Chapter 1
2022 Words
Eli’s Point of View – English Translation
It’s still early, but my whole body is already awake.
Not because of the alarm. Not because of class.
Because of her.
“Are you ready?” she asked while fixing the collar of her polo shirt.
I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at her. She still looked beautiful even with a serious face, even when she rarely smiled.
But I knew that with me—she was different.
“Mm-hmm,” I replied, grabbing my bag as we left the house together.
We rode quietly in her car. We were already used to this routine—a simple breakfast, a bit of conversation, then off we go together. But no matter how simple it was, I still looked at her like it was the first time I’d seen her.
She glanced at me briefly and smiled faintly. A rare moment.
It felt like I wasn’t talking to Miss Camille, but just Camille—the Camille that only I knew.
“What time is my class with your block?” she asked while keeping her eyes on the road.
“One o’clock,” I answered.
“You still want to call me ‘Miss’ even though you’ve already graduated?” she suddenly asked, and I laughed a little.
“Miss Villon, baby.”
“Hmm… depends. I also like it when you call me ‘baby’—when it’s just the two of us,” I replied.
She shook her head, laughing. “You’re so stubborn.”
“But you love me,” I teased with a wink.
“Unfortunately,” she said, but I knew she was joking because she briefly held my hand as we stopped at a red light.
A few more minutes passed and the car started slowing down.
“This is it?” I asked.
She nodded. “Take care, okay?”
Before I stepped out, I looked at her for a moment. I wanted to hug her. Kiss her on the cheek.
But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now.
“See you later?” I asked. Because only she could decide if we could be together while on campus.
“At the library. Don’t be late,” she replied in her usual bossy tone, flashing a bright smile. I smiled back.
I nodded, smiled, and stepped out slowly.
As I walked toward campus, I couldn’t help but wonder—
How long will this go on?
How long will we keep exchanging secret glances, hidden hugs, and careful goodbyes?
When I entered the campus, I went straight to the cafeteria. I wanted coffee before my class started.
And there they were—my three noisy friends who always seemed to be in their own world.
“Eliiii!” Rina shouted while waving.
“The goddess of fourth year has arrived!” Jay added, holding a sandwich.
“Hey hey, what time is it? Did you even eat breakfast or is there another reason why you’re glowing today?”
Mark laughed, raising an eyebrow.
I sat beside them and grabbed banana bread from Rina’s tray. “It’s too early for teasing.”
“Well, Eli. You’ve been smiling differently lately,” Rina teased, sipping iced coffee.
“You know the kind of smile that screams… in love?” Jay chimed in.
I shook my head but smiled at them.
“In love already? Can’t I just be happy with life?” I asked.
“Hmm. Suspicious!” they all nodded in sync, clearly preparing their gossip session.
I tried to hide the butterflies in my stomach. If only they knew who I was with before coming to school—
they’d probably flip the whole cafeteria over.
But as always, I just laughed, ate quietly…
“Maybe we’ll find real love on next month’s field trip,” Jay added with a wink.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah, that’s actually happening? The one in Laguna?” Rina asked.
“It’s confirmed!” they all practically shouted at once.
“There’s already a memo from admin. Two nights. One resort. Fake seminar on the first day, free time on the second. Let’s go!” Mark said, obviously excited.
“Wait, so we’re really staying overnight?” I asked, surprised.
“Two nights, girl! The whole department’s coming. Even some professors. So… maybe Ma’am Camille too?” Rina grinned mischievously.
I pretended to sip water just to hide the slight panic on my face.
“Ugh, Ma’am Camille. So serious,” Jay added, “But hot. No cap.”
“Jay!” we all scolded in unison.
“Just kidding! But seriously, she might be in charge of the seminar part. She’s the subject adviser for us graduating seniors,” Mark explained.
I nodded, hiding the rapid beating of my heart.
If she’s coming… what will happen to us?
Two nights in the same place, with students around us. No private car to drop us off or pick us up. No secret glances. Everything has to be professional.
But part of me was happy.
Because even if it’s forbidden, even if it’s difficult, even if it has to be hidden…
I’ll be with her.
“I think I need to buy a new swimsuit,” Rina suddenly said.
“Are you attending a seminar or going on a summer getaway?” I teased.
“I’m in!” Jay shouted. “I want new board shorts. Korean drama style.”
“Ew, you’ll wear that? Judging by your hair, you’re more ‘cleaning rag’ than Korean,” Rina shot back.
“Oh please, your blush looks like makeup for a Chinese festival,” Jay countered.
“Eli will say yes,” Mark joked. “As long as there’s a breakfast buffet, no complaints.”
I smiled while taking a bite of banana bread.
“As long as there’s hot chocolate, I’m good,” I said.
They looked at me quietly. Then, almost at the same time, their eyes lit up.
“Oh my god. Eli. Are you finally going to confess?” Rina leaned in.
