𝐂𝐡𝐩𝐭 𝟏𝟏

Kamala's Pov

Friday arrived sooner than I anticipated. Stanley had invited me to a small gathering, and while I felt a bit nervous, I was confident in my ability to handle the situation—especially knowing how Allura felt about her.

As the morning sun poured through the windows, it cast the perfect glow on my beautiful girl. She looked absolutely radiant, the light kissing her features in a way that left me mesmerized. Reluctantly, I reached out to gently shake her awake, though I hated disturbing her peaceful slumber. Her eyes fluttered open briefly before she nestled back into the pillows.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. Picking it up, I quietly stepped into the hallway, careful not to disturb Allura.

On the other end was my dear sister, Maya. Her voice was as warm and lively as ever, instantly bringing a smile to my face.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she teased. "Are you still in bed, or have you finally decided to start the day?"

I chuckled softly, leaning against the hallway wall. "Good morning to you too, Maya. And for your information, I'm already up. Well... sort of."

"Sort of?" she said with a laugh. "Sounds like someone needs an extra cup of coffee."

Her playful tone was a reminder of how much I missed her. It wasn't often we got to catch up like this, and even over the phone, her energy was contagious.

"I miss you so much."

"I know, I miss you too," Maya replied, her voice laced with excitement. "But I have some great news!"

I raised an eyebrow, even though she couldn't see me. "Tell me."

"I'm coming down there for an entire month to volunteer at the college!"

My jaw nearly dropped, and a smile instantly spread across my face. "Are you serious? Maya, that's amazing!"

"Totally serious," she confirmed, laughing. "It's all set. I thought this would be the perfect chance to spend some time with you while giving back."

"You have no idea how excited this makes me," I said, practically beaming. "When do you get here?"

"In one week," she replied, clearly just as thrilled. "We'll have so much time to catch up. I can't wait!"

"Neither can I," I said warmly. "This is going to be incredible."

As our phone call ended, I heard the soft rustling of sheets, signaling that Allura was starting to stir. I stepped quietly back into the room, and the sight before me warmed my heart. Her long, beautiful hair was braided neatly, and her silhouette, perfect in every detail, glowed in the morning light.

I walked over, my fingers tracing gentle circles across her back. "Good morning, sleeping beauty," I whispered, moving her hair to one side and pressing a tender kiss to her neck.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she leaned into my touch. "Good morning to you too, beautiful," she murmured, her voice soft and warm.

"I'm going to make us some breakfast," I said, straightening up, "but we need to get ready soon. School's waiting for us."

She turned slowly, stretching as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I thought we agreed we couldn't ride to school together," she said, her sleepy tone laced with curiosity.

"I know," I admitted with a playful shrug, "but I don't care today. I'll park in the back so no one sees us. I just want you with me."

Her cheeks flushed that soft, familiar pink, and it was the most adorable thing in the world. It was moments like this that made my heart overflow.

At School ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

As we pulled into the school parking lot, I parked in the farthest corner of the teacher's lot, ensuring no one would spot us. We'd arrived early, just to be safe. Allura sat in the passenger seat, radiating her usual "passenger princess" energy, her presence filling the car with a quiet comfort.

"Will I see you after school?" she asked, turning to face me, her eyes hopeful.

I sighed softly, knowing what my answer would do to her. "I can't today, sweet pea. I have that dinner at Stanley's, remember?"

Her smile faltered, replaced by a flash of irritation that she tried to hide. I could feel her emotions simmering just beneath the surface, and while I hated seeing her upset, her jealousy always had this inexplicable effect on me. She didn't say a word, instead turning to stare out of the window as though it suddenly held the secrets of the universe.

"Allura," I said firmly, waiting for her to respond.

"Yes?" she replied, her tone clipped but calm.

I reached over, placing my hand on her thigh, feeling the heat of her skin through the fabric. "Nothing is going to happen, okay? If she tries anything, I'll shut it down immediately. You know that."

She finally turned back to me, her face guarded and unreadable. But I knew her too well. Beneath that cool exterior, she was pissed.

