Chapter 63
**Sara**
I groaned as my alarm blared, yanking me from an enjoyable dream involving a particular professor and a jar of chocolate sauce. Fumbling for my phone, I managed to silence the infernal noise and dragged myself out of bed.
The hot shower helped wake me up, but my mind kept drifting back to last night's ice cream adventure with Tom. I shook my head, trying to focus on getting ready for class.
"Clothes, Sara. Focus on clothes," I muttered to myself as I stood in front of my closet, dripping water onto the carpet.
I grabbed a pair of skinny jeans and a soft, off-the-shoulder sweater. "Casual, but still cute," I nodded, giving myself a little twirl in the mirror.
As I was finishing up my makeup, my phone started buzzing. I glanced at the screen and saw "Dad" flashing across it.
"Shit," I muttered, scrambling to answer before it went to voicemail. "Hey, Dad!" I chirped, trying to sound chipper and not at all like I'd been fantasizing about my professor.
"Sara, sweetheart! How are you doing?"
"I'm good, Dad. Just getting ready for class," I replied, wedging the phone between my ear and shoulder as I attempted to wrangle my hair into a messy bun.
"That's my girl. How's the studying going? You keeping up with all your assignments?"
I winced, thinking of the pile of unfinished papers on my desk. "Oh, you know me, Dad. Always on top of things."
"That's what I like to hear," he said, pride evident in his voice. If only he knew. "Listen, I just wanted to let you know I wired some money to your account for food, rent, and whatnot."
"Oh, wow, thanks, Dad! You didn't have to do that," I said, genuinely surprised and grateful.
"Of course I did. Can't have my little girl living off ramen noodles, can I?"
"No worries there, Dad. I'm eating like a queen."
"Good, good," he chuckled. "So, when are you planning on coming home for a visit? Your mother's been asking."
I glanced at my calendar, trying to find a weekend that wasn't filled with study sessions or... other activities. "Um, how about this weekend?" I suggested, figuring I could use a break from the Tom-induced madness.
"Perfect! Your mother will be thrilled. She's already planning a feast, I'm sure."
"Can't wait," I said, smiling at the thought of home-cooked meals.
"Alright, sweetheart. I'll let you get to class. Study hard!"
"Will do, Dad. Thanks again for the money. Love you!"
"Love you too, Sara. See you soon."
As I hung up, I felt a twinge of guilt. Here was my dad, proud of his studious daughter, while I was busy daydreaming about my professor's hands and... other parts.
I shook my head, trying to clear the less-than-wholesome thoughts. "Focus, Sara," I muttered as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. "You've got class to get to. Class with Professor Blackwood. Professor tall, dark, and handsome Blackwood. Professor 'I-want-to-lick-ice-cream-off-his-abs' Blackwood."
I groaned, realizing this was going to be a long day. At least I had a family weekend to look forward to – a chance to reset and get my head on straight. Maybe some distance from Tom would help me regain my sanity.
I stepped out of my apartment building, the crisp morning air hitting my face like a wake-up slap. As I started my walk to the university, I felt like I was heading into the lion's den. Or maybe the sexy professor's den. Same difference, right?
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I fished it out, hoping it wasn't Dad calling again to remind me about the importance of studying. Instead, it was a text from Jessica:
"Where are you? Class starts in 20!"
Shit. I'd lost track of time daydreaming about Tom. I quickly dialed Jessica's number, praying she'd pick up.
"Jess!" I exclaimed as soon as she answered. "Where are you?"
"I'm already on campus, you dingbat," Jessica replied. "Did you oversleep again?"
"No, I just... got distracted. Look, I'll be there in ten minutes, okay?"
"You better be. I'm not saving you a seat if you're late again."
"You're a true friend, Jess," I said sarcastically. "See you soon." I hung up and shoved my phone back into my pocket, breaking into a light jog.
As I rushed towards the university, my mind wandered back to Tom. I wondered if he'd be wearing that blue shirt today, which made his eyes look like... No. Focus, Sara. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
I made it to campus in record time, my lungs burning and my hair a mess. I spotted Jessica lounging on a bench outside our building, looking annoyingly put-together.
"Well, well, well," she drawled as I approached. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence."
I flopped down next to her, panting. "Oh, shut up. I made it, didn't I?"
Jessica raised an eyebrow, giving me a once-over. "Barely. You look like you just ran a marathon. In heels."
I glanced down at my feet. "They're ankle boots, thank you very much."
"Whatever. What's got you so frazzled lately?" She leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Or should I say, who?"
I felt my cheeks heat up. "I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
"Oh, come on, Sara. Is it Professor Hottie?"
"No!" I protested, a little too quickly. "It's not... I mean, he's not... I just have a lot on my mind, okay?"
"Uh-huh," Jessica said, clearly not buying it. She leaned back on the bench, a smug grin across her face. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter anyway. He's not even a professor anymore."
I blinked, sure I had misheard her. "What?"
Jessica shrugged, examining her perfectly manicured nails. "Yeah, didn't you hear? Professor Blackwood left the university. Apparently, he's not teaching anymore."
My jaw dropped. "What? When? How?" I sputtered, my mind reeling. "I mean, we just had class with him yesterday!"
"I know, right? It's crazy," Jessica said, seemingly enjoying my shocked reaction. "I overheard some of the faculty talking about it this morning."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Tom was gone? Just like that?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
