her pinky finger. A small smile tugged at her lips but it quickly faded. "Do you promise?"

"I promise." I said, locking onto her finger.

She leaned back, doing that thing she does with her eyes. Staring at me like I'm the most important person in the world.

"That's what I like to hear. Now, go enjoy the rest of your day, Ms Wright."

I could feel my face heating up and I stood up quickly. The room felt like it was getting hot and I could feel my self getting moist. Meanwhile, she had this look on her face like she'd accomplished something. I walked out into the hallway and finally let out a breath. I kept replaying the scene over and over again in my head.

Whatever that was, I wanted it to happen more often. Riah, who had been waiting by the lockers, had this look on her face. I knew she wanted every detail and I didn't even know where to begin. We walked outside to the parking lot and I told her everything.

"No fucking way. I'm telling you Lura, she obviously wants you. Why else would she be giving you tips on your habits? Only someone that truly gives a damn will give you advice."

"Nah you're right. Maybe she is feeling me, but I don't know how because I hardly talk in her class."

"That's probably why then. I mean, you are beautiful Lura. It only makes sense. Plus, you have a shy aura. She's probably curious about you or she just sees something in you."

I started to think about it and what Riah was saying didn't sound far off. Maybe she was curious about me. Trust me, I'm curious about her too but with her career going on, there's no way we'd ever be able to file anything. My thoughts were interrupted as we approached my car.

"Everybody knows we're coming down the block with this pink car, Lura." She said, trying to hold in her laugh.

"It's baby pink so it's not too much. You know I like to ride in style."

"Okay, Ms Mercedes Benz Amg. I see you."

We got inside and turned on the radio. " So, pizza and movie tonight?" I said, giving her that knowing look.

"Pizza and movie night!" We both said in sync.