Page 18 of Back to Willow

“I’ll have to work around my schedule at the diner, and I’ll let you know. If that’s alright with you guys.”

“Of course!” she squeals, definitely excited. “Oh my god, it’s going to be so fun!”

We walk together towards the classroom we share this morning. We arrive on time, and it goes smoothly. As well as the second one. Exhaustion starts to creep into my brain, and by the time we sit down to start Professor Adell’s class, not even the two espressos I had before are enough to help me fight it.

When the bell rings, I am already sitting down in my usual spot with Johanna by my side. The classroom is already filled since everyone knows better than to get on Professor Adell’s nerves.

He enters the room, and I sigh.

“Good morning,” he grunts while crossing the classroom from the entrance to his desk.

Placing all of his backup material on the table, his gaze travels all around the class. I would swear he lingers a second longer on me, but I could be imagining it, right? Just then, he starts to teach.

Has he always been like this?

Probably not. No one has always been like that. Life does it, it changes us. I, of all people, should be familiar with that fact. And this man right here... Something turned him bitter; I just know it.

The lesson’s rolling, and it’s a struggle. My line of thought keeps steering away from what I should be focusing on, my eyelids feeling heavier by the second. It's a battle just to stay awake. His gaze sweeps over me a couple of times, but thankfully, he ignores me as I try to focus all of my energy on this class.

But it’s no use.

“And with that, I’ll want you to…” I zone out of his voice again.

Half an hour later, when half the class has already gone by, the unthinkable happens. My phone rings loudly, and everything freezes. Literally.

I innocently look around and feel all eyes on me, as well as Professor Adell’s. Then, I look at my phone and my heart pounds in my chest for a second before I spring into action. I collect my things and start to rush towards the door saying, “I am extremely sorry to interrupt your class, but it’s a family emergency, and I really need to—”

“Miss Hanlon, if you leave through that door, don’t bother coming back this semester.”

“Wha—” I interrupt myself. “Can you even do that?” My voice comes out clipped, my patience slipping away.

I need to go. My motherly side is screaming at me to just leave him stranded, but my educated side keeps my feet planted on the ground.

“I won’t tolerate students trying to bail my classes on whims,” he retorts.

Whims? It’s my son!

“You know what, Professor Adell?” I snark back, for the first time in my life. I’ve finally had enough. “Do what you want. I’ll answer to whoever I have to for ‘bailing’ on your class as you put it. It just won’t be to you, that’s for sure. I’d say to have a nice day, but with that bitter heart, I doubt that’s even possible for you!”

I hear a few gasps to my side, but I am beyond caring at this point. I turn on my heels and rush outside, finally calling Nana back while I rush to my car.

She fills me in on how the pain developed into vomiting and fever, and the only emotion I can feel is panic. It feels like electric shocks run through my body with every hasty step I take.

Just when I am arriving at the parking lot, my shoulder bumps into someone’s arm, almost sending me flying to the ground. The person mutters a curse word, and I say sorry, not giving them the time of the day.

“Whatever,” he speaks, a deep voice rushing to my ears.

I need to get to Dylan.

I barely get my balance together before continuing to walk back to my car at a fast pace. I can’t be of use if I fall and break something, can I?

However, a familiar scent stops me in my tracks. My heartbeat races and my eyes widen as I turn around to look at the male figure walking away. He’s already far, but his tall frame with broad shoulders is clearly defined. The sun shines on his short locks, making me stagger back.

It can’t be him.

He is three hundred kilometres away from this city, probably already starting his work as a doctor, as he always wanted. It’s just someone who looks and smells like him from the back…

Dylan.

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