𝐂𝐡𝐩𝐭 𝟑

The day was coming to an end. I finished my classes for the day and I was everything but focused. I was excited for the meetup with Professor Harris and nervous at the same time. I've never been in her home before, much less held up a conversation that long. What was I supposed to wear? Should I dress casual or sexy? I didn't know and my mind was racing at a million miles per minute. I instinctively went to pick up my phone to call Riah but I held off until I knew how this was gonna go down. I moved quickly through the groups of people around campus to get to my car. I've never drove home so fast in my life. As I pulled in to the driveway, I almost broke an ankle trying to get into my house. I turned the key and stepped inside, immediately going to my room to find an outfit for tomorrow.

I have so many clothes but none of them were hitting like I wanted them too. I shuffled through my drawers with nothing catching my eye. It was pretty chilly outside so I decided to go with the Ugg outfit. A black long sleeve shirt, black leggings, brown Uggs, and my white socks that go right above the shoes. I laid my clothes out on my bed like a kid getting ready for the first day of school. I took a step back taking in the final sight of my outfit. It was simple but cute and that's exactly what I was going for. As time went on, I did a few tasks around my house. I decided to play some low music on my tv while I cleaned. Music gave me life and I couldn't clean without it. I moved into the kitchen cleaning my dishes when I heard my phone go off. I walked back into the living room grabbing my phone as it lit up. It was from a number I didn't recognize and I was hesitant to open the message. I clicked on the notification as my phone read these words.

Unknown Caller: "This is Professor Harris, I would like for you to come in the morning around nine. Would that work for you?"

My heart felt like it was beating out my chest and I could feel my hands becoming sweaty around my phone. The way this lady had this effect on me even when she wasn't around was insane. I started slowly typing on my phone.

Allura: "Nine works for me."

She responded within seconds.

Unknown Caller: "Perfect, I'll see ya then."

I placed my phone down as I started into space in disbelief. This was really about to happen and I had no idea how it would go. I got in the shower as I let the hot steam hit my body. I washed my hair and did my skincare routine while I was at it. As I got out, I immediately hopped into bed, ready to take on tomorrow.

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The next morning I hopped out of bed fast as hell. The time was 8:30 a.m, and I wasted no time showering and gathering my things. I threw on my outfit that I planned out the previous night. You would think I was going on my first date with how nervous I was. I was going to my Professor's house for the first time. My fine Professor at that. I didn't even care to eat anything  with the excitement flowing through my blood. I have my keys and headed out. Once I got in my car, I put the address into my phone and her house was only ten minutes from me. This has to be destiny. You're telling me this woman has been living ten minutes from me and I never knew? I propped my phone up and began driving to her house. This was really happening and I was mentally preparing myself for whatever was to come. Okay, just breathe, Lura.

As I pulled into her driveway, her car was parked to the side. Like she was making space for my car. I gathered my things as I worked up the courage to approach her door. At this point, my heart was beating fast as shit and I was rethinking just getting back into my car. I knocked on the door three times and that's when reality set in for me. I can't do this, I said to myself as I was just about to turn away. The door opened and there she was.

She wore a green sweatshirt, black sweats, and white socks. The sight was almost unbearable. I'd never seen her in such casual clothes before and she looked even more beautiful than usual. She wore a big pretty smile as she saw me standing outside the door. I wasn't used to seeing her smile like that so I could feel those butterflies forming in my stomach.

"Good morning, Allura."

I let out a little smile." Good morning, Professor Harris. I'm a little early so I apologize for that."

She reached for my hand bringing me inside. Her face had softened into something so caring, something I'd never seen before.

"That's okay, have you eaten anything? Let's get you inside."

Before I could respond, she was pulling me into her house. The warm smell of vanilla filled the air as I stepped inside. There were family portraits everywhere  and her home was very spacious. She was still holding my hand as I trailed behind her. She led us into a beautiful dining room area with gorgeous decorations. She gestured to the seat for me to sit.

"You can just sit here and I'll be right back." She disappeared into the kitchen as I sat down in the seat. I still was in disbelief that this was happening right now. I could smell food but I wasn't sure what was being cooked. My palms were becoming sweaty and I couldn't stop shaking my leg. Professor Harris came back with two plates in hand.

There was bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes, and a side of orange juice. Everything look amazing but I was so damn nervous that I wasn't even hungry like that. She sat the plates down, shooting me a warm smile.

"Alright, I made plenty of food so you don't have to study on an empty stomach."

There were seats all around the table and she sat at the seat right next to me. I went to reach for my bag to pull out my notes from the previous lessons, when Professor Harris reached for my hand.

