Page 50 of Back to Willow

Having him was the best choice I made amid all the chaos. He became my anchor, my reason to keep going.

“Thank you. And what about you? What made you want to be a literature teacher?” I prod in the same way he has.

“Well, believe it or not, I was this scrawny, shy nerd when I was a kid that had no friends, and reading books was my bonding time with the only friend I ever had. My sister.”

His statement makes my jaw fall wide open. How could this tall and muscular guy have been scrawny? I find it hard to believe that a small, shy kid transformed into this...monster!

“I know it’s hard to believe. I did grow up a lot,” he chuckles. “But bookworm was—and still is—my middle name. Literature became a passion…so much so that I learned four languages just so I could read my favourite books in all of them. It’s fascinating to see the differences the languages add or take from a book.”

He avoids my eyes as he talks, but it’s palpable. The little glint in his irises, and the subtle giddiness in his voice…he is exuding passion, and it’s fascinating how someone I deemed as cold and robotic shows so much passion for books and literature.

Just then, we reach the parking lot where my car is. The café where I met with Liam earlier is now much emptier. The lamp lights are dim but strong enough to give a good view of the street surrounding us. The iconic grey of the stone used in the city’s buildings makes it seem much darker than it really is, but it doesn’t make it less beautiful.

“This is me,” I say once I stop close to my car. “Thanks for walking me, Professor Adell.” I give him a shy smile before taking my car keys from my bag.

“No problem.” He smiles while putting his hands in his pockets. “Are you feeling better?”

“Surprisingly, I am!”And partly because of you—is what crosses my mind but I don’t dare say it.

Then he smileswidelyfor the hundredth time tonight, and it’s dazzling. It throws me off my game, hypnotising me to his handsome features.

“I’m glad,” he admits. “I’ll see you in class.”

I start turning around when his voice stops me.

“Wait,” he calls, and I turn around to face him again. “Just know that with college, work, and Dylan, I can help however you need. Don’t hesitate and ask, please.”

My eyes widen at his words.What?

“I–I don’t think…”

“Think of it as me making up to you for treating you like shit at first,” he answers quietly. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

Not wanting to argue, I robotically nod and mumble a thank you before getting in my car. Even after I rev the engine and drive off, I can still see him from the rearview mirror, standing in the same spot, waiting for me to leave.

This change in his demeanour gives me serious whiplash and knowing what to do or how to react is tricky. Although, I’d be lying if I said I don’t like this change in attitude because I do.

I guess Professor Prick is not a prick after all…

SEVENTEEN

Willow

“Arewestillonfor tonight?” Johanna’s voice rings in my ears from the other side of my phone.

This dinner has been in the making for weeks now. She’s been trying to organise it, juggling to try and find a day we all could fit it into our schedule, and she’s finally done it.

We’re all going. Ethan, Hazel, and her friend Sofia, as it seems. Hazel wasn’t very interested at first, but Ethan convinced her to come, too. I’ve come to understand that it’s just her nature and not to take it personally. Although Johanna seems intent on winning her over.

“Yeah, Jo. I’ll meet you at six o’clock. Is that okay with you? I don’t want to get home too late; I have to put Dylan to bed,” I tell her.

Just then, I see him emerge from the school doors. A smile finds its way to my face just at the sight of him, and I wave excitedly.

“Good,” she answers. “No need to bring anything. I’ve got it covered!” We say goodbye just as he brushes against my legs, hugging me tightly.

“Who was that, Mummy?” Dylan steals a shy glance at me from under his thick lashes, hope blooming in his gaze. “Did you find my father already?”

My heart cracks, dissolving the good day I was having into nothing. The shadow of disappointment hovers over us like a hound.

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