"You promise?" she asked, holding out her pinky, her voice tinged with both vulnerability and challenge.

"I promise," I said, wrapping my pinky around hers without hesitation. The small gesture brought a hint of reassurance to her eyes, and in that moment, all I wanted was to keep that promise for her and no one else.

The rest of the day unfolded like any other. I worked through my lectures without much trouble, the rhythm of teaching keeping me grounded. Throughout the day, Allura and I kept in touch, exchanging texts and little moments of connection that always brightened my day. She even sent me a pool game to play, which, as always, ended in my defeat. Somehow, even losing to her felt like a win.

By the time five o'clock rolled around, I was ready to call it a day. Gathering my belongings, I headed straight home. Pulling into the driveway, I decided to leave everything in the car for now. The moment I stepped inside, I headed straight for the shower, letting the warm steam wash away the day's weariness.

Afterward, I slipped into a black dress that clung to my curves just right—not too flashy but still elegant enough for the occasion. Casual but effortlessly chic, just the way I liked it.

My phone buzzed, and I saw a message from Stanley pop up on the screen with her address. Despite her occasional flirtatious comments, Stanley was a nice person, and she'd mentioned that there would be other people at the dinner tonight—not just the two of us. That little detail made me feel more at ease, though I knew Allura would still be on my mind the entire evening.

As I got in my car and typed in Stanley's address, I couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of nervousness. The drive wasn't long, and as I pulled into her driveway, I noticed several other cars parked out front. That sight instantly eased some of my tension. "This is good," I muttered to myself. "So far, no issues."

Walking up to the door, I barely had time to knock before it swung open. The sight in front of me caught me off guard. There stood Stanley, smiling brightly, in an all-white dress that stopped just above her knees. I wasn't used to seeing her outside of her usual work attire, and the change was... startling.

"Hey, Kamala!" she said enthusiastically, her arms wide open as she pulled me into a hug before I could react.

I instinctively returned the hug, though slightly stiff at first, while she rubbed my back in a friendly gesture. Over her shoulder, I could see other guests chatting and mingling inside, their laughter and voices filling the air.

"Come on in," Stanley said warmly, stepping aside to let me pass. "Everyone's already here."

I smiled politely and stepped into her home, ready to make the best of the evening.

As I walked in, everyone greeted me warmly, and I settled into my seat as Stanley guided me there. I could feel her walking closely behind, her hand resting lightly on my lower back.

"You look stunning, Kamala. I really need to have you over more often," she said with a laugh as we sat down.

I joined in the casual conversation with the group, discussing my teaching experiences. The conversation flowed easily, but I could sense Stanley's gaze on me. Every time I glanced up, her eyes were already on me, making me quickly shift my focus elsewhere. As the night wore on, guests began to leave one by one. Checking the time, I realized it was getting late, so I decided it was time for me to go. I watched Stanley see off the last guest, exchanging a hug before they parted ways.

"Thanks for inviting me, Amanda. I had a wonderful time," I said, smiling.

"It's no trouble at all, Kamala. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming."

"Of course," I replied, taking a step toward the door. Just as my hand reached the handle, Stanley gently grabbed my wrist, making me turn around.

She flashed her familiar warm smile. "I know it's getting late, but would you like to stay a little longer and hang out?"

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with a message from Allura. I glanced at it, reminded that I hadn't seen her since this morning. Looking back up, I replied sincerely, "I should really get going. It's getting late, and I've got someone waiting for me."

I turned back toward the door, but Stanley reached out and gently grabbed me again, this time with a little more insistence. She stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back. She then placed her hands behind her back, guiding me into a corner. My back pressed against the door with a soft thud. Now, her face was only inches from mine as she placed her hands above my head on the wall, trapping me in place.

"What are you doing, Amanda?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She let out a low, playful laugh. "Kamala, you know exactly what I'm doing. I've been drawn to you from the very beginning, and I want you."

Her voice had a seductive edge to it. Just as my phone lit up again with another message from Allura, Stanley glanced down at it, then looked back up.

"It's that girl, isn't it?"

