Chapter 8 LINES CROSSED.
CLARA'S POV:
I squinted against the harsh sunlight seeping through the windows. When I tried to open my eyes fully, I shut them back quickly, wincing, then eased them open slowly, bit by bit.
A loud yawn escaped me, and I groaned, dragging myself towards my phone to check the time.
My heart dropped. 8:00. My 7:30 class - Professor Asher's class - had already started. Panic surged through me.
“Oh no, no, no… how did I… what even happened?” I muttered, my voice shaky. My mind scrambled. The last thing I remembered was scribbling in my diary, and now… this.
I jolted out of bed, nearly tripping over my bag. My hands flew to my hair as I tried to grab my brush, muttering underneath my breath. “Get it together, Clara… just hurry!”
I rushed into my bathroom, fumbling with the toothbrush, my teeth barely brushed before I leapt into the shower. The water was too cold, too fast, but I barely noticed, scribbling away sleep and panic at the same time.
Wrapped in a towel, I dressed quickly in a top and jeans, then my shoes. Grabbing my hairbrush and wrapped my hair loosely, letting a few tendrils fall on both sides of my cheeks.
The mirror barely reflected me before I shoved it out of my mind and darted for the door.
I dashed down the dorm halls, ignoring the snickers and funny looks from the students passing by. “Move! Sorry! Excuse me!” I yelled, practically leaping over backpacks. My chest heaved, my pulse rattling in my ears.
The moment I reached the classroom, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, heart hammering, breaths short. All eyes snapped towards me.
Professor Asher, froze, mid-sentence. His words hung in the air, sharp and suspended, as if my sudden appearance had stolen them.
My cheeks burned, and I could feel the tension radiating off him and the entire class.
“I… I’m so sorry,” I stammered, trying to catch my breath, but the words barely made it out as I hurried to an empty seat, my hands shaking slightly, still gripping my bag.
Just as I was about to slide into the back seat beside Jake—the only vacant one in the row—a deep, commanding voice cut through the air, making me freeze mid-step.
“Miss Bennett,” Professor Asher’s voice rang out, sharp and deliberate, echoing across the classroom. “Did I ask you to sit there? What made you think you could just barge in and take a seat without permission?”
I stopped, my stomach twisting. My fingers clenched around the strap of my bag, knuckles whitening. The room had gone completely silent.
Even the usual murmurs and rustling papers had vanished. Every single eye was fixed on me. Not a single whisper. whisper, not even a cough.
I slowly turned around, my head lowered, feeling my cheeks flame hot. “I… I’m sorry, sir.” I murmured, my voice barely audible, trembling under the weight of his gaze.
He stepped closer, his presence commanding the space around him. “And what made you this late, Miss Bennett? Everyone is well aware of the rules. Never come late to my class. And yet, here you are, defying them on the second day.”
His eyes pierced mine, unrelenting. “Do you understand what your behavior signals?”
I could barely breathe. My mind was spinning, words tangling in my throat. What am I supposed to say? That… that he was the reason I lost track of time? That every thought last night revolved around him, and I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep?
My brain scrambled for an excuse that wouldn’t sound like nonsense. I wasn’t usually late. Not ever. And this - this was baffling even to me.
“I… I’m really sorry, sir,” I whispered softly, my head still bowed. “It won’t happen again… I forgot to set an alarm.” Part of it was true, but it didn’t feel like enough.
“That is not an excuse.” he cut me off, his tone cold and precise. “Classroom rules are not suggestions, Miss Bennett.”
“Punctuality isn’t just about being on time. It’s about respect - for me, for your peers, for your own education. And yet, here you are, ignoring all of it. Do you realize how disruptive this is?”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “I… I apologize again, sir,” I murmured, my voice barely audible.
I finally took a tentative step toward the back row again, hoping to quietly claim my seat beside Jake. But he didn’t let me.
“Come to the front.” he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
I froze. The front row? I glanced over. There was no vacant seat. My heart sank, panic flaring hotter than before.
Before I could even speak, he addressed the girl sitting there, his tone leaving no room for protest: You, move. Sit beside Williams.”
The girl hesitated, but obeyed, leaving the seat directly in front of Professor Asher open. My body tensed, and my mind raced. Why is he doing this? And why now? Especially since Jake and I are project partners…
“Sir… Jake and I are project partners,” I started cautiously, holding my bag closer. “I’m not sure—”
His eyes flickered, darker for a heartbeat than I thought possible. My breath caught. And just as quickly, the look was gone.
“Are you defying my instructions, Miss Bennett?” His tone was low, deadly, laced with an intensity that made me flinch.
“No sir!” I blurted, heart hammering. I opened my mouth to explain further, but he cut me off without letting me finish.
“Sit. Now. Or leave! I have been lenient with you, and here you are, acting disobedient in front of the entire class. This is your last warning.”
I froze; a sharp jolt of shock coursed through me. Even a few students flinched at the sheer force of his words. My hands trembled as I lowered myself carefully into the front row seat.
“Sorry, sir,” I whispered underneath my breath, barely audible, my face burning, my eyes glued to the desk as I tried to make myself as small as possible.
I could feel his gaze on me, heavy and unrelenting, even as he turned to the board and began scribbling, chalk screeching faintly as it carved out formulas and notes.
My chest heaved, and I kept my hands folded on the desk, forcing my thoughts to stop spinning, though inside I was a whirlwind of panic, embarrassment, and something I couldn’t name.
A strange, unplaceable awareness that all of this… all of him… had completely consumed my mind.