"Not yet, I want you to eat first." She said, leaning closer to Allura's ear. Her touch was so electrifying and it sent shivers through my entire body.

"Oh umm, okay. Thank you for the food Professor Harris, I really appreciate it."

She looked up from her plate with a little smile to her lips. "Please, you can call me Kamala outside of school. No more formalities. Here, I'm Kamala, and you're Allura."

There was a little relief that washed over me as it eased some of my nerves. Her house was very quiet except for the occasional low noise coming from her tv in the living room. It was hard to keep eye contact with her so my eyes kept wandering off.

"Well, thank you Kamala for the food." My eyes came back to hers and there was this look in her eye that I couldn't put my finger on. Was it longing? Need? I couldn't tell.

"It's no problem, sweetie. Cooking is my love language and I enjoy seeing people eat what I cook."

"You're a very good cook, this food is delicious."

She leaned in a bit closer as she glared at my lips and then back up to my eyes. It was so quick but I caught it.

"Thank you, Allura." There was a short pause before she spoke again. I could see she was conflicted before she spoke." Can I ask you something?"

I put my fork down, giving her my full attention. Anytime someone asked me that I got super nervous.

"Yeah, go ahead."

"Why don't you fully pay attention in my class? What is it? Is it me or how I teach? Are you bored or something?"

There was a flicker of sadness in her eyes and it honestly made me feel so bad.

"No it's not that. I just-"

I stopped for a moment trying to gather my thoughts before I got to spilling things out too soon.

She turned her chair to face me directly as she flicked her hair over her shoulder and clasped her hands together in her lap. She grabbed my chair and turned me to face her the same way. We were now face to face so that I was forced to look at her. She placed her hand under my chin, locking our gaze together. My body was heating up from the tension that was definitely in the room.

"It's me isn't it? I think you can't focus because of me. I see the way you look at me in class and how you look away after I catch you staring."

I was taken back by her sudden boldness and for a moment I couldn't say anything. I tried to play it cool and act like that wasn't the case when it was exactly the case.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about."

She let out a low, mischievous laugh.

"That's funny, because I could've sworn I saw you get upset when I was talking to Professor Stanley. Your whole attitude changed and you couldn't even look at me after that. I know you more than you think Allura. I know exactly how your lips form into a ball when you're blushing and how you immediately look away from me when I look at you for more than three seconds."

She wasn't wrong and that's why I was speechless. I didn't think she paid attention to me like that and here she was exposing all of my tactics.

She scooted closer, placing her face just inches from mine. "Tell me I'm wrong, Allura."

I couldn't, because she was completely right. I could feel her breath on mine and her eyes never left my lips. The tension in the air was suffocating.

"Y-you're not wrong. But I can't help it, you're just so attractive to me so I did get upset about the conversation yesterday. I don't mean to just drop that on you, but you've already exposed me."

She finally looked back up to my eyes. A smirk tugging at her lips. "Aww, poor baby got jealous because I was talking to someone else. Did you want my attention all for yourself, pretty girl?"

I could feel myself pulsating under my leggings and I didn't know how much longer I could keep up with her. She was so close to me, her breath on mine and our eyes locked in place. Her brown eyes were staring into my soul. I couldn't even speak because of how flustered I had become.

"Use your words for me."

My hands were holding on tight to both sides of the chair. I swallowed hard trying to get the words out.

"Yes ma'am, I did want your attention."

"Mhm, I see. Well, you have my full attention. Now, let's get started on that work shall we?"

She stood up and walked over to my bag and pulled out all of the work I had been studying. She sat down and turned her chair back as if nothing had happened. I was in shock sitting in the same position as before she left. She looked at me as if she didn't just tease me.

"Are you ready to get to work, sweetie?"

I adjusted in my seat as we got to work. I was focused on everything but that. The way we were so close gave me chills everytime I thought about it. Kamala was going over what we talked about but I knew she was thinking about the same thing I was thinking about. She was teasing me and I knew that for a fact. We shared stolen glances and our hands would touch occasionally throughout our session. She knew exactly what she was doing.

By mid day, we finished studying and Kamala walked me to my car. I thanked her for the help as I began walking to my car. She stood by my car with her arms crossed.

"I want you to come same time tomorrow, Allura." Her tone was somewhat cocky. Like she was trying to lure me in this trap or something. It was the way she held this smirk on her face since we sat at that table. I nodded in response as I got in my car. I could see her walking back inside as I was stuck with my thoughts.

Tomorrow, right.