Why Me?

Chapter Twenty-one

That's It

Everything was peaceful, and I slowly eased out of my deep sleep into a quiet and still morning. I found myself on Wyatt's couch, a thin soft brown blanket draped over me. I turned over, sighing as I rubbed my eyes and lay still for a moment, the memories of last night coming back to me.

It felt like Wyatt and I were moving back in the direction of how things used to be, but I knew they would never be the same even if we tried. We've come to an obstacle; a crossroads. I knew that one day something would come to challenge our relationship, but I thought that was much further down the road.

It just shows how naive I was to think a relationship with my own Professor would go just fine. Sighing, I looked over to a window. It was a golden morning, deep colour like broken glass against the window panes.

It couldn't have been too late. I could see the shadows stretching long outside, red blended into the gold, and dusty. Dew sparkled, winking at me, on the bushes and leaves standing like props in a play. For a second, it seemed that way.

Maybe all of this was a dream and it was all set up for temporary use until the illusion fell. But then I heard a noise. Slowly sitting up, I looked towards the open arch leading into the hall as Wyatt emerged, hair tousled from sleep.

He paused when he saw I was awake, standing and staring at me in silence for a few seconds, before he started over. I made room for him, scooting myself upright and tucking my legs against my chest. I balanced my chin on my knees, hooking my hands in front of my shins, as he sat in front of me. We were quiet for a while.

"What does this mean?" Wyatt asked finally. I sighed, shrugging.

"I don't know, really. I wasn't planning on this. I just wanted to... listen and leave, I guess," I said, softly. He nodded, pressing his lips together.

"If you leave now, I'd understand. I won't keep you," he said, staring at the floor. I hesitated, watching him.

"I don't know if I want to leave," I said. His eyes darted to mine, hope beginning to sparkle in his green like the beads of water on the green outside. I let out a breath of slight exasperation.

"I... I tried so hard to getyou out of my head, but I don't think it's possible. Everything reminds me of you. I can't... I feel so empty without you. I mean, I can survive but knowing you're out in the world and I can't have you in my life is so
draining. It feels like... like-"

"You're missing a piece of yourself?" he asked in a thick voice, tears clouding his eyes. I smiled, nodding and hugging my legs tighter as tears started filling my own eyes. He nodded, a few tears rolling down his
cheeks, before scooting closer to me and leaning in. He kissed my forehead, then my nose, before he got up. "What do you want for breakfast?"

I couldn't help the smile growing on my face as I looked up at him, taking a moment before I answered.

"Eggs would be fine," I said as I turned to get up myself. He smiled, then headed for the kitchen.

-------------------------->.<

The smile on my face wouldn't fall as I walked from the car park towards my dorm building to get ready for the day.

Wyatt and I agreed that we'd start talking again, but we wouldn't jump back into a relationship just yet. We wanted to build a strong foundation before we started making the house itself, per se. But there was one thing that could affect my mood, and I was looking right at them. Delilah, Caitlyn, and Becca were marching right for me.

Caitlyn and Becca were smirking at me, knowing and teasing, but Delilah's eyes were hard as if she knew exactly where I've been and what I've done.

"Walk of shame?" Becca asked, giggling a little, as they came up to us. Delilah violently gestured for her to be quiet, staring right at me.

"Girls, will you excuse Noelle and I for a second," she said, eyes narrowing to slits. Becca and Caitlyn exchanged a look, brows up, before sauntering off to sit at a bench.

Gulping slightly, I fiddled with my keys,
looking from Delilah's burning eyes. "You were at his house again, weren't you?"

"He's not my teacher anymore, so technically-"

"I built you, Noelle. I can break you down any way I want. Don't forget that I have evidence," she growled, stepping up to me. I took a deep breath in, staring to the ground in fear.

She grumbled. "I told you never to
talk to him again, and you go on to his bloody house? What were you thinking? Tell me."

"He wanted to tell me about his ex... the other student," I explained. She stared in silence for a few seconds, but I could tell even past her fiery gaze that she was curious herself. She shrugged, crossing her arms.

"What did he say?" she asked, trying to pretend like she didn't care.

"He was a teachers assistant, some kind of internship thing when he was still in college, and he fell for one of his students. I guess it was kind of the same thing as me. But he said she was a lot different from me, and that she took advantage of him to sue the university,"
I said quietly, glancing around. She was staring at me, blinking.

Suddenly, she uncrossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "That's all?" she asked. I blinked, staring between her eyes, before nodding. She took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds, then looked away from me. "I... I have to get going."

With that, she rushed off. I watched her go with confusion, wondering what the hell just happened. Becca and Caitlyn approached me, blinking after their leader as well.

"What happened?" Caitlyn asked me. I shrugged, sharing a puzzled look with her.

"I honestly don't know," I said.