14

LUCIA

I was shaken by what I saw earlier, but I managed to remain composed as I continued teaching the class. 

I couldn’t allow my emotions to be turned upside down by a mere college student. That was beneath me.

I continued teaching, glad that my voice did not tremble one bit despite how I felt. I was about to round up with the class when my eyes darted towards Jeremy once more. 

I saw the girl run her fingers over his chin delicately while he gave her a small smile, and I instantly froze, feeling my insides clench with anger and discomfort. 

I really hated seeing him with someone else, and the level at which it affected me terrified me. I felt my hands clenched into fists by my sides before forcing myself to pay attention back to the class. 

“Alright, class,” I managed to say, forcefully tearing my eyes away from Jeremy and his little girlfriend. “Make sure I get your assignments in my mail by friday. Class dismissed.” 

The lecture hall was now filled with noise and chatter as the students picked up their bags and began to troop out.

I packed my stuff, picked up my bag, and began making my way out of the hall. 

Once I got to the entrance, I noticed that Jeremy had been making his way out at the same time that I did, and once our shoulders brushed, I felt a cool shiver run down my spine.

I looked up at him, but he was already looking down at me, and once our eyes locked, it was so hard to look away. 

His intriguing scent wafted its way into my nostrils, and my knees almost turned to mush at that moment.

I wanted to say something to him. Anything. But I had no idea what I was supposed to say. 

Before I could open my mouth to speak, Jeremy gave me a curt nod before making his way out of the hall, right into the arms of his girlfriend.

My heart crumbled in my chest as I watched the duo walk away, his arms across her shoulders and hers around his waist.

I blinked my tears away, clutching my bag even tighter as I walked to my next class, my hands trembling by my side.

I managed to finish my tasks for the day despite my frazzled state, and thankfully, I did not run into Jeremy or his girlfriend again for the rest of the day.

Unfortunately, for the few weeks that passed, it almost seemed like Jeremy was flaunting his new relationship in my face. 

Everywhere I turned, I saw the duo either holding hands or flirting with each other. They were almost inseparable, and I was not proud of the fact that it made me sick to my stomach.

I was jealous. I couldn’t deny it. I was jealous of seeing Jeremy with another woman, but I knew that was a price I would have to pay to keep my career intact.

I thought that despite how much it hurt to see Jeremy with that woman, I would be able to bear it. I had no idea how wrong I was.

I walked into class one morning, and what I saw next made my blood run cold. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Jeremy kissing the daylights out of the girl.

My heart sank in my chest, and it sank even further when they were too engrossed in locking lips that they did not even notice my presence.

I cleared my throat shakily, and that was when they finally sprung apart. 

“Professor Darwin!” The girl exclaimed while Jeremy refused to meet my eye, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. 

“This is a reputable institution. You should conduct yourself while you remain on this premises and behave accordingly.” I tried to appear stern, but I was not sure I succeeded as my voice came out strained and shaky, and it took everything I had not to break down in tears at that moment. 

I knew all I was saying was bullshit. Students were caught kissing and making out all the time on campus. I was just upset at what I just saw. 

“Sorry, Professor Darwin.” The girl muttered, and that conversation was over when the other students began trooping in. 

I watched as they took their seats before I began the class. Upset was an understatement of how I felt at that moment. 

I was angry. I was mad, and most of all, I was heartbroken. I kept stuttering over my words as I was totally distracted, and although it was not my finest moment, I took out all my anger and grumpiness on my students.

After I managed to finish my class, I stormed out in a rage, but before I left completely, I overheard some of the students whisper.

“What is going on with her?” 

“Why is she so mad?” 

I shook my head, ignoring their whispers as I walked out of the hall. I called a cab, headed straight home, my entire body trembling, and on the brink of tears.

I managed to pull myself together the entire ride, but once I got home, the floodgates opened, and once I collapsed on my bed, I began bawling my eyes out.

Disgust and ugly jealousy rippled through my insides as I thought of that girl sticking her tongue down Jeremy’s throat and fresh tears instantly trickled down my eyes as I buried my face in my pillow.

I felt so awful, and the urge to call my best friend and talk to her about it was strong. I sniffed, wiping away my tears as I reached for my phone.

My fingers hovered over Beth’s contact, but at the last minute, I let out a huge sigh, dropping the phone back on the bed. 

I didn’t want to be selfish. I had bothered Beth with enough of my problems. She needed to enjoy her honeymoon like she was supposed to.

I burst into another round of tears as my heart clenched painfully in my chest. I had no idea why seeing Jeremy kiss her so passionately made me hurt so deeply, but he did.

After crying for a few minutes, my eyes began to hurt, and I was pretty sure they were bloodshot. 

Suddenly, I heard the doorbell ring, and I let out a grunt, slowly wiping away the tears from my eyes. 

I got up from the bed and trudged lifelessly towards the living room, hoping that whoever was currently at the door wouldn’t give a shit about bloodshot eyes. 

I couldn’t help but wonder who was at the door, though. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and only a few people knew where I lived.

“Coming!” I answered once the doorbell rang once again, and when I finally made it to the door, I flung it open.

I did not expect to be standing face to face with my best friend, who was supposed to be away on her honeymoon.

My eyes went wide with pure shock as my jaw hung open. For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating.

“Beth?!” I exclaimed, my eyes growing so wide that I thought they might just pop out of their sockets.

“Hey, bestie!” She exclaimed with a wide smile, which showed off her pearly white teeth.

“Beth!” I screamed, practically jumping into her arms, and she let out a chuckle as she threw her arms around here.

“What the hell are you doing here?! I thought you wouldn’t be arriving till the weekend?!” I yelled in utter disbelief because that was what she told me last night.

She let out a loud laugh as we pulled away from the embrace. “I only said that because I wanted to surprise you.” 

“Well your plan certainly worked. I am surprised as hell.” I gasped, and I could have sworn that I nearly shed tears of joy at that moment. 

The smile slowly slipped from Beth’s face as her expression turned worried. “Oh, sweetie. Have you been crying?” 

I sniffed, quickly averting my eyes. “No. Of course not. Why would I cry?” 

“Oh, Lucy,” Beth placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as her expression turned sympathetic. “Shall we go inside and talk?” 

That was enough to put a smile on my face as I threw my hands around her. “I missed you so much, Beth. I’m so glad you’re here.” 

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she patted me gently on the back. “I missed you too, sweetie.” She replied as we pulled away from the embrace.

I led her into my apartment, and once we sat on the couch, she turned to me, her expression worried and curious before she spoke.

“Alright, Lucy. Tell me what happened?” 

I let out a sigh, running my fingers through my hair as I felt my eyes sting. “Come on, Beth. I can not just bring up my problems when you literally just got here.” 

Beth’s expression softened as she placed her hand over mine, the warmth instantly seeping through my body. “I’m your best friend. That’s what I’m here for.”