7. Stupid/Smart

{Billy's POV}

The sun bore down relentlessly, and I made my way around the university campus, sweat-stuck to me. Hushed gossip swirled around me. There were enough side-eyes and quick glimpses.

Isn't that the guy who kissed the new Professor?"

What kind of idiot would pull something like that?

Bet he's regretting it now.

I exhaled deeply, shoving my hands into my pockets. Was this really necessary? All this drama over one impulsive mistake?

Ahead, a familiar figure caught my eye, sitting alone on a bench far from the bustling crowd. His silver-gray hair shimmered under the sunlight like polished metal, a stark contrast to the chaos around him.

Celeb. Always early. Always calm. 

I walked over and plopped down beside him on the bench. He didn't look up from his phone.

"You're late," he said, deadpan.

I leaned back and let all the air out slowly. "Yeah, well, I had to shake off a herd of girls. They're everywhere, man. Like flies. It's suffocating."

Celeb finally looked at me, raising an unimpressed brow. "You're actually whining about attention now?"

I ignored his sarcasm and pulled out my silver amber cigarette pack, the metallic logo catching the sunlight. 

Campus rules didn't allow smoking, but when had rules ever stopped me?

He didn't say a word, taking the cigarette I offered him and lighting it with a practiced flick of his lighter. "Everything's going exactly as you planned," he muttered, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "She said exactly what you expected.

"Yeah, but still…" I lit my own cigarette, the first drag calming my racing thoughts. "I thought she'd go straight for my throat. Expel me on the spot. Instead, she's pulling this whole punishment game. Can't say I blame her. I mean, I did kiss her in front of the entire university."

Celeb gave me a sharp look. "If you hadn't been so reckless and kissed her, you wouldn't have needed a plan at all."

I shrugged, settling back against the bench. "I know, I know. It was stupid. I'm sorry about that. But I don't even know why I did it. Maybe it was the alcohol… or just seeing her again after so long. I wasn't thinking."

Celeb shook his head, exhaling slowly. "An apology isn't going to fix this, Billy. She's furious. Cold. Calculated. She's going to make you suffer, and honestly? You deserve it."

I smiled, brushing the ash from my cigarette. "Oh, I know she's out for blood. That's what makes it so damn exciting. She can throw whatever punishment she wants at me—I'll take it all with a smile."

Celeb furrowed his brow, his voice darkening. "You are playing with fire, Billy. Are you sure about her? She is older than you and She absolutely hates you to death now."

I sneered, tossing more ash to the ground. "So what? Mom's three years older than Dad, and didn't she try to crush his balls when they first met? Look how that turned out."

Celeb coughed, shooting me a glare. "That's a wild comparison." He paused before adding, "Anyway, Amy's seven years older, genius. Big difference."

I laughed, nudging his shoulder. "Details, details. Age doesn't matter. What matters is, I'm not letting her go. No way."

Celeb sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "This is the last time I'm covering for you, Billy. If you screw up again, you're on your own."

"Yeah, yeah," I said with a grin, flicking the cigarette butt to the ground and grinding it under my sho

He crossed his arms. "So? What's your plan?"

I leaned back, my smile stretching wider. "Simple. I'll take everything she throws at me. Every punishment, every glare, every cruel word. I'll stand there and take it like a man—no regrets, no apologies. She wants to see me crumble? I'll crumble her pride and make her my own ."

Celeb looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "You're insane."

"Maybe," I said, the fire in my chest burning brighter. "But it's that insanity that'll win her over. Just wait and see."

Ahead of us, a voice called out sharply. "Billy! Celeb!"

I look up to see Evelyn and Annie heading toward us. The contrasting energy hit like a wave—Evelyn, all fire and frustration, while Annie's softer demeanor lingers behind.

And she stormed right up to me, honey-blonde hair gleaming in the sun, before I could even get my mouth open and yanked on my ear as if I was some kind of recalcitrant child.

"Do you know what you just did, Billy? Do you have any idea how much everybody is talking about you?!" she snarled, the glint of her glare like ice.

