One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 27 Audrey

I leaned back in my chair and let out a long, satisfied sigh as I clicked 'submit' on my cheerleading uniform design. The cursor spun in a little circle as the file uploaded to the portal, and I watched it go through with a sense of pride welling up inside me.

"Finished," I announced softly, turning to give Tina, Gavin, and Avis a smile. They had been working diligently at the table across from me, books and papers strewn about the table's surface between us. Tina set her pencil down and grinned back at me. "Well? Let's see it."

Smirking with pride, I angled my laptop so they could both get a good look at the design. Avis peered at it intently, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. Gavin's eyes widened slightly, and Tina's mouth fell open.

Just a few days ago, the school had made an announcement: the cheerleading team was looking for new uniforms. And this year, students of Grayspring Academy were invited to submit their designs; the reward was a larger studio space for the first place winner, something that I knew would help us in preparation for the fashion show.

"Wow, Audrey, this is really good." Avis was the first to speak after a moment. She brushed a lock of hair out of her face as she leaned in further to keep studying the image. "I love the asymmetrical cut on the bodice, and the color scheme is so energetic but still classy, you know?"

"Mhm. And the sweater is a nice touch," Gavin added.

"Thanks. I wanted to give it a really modern edge while still keeping that vintage cheerleader charm," I whispered, gesturing to the little cream-and- burgundy cardigan and matching hair bow that would accompany the uniform. "I hope it shows."

"Yeah, I think this definitely has a chance at winning," Tina agreed with an enthusiastic nod. She elbowed Avis and Gavin playfully. "Just think-if Audrey nails this, we'll finally get that bigger studio we've been wanting."

Avis let out a breathy sigh. "That would be nice. With Gavin in the group now, our studio is starting to feel a little cramped. No offense, Gavin."

Gavin chuckled good-naturedly. "None taken. I know I take up more space than I should," he said, stretching out his long legs beneath the table.

A wistful smile spread across my face as I imagined the new studio space that we would get if we won: tall loft ceilings, huge windows to let in plenty of natural light, a spacious workroom, state-of-the-art equipment... A girl could dream. But I quickly shook myself out of my reverie, not wanting to dream too much in case it didn't come to fruition.

them a

poring over the pages of my sketchbook-but my eyes kept drifting away from my notes, my mind wandering relentlessly. I found

reading lamps on our thick wooden table cast a warm, amber glow over everything. Occasionally, the only sound was the gentle rustling of turning

was peaceful. For

at our table. She glanced around furtively before

into an anxious knot at the mention of her name. Linda had been pretty much radio silent since she had destroyed our studio. The

now.

sure no one was listening before she leaned in closer. "Maybe part of her academic suspension was

my eyes. "The suspension was nothing

distaste. "But I guess when your daddy has as much money as hers does, you

the bitter truth of her words. Linda's parents were extremely wealthy; and although they had taken away her credit card,

good for her, she'll stay far away from

of a new email notification cut me off mid-sentence. Frowning, I opened my laptop again to check who it was from.

172

7:39 PM

Chapter 27

I

"Oh, no..."

and Avis asked in unison, both of them eyeing me

laptop around so they could read the

regret to inform you that your