THIRD PERSON POV
The car pulled up outside Bianca's house with two people still sited inside the car. "thank you for the ride professor" Bianca said, hands on the handle of the door about to get out.
"you're welcome miss brook" replied prof. Ashleigh, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if holding back from saying more. "ok the if thats all, i'll be going in now" bianca said stepping out from the car.
"erm... and thank you for keeping me company" prof. Ashleigh added releasing her hands from the steering wheel. "sure professor, no big deal more to come" Bianca answered. just as she was about to step out from the car, she was pulled back crashing lips with professor Ashleigh.
"hmmm" Bianca moaned softly into the kiss as she was shocked and wasn't expecting it. After processing things, she leaned in into the kiss tugging on the professor collar while professor Ashleigh hands were wrapped around her waist, deepening the kiss. The sound of a phone ringing broke the spell. They reluctantly pulled apart , exchanging amused, slightly embarrassed smiles. "that's my phone and probably kiara calling" Bianca pulled out the phone from her bag.
"well thats my cue professor, byeee" she smiled sheepishly as she got out from the car, waved and headed into he building, immediately she went in, the professor drove off.
"About time young lady" Kiara remarked hands on her waist as Bianca came in.
"you're nagging like an old lady" responded Bianca as she took off her shoes and crashed onto the couch smiling.
"And why the hell are you smiling like a two year old who just got her favorite candy" kira commented
"well i did cause professor Ashleigh kissed me again inside the car" Bianca squealed. "well thats something" kiara folded her arms "alright drop the gist" she added moving Bianca over to sit on the couch and Bianca went on telling her what happened.
PROF. ASHLEIGH POV
The apartment felt unnaturally quiet the moment I stepped inside. Usually, I welcomed the silence. It gave me room to think, to prepare lectures, to bury myself in work. Tonight, it only reminded me that she wasn't here. Ridiculous.
I slipped off my shoes, set my keys on the counter, and headed straight for the kitchen. Tea. I always made tea after a long day. My hands moved on instinct while my mind refused to cooperate.
An amusement park...Of all places. I hadn't laughed like that in years. I couldn't even remember the last time I let myself enjoy something so... ordinary.
She had dragged me from one ride to another, grinning like a child who had discovered the world for the first time. Somehow, despite every protest I made, I followed.
I should have said no.
I should have kept my distance.
Instead, I let her chip away at every wall I'd spent years building.
The kettle whistled, startling me from my thoughts.
I poured the water into my mug, but before I could take a sip, the memory surfaced again.
The parking lot.
The silence between us. The way she looked at me. Then the kiss.
My fingers tightened around the mug. What the hell was I thinking?
No. A better question would be... why didn't I stop?
I had every opportunity to pull away. Every reason to remind her who I was and who she was. Professor and Student. Those two words should have been enough, Instead...I initiated the kiss. I closed my eyes, pressing my fingertips against my temples.
It was a mistake, A lapse in judgment, Nothing more. That's all it was, So why does it keep replaying in my head?
I set the untouched tea on the coffee table and sank onto the couch.
This ends here.
Tomorrow, I walk into that classroom as if today never happened. She'll sit where she always sits. I'll teach my lecture. She'll be another student.
Nothing changes.
It has to.
...Then why does the thought of pretending nothing happened leave such a hollow ache in my chest?
No.
I'm not doing this.
I'm not falling for her.
I don't have the luxury of feelings.
Not for anyone.
Especially not for her.
I leaned back and stared at the ceiling, hoping the silence would finally drown out my thoughts.
Instead, all I could see was her smile.
And for the first time in years, I wasn't afraid of the silence.
I was afraid of what it was forcing me to admit.