"Why is our professor glaring at you?"

Julius whispered as he scooted over, glancing at Professor Peterson who keeps on glaring at me every chance she gets. I shrugged at him and eyed the beauty. I couldn't help but smile that unsurprisingly received an eye roll from the woman.

It's been 2 days since I've confessed my feelings for her and I ignored everything calls and texts from her asking me to come over. Fortunately, that's all her messages are about. Asking–no, demanding me to come over and have a conversation. I never answered.

My reason?

Honestly, I don't know.

Or I'm still in denial.

It's not necessarily the fear of being rejected because I already knew from the start that I have no chance. I wasn't afraid of that anymore, but it doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt once she finally tells me. My point is, I've already prepared myself for the heartbreak.

If I'm going to be completely honest and without the denial, the rejection isn't what I'm running away from, it's more of Professor Peterson telling me to leave her alone and stop spending time with her and Aaron.

I've been too attached to the point that it would hurt immensely when she pushes me away because of the feelings I have for her that she didn't ask for. Family and friends are something that I have and will always treasure due to what happened with my father and my mama. Losing one isn't something I could get over with easily, especially when I'm already in too deep.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do once Professor Peterson and I talk.

My bravery 2 days ago?

Poof, gone.

I'm back to being a coward.

"Miss Guevarra, please stay back." I bit my bottom lip, already expecting it. This is why I was so afraid to come to class, I knew she would take advantage and do this. I've managed to hide from her for those days due to the fact that it's the weekends.

Welp, I'm dead.

Hesitantly and as slow as possible, I made my way to her when everyone left the room. Julius squinting at me before he departed. He's getting too suspicious and curious.

Professor Peterson had her arms crossed under her chest, eyebrow raised and lips in thin line. Her naturally curly hair pulled into a bun as she stared up at me with her legs also crossed. And for some reason, my brain decided to not function properly and admire the way she looks right now. Far different from the usual smile she gives.

Fuck, she's so beautiful even when she's angry.

"You look gorgeous, Miss." I blurted out, not wanting to miss the chance of telling her how enticing she looks right now.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Aiden." She stood up and moved close to me. "And it certainly won't get you out of this."

I gulped.

Is it wrong to think that she looks absolutely hot right now?

Yes, Aiden. Very wrong and very inappropriate.

I shouldn't be thinking that way about her. That's a big no.

"So, uh, what is this about?" I tried to feign innocence.

Wrong move.

Professor Peterson squinted her eyes at me, seemingly angrier now. I smiled nervously, taking two steps back away from the raging woman. I yelped quietly when she pulled the collar of my shirt to bring me back to my previous position.

"Don't try to pretend you don't know. Sit down." She ordered, pointing at a chair for me to pull.

Pouting, I pulled a chair over to sit on, placing myself near the desk. I looked down at my hands, waiting for what she's about to say.

"Stop pouting, Aiden." Professor Peterson sat down, arms still crossed.

"I'm not pouting."

"Tell that to your protruding lips."

Frowning at the slight hostility in her tone, I stopped pouting.

"Why have you been ignoring me?" Was the first thing she asked.

Don't try to pretend you don't know. I wanted to mock, but chose not to as it may seem childish. "You know why, Miss."

"If it's about me rejecting–"

Ouch.

"Hold up," I raised my hands. "It's not about that. That's not the reason I'm avoiding you."

Yup, not prepared to hear the rejection. I was lying when I said I'm ready for the heartbreak. So nope, not now, not yet.

Her brow raised. "Then what is?"

"I don't want you to push me away." I whispered as quietly as possible, barely muttering the words.

"I can't hear you, Aiden. Say it louder."

"I said," I took a breath. "I don't want you to push me away."

"I know my feelings for you are a burden but I swear I tried to stop it. I just couldn't help admiring you. You're just so...so kind, and intelligent, and sweet, and-and beautiful, and you treat me so nicely. I'm not blaming you though, I'm just saying why."

"Please don't push me away, Miss."

Her expression softened, frown no longer on her forehead and eyes not blazing. Professor Peterson sighed, she then pulled me close and held my cheeks in both her hands.

"Darling, I'm not going to push you away because of that."

"Really?" I stared into her eyes, trying to see if she's lying, but the genuine look proved what she's saying.

"Really. I'm not going to pretend and say I didn't already know, because I did, you didn't really tried to hide it." I blushed at which she chuckled lightly. "I'm not pushing you away but...this doesn't mean I feel the same. Do you understand?" I nodded solemnly. I already knew that.

But it didn't stop the ache it brought to my chest.

"If you need some time to–" she paused and bit her lip. "To get over this, I'll give it to you. And then you can come back to me and Aaron, alright?"

"Why are you not pushing me away?" I couldn't help but ask, wanting to ease at least some of the pain I'm feeling. I wanted to hear her say that I'm important. That despite her not having any feelings for me, I still matter.

I saw the hesitation in her eyes as she seemed to be looking for the right answer she still doesn't know herself. "I–" another pause. "You're already a part of my life."

"I am?" My eyes widened and joy filled my aching heart.

She nodded. "Let's say I consider you my friend."

Friends. I can live with that.

Can I?

"Why are you not pushing me away?"

Aiden already left but the question still lingers on my mind. It was a question I'm not sure I know the answer of. I wasn't lying when I said she's already a part of my life, but saying the word friend seems so strange and I can't explain why.

I didn't want to dwell on it as I'm still going through the divorce with Tristan, although the process is going smoothly, there's still a part of me that feels hurt. Empty.

But I knew I had to say something and spare Aiden a deeper heartbreak.

A big part of my decision is mainly about Aaron. I know my son loves spending time with Aiden and she's already someone he sees as a family. I also know Aiden feels the same about my son. And I don't have the heart to take that away from them.

Especially now that Aaron already knows about my situation with his dad.

"Baby, your dad and I have something to tell you."

Aaron put his book down and faced both Tristan and I. And honestly, if he wasn't my son, I would feel intimidated by the way he's just waiting and staring at us. He always seems so mature compared to most kids his age.

He's more mature than his dad, honestly.

"What is it about?"

"Your mom and I have been, uhm, thinking of–" Tristan paused, looking for the right words. "Living separately, like–"

"Is this about the divorce?" My eyes widened and so did Tristan's. "Don't look so shocked. I already saw and read the contract. Try to be more careful next time and place it somewhere I won't easily have access to."

"Oh."

"Are you mad?" Tristan asked hesitantly while I chose to try a different question.

"How do you feel about it?"

Aaron shrugged, taking his book back. "I think the divorce is a good decision, I'm tired of hearing my love ones fight almost everyday. Besides," he looked at me briefly. "I know you aren't happy together anymore."

Although his voice seems normal and words laced with maturity, the tremble on his hand didn't go unnoticed. Tears formed in my eyes as I pulled my son into a hug. And as he finally wrapped his arms around my waist, Aaron let his guard down and emotions out.

My baby cried into my shoulder until he fell asleep, but not before telling me that he meant what he said.

He wants us to be happy again.

I was happy with the fact that my son took it rather well. But I know some part of him still wishes that his dad and I could fix this. Unfortunately, that is something I can't grant him as we've already tried to make it work.

And my mind is in a current chaos with what's happening between me and the brown eyed girl who managed to stir up emotions already buried deep within me.