Steamy Chronicles collections

It started like any other day-an attempt to avoid getting kicked out of Mr. Austin's A.P. Biology class again. I dashed into the bathroom, hoping to wrap things up in less than forty-five minutes before my easily irritated roommate returned from her shift at the café down the street.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I nearly tripped over the mountain of dirty clothes that had been begging for a wash for days.

I glanced at my clock: thirty minutes to go. I could still make it if I could just find a suitable outfit. After all, I couldn't risk another lecture from Mr. Austin about being "too distracting."

Seriously, how distracting can ginger hair and some piercings be? I opted for a pair of baggy jeans and a tank top, topping it off with a sepia plaid cardigan my sister had gifted me for Christmas.

I slipped on my sneakers and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Mr. Austin's voice echoed in my head: "Look less distracting next time you enter my class, Miss Williams." Old jerk.

I threw my hair into a messy bun, grabbed my tote bag, and snatched up my phone. A glance at the clock sent my heart racing.

"Crap, I'm late!"

I hurried out of my room, nearly colliding with Jessie, my roommate. "Watch it, Nila! You almost knocked me over!" she snapped.

"Sorry!" I shouted over my shoulder as I sprinted toward the bus stop.

The wind crushed against my face as I dashed down the street, my sneakers pounding the pavement with every hurried step. I could already hear the distant rumble of the bus, its arrival a mere minutes away.

 I didn't need to look back to know Jessie was shaking her head; she always did when I pulled stunts like this.

"Get it together, Nila!" I muttered to myself, trying to focus on my breathing. 

 I couldn't let Mr. Austin's endless lectures about proper classroom attire ruin my chances of a decent grade. Science was the only subject I genuinely enjoyed, and getting kicked out again was not an option.

The bus screeched to a stop just as I made it to the curb, its doors swinging open like the mouth of a hungry beast. I climbed aboard, scanning for an empty seat while digging out my student ID to swipe for the fare. 

My heart sank. The back of the bus was filled with familiar faces, and there, right in the center, sat Ricky, my crush Applied Physic.

"Hey, Nila!" he called out, waving me over. My stomach fluttered, half from closeness and half from the panic of being late. 

"Hey!" I replied, forcing a smile and pushing my way through the crowd. I squeezed into the seat next to him, trying to act casual despite the warmth flooding my cheeks.

"Rough morning?" Ricky asked, his eyes twinkling with genuine curiosity. He wasn't as intimidating as I imagined; he wore a faded graphic tee, and his shaggy hair fell effortlessly over his forehead.

"Just the usual chaos," I said, trying to downplay my hopeless start to the day. "You wouldn't believe the mess I had to go through." 

He chuckled a low, warm sound that made my heart race even faster. "Well, you pulled it off. You look great, by the way."

"Thanks," I managed to reply, hoping my face wasn't as red as I feared. Before I could say more, the bus hit a bump, and I nearly pitched sideways into him. Instinctively, I reached out to grab his arm for balance, and my other hand knocked against his backpack. 

Great. Just great.

He raised an eyebrow, and I could feel the embarrassment creeping in. "Sorry!" I blurted out, pulling my hand back quickly. "I'm not usually this... clumsy."

"It's all good," he said with a bright grin. "Better than the time I tried to impress a girl and tripped over my own feet right in front of her." 

My laughter escaped before I could trap it, but the sound seemed to lighten the awkward air. "That's a classic move," I teased, feeling some of the nervousness slip away as we shared a smile. 

The bus rumbled onward, and before I knew it, the familiar sight of the university came into view. Students milled about, some rushing to classes while others lingered, completely unconcerned about time. 

A pang of nerves reemerged-what if I was late? I could only hope Mr. Austin had his back turned, unaware of my lateness.

As the bus came to a stop, I turned to Ricky, the words tumbling out before I could stop myself. "Maybe I'll see you in class?" 

"Definitely," he said, already standing as the doors opened. "Maybe you can help me with that biology project after?"

I blinked, stunned for a moment before nodding, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, sounds good." 

I watched him walk ahead. I glanced at my phone again, fear rising.

"Crap!" I exclaimed, weaving my way through the throng of students. The building where my class was held loomed just ahead.

I paused for a moment, trying to catch my breath as I approached. The sound of chatter and laughter floated out, and I peeked through the window.

Amanda, my best friend, spotted me and waved enthusiastically, signaling her concern about my delay. I shot her a sheepish smile that clearly said, "Not my fault," as my eyes landed on Mr. Austin at the front of the room.

With his back turned to the class, I saw my chance to slip in unnoticed.