“Huh? I said hot chocolate,” I said innocently.
“Exactly. What does that have to do with your someone?” Jay asked.
I pretended to text, tapped the table, and stood up.
“Class in ten. See you later!”
“Eliii! We’re not done talking!” Rina called as I walked away.
I smiled briefly at them, but deep inside…
They didn’t know how important that field trip was to me.
And at the same time…
How dangerous it might be.
After the loud chitchat in the cafeteria, I headed straight to the library. I didn’t have class yet, but I wanted to read ahead for our next topic in Psychology. Instead of joking around with Rina and the others, I wanted to be alone and clear my head. My emotions were messy today—probably because of Miss.
The hallway to the library was quiet. It was my favorite spot on campus—not because I liked silence, but because this was where Camille and I usually met… I mean, Miss Camille.
Once inside, I headed to the Psychology section. I looked for the book Miss recommended in our last discussion—“Theories of Personality.” Found it.
Sometimes I think I’m taking this subject seriously just because she teaches it. But deep down, I’m genuinely curious about how the human mind works.
Especially hers.
With the book in hand, I glanced behind me.
There was Professor Amara, sitting alone in the reading area. She wore reading glasses and seemed absorbed in a thick neuropsychology book.
Professor Amara. One of the department’s well-known names. A bit intimidating, but in fairness, she’s cool in her own way.
I gathered the courage and approached her table.
“Hi, Ma’am. Would it be okay if I sat here?”
She looked up briefly, then nodded.
“Sure, Elise. You’re a Psychology major, right?”
I smiled and sat across from her.
“Yes, Ma’am. Fourth year.”
“Good. What are you reading?”
I lifted the book.
“Theories of Personality, Ma’am. Just reading ahead before our next topic.”
She glanced at my book and smiled slightly.
“Nice choice. That’ll help you even in real life—especially in understanding people’s behavior.”
I fell quiet. People’s behavior… Right. Maybe I could use some theory to understand why she’s different with me compared to everyone else.
“Is there a specific theory you’re focusing on?” she asked as she returned to her reading.
“Actually… I’m curious about Carl Jung. His introvert and extrovert theory.”
“Interesting. Are you an extrovert?”
I chuckled. “My friends say I am. But when it comes to feelings… not really.”
She looked at me like she wanted to analyze me more, but just smiled.
“That’s something to explore.”
I opened my notebook and began highlighting concepts. We stayed quiet. No one else spoke, but somehow, I felt comfortable.
It was quiet between Miss Amara and me as we read. Occasionally, I glanced at her to ask a question, but I was mostly focused on the book. I wanted to make the most of the moment—quiet, undisturbed reading time wasn’t always easy to come by.
But suddenly—
THUD!
A loud thud of a book hitting our table startled me. I almost dropped my pen from surprise. I turned to see where the sound came from… and that’s when I saw her.
Miss Camille.
She was now seated between me and Miss Amara. Still wearing her dark blazer, eyebrows raised, and staring straight at me. Sharp. Piercing. Like her gaze was stabbing me.
Sh*t.
I didn’t know what made her upset. But I could immediately feel the tension in the air. Her aura was cold, like a storm no one saw coming.
I just looked down and pretended to be focused on my book and highlighter. But in truth, I couldn’t understand a single thing I was reading after she arrived. I could feel her stare. And even more… the jealousy? Anger? Maybe both?
She just continued arranging her things on the table, then suddenly let out a soft,
“Good morning, Amara.”
“Oh, Camille, good morning,” Miss Amara replied simply, not even sparing her a glance. It was casual, but enough for me to sense there was something going on between them.
“You seem busy,” Camille said, her voice cold. She barely looked at Miss Amara, but the restraint was obvious.
“Reading. With Elise,” Miss Amara replied, pointing to my book as if deliberately emphasizing that I was with her.
I noticed Camille’s jaw tighten even more.
“Hmm. Psychology, right? Interesting.”
There was something else in her tone. But I chose to ignore it.
I continued reading, trying hard to maintain a poker face even though it felt like a nuclear war was unfolding at our table.
Silence. Tense. Suffocating.
No one said anything else, but I felt Camille subtly sliding her leg closer to mine under the table. I was startled when I felt her leg touch mine for a moment—like she did it on purpose.
I glanced slightly, but she didn’t look back.
“You’ve been here long?” Camille asked, her hand clenched as she read the book she was holding.
“Yes, before the storm came.” I looked at Miss Amara when she said that. She set her book down, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at me.
“So, are you telling me that I'm the storm?” Camille asked, her voice irritated. “I don't care.”
Professor Camille placed a thick book between me and Professor Amara, completely blocking my view of her.
Jealous. Jealous.
I looked at Miss Camille, whose hand had now reached my side with a threat of a pinch.
“Ow—”
She didn’t have to say a word.
I could feel it.
She was angry.
And I was the reason.
- Writer