My heart skipped for a second, but I quickly regained my composure. "Excuse me?"

"That student of yours," she said, then leaned in, her nose brushing against my neck as she inhaled my scent. I could feel her heat as her hand moved to rest on my chest.

For a moment I bit my lip, but I quickly let the thoughts leave my mind.

"Let me take care of you tonight, Kamala." Her hands began to roam my body in a steady rhythm. Her touch was electrical and I couldn't help but to feel myself falling into whatever this is.

"I can't do this, Amanda." I said trying to slowly back away.

"Oh yeah? Then why do I feel you throbbing right now, hm?"

Her hands found their way under my dress and just as I was beginning to pull away, I felt her touch my center. An involuntary moan escaped. As much as I hated somewhat enjoying it, I knew it was wrong of me.

As Stanley's words linger in the air, Kamala's internal conflict deepens. The need to regain control becomes stronger as she realizes the direction this encounter is headed.

Kamala's heart races as she gathers her thoughts, struggling to push away the mixture of attraction and guilt. She steps back, pulling herself together as much as possible, her voice firm despite the situation.

"I don't want this, Stanley," Kamala says, her tone steady but with a clear underlying tension. "This is wrong."

Stanley doesn't immediately pull away. Instead, she studies Kamala's face, her eyes still intense, as if she's weighing Kamala's words against her own desires.

Kamala's mind races, trying to make sense of the overwhelming pull she feels toward Stanley, but her relationship with Allura grounds her. The guilt is sharp, and she forces herself to focus on the reality of her situation.

"Please," Kamala continues, her voice softer now but filled with determination. "I need to leave."

Stanley took a step forward. "Then why haven't you left yet?" Stanley gently placed her lips on Kamala.

This moment is very intense, with Stanley pushing forward in a way that leaves Kamala struggling to maintain control. Kamala's silence and breathlessness show her internal battle, while Stanley's actions seem to be testing the limits of that control. The kiss represents a point of no return, and Kamala's resistance adds to the complexity of her emotions—caught between desire and her awareness of the situation's wrongness.

Kamala's heart pounds in her chest, her mind screaming for her to break free, but her body betrays her. The kiss is overwhelming, and as Stanley's tongue invades her mouth, Kamala can feel the surge of heat flood through her. Every instinct tells her to pull away, yet there's something about the way Stanley holds her, the force of her presence, that makes it hard to move.

For a split second, Kamala allows herself to feel the rush of the kiss, the chemistry between them undeniable. But as reality crashes back into her, guilt and confusion flood her system. She knows this isn't right—her thoughts race to Allura, to the commitment she's made, and to the boundaries she should be setting.

With a sudden burst of strength, Kamala finally breaks the kiss, pushing gently against Stanley's chest, her breath shallow and uneven.

"Stop," Kamala says, her voice trembling but firm. "This isn't who I am."

Stanley's gaze softens, but there's a hint of frustration in her eyes. She doesn't immediately pull away, but she doesn't press forward either, giving Kamala space to gather herself.

Kamala stands there for a moment, her pulse still racing, as the weight of the situation sinks in. The decision now feels clear, but the emotions tangled within her are far from simple.

The guilt that Kamala feels after leaving Stanley is powerful, and the weight of her actions begins to settle in as she drives. The thoughts that race through her mind show her internal struggle—caught between her attraction to Stanley and her commitment to Allura. Kamala knows how deeply this could hurt Allura, and the fear of losing that trust is overwhelming.

As she drives, Kamala can't escape the thoughts of what could happen if Stanley reveals what transpired. The uncertainty about Allura's reaction, the fear of losing her trust, and the panic of the situation being exposed all spiral together in a chaotic mental whirlwind.

Kamala takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She knows that she has to find a way to explain this to Allura, but she's not sure where to start. The weight of her actions feels heavy on her chest, and the road ahead seems uncertain.

As she pulls up to her place, Kamala hesitates, wondering what to say to Allura. Her mind is still reeling, but the one thing she knows for sure is that the truth, no matter how painful, is the only way forward.

Do y'all see where this story is going now that Maya is showing up in a week??