𝐂𝐡𝐩𝐭 𝟏𝟒

I scrolled mindlessly through my phone, trying to distract myself from Kamala, but nothing seemed to help. No matter what I did, I couldn't understand why she was suddenly acting so distant. The coldness in her behavior hurt even more because I already missed her badly. Checking my phone, I found no messages or calls from her. A lump formed in my throat as tears threatened to spill, but I refused to let them fall, even with no one else around.

I turned on the TV and tried to immerse myself in studying. Riah had been checking in on me, and I appreciated it more than anything. With finals approaching and everything going on with Kamala, I could feel the weight of stress settling in. I opened my textbook, determined to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her—her scent, her touch, the way she always made me feel safe. Now, that warmth felt like a distant memory, almost as if it had never existed. I just wished she would tell me what was wrong instead of shutting me out.

Kamala's Pov ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

I walked through the door, completely drained. Dropping my things carelessly, I didn't even bother changing out of my clothes. I missed Allura so much, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her what had happened. The hurt in her eyes when I ignored her shattered me. She was so sweet, so pure, and I hated keeping the truth from her—but I couldn't risk losing her. I loved her too much, and the mere thought of someone else having her set something ablaze inside me.

Kicking off my shoes, I slowly changed into a hoodie and sweats, tying my hair back into a loose bun. My eyes drifted to my phone, my fingers itching to call her—to just hear her voice and tell her how much I loved her. But I hesitated, caught between longing and fear.

Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, a knock at the door pulled me back to reality. I wasn't expecting anyone, but my heart raced at the thought that it could be Allura. It had been three days since we'd had a real conversation, and the silence was dragging me through an exhausting cycle of emotions.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and to my surprise, I found myself staring into a familiar pair of warm eyes.

"Hey, sissy. I missed you so much," Maya said, stepping forward and wrapping me in a tight hug.

A wave of relief washed over me as I embraced her, some of my stress melting away.

"Maya! You're here early. Come on in," I said, stepping aside to let her in, grateful for her presence.

Maya set her things down on the couch, her excitement radiating through the room.

"I was able to catch an early flight, so I wanted to surprise you. Surprise!" she exclaimed, wiggling her fingers in the air with a playful grin.

I couldn't help but smile, shaking my head at her antics. No matter what was going on in my life, Maya always had a way of bringing a little light into it.

"Come on, let's sit," I said, gesturing toward the couch.

As we settled in, I couldn't help but notice the excitement radiating from Maya. Seeing her so happy made my heart swell.

"So, are you excited for your first day tomorrow?" I asked, resting my chin against my hand.

"More than anything. I love teaching young adults—it's such a beautiful thing to watch them learn and grow," she said, her eyes lighting up with passion.

I smiled, genuinely happy for her, but no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept drifting back to Allura. Guilt gnawed at me. She must have been hurting because of how I was acting. Maya kept talking, but her words blurred into the background as my mind spiraled.

"Hey, you okay?" Maya's voice pulled me back, her warm hand resting over mine.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

She gave me a knowing look. "You're thinking about that girl, aren't you?"

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Yes. Guilty. I just can't help it. I already feel awful for how I treated her, and all I want is to see her—to just be curled up in her arms again."

Maya tilted her head, a curious expression crossing her face. "Come to think of it, you've never told me her name." She leaned in slightly, waiting.

I blinked, realizing she was right. I trusted my sister completely, but Allura and I had been so careful, so private, that I had never actually said her name out loud to anyone.

On campus ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── Allura's pov

I arrived at school already weighed down by the dread of the day. Still no calls or texts from Kamala. As much as I missed seeing her, I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready for the avoidance, the stolen glances, and the silence stretching between us. I could keep trying, but it wouldn't matter if she refused to let me in.

I hadn't even put any thought into my outfit today. Just getting here had taken all my energy. Stepping into class, I quickly noticed that Riah wasn't there. Great—just throw me into the lion's den, Ri.

With a sigh, I sat down and opened my notes, attempting to focus on the material. I'd been struggling with the same topics for two days now. Normally, I would have asked Kamala—she always had a way of helping me understand—but that wasn't an option right now.

As the seats filled one by one, my anxiety crept higher. Just as the last student settled in, Kamala walked through the door. My heart clenched, but this time, I didn't look at her. I wanted to—so badly—but I knew that meeting her gaze would only drag me back into the sadness I was trying to push down.

