The car ride passes in a comforting silence.
My eyes wander through the window, losing themselves in the landscape outside, while the gentle sound of raindrops hitting the ground helps me relax. A shiver runs down my spine as the dampness of my clothes starts to seep in. I cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to find some warmth.
Jenna slows down as the red traffic light comes into view in the distance.
Every now and then, I can feel her gaze on me, but I'm too embarrassed to even think of something to say. I shift in my seat, tilting my head toward the driver's side.
Have I mentioned how perfect her profile is? Because it really is perfect.
Her eyes have a faint sparkle as they stay focused on the road, and her heart-shaped lips stretch into a subtle smile. Her irises meet mine briefly, holding my gaze for a couple of seconds.
The traffic light turns green.
"Straight ahead, right?" Jenna asks distractedly, shifting gears.
"Y-yeah," I mumble, brushing a wet strand of hair away from my face.
She sighs, leaning slightly to press a button on the radio, as if trying to break the silence. The soft, melancholy notes of Golden Hour fill the car.
"I love this song," she admits, turning up the volume. I gape at her, utterly surprised that she knows it.
"You know it?" My question comes out harsher than I intended, making her glance at me out of the corner of her eye, one eyebrow raised.
"I'm only 23; I'm not that old," she says casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. My eyes widen in disbelief at her words.
"We're only five years apart?!" I exclaim, and Jenna bursts out laughing at my reaction.
It's the second time I've heard her laugh today, but it feels like the most beautiful thing in the world. Her eyes narrow almost to a close, and the dimples on her cheeks deepen perfectly. Her nose scrunches slightly, and her head tilts forward reflexively, her shoulders shaking with the sound of her angelic and contagious laugh.
Jenna looks at me, clearly amused.
I clear my throat softly, nervous, and turn to look out the window, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.
"Left here," I murmur, still in shock. In the distance, I can see the row of houses, including mine, with its fully restored red roof. Jenna pulls over at the curb and turns off the engine.
I grab my backpack from the floor, turning toward her.
"Thanks for the ride," I say, and she lifts her lower lip slightly in a reassuring smile, nodding.
"Don't mention it; it was my pleasure."
I stare at her, confused, as she unbuckles her seatbelt. She turns toward me, leaning slowly in my direction. My heartbeat picks up its pace dangerously, startled by her sudden movement. Her hazel eyes seem to glow faintly as they drift downward, toward my lips in particular. Our noses brush against each other, and my breath catches in my throat. A faintly mischievous smile tugs at her lips, instantly drawing my attention.
Those perfectly full lips.
One of her hands moves toward me, resting near my head. I close my eyes, relaxing as I anticipate the contact between our mouths.
My first kiss.
The sound of the door unlocking behind me makes me open my eyes in confusion.
Reality hits me like a lightning bolt.
Jenna leans back into her seat, looking at me with a puzzled expression. She must see my cheeks burning bright red.
Oh, my God. How could I think she was going to kiss me? She's my calculus professor, for heaven's sake!
Suddenly, my lungs seem desperate for air, and I feel trapped in this car.
I need to get out.
Fumbling, I unbuckle my seatbelt and instinctively lean forward, thanking Jenna with a kiss on her cheek. She opens her eyes, startled. The touch of my lips against her skin lasts only a second—so brief I almost doubt it even happened.
Regret washes over me immediately as I see her gaze—both confused and amused—softening as she looks at me. With difficulty, I scramble out of the car, determined to leave before I do something completely stupid.
As I reach my front door, I ring the bell, filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I watch as Jenna's BMW pulls away, taking with it a moment that has left my mind tangled and restless.
A sigh escapes my lips, the confusion and intrigue fluttering inside me.
"This is crazy," I think, a bitter smile forming on my face.