Chapter 7

Yoko

Rrrr

The sound of my phone alarm jolted me awake. I sprang to life, a surge of excitement coursing through every fibre of my being. Today held two irresistible promises:

First, I would attend Faye's lesson.

Second, we'd spend even more time together after class.

The thought of it—just the two of us in that quiet, empty space with no distractions or intrusions—made my heart race. I imagined being close enough to catch her scent, to share those fleeting moments that felt like secrets whispered just for us.

Snap out of it, Yoko! Time to get up.

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair to clear the lingering fantasies. With routine precision, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and applied a light layer of moisturiser.

Switching from glasses to contact lenses, a memory surfaced—Faye's compliment about my eyes. My cheeks flushed at the thought.

I picked out a simple outfit – denim shorts and an oversized maroon sweater, reflecting the relaxed mood of a Friday morning. Combing through my light brown hair, I let it fall loosely over my shoulders.

"Come on, Ham, let's go!" I called out, dashing to the door with Ham excitedly following. In the kitchen, I swapped my usual coffee for hot chocolate and quickly devoured an egg mayonnaise sandwich.

Kneeling to give Ham a few pats, I whispered, "I'll be home late today." He licked my hand in understanding, his eyes warm and knowing.

On the drive to school, I couldn't stop smiling. Every red light, every stop sign—it all felt infused with an infectious, positive energy. When I finally parked, I lingered in the car, fixing my appearance one last time. I'd never done this before. Maybe it was Faye's influence, making me more self-conscious, more aware of every detail.

Walking through the crowded hallways, my strides were confident and purposeful. Each step felt charged with anticipation as I made my way to my first lesson of the day—English Literature.

I didn't even wait for Ink. That's how excited I was to see Faye. As I approached the classroom, I practically floated, each step feeling like a mini victory dance. But I forced myself to slow down—no need to look like I was sprinting to my wedding.

Deep breaths. 

I closed my eyes, trying to summon a normal, non-freaked-out expression. Just then, a tap on my shoulder made me jump like a startled cat.

I spun around, already annoyed, only to find Ink staring at me with her eyebrow raised. Great.

"What are you doing, Yoko? Meditating in the hallway? Are you trying to breathe the class into existence?" she teased, eyes full of curiosity.

"I... uh..." My brain short-circuited. Come on, think!

"I wasn't feeling well. Wanted to dash into class and then... sprint to the toilet."

Ink's eyes narrowed. "Really? You look more like you saw a ghost and decided to practice power breathing."

I nodded too quickly. "Yeah, something I ate. Definitely food-related."

She patted my back sympathetically. "Ah, stomach issues? Classic excuse."

"Exactly," I mumbled, trying not to blush. The guilt of lying to her was only adding to my cringe fest.

"Alright, let's go in. You've still got time to make your grand dash to the toilet."

"Yeah... right behind you." My feet felt like bricks. If I entered now, I might trip over my own excitement—and that would be mortifying.

Keeping my head down, I slid into my seat. Eye contact with Faye? Absolutely not. I wasn't ready for that level of emotional exposure.

Ink shot me a look. "Yoko, why are you glued to your seat? Didn't you just say you needed to—"

"Oh, yeah! Right!" I stood up so fast, I nearly knocked over my bag. Smooth.

My legs finally obeyed, carrying me out of the room like a malfunctioning robot. Swerving past students, I made it to an empty cubicle, flopped down, and sighed dramatically.

Hand over my chest, I whispered to myself, "Pull it together, Yoko. It's not a rom-com." But it sure felt like one.

Just then, my phone buzzed. Instagram notification. Perfect distraction. I unlocked it, ready for anything that wasn't my own awkwardness.

Faye

Are you alright?

My fingers froze over the screen, trembling slightly. Faye was checking on me. Faye. Right before class! That meant she must've seen my not-so-subtle meltdown earlier. My heart skipped a beat.

Oh no... did I look that weird?

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the storm inside me, and typed a quick response.

Yoko

Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed the toilet.

I stared at the screen, willing my pulse to slow down. Her reply came almost instantly, and I swore I felt the warmth radiating from the screen.

Faye

The time of the month?

I couldn't help but frown, a small, exasperated laugh escaping. Why does everyone assume it's always that?

Yoko

Something like that. Just a stomach thing.

I watched the screen, my heart doing a little tap dance. Her message stayed unread, and I glanced at the clock—class was about to start.

Of course, I thought, smiling softly. She's probably preparing for the lesson. But still, the fact that she noticed that she cared enough to text... it made my heart flutter in ways I couldn't quite explain.

After spending some time in the toilet, I finally felt like myself again. My usual confidence seeped back in, wrapping me in familiar comfort. I stepped out of the cubicle, washed my hands, and took a steadying breath before walking calmly back to class.

