Not the professor's "Baby"

MICHELLE???

I woke up before my alarm, the morning light spilling over Zina’s tangled sheets. She lay half buried under a pillow, hair everywhere, breathing so softly it almost made me smile. I pulled my blanket tighter, staring at the ceiling. His face wouldn’t leave my mind. The quiet authority in his eyes, the way my chest tightened when he looked at me. I hated how easily he slipped into my thoughts, uninvited.

Zina stirred, blinking herself awake. “You look like death. You good?”

“I’m fine,” I lied, already sitting up and tying my hair.

“Sure,” she teased, voice raspy. “What’s the plan?”

“Classes. Maybe library. Nothing special.”

“Wow, look at you being responsible,” she said, rolling out of bed.

“Shut up,” I muttered, but it made me smile.

The campus felt quieter than usual, a soft breeze carrying fallen leaves across the walkway. As I neared the English department, I spotted Professor Ellis trying to balance a box of old journals and papers. “Professor Ellis, do you need help?” I asked.

“Oh, Michelle! If you don’t mind…” he said, clearly relieved.

“I got it,” I said, taking half the load from him.

“You’re a lifesaver,” he chuckled. “Just down the hall to my office.”

As we walked, my chest tightened. His office was right by Daniel’s. Just act normal.

When we reached the door, Professor Ellis fumbled with the keys. Then I heard that voice. “Morning, Professor Ellis,” Daniel said, calm and deep, almost making my heart trip.

“Morning, Daniel,” Ellis replied warmly. “Michelle helped me carry these.”

Daniel’s gaze shifted to me. “Michelle.”

“Dr Grent,” I managed, voice carefully neutral.

“You shouldn’t let him make you do all the heavy lifting,” he said, watching me closer than anyone else would notice.

“I offered,” I shot back, sharper than I meant to.

His mouth twitched. “I can see that.”

Ellis finally opened the door. “Set them on the table, dear.”

I stepped inside, placed the papers down, and turned back to see Daniel still watching. “You’re early today,” he said, quieter.

“Trying to be,” I said, meeting his eyes before looking away.

“Have a good day, Michelle,” he said, and it sounded so final, yet it made my stomach twist.

“You too,” I murmured, before leaving the office as quickly as I could.

My heart was racing, breath shaky. Why did he still get to me?

The rest of the day felt slow, every lecture turning into background noise. After class, I found Zina waiting near the library steps, phone in hand. “Took you long enough,” she said, hopping off the railing.

“Sorry, had to help Professor Ellis,” I said.

“Did your spine survive?” she teased, linking her arm with mine.

“Barely.”

She looked at me, her playful tone softening. “You’ve been weird all day. Spill.”

“It’s nothing, Zee,” I lied again. How could I tell her the man messing up my head was my professor, twice my age?

She let it go, but her eyes said she didn’t buy it. “Anyway, Jason ghosted me,” she added, voice forced-casual.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“It’s fine,” she shrugged too quickly. “So what’s the plan tonight?”

“Probably just stay in,” I said.

“You? Staying in? You really okay?”

“Just… need to clear my head.”

“Alright. Movie night. I pick, you pretend to watch,” she grinned.

“Sounds perfect,” I said, and meant it.

Later that night, curled up on the couch, the movie playing low, my phone buzzed. An unknown number. Don’t let Professor Ellis give you his whole office next time. My heart skipped. I didn’t have to guess who it was.

Zina glanced over. “Who’s that?”

“Just someone from class,” I lied, locking my screen.

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press.

Under the blanket, my hands trembled. His text wasn’t sweet, but it made something tighten deep inside. I wanted to reply, but instead I just sat there, trying to breathe normally. Even with Zina next to me and the TV filling the room, his voice stayed in my head, low and impossible to ignore. And tomorrow, I knew I’d see him again, and everything would get messy all over.