The party was still going strong when Clara's phone began to buzz.
She glanced at the screen, a grin spreading across her face. "It's Nick. He just got here; he wants me to come out for a bit."
Amelia raised a brow. "At this hour?"
Clara was already reaching for her bag. "You know him—he can't survive an hour without seeing me. Come with me?"
Amelia shook her head, smiling. "No, go ahead. I'm staying for one more snack and then heading back."
"You sure?"
"Positive. I need a little quiet after all that dancing."
Clara gave her a quick hug before weaving through the crowd toward the exit.
---
Left alone, Amelia found an empty corner table near the refreshments. The room still glowed with colored lights, the music thumping faintly through her chair. She balanced a plate of pastries in one hand and her drink in the other, content to people-watch. Students laughed, couples danced, a few dozed against the walls.
Finally, peace, she thought, nibbling on a piece of cake.
A movement beside her made her look up—and she nearly choked.
Professor Alexander Carter had just pulled out the chair next to hers.
He set down a glass of sparkling water, noticing her startled expression. "Easy there."
Amelia coughed lightly, mortified. He passed her the water, and she took a sip to steady herself. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome." His tone was casual, yet the nearness of him made her pulse trip.
Be brave, she reminded herself. He's just your crush. He has no idea.
---
For a few minutes, they sat in comfortable silence, the music washing around them. Then he spoke, almost to himself.
"Parties were simpler when I was your age," he said, lips curving faintly. "Now the faculty keeps nagging about supervision, decorum, safety. I slipped out before they decided to file another report."
Amelia laughed softly. "You mean you escaped."
"Exactly." His gaze flicked toward her, amused. "And found better company than the staff lounge."
Her cheeks warmed. "I doubt that."
"I don't."
He leaned back slightly, the light from the dance floor catching in his eyes. The noise of the crowd seemed to dull; it was suddenly too easy to forget where they were.
---
Alexander studied her quietly for a moment. "You looked different tonight," he said finally.
"Different?"
"When you walked in… it was as if the whole room stopped. You looked like the sun had stepped inside, and every other light forgot what it was supposed to do."
Amelia's heart thudded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. "That's—quite a thing to say to a student."
"Maybe," he admitted, a faint smile touching his mouth. "But it's true."
For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to the space between them—the faint scent of her perfume, the low hum of music, his voice threading through the noise.
He stood, offering his hand. "Come on."
She blinked. "Where?"
"For a dance. It would be unfair if I didn't ask the brightest star in the room."
Amelia hesitated, breath catching, then slowly placed her hand in his. His fingers closed around hers, warm and steady, and together they walked toward the floor as the next slow song began to play.