Lila's POV
Class had finally ended, and I let out a small sigh of relief as I packed my notebook into my bag. I hoped I wouldn't run into Abigail and her friends again today. The hallway felt quieter now, and I just wanted to find a peaceful spot to work on my assignment. As I walked down the stairs, my phone suddenly rang. I pulled it out and saw Mom's name on the screen.
"Hi, Mom," I said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Hi, Lila, am I bothering you, sweetheart? How's school?" she asked, her voice soft and tired.
"Ah, no, Mom. I just got out of class. I'm going to take a quick break before going to the library to work on my assignment. What's up?" I asked, slowing my steps.
There was a short pause on the other end. "Umm, I know I shouldn't be saying this, since you haven't been paid yet, but the hospital just called me again and—"
"It's okay, Mom," I cut in gently. "You don't have to feel bad about asking. It's my responsibility. I'll ask the administration if I can get my paycheck early. Don't worry."
"Is that okay?" she asked, sounding unsure. "You haven't been working there long, so I was worried they might scold you for this."
"No, Mom, I'll try to get the money. Please don't think about this. Just focus on your health. I'll call you back later. I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, my sweetie. Don't forget to eat," she said before hanging up.
I stood on the stairs for a moment, staring at my phone. My chest felt tight. I didn't know if they would let me collect my paycheck early, but I had no choice. Mom needed the money for her hospital bills, and I had already asked them to deduct part of my salary for tuition. Everything felt heavy.
I turned around and headed straight to the administration building. The waiting area was quiet, and I sat down, twisting my fingers in my lap while I waited for my turn. When the woman who had hired me for the dorm job finally called me in, I took a deep breath and sat across from her.
"What's wrong, Lila? Do you want to talk about your job?" she asked, looking at some papers on her desk.
"Yes, Ma'am, but no… I mean, it's not about the job, but…" I looked down at my fingers, which kept moving nervously in my lap. "Can I get paid sooner? I have to pay my mother's hospital bills, and—"
"Lila, you haven't even worked here long," she interrupted, shaking her head. "And you also said to deduct your salary for your tuition, right? Your salary isn't much, and I'm sorry, but we can't give it to you early. There are procedures we have to follow."
"But… I promise I'll work overtime," I said, my voice getting smaller. "I don't know where else to go. This is the only job I have right now. Please, Ma'am."
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I'm sorry, Lila, but this campus has policies. Just imagine if I gave you permission just because I felt sorry for you — how many people would come in with their sad stories?"
I felt my eyes sting, but I held it in. "If you have nothing else to say, you can leave now," she added. "I'm still busy with other matters."
With a heavy heart, I stood up from the chair and walked out of the room. My shoulders felt slumped as I headed down the hallway. Everything seemed harder than it should be. I was trying so hard, but it never felt like enough.
I hadn't gone far when I suddenly stopped. Jax was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking like he had been waiting there. He turned his head as my footsteps got closer.
"Oh, you're here?" I said, surprised. "Didn't you say you were—"
"What's wrong?" Jax asked, stepping away from the wall. His deep voice was gentle, but his eyes looked concerned. "Why did you leave the office like that?"
"Oh, nothing," I replied quickly, forcing a small smile. "I have to go to the library now."
"Then I'll come with you," he said without hesitation.
I didn't know how to argue, so I just nodded and started walking. Jax fell into step beside me, his tall frame making me feel smaller than usual. We walked in silence for a minute, but I could feel him glancing at me every few steps.
"You don't look okay," he said finally. "Did something happen in there?"
I bit my lip, not sure if I should tell him. The weight of Mom's call and the woman's rejection still sat heavy in my chest. "It's just… family stuff. My mom needs money for hospital bills, and I asked if I could get paid early, but they said no because of procedures."
Jax stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. "That sounds tough. I'm sorry."
We kept walking toward the library. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees along the path, but I couldn't enjoy it. My mind kept replaying the conversation with the administrator. I felt useless and tired all at once.
"You know," Jax said after a while, his voice low and calm, "you don't have to carry everything alone. If you need help, you can tell me. Or Miles. Or Theo. We're not just random guys in the dorm."
I looked up at him, surprised by how sincere he sounded. "I don't want to be a burden. You guys already have your own things — basketball, swimming, classes…"
He chuckled softly, the deep sound making my stomach flutter despite everything. "You're not a burden, Lila. You work harder than most people I know, cleaning late every night while going to class. That's not nothing."
His words were kind, but they also made my body react in that familiar way. Just hearing his deep voice so close sent a warm rush between my legs. I felt myself getting wet again, my panties growing damp as we walked. I pressed my thighs together, hoping the feeling would pass. Why did this keep happening around him?
We reached the library steps, and I stopped for a moment. "Thanks for walking with me," I said quietly. "I'll be fine from here."
Jax shook his head. "I'm not leaving yet. Come on, let's find a quiet table inside. You can work on your assignment, and I'll just sit with you. No pressure to talk if you don't want to."
I hesitated, but the thought of sitting alone with all these heavy feelings didn't sound good either. So I nodded and let him follow me inside. The library was cool and quiet, with rows of books and students studying at long tables. We found a corner spot near the windows. I pulled out my notebook while Jax sat across from me, leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world.