She seemed a little less tense than yesterday, and I supposed that was a good sign. Still, I kept my eyes locked on my desk, unwilling to risk the flood of emotions waiting just beneath the surface. I had ears—I didn't need to look up to take notes. I was jotting down notes when I glanced up for just a second to catch what was on the board. But in that brief moment, my eyes met Kamala's—her gaze locked onto mine. My breath hitched, and before I could even process the emotions stirring inside me, I quickly looked away, forcing my attention back to my work. My heart pounded, but I refused to let it show.

Class had finally come to an end, and this time, I wasn't planning on staying behind for any reason. I gathered my things quickly, determined to make a swift exit.

"Alright, everyone, that wraps up today's lesson," the professor announced. "Make sure you're studying hard for the upcoming finals. Have a great rest of your day—and make smart choices."

The class was dismissed, and I made my way out as quickly as possible. I didn't turn to look at Kamala, nor did I wonder if she was watching me. I couldn't bear the thought of hurting my own feelings again, so I kept my eyes locked straight ahead, focused only on the exit. The door couldn't come soon enough.

As I walked out of the classroom, my eyes caught a glimpse of the study hall. Normally, I never had to go there—I was always the smartest in the class—but lately, I'd been struggling, so it seemed like it was time to give it a try.

I walked in, relieved to see it wasn't too crowded. It was my first time here, so I didn't know who to approach. I spotted a guy who looked like he might be sharp, so I started heading in his direction. But before I could even say anything, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hi there, did you need help?"

I turned around to see a stunning brown woman in an all-blue suit, her straightened hair falling perfectly around her face. Her smile was radiant, lighting up the room.

"Oh, um, hi. This is my first time being in here, so I didn't know who to ask," I said, suddenly feeling nervous under her gaze.

"That's alright, sweetie," she said warmly, her voice soothing. "I'm one of the new tutors here, so this is perfect timing. I'm Maya." She extended her hand for a handshake, and I reached out to take it, still a little off balance.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Allura," I said, shaking her hand. There was something about the contact that sent a spark up my arm, but I quickly brushed it off.

"It's nice to meet you as well," Maya replied with a warm smile. "We can sit at this table here." She gestured to a spot at the center of the room. "So, what class is this for?"

I placed my bag down, trying to calm the nervous flutter in my chest. "It's legal studies."

Her eyes brightened, and her smile grew even wider. "Legal studies? That's definitely my area of teaching, so with me helping you, you're gonna do great."

Her confidence in me gave me a bit of a boost, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. She had just met me, yet she was so sure I would succeed. It was reassuring, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to believe it.

"Alright, let's see those notes," Maya said, her smile still bright as she sat across from me, her hands clasped neatly on the desk.

I opened my bag and laid out my notes, the nervousness creeping back slightly. Her presence was calming, though, and I appreciated how at ease she made me feel.

"You know, Allura is a beautiful name. I like it."

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth spread through me. I'd been told I had a nice name before, but hearing it as a compliment from an older woman felt different—special, in a way I couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was just me, but it left a gentle, lingering feeling.

"Thank you," I said softly, a small smile tugging at my lips as I focused on the notes in front of me, trying to steady my breath.

Maya gently slid my notebook in front of her, scanning the notes quietly to herself.

"Okay, so far these are great, but I can see where you're messing up," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I want you to read these first sets of notes out loud to me, and I'll talk you through the rest."

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I began to read through the material. Her steady gaze gave me a sense of reassurance, and even though I was a bit nervous, I felt like I could actually get through this with her help.

As the session continued, I found myself picking up on the lesson better and better. Maya's explanations were clear, and her calm demeanor made everything feel more manageable. But every so often, I could feel her gaze on me, and it made my heart skip a beat. She was such a great tutor, and I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't actually teaching.

While I was reading, I suddenly felt her hand gently rubbing circles on my back. I jumped slightly, startled by the unexpected touch, my nerves instantly flaring up.

"Sorry if I scared you," she said softly, her tone reassuring. "I could tell you were nervous, so I just wanted to ease your nerves. You're doing great, Allura."

Her words were kind, but I couldn't shake the unexpected flutter that rose in me from the gesture. Still, I managed a small smile and nodded, trying to focus on my work despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

The session came to an end, and we both stood up, gathering our things.

"Thank you for your help, Maya," I said, feeling genuinely grateful. "I understand it way better now because of you."

Maya gave me a warm, encouraging smile. "Of course, sweetie. It's what I'm here for. If you need any more help, I'll be right in here."

I smiled back, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. With her help, I was finally starting to get a handle on everything.

Y'all better hold onto your seats becauseeee