It was a typical day at college, and Ava was chatting with her friends between classes.
“Ava, you look so tired! Didn’t you sleep last night?” Camellie asked, noticing her friend’s drowsy appearance.
Ava yawned. “No, I didn’t. I was up late studying physics.”
Camellie looked at her in surprise. “Physics? You? That doesn’t sound like you!”
Ava shrugged. “I just don’t want him humiliating me again. This time, he won’t get the chance.”
“Don’t overthink it, Ava. You don’t need to push yourself so hard,” Camellie said, shaking her head.
Ava sighed, closing her eyes. “I just want to sleep. Wake me up when it’s over,” she mumbled, letting her head rest on the desk. She was fast asleep within moments, completely unaware of the classroom around her.
About fifteen minutes later, Professor Jeon Jungkook entered the room. The students greeted him—everyone, that is, except Ava, still deep in sleep. One girl pointed her out, “Professor, Ava fell asleep over there.”
Jungkook glanced over and spotted Ava, head down on her desk. He called her name softly at first, then a bit louder, but she didn’t stir. Finally, he walked up to her desk, leaned close, and whispered, “Miss Ava…” His voice was low, almost teasing, his breath brushing her ear.
Ava’s eyes flew open to find everyone watching her. She looked up, and there was Professor Jungkook, arms crossed and staring down at her with that infuriating smirk.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Professor,” she stammered, feeling embarrassed.
“Get out,” he said coldly.
“What?” Ava gasped, her face flushing.
“Didn’t you hear me? Get out of my class. I don’t need lazy, distracted students here. Now, leave.” His tone was sharp, and the other students snickered as Ava gathered her things and left in anger, avoiding everyone’s stares.
Outside in the corridor, Ava clenched her fists, barely able to contain her frustration. When she spotted Jungkook leaving his classroom later, she marched up, pushed him against the wall, and glared at him.
“Why do you keep doing this?” she demanded. “All because of that slap? I’ve told you it was a misunderstanding. You don’t have to keep humiliating me for it. I’m warning you—enough is enough.”
Jungkook only smirked at her, amused. “Anything else, Miss Ava?”
Without a word, she stormed off, but she felt slightly better. When she returned to her friends, she was still fuming.
“What did you do?” Camellie asked, sensing something happened.
“I confronted him, warned him to stop,” Ava said, satisfied. “Let’s just say he won’t mess with me again.”
Camellie raised an eyebrow. “You really pushed him up against the wall?”
“Yup,” Ava grinned. “Had to remind him I’m not that easy to intimidate.”
“Well, whatever happens, let’s just have some fun tonight,” Alice suggested. “I know the perfect spot—my dad’s new club. No shady stuff, just dancing and music. You girls in?”
“Definitely,” Ava said. “After today, I could use a distraction.”
That night, Ava met up with her friends, dressed in a stunning black dress that made her feel bold and unstoppable. At the club, they let loose, dancing, laughing, and forgetting about college drama. But then, in the middle of their fun, Ava noticed someone familiar: Professor Jungkook, casually dressed, standing at the bar alone.
“What’s he doing here?” Ava murmured, feeling her cheeks heat up.
“Forget about him,” Camellie said, nudging her. “He’s just here like anyone else. Let’s get back to dancing.”
The night took a turn when a man in the crowd began to harass Alice, his advances getting more aggressive. Ava stepped in, firmly shoving him back, but he persisted. Without hesitation, Ava punched him, her protective instincts taking over.
Just then, another glass shattered, and she turned to see Jungkook standing beside her, having stepped in to shield her from a flying bottle. His expression was hard, dangerous even. He made quick work of the harasser, and after a few moments, he turned to the girls.
“Go home,” he said, his voice cold. “It’s late.”
Ava met his gaze, conflicted. She wanted to thank him, but her pride wouldn’t let her.
Later, back at college, things hadn’t completely settled. Jungkook’s persistent coldness continued to frustrate her, especially when he showed favoritism toward other students over her. In one class, a girl named Illy started antagonizing Ava and her friends. Ava tried to ignore her, but when things escalated, Alice ended up shoving Illy, and soon enough, Professor Jungkook intervened.
“Alice, to the principal’s office,” he ordered sternly.
Ava stepped forward, unwilling to let her friend face the consequences alone. “No, Professor. I’ll go in her place if you insist on punishing someone.”
Jungkook regarded her with a mix of surprise and something she couldn’t quite
read. But he nodded, as if silently accepting her challenge.
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