The day had been exhausting. After back-to-back classes, I finally had a moment to breathe. Carrying my books, I made my way across campus, the warm sun casting a golden glow over everything. The air smelled faintly of saltwater, reminding me of how close we were to the beach. A long walk there sounded like exactly what I needed.
I reached the shoreline just as the sun began to set. The sky was a canvas of orange and pink, the waves rolling in with a soothing rhythm. I kicked off my shoes, letting the cool sand slide between my toes as I walked aimlessly.
This was my escape-a moment away from the chaos of whispers and stares. The laughter and rumors from earlier were still fresh in my mind, each word cutting deeper than I’d like to admit.
But then, I saw him.
Gabriel stood by the water, his broad shoulders hunched as he gazed out at the sunset. There was something different about him his usual arrogance replaced by a quiet stillness. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
My heart raced. I didn’t want to deal with him, especially not after everything. I turned quickly, hoping to leave before he noticed me.
“Stop where you are, Puppy,” his rough, cold voice called out.
I froze, goosebumps spreading over my skin. How did he always manage to catch me? Slowly, I turned around, my eyes meeting his.
He took a step closer, the fading sunlight highlighting the sharp lines of his face. “Running away again, are we?”
“I wasn’t running,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Sure you weren’t.” His lips curled into a smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes. There was something off about him.
“Gabriel, I was just leaving-”
“Stay.” The single word held an unfamiliar softness, and I hesitated.
He looked different, his usual composure replaced by a slight sway in his stance. It didn’t take long for me to notice the faint smell of alcohol on him.
“Are you drunk?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“Maybe,” he admitted, his smirk faltering. “What’s it to you?”
I didn’t know how to respond. This was a side of Gabriel I’d never seen before-unguarded, almost vulnerable. It was unsettling.
He took another step closer, his gaze locking onto mine. “You’re different, Puppy.”
“Different how?” I asked cautiously.
“You don’t judge me,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Everyone else does. But you… you just look at me like I’m another person.”
I blinked, unsure of what to say. Was this the same Gabriel who’d made my life miserable? The one who led the laughter at my expense?
“You’re imagining things,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “You don’t even know me.”
“Maybe not.” He shrugged, looking back at the water. “But I know enough.”
The conversation left me feeling more confused than ever. Gabriel was like a puzzle with pieces that didn’t fit. One moment, he was cruel and mocking; the next, he was… this.
—
The following day, the campus was buzzing with excitement again, but for a different reason. As I walked into the common area, I overheard wishpers of conversations.
“Did you hear about the new history professor?”
“Yeah, apparently he’s super strict. No tolerance for late assignments.”
“But also super hot,” someone added, giggling.
I frowned, my curiosity piqued despite myself. A new professor?
In the next class, the whispers continued. Everyone seemed to be talking about this mysterious figure who hadn’t even arrived yet.
“Do you think he’s single?” one girl asked, twirling her hair.
“Does it matter? He’s a professor,” her friend replied with a laugh.
“Still. A girl can dream.”
I rolled my eyes, trying to focus on my notes. But it was hard to ignore the chatter around me.
When the class ended, I made my way to the cafeteria, hoping to grab a quick lunch before my next lecture. But as I walked in, the familiar sound of laughter reached my ears.
Mia was sitting at a table with her usual group, her phone in hand and a smug look on her face.
“I’m just saying,” she began loudly, “some people really think they’re special. Like Gabriel would ever look at them that way.”
Her friends burst into laughter, and I felt a sinking feeling in my chest.
“Poor Elena,” Mia continued, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. “She probably thinks she’s his type. Hate to break it to her, but Gabriel doesn’t go for desperate girls.”
More laughter followed, and I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm.
“I mean, really,” Mia added, her smirk widening. “Did you see her face when she walked out of class yesterday? Priceless.”
The table erupted into giggles again, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned on my heel and walked out, my appetite gone.
—
The rest of the day was a blur. I kept my head down, avoiding people as much as I could. By the time my last class ended, I was emotionally drained.
As I walked back to my dorm, I overheard another group of students talking about the new history professor.
“Apparently, he’s arriving tomorrow,” one of them said.
“Great. Just what we need-another strict professor,” their friend replied.
“Hey, at least he’s good-looking,” someone else chimed in.
The comments swirled in my mind as I reached my room. The idea of a new professor didn’t particularly interest me, but it seemed like everyone else was obsessed.
I sighed, collapsing onto my bed. Between Mia’s torment and the rumors about Gabriel, I felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells. The last thing I needed was another distraction.
But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the arrival of this new professor would somehow change everything.