Estelle had barely made it through the next day before the email came. The subject line was simple and cold:
“Miss Brooks: Disciplinary Meeting – Professor Thorne’s Office”
Her stomach dropped as she read it, and though she had been half expecting it, the reality of seeing Celeste’s name tied to something so formal sent her heart racing.
Mia, of course, found the whole thing hilarious.
“You’re getting detention,” Mia teased that evening, lounging on the couch while Estelle stood by the window, staring at her phone with a mix of dread and frustration. “With Professor Thorne, no less. That’s kind of… hot.”
“Mia, this isn’t funny,” Estelle groaned, tossing her phone onto the nearby table. “I knew the campus officer was going to report me, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. Now I have to sit through some awkward meeting with Celeste and—”
“Celeste now, is it?” Mia interrupted with a smirk. “Not Professor Thorne?”
Estelle rolled her eyes. “That’s not the point. She’s going to be so… I don’t even know. Cold? Angry? Disappointed? I can’t deal with this right now.”
Mia stood up, walking over to Estelle and resting a hand on her shoulder. “Look, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. You’ll get some one-on-one time with her. Maybe clear the air, figure out what’s going on between the two of you.”
Estelle shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to ‘clear the air.’ She’s probably going to lecture me, hand out some punishment, and remind me that I’m not allowed to make mistakes. I don’t think there’s room for anything else.”
“Or,” Mia said with a grin, “she’ll get all intense and broody again, and you two will have another one of those moments.”
Estelle gave Mia a look. “You really need to stop fantasizing about my messed-up dynamic with Professor Thorne.”
Mia laughed, but the teasing didn’t ease the knot in Estelle’s stomach. She didn’t know what to expect from this meeting, but the idea of facing Celeste after everything made her feel like she was about to walk into a storm.
The next day, Estelle made her way to Celeste’s office with a knot of anxiety twisting tighter with each step. The campus was quiet in the late afternoon, and as she neared the door with Professor Celeste Thorne engraved in brass, the silence felt suffocating.
She knocked softly, her breath catching in her throat.
“Come in,” Celeste’s voice called out, the cool detachment in her tone sending a chill down Estelle’s spine.
Steeling herself, Estelle opened the door and stepped inside. Celeste sat behind her desk, as poised and composed as ever. Her hair was tied back into a sleek bun, her suit immaculate, and her icy blue eyes flicked up to meet Estelle’s with the precision of a judge about to deliver a verdict.
“Close the door, Miss Brooks,” Celeste said, her voice flat.
Estelle did as she was told, feeling the tension in the room as heavy as lead. She stood awkwardly by the door for a moment, unsure whether to sit or remain standing. Celeste, for her part, didn’t offer any indication.
“Take a seat,” Celeste said after a long pause, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.
Estelle sat down, her heart pounding. Celeste’s office felt smaller than usual, the air thick with unspoken tension. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching uncomfortably.
Finally, Celeste leaned forward, her hands clasped on the desk, her eyes sharp and focused. “I received a report from campus security about your… unauthorized activities at the pool. Breaking into restricted areas after hours, disregarding campus rules.” Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—like a blade hidden just beneath the surface.
Estelle swallowed hard, her palms sweaty. “I—I didn’t mean for it to go that far. It was just… a stupid idea. We weren’t causing any harm.”
Celeste’s gaze didn’t waver. “Breaking the rules, Miss Brooks, always has consequences. Whether harm was intended or not is irrelevant.”
Estelle’s chest tightened. She knew Celeste was right, but something about the way her professor was speaking—so controlled, so distant—made her feel like she was being judged on more than just her actions at the pool.
“I know,” Estelle said quietly. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Celeste’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing her apology. “Detention,” she said, the word falling like a stone between them. “You’ll serve detention here. Every afternoon for the next week. You’ll report directly to my office.”
Estelle’s stomach flipped. “Every day?”
“Every day,” Celeste repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. “You’ll spend that time in productive silence, catching up on any work you may be behind on. And we’ll have a conversation at the end of each session.”
Estelle blinked, surprised. “Conversations?”
Celeste leaned back in her chair, her eyes still locked on Estelle’s. “Yes. It seems we have a lot of unfinished discussions between us, Miss Brooks. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Estelle’s breath caught. She had expected the cold, detached punishment, the lecture about following the rules. But this—this was different. There was something in Celeste’s tone, something that felt far more personal.
“I—” Estelle started, but she couldn’t find the right words. “I guess so.”
Celeste’s expression remained cool, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—something intense and unreadable. “Good. Then we’ll begin tomorrow.”
Estelle stood, unsure of what to say. Her heart was racing, and she could feel the weight of Celeste’s gaze following her as she moved toward the door. She turned the handle, hesitating for just a moment before glancing back.
Celeste’s eyes met hers, that same unreadable intensity lingering between them.
“Remember, Miss Brooks,” Celeste said quietly, “detention is about learning from your mistakes. Make sure you use the time wisely.”
Estelle nodded, her throat tight. “Yes, Professor.”
Without another word, she stepped out of the office, the door clicking shut behind her. As she walked down the hallway, her mind raced with a mix of emotions—confusion, frustration, and something else she couldn’t quite name.
Detention with Celeste. Every day. Conversations about… what? The tension between them was impossible to ignore, and now she would be spending the next week in close quarters with the woman who had been the source of so much turmoil in her life.
Estelle had wanted things to go back to normal, but now she wasn’t sure what normal even meant anymore. One thing was certain: this week was going to be anything but ordinary.
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