This time, as I entered the room, I lifted my head, meeting Faye's gaze head-on.

She stood at the front, an effortless vision of elegance in casual wear.

Today, she wore white jeans that accentuated her long legs, paired with sleek black heeled boots that clicked softly when she moved. Her black linen shirt, simple yet perfectly tailored, had the top button undone, revealing just a hint of her fair, milky skin. Not too much, but enough to make me wonder how delicate the line of her collarbone might be if that second button were left open. The sleeves were rolled up neatly to her forearm, and on her right wrist, a tattoo in flowing script peeked out—an intriguing hint of rebellion beneath her composed exterior.

The way the fabric hugged her, the way her presence filled the room, sent an unexpected warmth through me. Then our eyes met. Her deep brown eyes—warm, observant—held mine for a fleeting moment before she nodded subtly, a silent invitation to enter.

I felt my heart flutter, a soft, involuntary reaction.

How does she do that? I wondered, almost breathless, as I walked to my seat next to Ink, trying to suppress a smile. Even a simple glance from Faye felt like it carried hidden meanings, ones I couldn't quite decode... yet. 

Once I settled down and laid out my materials on the desk, I gave myself a quiet nod of encouragement to focus. I looked up at Faye, whose eyes were still on me, lingering just a moment longer than necessary. It felt like she was waiting for some unspoken signal before she began the class.

"Morning, everyone," she greeted, her gaze sweeping across the room before returning to me for a brief second. "Today, we're discussing a classic by Thomas Hardy—Tess of the d'Urbervilles."

She placed both hands on the desk, leaning slightly forward as if bracing herself for the discussion to come. "Can someone summarize the story for me?"

Several hands shot up. I knew the answer—I'd read Tess of the d'Urbervilles more than once—but I held back, curious to see what others would contribute.

One student spoke up, "It's about a love story."

Faye raised an eyebrow. "What about that love story made it so significant that it became one of the defining classics of English literature?"

Another student answered, "The protagonist goes against the norm and fights for what she truly wants."

Faye nodded approvingly and then turned to the whiteboard, writing down some notes. We all scrambled to copy them down as she continued.

"The protagonist of Tess of the d'Urbervilles is Tess Durbeyfield. She's a young, working-class woman whose life is shaped by hardship, tragedy, and societal injustice. Tess faces countless obstacles, from exploitation to the crushing weight of societal expectations, and she grapples with her own feelings of guilt and love. Her journey is a reflection of the harsh realities women faced in Victorian society, and through her struggles, Hardy explores themes of fate, morality, and the human condition."

She paused for a moment, breathing deeply, as though gathering her thoughts. "But what I really want to focus on today is what you all mentioned—love."

I'd read plenty of novels, and while love was often a central theme, I'd never given it much thought. But hearing Faye explain it in such depth, breaking down the intricacies of this classic, I found myself drawn in more than I expected.

"We all know that Tess was supposed to marry someone she didn't love, someone chosen for her by society. Back then, a woman's future was often determined by others—especially societal norms. But Tess defied that. She chose to be with someone else: Angel Clare."

As Faye spoke, dissecting Tess's internal conflict and her battle against the expectations placed on her, I felt myself sinking deeper into her words. It was as if I were falling into a black hole, drawn in and utterly captivated—willingly.

Faye's voice echoed in my mind as I scribbled down her words. "If anything, one should understand the tragic love story of this novel. While we admire Tess for defying societal norms to fight for her love, they did briefly reunite—only to be separated once more, this time by death."

Her tone shifted. It became unexpectedly solemn, carrying a heavy weight, as though those words meant more to her than just a reference to the novel.

It made my head tilt slightly, a flicker of curiosity stirring within me. What was behind that tone? What had caused her to speak with such gravity?

But just as quickly, I pushed the thought aside, focusing back on her class and forcing myself to concentrate. It was nothing, I told myself—just the way she was framing the tragic ending.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than that.

The remainder of the class was dedicated to working on our assignments, though I couldn't help but sulk over the amount of work waiting for me. Two essays to complete over the weekend—it was going to take up all my time.

As everyone around me became engrossed in their work, I heard the familiar click of Faye's heels echoing down the aisle, gradually growing louder as she approached my desk. The rhythm of her steps slowed, as though she were taking her time, deliberately dragging the sound of her movement past me.

When she finally passed by, her hand brushed lightly against my elbow, the unexpected touch sending a jolt of warmth through me. My heart skipped a beat, and I looked up instinctively, watching her walk away. The brief contact lingered in my mind, like a spark that refused to die down.

I couldn't help but follow her every move, my gaze fixed on the confidence in her stride, as if every step she took carried a message I couldn't quite decipher but desperately wanted to understand.

Her fingers began fiddling with her sleeves, slowly moving up to her collar, then down to the first button.

