Lucy arrived on campus, her expression tight as she walked through the crowd.
Every step she made intensified the dull ache in her lower abdomen, and her eyebrows were drawn together.
Shifting her backpack higher, she silently wished the cramps would ease.
Someone bumped into her, and apologised immediately before walking off. She wanted to snap. Wanted to shout. Wanted to pour out her frustrations.
Her patience was barely hanging on a thread.
But she held it in, taking deep, calming breaths.
As she continued walking, the phone in her hand buzzed and she stared at it, her eyes narrowing.
Professor Sterling: Good morning, Lucy. Kindly stop by my office before your first lecture. I want to discuss the lab schedules and students grouping with you.
Lucy read it, and let out a breath through her mouth before she changed her directions.
Arriving at the department building, the kind departmental secretary directed her to Kane’s office.
Lucy’s steps seemed to slow as she approached his door. Facing it, she raised her hand to knock, a slight bit of hesitation within her.
She closed her eyes for a full second before she opened them, determination stronger in them and she knocked.
You can do this, Lu.
A smooth come in sounded and she faltered slightly before she pushed the door open.
Lucy stopped slightly in her tracks as her eyes landed on Kane who was sitting behind his desk, glasses on, and a folder in his hands. His brows were pulled together in deep concentration.
For some reason, Lucy didn’t want to interrupt him. She needed just a few seconds to admire him. Regardless of whatever her reasons were, she kept silent as she watched him.
"You are here," Kane spoke up without looking, his deep, gentle, yet gravelly voice resounding in the entire office, dragging Lucy back to two nights ago.
Memories of how he wished her a happy birthday.
Memories of how he asked her if she was sure?
It was two nights ago. But to her, it felt that it happened an eternity ago.
Lucy cleared her throat, forcing a composed and polite smile. "Professor Sterling." She greeted with a slight nod, hands behind her back, and her posture ramrod straight.
Kane finally raised his head, placing the folder on the desk while he assessed Lucy who stared straight at the wall behind him. She couldn’t risk looking at him for too long.
She was scared. Scared that he would notice whatever was tucked deeply within her eyes. She had only known him for two days, and hadn’t even had a proper interaction with him.
Yet she was sure of one fact: Kane Sterling was an expert at reading people.
And for her who always wore her heart on her sleeve, she couldn’t risk him reading her face. It was a risk she couldn’t afford.
"Please," he gestured to the chair opposite him, "have a seat."
Lucy blinked, but she forced herself to walk towards the chair, before she dropped onto it. She glanced down immediately.
Kane frowned, cocking his head to the side.
"Miss Bennett, are you scared of me?"
Lucy shook her head in reply.
"Then, why won’t you look at me?"
Lucy bit down on her lower lip, before she dragged her gaze upwards, her eyes accidentally meeting with Kane’s.
"Much better," he nodded, before pushing a folder towards her.
"That is the laboratory schedule," he said, pausing for a while as he watched her pick the folder. "I’d also be needing your help in grouping the students. I assume you won’t mind this."
Lucy shook her head, and he nodded.
"And what about your class... that is if you have one this morning."
Lucy was silent for a while before she answered softly, "I don’t have classes this morning."
Kane pursed his lips. He wanted to ask why she was in school then. The words were on the tip of his tongue, begging to be released, but he held back. It wasn’t his place to ask.
Or was it?
He was her professor.
And she was his student representative.
Surely... he could show some care, right?
A little bit of care wouldn’t hurt anyone, right?
"Does this timing interfere with your own timetable?" He asked quietly, his stare fixated on her, his gaze searching.
Lucy snapped her head up, caught off-guard by the question before she laughed quietly. "I wanted to use the library."
She didn’t say anything else. And he didn’t push, only nodding to her words, despite his desperate attempt to know why.
They spent the next thirty minutes discussing, amending, and finalizing the laboratory schedules while also grouping the students.
When they were finally done, Lucy blew out a breath, relieved that it was done.
Kane rose from his chair and leaned over her shoulder.
"I think you missed someone’s name."
She tensed immediately, feeling a warm breath on her bare shoulders. She looked up and her eyes met with Kane’s.
She swallowed, shocked by the proximity. She had no idea when Kane had risen to his feet and stood behind her.
"I-I’ll fix it now." She stuttered.
Kane stared at her for a bit longer, before he returned to his seat.
When Lucy was done, she handed him the folder and sat stiffly in her chair, waiting. Expecting.
What she was expecting... she didn’t know.
Kane took one look at the folder. "I think this is good. You may leave now. I don’t want to intrude in your personal space."
Lucy’s brows shot up instantly, and her hands tightened into fists.
Normally, she would leave.
Without looking back.
Normally, she would not confront anyone.
But today, she was feeling bold... or suicidal. She didn’t know, neither did she care.
She slowly rose to her feet, asking, "Is that it?"
Kane raised his head, glancing at her.
"Is that... it?" She repeated.
"I’m afraid I don’t understand."
"Really?"
She laughed mirthlessly.
"You don’t understand?"
"Do you seriously have nothing to say about what happened two nights ago?"
Kane held her gaze for a moment too long.
The tension was palpable in the office.
Finally, he spoke, breaking the silence.
"I remember it."
Hope flared in Lucy’s eyes. Why? She couldn’t tell.
But in the next moment, the light in her eyes dimmed.
"And it never should have happened."
"From this moment on..." His voice was calm. "I’m your professor, Miss Bennett."
"Nothing more."
Lucy’s breath hitched. A hollow ache spread through her chest.
It was laughable.
She hadn’t even known him for a week.
Yet somehow... his words cracked something inside her.
But she was strong. She wouldn’t cower... at least not in his presence.
"Understood, Professor."
And then—
She walked out without looking back.
The door clicked shut behind her. Kane remained exactly where he was.
Only when he was certain she was gone did his fingers curl around the edge of the desk until his knuckles turned white.
He had done the right thing. He was certain of that.
So why did it feel like he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life?