Monday’s morning class had already started, but the seat next to Eric lay empty, pulling at his focus. 

The previous night's dream had been peculiar, surreal. In it, he saw her—naked, beneath a man, their bodies entangled, intimate fluids marking their connection. She trembled and gasped with every movement he made, tears adorning her face in a blend of innocence and debauchery. At times, he was a mere observer; other times, he became the man with her, possessing her entirely, then tenderly kissing her tears away. Those elusive feelings, though hard to grasp, struck with such reality that he awoke to find himself embarrassingly aroused.

Dreams of Emily weren't new, yet they had never been so explicit. The absurd moment in the library must have sparked this newfound audacity in his subconscious.

Halfway through the class, Emily finally snuck in, taking advantage of the teacher’s absence to avoid a reprimand.

When she awoke that morning, the emptiness hit her—what she thought was a night of passion with Eric had been just a dream. The stark contrast left her longing, murmuring curses at Eric under her breath, even as she brought herself relief once more.

The rest of her day was buried in revision—only a little over a week until the exams.

Exhausted from poor sleep, Emily yawned, her gaze brushing past Eric's profile, her greeting swallowed in silence.

Eric was similarly trapped in his own thoughts; the awkwardness of the library incident and the guilt from his dream left him uncomfortable—a restless tension simmered beneath the surface.

She made him feel reckless, just by existing.

Both spent the morning in silence, until lunchtime saw Emily eating with Liz. Upon returning to class, she was surprised to find her seat occupied.

Amanda sat there, her body angled towards Eric as he patiently explained the coursework. Emily's arrival wasn't noticed as she drew near, catching snippets of Eric's calm, gentle tone—no different from when he spoke to her.

Liz pulled Emily's arm, exclaiming with mock irritation, "Looks like someone's in your seat. Sit with me, Emily. Ryan's not back yet."

Emily said nothing as Amanda finally noticed her and stood quickly. "Sorry, it's your seat."

Eric didn't react, not even glancing her way. Emily sat, her frustration mounting with every word she heard him utter.

"It's alright, go over there," Eric suggested.

Amanda hesitated before agreeing with a smile. "Okay!"

They moved over to Amanda's desk, leaving Liz fuming, "What's wrong with those two?!"

Emily didn't even blink. "Acting out a school drama."

Perfectly matched—Eric and Amanda. 

Really, Eric? Just because I brushed against you? And now you can't even look at me? Okay then, fine!

Eric returned to find Emily napping at her desk, her head nestled in her crossed arms, exposing the delicate nape of her neck.

He mirrored her, leaning forward to catch the sound of her gentle breaths reverberating through the wooden table to his ears.

His throat felt dry once more.

With the room half empty, staying meant being alone with her, but the longer he lingered, the harder it was to control his thoughts.

She was undeniably beautiful, every day radiating charm. No matter what she did, it stirred him up inside. Whenever he saw her, he pictured her pleading with him, her voice a mix of coherent and incoherent desires.

Unable to contain himself, he had to escape.

Afternoon study brought notes from Liz for Emily, requiring him to pass them along.

He dropped the note on her desk, finally seeing her glance up briefly, a masked expression.

"Liz sent this," he said as Emily reached for it, writing a response in return.

Eric stood ready to pass it back, only to watch as she tossed it over his shoulder, handing it to Ryan.

Bypassing him entirely.

Eric's hand stilled, thoughts unraveling.

It was the way it had always been—she never acknowledged him, even when they crossed paths. She discussed subjects with everyone else, never sought his help.

He knew she disliked him. Everyone knew their enmity.

Yet suddenly, she'd started smiling at him, her eyes bright and full. She flirted, insisted on being desk partners, even their study groups formed in shared pursuit—and then they shared more.

Indeed, desire is insatiable, Eric mused.

Those mere days of change had altered his tolerance for the old ways.

How could he be so affected, Eric wondered? 

There was no reason to be.

- 

Perhaps a new chapter update later tonight.