Episode 19

As Ms. Celeste began the lecture, her calm and composed demeanor seemed to contrast sharply with the chaotic storm outside. I tried to focus on her words, but my soaked clothes and the chill creeping into my skin made it hard to concentrate.

As the lecture continued, I couldn’t help but sneeze. It wasn’t just once—my sneezes came in a series, catching everyone’s attention. Great, just great, I thought, trying to stifle the next one.

Ms. Celeste paused mid-sentence, her gaze snapping to me. “Ms. Cruz,” she said, her tone both concerned and slightly amused. “Do you need a moment?”

The class chuckled softly, and I felt my face heat up. “No, ma’am, I’m fine,” I said, sniffling and wishing I could disappear into my seat.

Ms. Celeste raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Fine doesn’t usually involve sneezing like that,” she remarked, earning a few more quiet laughs from the class.

I offered a sheepish smile and nodded, hoping she’d drop it and continue the lecture. But instead, she stepped away from the podium and approached my seat, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

My heart raced as she stopped in front of me. “You’re drenched,” she said, her tone gentler now. “Why didn’t you bring an umbrella?”

I swallowed hard, feeling every pair of eyes in the room on me. “I… forgot,” I mumbled, staring down at my notebook.

She sighed, pulling a packet of tissues from her pocket and placing it on my desk. “Dry yourself off, at least. I don’t want to hear that you’ve caught a cold tomorrow.”

“T-Thank you,” I stammered, grabbing the tissues and avoiding her gaze.

Ms. Celeste straightened up and returned to the front of the room, resuming her lecture as if nothing had happened. But I couldn’t focus—not with the warmth spreading through me at her small act of kindness. Even though I felt embarrassed, a tiny part of me couldn’t help but feel… seen.

As the class ended, I was just about to leave the classroom when this professor called me again. What now, seriously?

I turned to face her. "What is i—" I didn’t even finish my sentence because she suddenly draped her suit over me.

"Wear it... you might catch a cold. Plus..." she trailed off, her gaze lowering. I followed her line of sight and realized she was looking at my chest.

I immediately stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at her.

She laughed lightly. "I also have that," she said, smirking.

My glare deepened, though I felt my face flush. "Excuse me?" I snapped, trying to keep my voice steady despite the embarrassment crawling up my spine.

Ms. Celeste’s smirk only grew as she met my eyes. "I was simply stating the obvious," she said, her tone laced with amusement. "You’re soaked, Ms. Cruz, and wearing a white shirt in this weather isn’t exactly the best choice."

I clenched my jaw, biting back a retort. Was she trying to embarrass me on purpose? Her words felt more teasing than anything, but that didn’t make it any less mortifying.

“Thanks for the advice, Professor,” I said curtly, pulling her suit tighter around me. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Her expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something… sincere? “Good,” she said simply, stepping back and allowing me to leave. “Take care, Alexis.”

That stopped me in my tracks. She rarely used my first name. I turned slightly, my heart doing an annoying little flip. “Thanks,” I mumbled, before rushing out the door, desperate to escape the storm—both outside and in my head.

---

By the time I got back to my dorm, Jenna was waiting for me with a bag of chips and her usual smug grin. “You’re late,” she said, eyeing the suit I was still wearing. “And... is that her suit?”

“Don’t start,” I warned, tossing my bag onto the couch and pulling off the damp jacket.

Jenna gasped dramatically. “Oh my God, it is! Did Professor Sungit just give you her clothes? What kind of forbidden office romance plotline is this?”

I groaned, throwing the suit at her. “She was being professional. Nothing more.”

Jenna caught it, holding it up like it was a trophy. “Oh sure, because handing over her suit to a student is totally normal behavior. Next thing you know, she’ll be offering private tutoring sessions.”

“Jenna!” I threw a pillow at her, my face burning. “Can you not?”

She just laughed, dodging the pillow and tossing the suit onto the armrest. “Fine, fine. But I’m telling you, there’s something there. You’re not imagining it.”

I sighed, flopping onto the couch and burying my face in my hands. “I don’t even know what to think anymore. She’s just… so confusing.”

Jenna plopped down beside me, her grin softening into a supportive smile. “Well, whatever it is, just don’t overthink it, okay? You’ve got enough on your plate without adding a mysterious, attractive professor into the mix.”

I peeked at her through my fingers. “Attractive?”

Her smirk returned. “Oh, come on, Alexis. Even you can’t deny that.”

I groaned again, but this time, I couldn’t hide the tiny, traitorous smile tugging at my lips. Jenna wasn’t wrong. But that didn’t mean I was ready to admit it.

That night, I ended up getting sick—sneezing nonstop and coughing on top of it. Great. I guess it didn’t take much for me to catch something; I’ve always been prone to getting sick easily. Perfect timing, I thought sarcastically, wrapping myself in a blanket as I tried to get some rest.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. My head throbbed, my throat burned, and my nose was completely stuffed. I groaned, burying myself deeper under the blanket.

“Alexis,” Jenna’s voice cut through the fog in my brain, followed by the sound of the door opening. “You’re still in bed? Oh no, don’t tell me you’re sick.”

“Shut up,” I mumbled, my voice muffled and raspy.

Jenna appeared at my bedside, arms crossed, her expression equal parts amused and concerned. “You’re literally a walking example of why people should listen to their professors,” she teased, though she quickly softened when she saw how miserable I looked. “Okay, wait here. I’ll make you some tea.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

As Jenna busied herself in the kitchen, I tried to think about anything other than my aching body. Unfortunately, my mind kept drifting back to Ms. Celeste. Her small act of kindness, her teasing smirk—it all felt too personal to brush off. But what was I even supposed to do about it? She was my professor, for crying out loud.

“Here,” Jenna said, handing me a steaming mug. “Ginger tea. It’ll help.”

I took it gratefully, savoring the warmth in my hands. “You’re the best,” I croaked.

“Don’t forget it,” she said, sitting down beside me. “So, are you gonna tell her?”

“Tell who what?” I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.

“Ms. Celeste,” Jenna said with a knowing grin. “You should thank her for, you know, not letting you freeze to death.”

“I already said thank you,” I argued, taking a sip of the tea.

Jenna raised an eyebrow. “Sure, but did you actually mean it? Or were you too busy being awkward and flustered?”

I glared at her, though it lacked any real heat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, smirking as she grabbed her phone. “Well, I’m just saying, if you don’t figure out what’s going on between you two, I will.”

“Don’t you dare,” I warned, coughing mid-sentence.

Jenna laughed, patting my shoulder. “Relax, I’m just kidding. For now. Just… get better, okay? And maybe stop overthinking everything.”

Easier said than done, I thought, sinking back into my pillows. But as I closed my eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder if Jenna was right. Maybe I did need to stop overthinking and start figuring out what exactly Ms. Celeste’s actions meant—if they meant anything at all.

:))

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