Page 98 of The Fallacy of True Love
“Why don’t you tell us why Sy’s answer is incorrect?”
Swallowing, I racked my brain for a memory of anything he’d said in the past few minutes, but I came up blank. “I’m sorry, sir. Can you repeat the original question?”
His brows slammed together. “Do you think that’s an acceptable request in court?”
“If the intent is to clarify that question to ensure that one is answering correctly, then I believe so. Sir.”
“And is that your intent—to clarify?” he demanded. “Or is it to hear the question again because you weren’t listening the first time around?”
I dug my fingers into my thighs. “The latter, sir,” I said, knowing I couldn’t talk my way out of the hole I dug for myself.
He curled his lip. “If you do not intend to listen in my classroom, then what are you doing here?”
“I’m—”
Giving me his back, he called out, “De Guzman. Care to enlighten Reyes?”
My breath left me in a quiet whoosh. I felt my classmates’ eyes on me, and I couldn’t tell if they pitied me or thought I deserved it. Miggy knocked his knee against mine, but I didn’t dare look his way. I kept my attention fixed on Tommy as he not only recited Santos’ question, but also answered it to our professor’s satisfaction.
Damn it. I needed to get my shit together.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. The urge to check if Maya finally replied had my fingers twitching, but I didn’t want to risk Santos noticing.
I forced my mind to tune in to the discussion, taking in the pattern of his questions so I could better prepare for our next class. As soon as he dismissed us and left the room, I pulled out my phone. Relief flooded me when I saw the message from Maya telling me to focus and that she’d see me later. I’d only gotten an hour’s sleep, and the one thing that motivated me to power through the day was the knowledge that I’d see her again tonight.
“Bro, that was a close call,” Miggy was saying.
“Hmm?” I murmured as I texted Maya back.
Alonzo
I’m glad you’re still up for it. You had me worried.
“Lonzo.”
Hitting send, I looked at Miggy. “Sorry. Yeah, I know. I wasn’t sure if he expected me to leave the classroom.”
“At least he didn’t throw you out. What’s up with you? You seem out of it,” he said as we gathered our things and stood.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” I said, following him out of the room.
“Stressed about class?”
“Not exactly.” I lowered my voice. “You remember Cam, right?”
“How could I forget? Wait, are there any developments there?”
“She’s here for work.”
He did a double-take. “No shit? When do I get to meet her?”
“That’s not happening anytime soon.”
Throughout our lunch break, Miggy tried to argue his case, but I didn’t budge. Maya had warmed up to me, but she was jittery still. I didn’t want to overwhelm her and potentially drive her away.
Her next message only confirmed my gut instinct.
Maya
