Chapter 41: Let’s Go for a Night Out
Thea snuggled up beside Grandma after having her dinner, a happy sigh escaping her lips. "Did you buy all the things you needed for your painting, sweetie?"
Thea nodded, holding up her bag. "Yes, Grandma, I got everything!"
"Now, let’s enjoy these treats and celebrate as you are going to take part in the art competition..." Thea grinned, feeling happy and content as she sat down next to her grandmother to enjoy their special treat together.
After tucking Grandma Grace into bed and administering her evening medication, Thea retreated to her own room. She settled onto the bed, her gaze instinctively drawn to the bag containing her painting supplies.
She put her canvas in the stand and wondered for a moment about her painting. She got dressed in her nightdress. With deep concentration and thought, she drew the draft for her painting on paper. She was satisfied with her draft idea.
She fell onto the bed with a novel in her hand. She was reading the book, her eyes scanning the pages, but soon her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep with the book still open on her chest.
The next morning....
She stirred awake and noticed the book she had been engrossed in was still open on her chest. "Oh, how clumsy of me," she thought, "I must have drifted off while reading again."
"Guess I was really tired last night!" she thought, shaking her head with a smile. She closed the book and got ready to start a new day.
Following breakfast, she boarded a bus and made her way to the university.
"Thea .." Charlotte exclaimed as she saw her friend waiting by the entrance.
"Charlotte, Good morning."
"Do you know today I heard a new professor is going to join." Charlotte informed.."Do you have any idea?"
Thea shook her head.
Charlotte’s voice quivered with excitement as she asked, "Is it true that he’s incredibly handsome?"
"I’m clueless..." Thea chuckled, and both friends strolled off to their classroom.
Inside the classroom, the students settled into their seats, chatting softly among themselves.
The instant a strikingly handsome man walked into the room, a hush swept over the crowd. Conversations halted, and many of the girls found themselves unable to look away, their eyes drawn irresistibly to the newcomer.
A ripple of awe-"OMG, he’s freaking handsome!"-spread quietly through the back of the classroom, causing Thea and Charlotte to glance over curiously.
Their eyes followed the collective gaze, and Thea felt her breath hitch as she took in the stranger’s striking features and intense eyes. For a brief moment, she was transported back to memories of Ryder-the only other person whose good looks had ever made her heart race like this.
She couldn’t help but feel that the man infront of her was also very handsome..
The man cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the class. "Good morning, everyone..." he said with a charming smile. "My name is Liam Flynn, and I’ll be your new instructor for this semester’s World Literature."
Most of the girls were mesmerized by his look... When the professor’s eyes met hers, Thea was shocked.
As soon as class ended, Thea gathered her books, preparing to make her way to the library. Charlotte lingered beside her, a faraway look softening her features.
"Thea, he’s just so handsome. I really hope he doesn’t already have a girlfriend..." she breathed, her voice tinged with longing.
Thea grinned, teasing, "Oh? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him already. Is this love at first sight?"
Charlotte blushed, laughing. "Thea don’t tease me. You know... I already have someone in my heart.."
"Okay, okay. I won’t tease you. Any new updates about your beloved?"
Charlotte’s expression turned secretive, and she clicked her tongue. "Yes, but it’s personal."
"Then I’m not going to force you to reveal it to me." she said, returning to her notes, her eyes scanning the pages as they walked out of the classroom together.
They went to the library surrounded by the musty scent of old books and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. "Why did you come here?" Charlotte asked, her eyes scanning the shelves of books. "I want to borrow some reference books for the literature assignment.." Thea replied, her fingers trailing over the spines of the books.
Charlotte’s face broke into a radiant smile as she whispered, "I heard he is going to come back during the summer break. I am so happy about it."
"Who are you referring to?" Thea asked, her pencil hovering over her notes.
Charlotte’s answer was cheeky but exasperating. "My sweetheart.."
Thea smiled warmly, "Charlotte... Good luck for your future..."
Charlotte couldn’t stop herself from talking about her beloved. She spoke about his kind heart, his charming smile, and his captivating eyes. Thea listened attentively, nodding her head from time to time, her expression supportive and encouraging.
Although she had never met Charlotte’s beloved physically only saw his photo, she had heard so much about him that she felt like she knew him already. Charlotte would often talk about him, sharing stories and anecdotes that made her feel like she was getting to know him through Charlotte’s eyes.
Charlotte enthusiastically shared her feelings about her love interest where as her’s thoughts drifted to her own hidden crush - the one she had never told to anyone .
A soft smile spread across her face as she recognized the parallel between their situations.. both Charlotte’s and her own affections remained unrequited.
Thea focused on Charlotte, listening attentively as she continued to pour out her heart, sharing every detail about her beloved.
Charlotte’s voice was tinged with a hint of mischief as she asked, "Thea, don’t you have someone you like?" Thea nodded her head in agreement, her eyes dropping to her books.
"Huh, you like someone, but I have no idea about it. Who is he? Someone from our campus?"
Thea sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "No, he’s not from our campus. It’s one-sided, so I didn’t inform you."
"Do you think he realizes how you feel?" Charlotte asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.
Thea offered a small, wistful smile. "I doubt it... but sometimes I wish he could."
"It looks like we’re both in the same boat," Charlotte said quietly.
They walked into the canteen, Thea’s arms stacked with borrowed books.As she made her way through the crowd, she caught sight of Lyla, a friendly classmate from another department, who was smiling and waving at her from across the room.
"I heard a new professor is going to take your lecture. Is that true?" when they approached to Lyla ,she asked them.
Charlotte nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Hmmm, he is ..."
Thea couldn’t help but chuckle at Lyla’s enthusiasm. Charlotte continued, her voice teasing. "He’s young, dashing, and handsome. I’m sure he’ll make a great impression on all of you."
Lyla’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she asked, "I’ve heard he’s really handsome. A lot of girls in our department have been talking about him. Is that true?"
Charlotte replied with a knowing smile, her tone casual yet confident, "Well... you could say that."
"I can’t wait to see him!"
Thea let out a sigh and teased, "Honestly, you all lose focus the moment someone good-looking walks by."
Charlotte chuckled softly,"It’s not just about his looks-he’s got brains to back it up, too."
Charlotte and Thea headed to the counter, eager to fill their plates. "Oh, today’s special is chicken!" Charlotte exclaimed, scooping a generous portion onto her plate. Thea followed suit, adding the chicken dish, along with some steamed vegetables and quinoa, to her own plate.
"You know, Thea .. professor Liam is handsome, but from his vibe, I think he belongs to a rich family."
"Why did you think so?"
Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. "My mind is just saying. He carries himself with confidence and poise, like someone who’s used to a certain level of luxury."
Lyla listened in on their conversation.After a few minutes of chatting, she bid them farewell, heading off to her next class in her department.
"What’s your plan during summer break?"
Thea asked Charlotte, her eyes curious.
Charlotte paused to chew her food, then replied with a shrug, "Other than heading to Canada and seeing Ryan, I don’t really have any plans." she said, her tone relaxed.
"What about you?" Charlotte asked back.
Thea shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off the chair. "I’ll stay here as usual..." She replied, her voice simple and unassuming.
But then, Charlotte’s expression turned mischievous. "Today, let’s go for a night out!" she suggested quickly.
"Why so suddenly?" she asked.
Charlotte’s grin grew wider. "See, we’re going to have summer break in a few days. I’ll go to Canada, while you’ll get busy with your painting. We’ll stay away from each other for many days, so why not enjoy each other’s company while we can?"
"Oh, I see. There’s also another reason, isn’t there?" Thea replied her voice teasing.
"What other reasons are you talking about?"