At first, it seemed like an innocent gesture, her eyes still not meeting mine. But then, in a split second, a mischievous smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she unbuttoned the second button, her fingers sliding down with slow precision.

I froze, my lips parting in shock, my gaze stuck on the movement of her fingers as they unfastened the button. She leaned slightly forward, giving me an accidental, tantalizing glimpse of more skin.

My breath caught, and I unconsciously swallowed hard, my heart racing. Then, as if she knew exactly what she was doing, her eyes locked onto mine, and a teasing smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"Enjoying the view?" she seemed to ask without saying a word.

I quickly glanced around, panic rising for a second, but I was relieved to find that everyone else was absorbed in their work, their heads down—except for me, whose eyes were locked onto her.

Only someone like me, utterly captivated, would be paying this much attention.

My gaze darted back to her just in time to see her buttoning up the second button, her teasing display over.

What a tease.

I cleared my throat, my pulse still racing, and quickly turned my attention back to my assignment, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

The bell rang soon after, signaling the end of class, but my thoughts were still stuck on that fleeting moment.

"Hand in your assignments at the front, before you head off. Thank you, I'll see you next Monday. Have a good weekend." It was the first time Faye had spoken so casually, her words extending beyond the usual class directives.

Just as I was about to pass my assignment to the front, I heard my name.

"Ms Apasra," her voice was suddenly more professional, her tone firm and commanding. "Please stay behind for a while."

I nodded silently, the flutter in my chest impossible to ignore. I quickly waved for Ink to head off to her next class, my thoughts racing.

Something about her tone, the brief yet purposeful pause, made my heart skip. There was an unspoken promise of a moment to share—fleeting, but it made my stomach tighten with a strange mix of nervous excitement.

What was she going to say?

Once the classroom cleared, Faye turned to face me, leaning casually against her desk.

"You wanted to speak to me, Ms Peraya?" I asked, my gaze drifting around the room, careful not to give away the storm of emotions brewing inside me.

"We're alone, you know." She gave me a small, knowing smile.

I swallowed, my lips parting slightly.

It was clear—she wanted me to drop the formality and call her by her first name. But, something in me wanted to keep playing this little game, resisting the pull to give in.

"I know, Ms Peraya," I replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. The challenge hung between us, teasing and unspoken, as I denied her the satisfaction of hearing me say it.

Faye frowned slightly, narrowing her eyes at me, as if trying to figure something out. Without saying another word, she reached for something on her desk and walked over to hand it to me.

"Take it," she said, her voice steady.

I glanced at the package in my hands, the words "medication for period cramps" printed clearly on the label.

A warm smile spread across my face as I realised what she'd done. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and though it wasn't exactly the time of the month, I felt touched by her concern.

"Thank you," I said softly, accepting the box, my heart fluttering a little. It wasn't like Faye to do something like this, especially with her usual icy, distant demeanor. It felt so... unexpected, but in the best way.

My fingers lingered over the box as I looked at her, unable to hide the smile on my face. "When did you get this?"

She shrugged, nonchalant. "I didn't. Just bought it from home. Had a feeling or something. Glad it came in handy."

Her tsundere attitude made me roll my eyes in amusement. "You're such a weirdo," I muttered, clicking my tongue.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" Faye's eyebrows furrowed in mock indignation, but I caught the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

I shrugged in response, the silent message clear: "Maybe."

She opened her mouth to say something, but then just let out a small laugh instead.

It was the soft, real kind of laugh that didn't happen often, and it made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't quite explain.

"I'll see you later after your last class. You know where to find me." She changed the subject smoothly, though her tone was lighter now.

"Yeah, can't wait," I admitted, the truth slipping out before I could stop it.

"Go now, before people start wondering where you've gone." Faye nodded toward the door, her voice dropping to a more matter-of-fact tone. "My next class is about to start."

"Alright," I replied, but my voice carried a touch of reluctance. "See you later, Faye."

She blinked at me, then flashed a sweet, almost unguarded smile. I made sure to take it in, committing the moment to memory, before turning around and stepping out of the room.

The rest of the day seemed to blur into a haze, the minutes slipping away faster than I could keep track. Everything felt like it was moving in fast forward.

I quickly waved goodbye to my friends in the hallway, but as soon as they were out of sight, something inside me shifted. My heart raced a little, and I turned on my heels, heading straight toward Faye's classroom.

Each step felt heavier, charged with anticipation. My mind was a whirl of thoughts—of her, of what might happen next.

The hallway seemed unusually quiet, the echo of my footsteps louder than usual as I walked, drawing me closer to that door.

Whatever was waiting inside, I knew it wouldn't be the same as before. Something had changed, and I couldn't help but wonder what exactly Faye had in store for me.