I flinched, recoiling. "Ow! What the heck, Evee?! Quit being such a pain!"

She paid no mind to my protests, her face set in an unreadable mask. "Seriously? You kissed the professor in front of everyone! Do you know how crazy that is?"

I sighed and rubbed my ear. "I know, I know. But it's fine. The gossip will die down eventually."

Her glare didn't waver for a second. "Fine? You think this is fine? Do you even have a plan, or are you just winging it like usual?"

I turned to Celeb, who gave me a smug look that practically screamed You deserve this.

Before Evelyn could start again, Annie spoke up, her softer voice cutting through the tension.

"Billy… what if Marcus finds out?" she asked nervously, clutching her bag. "You know what he's like. What if this turns into something worse?"

A shadow crossed my thoughts at the mention of Marcus. Right. Marcus. I hadn't forgotten; I'd simply been too caught up in my own mess.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Whatever happens, happens. It's not like I can undo what's already done."

Evelyn groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. "You're unbelievable!"

I stood up, brushing off imaginary dirt from my pants. Their concern was touching, but I wasn't in the mood for more lectures. I needed a change of pace.

"How about drinks for rejection?" I said with a grin, stretching my arms. "Bill's on me.

Celeb raised a brow, exhaling a faint chuckle as he stood. "You're always looking for an escape, aren't you? Fine, I'll join. Someone needs to keep an eye on you."

"Me too!" Annie chimed in quickly, her worried expression softening.

Evelyn folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at me. "Wait a minute. Do you even have money, Billy? Or are you planning to con us into paying, like last time?

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, relax. I have it taken care of. I saved some money from my summer job."

Evelyn would not let it go, though. Her lips curled up with a teasing grimace as she shook her head at me. "That money is for your lviy, so don't bother. I will pay for this round," she teased, but there was frustration and amusement all at once.

That was Evelyn for you—the adorable, ridiculously rich daughter of a millionaire who, against all odds, did not get corked by it and remained sweet. She worried about us too much; it only made her endearing.

I looked at her as we began to walk, a faint warmth creeping into my chest. She deserves to be happy. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she is.

"Alright," I said, sticking my hands in my pockets and keeping stride with them. "Drinks on rejection. Let's go."

—-----***--------

{Amy's POV}

I was stupid. More stupid than that moron.

Who did I think I was, challenging someone like Light?

My ice-blue eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as I lay sprawled across the sofa, lost in a war against my own thoughts. The television droned on in the background, the voices blending into white noise—just something to make the silence less suffocating.

The clock had shown 6:30 PM, but I hadn't shifted in an hour.

I was wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts. My short blond hair looked a mess. I was nothing close to the composed professor who was supposed to be; I was a woman drowning in regret at this particular moment.

I should have suspended him. Expelled him, even.

I gritted my teeth. What the hell had I been thinking? That son of a bitch kissed me in front of the entire class--humiliated me--and instead of calling him out on it, I let him off the hook with a slap on the wrists. Had acted on impulse, on some stupid pride, and now it was all coming back to bite me.

My fingers absently brushed against my lips.

A sharp breath caught in my throat.

A flashback of memory exploded forward, a vivid and ruthless thing. Heat of his touch. Weight of his gaze. Boldness with which he would—

"AHHH!"

I lashed out in frustration, limbs flailing in all directions as if I had been a screaming child throwing myself on the floor. "Wish I had never been born!" I yowled against the pillow over my face into the empty room.

A low, amused voice broke through that moment of pity.

"Bit late for that wish, don't you think?"

I shouted.

In the flurry of it all, I simply rolled clean off the sofa, thud and scatter of fabric and limbs. Flustered,I craned desperately to see him.

And there he stood.

Ethan.

"Almost 26 years late for that." He teased

He leaned lazily against the doorway, arms crossed, his green eyes sparkling with barely controlled amusement. Effortless. Always. Sharp features, impeccable posture, a calm presence that contrasted far too much with my current disaster of an existence.