Professor F

Augustine woke up, still sleepy and exhausted. She checked her phone and the time is ten o'clock.

She then remembered Flynn, tears started to fill her eyes. Still no message from him.

How could this happen?

She remembered that night. It was around this time when she saw him kissing that girl. She sniffed, clutching her blanket to cover half of her face as she stared into the darkness of her room.

Her chest is heavy, it hurts so much. She was crying quietly in her room when she heard a knock on her door. "August?" Her mother's voice soft and gentle.

She cleared her throat and managed to answer calmly. "Yes?"

"Come out once you're ready so we can eat together, okay?"

"Yes. I'll be in the shower."

"'Kay."

She wiped her tears and sighed heavily before going to the shower. She changed into her pink pajamas and socks after. She didn't feel like dressing up for New Year.

Her parents looked surprised to see how she looks while they're dressed in casual clothes.

Her mother smiled as she handed her a cup of hot chocolate. "Feeling lazy?"

She nodded as she takes the cup from her, remembering that night Pierre was with her at the airport. Geez!

She sits on the couch with her feet up while her father enjoys his cup of coffee. Her mother brings a bowl of choco chip cookies, sits between them.

She sighed as she rests her head on her shoulder. "Sorry, Mom, Dad."

"Why?" Christine asked.

"We should've spent Christmas together."

Her father pats her head. "We can celebrate together next year."

She nodded while her mom hugs her tight. She knew that they had an idea about what's going on with her. And respected her space.

She can't help but wonder where Flynn is. Is he still in England? Did he come back here?

It's the countdown to New Year and her parents were answering a video call from her Aunt Ruth when she decided to grab her phone and saw Pierre's name on the screen for a video call.

She answered while looking outside her window.

Happy New Year! Pierre greeted with a smile on his lips.

Happy New Year!

Hey, He scratches the side of his cheek as he was looking away. About the last message—

blushed, remembering that she didn't respond to it. Oh, I forgot to—uh—I

you don't really have to say something or what. It's alright. It took me a lot of courage to hit the send button.

him. He stopped and shyly scratched the back of his head. Anyway, I just wanted to greet you

Thank you, Pierre. It's nice to

widely. Great! I'll see you when I

Bye!

••••••

parents left later that day while she spent the day in bed. It was already night time when she

beside her couch. She checked her luggage next to her bedroom door and was glad her mother did her laundry for her. She

gift box Flynn gave her. She picked it up

How did he—

asking him to bring her

Did he—

putting it inside her luggage while getting

he at

went weak as she remembered that night at

see me with

her body on the couch and stared at the box, torn between opening or returning

I still love him.

her legs close to her chest while still staring at the box, not realizing that tears already

she cried. Memories of Flynn in her apartment kept coming back in the invisible screen on her

••••••

started and she went back to work at the cafe. Like Pierre mentioned he will be

his hand as she

bag. "I'm starting my shift now. Are

been waiting for you to

Pierre looking embarrassed

eyes. "Yes.

locker before coming back out, wearing

out." She

his throat. "The

snorted. "We don't have

they looked mesmerized the moment Pierre looked at them.

The other girl

her. "Would you like

days they spent in Europe.

back and give

your boyfriend?" One of

awkwardly, still blushing from what Pierre just said. She's about to answer the girl when her companion bumped her hips as she pouts her lips, pointing at the

August instinctively followed their gaze and her heart started beating faster when she saw Flynn carrying his

to excuse herself but no one's available to take the counter for her since Gail left

her throat when the people, most of the girls in the cafe were murmuring

to order?" She tried to sound calm while still waiting for the girls to