ELARA'S POV
The sun filtered gently through my curtains as I awoke, my thoughts swirling around the memories from the day before. Every little detail flooded back to me—the way she squirmed and blushed in class, an intoxicating mix of sweetness and shyness that stole my breath away. Those moments together had been pure joy, and I found myself smiling at the thought of it. But as I got ready for the day, I tried to shake off the daydreams; my classes awaited.
I hurried to college, late as usual. My mind had been consumed by thoughts of her all night long, and I couldn't help but cringe at the idea of missing even a second of her presence. As I rushed through the crowded hallways, I caught a glimpse of Ivy sitting beside a new student. A sharp pang of jealousy shot through me, akin to the eruption of a volcano; there they were, laughing and leaning into each other. My heart sank as the familiar sting of unease wrapped around me like a vine.
Entering the classroom, I was met with the usual chorus of greetings from my classmates, but my focus was solely on Ivy. The moment our eyes locked, something fierce ignited within me. "Now, who's this new student we have here?" I demanded, casting a wary glance at the boy beside her.
"He's Sam, and he'll be attending our class from now on," Ivy chimed in, her eyes darting between me and him.
"Oh? Does Sam not have a voice of his own?" I couldn't help the smirk that crept onto my lips. "Seems like Ivy is filling in for him, isn't she?"
"He's just a little shy, that's why I'm speaking for him," Ivy retorted defensively. The frustration bubbled up inside me, and I shot back, "Get out of my class, Ivy. You don't get to argue with me like that." The firmness in my tone left no room for debate, and she complied, slipping out of the room.
As I carried on with the lesson, I felt the weight of something unresolved lingering in the air.
When the next class rolled around, I beckoned Ivy back in with a flick of my hand. "Don't argue with me again over some silly boy," I warned, but she merely shrugged it off, claiming her seat without a word. Despite my resolve, an unfamiliar ache danced in my chest, but I couldn't quite place why.
Rain cascaded down in heavy sheets by the time classes ended. Grabbing my umbrella, I stepped outside to find Ivy waiting, perhaps hoping the downpour would let up. I walked over to her, a teasing grin forming. "No umbrella?" I asked, and she shook her head in reply—a clear 'no.' It seemed she was still upset with me.
We stood in silence for what felt like an eternity before I finally broke it, a hint of softness in my voice. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home."
"Okay," she replied quietly, and we huddled beneath the same umbrella, our proximity electrifying yet unnerving. As we approached my car, I felt my heart race a little faster.
"I'm sorry for our argument today," Ivy said, her voice laced with sincerity.
"It's fine. You've had your punishment, so we're even now," I shrugged, but the weight of the silence was palpable as I drove through the rainy streets. With an air of nonchalance, I asked, "So, who was that boy anyway?"
"He's my best friend, and he's gay," she replied straightforwardly, so bluntly that it caught me off guard. But for reasons I couldn't quite understand, her honesty made me inexplicably happy—a delightful flutter danced in my chest.
As we pulled up to her home, I handed her the umbrella, making sure she had it for the short walk to her door. "Take this; I want to make sure you get home safely."
I watched as she disappeared into the distance, a bittersweet longing welling inside me. I already missed her presence, an ache gently pulling at my thoughts even as I tried to brush it aside. With a sigh, I turned the car around and headed home, my mind still lost in the echo of her laughter.