The Phlebotomy Professor (Teacher x Student || Intersex)

8.

Unedited.

Sage;

I sighed as I looked in the mirror while smoothing down my shirt. It was my birthday and I felt older than I really was. I guess it was from the exhaustion that my PTSD refused to relieve me of. However, I was more than grateful to live another year because I've seen people get their lives taken from them when it could've been me instead.

The rest of the week had went by slowly. Novalie only had my Monday class so I only saw her once a week. Though, the anxiety about her situation being a mystery to me never left my mind. I wanted nothing more than for the young woman to succeed.

I kept thinking about our encounter in Trader Joe's. I couldn't help but smile at the thought. She was so pretty, and so sassy outside of the classroom. I couldn't help but allow my brain to replay the memory of the soft smile that gave me butterflies. The way she looked up at me really made my heart skip a beat.

I just hoped she didn't fall asleep in class again on Monday.

My arms ached underneath my black button down from boxing so much. I did it almost every night until I exhausted myself which took hours, and even then I still tossed and turned until the sun came up.

I wanted nothing more than to lay down, but Brooke was waiting for me at the club with her friends and husband. I convinced myself that I'll go for a few minutes, have a drink and then leave. It's been a while since I've been out, and I prayed my anxiety didn't take over.

I gave myself one more good look in the mirror before walking downstairs. My open toed heels clicked on the ground, exposing my baby blue toes that matched my finger nails. My makeup was light, my eye makeup a little heavier than what I was used to, but it was my birthday and I did want to try and have some sort of fun.

My hair was in a half up-do, the rest of my locs laying down the middle of my back at their usual length. I grabbed my jacket and threw it on before walking outside and getting into my Uber, closing my eyes as I started to mumble a small prayer.

Lord, please let me have some sort of fun tonight. Help me relax. Thank you for letting me make it to thirty-one. To all my friends up there, I see you in my dreams every night. Love you.

I opened my eyes and watched as the city lights passed me by through the window. I lowered it slightly, allowing the fall breeze to cool me down. I was nervous, taking a deep breath as the car came to a halt in front of the club.

I got out of the car, ignoring the stares I received as I walked inside. I looked around, the music loud and the lights low as people danced in the center. I swallowed hard and looked over at the bar to see Brooke smiling widely as she waved me over.

"Happy birthday!" She squealed as she gave me a large hug. I smiled back, thanking God I wore pants as I sat on one of the high stools that sat next to the bar.

"Happy birthday, Sage." Austin stated blandly. I gave him a curt nod and looked over to see Denise and Martin smiling widely at me.

"Happy birthday! You look great!" Denise cheered as she handed me a shot causing me to smile widely. I took the shot and they all cheered as I grimaced while swallowing the hot liquid.

"Jesus." I coughed. Brooke was talking my ear off as she kept handing me shot after shot. I took them back to back, but shook my head as I looked at her with low eyes.

"Slow down, man. You know I don't drink like that." I grumbled as my stomach turned slightly. Brooke just laughed and sipped her drink as she ordered me a water. I drank it, the coolness soothing my stomach. I heard a loud group of men cheering and I looked over to see them throwing money at one of the dancers.

"Jeez." I whispered as I sipped my water. Her dark legs were in high platform heels and I couldn't help but look. She twisted around on the pole, grinding against it as she moved her hips while landing on her feet. I couldn't see her face from here, but she was in a pink leather set that held her small curves.

Damn. She looks good.

"Go tip her! It's your birthday!" Brooke squealed as she handed me a roll of hundreds causing me to scoff.

"I'll go with you!" Denise called causing Brooke to nod abruptly.

"No." I grumbled as I ordered a margarita.

"You're such a snooze." Brooke grumbled causing me to laugh as I pushed her shoulder. She shoved mine back before leaning in and kissing my cheek causing me to laugh again.

"My gosh, I could go for some ice cream after this. What do you think?" Brooke asked as she looked down at me.

"Nah, I'm going to head home once we're done here."

"Boo, no! We can hit another club."

"Brooke, I am tired. I worked all week, remember? We can go out to eat tomorrow."

"Fine. I'll hold you to it." She grinned causing me to smile as I grabbed my margarita and sipped it. I looked back at the stage and saw the woman was still dancing. She had a lot of money on the ground below her and it shocked me. The men were going crazy over her and I couldn't help but understand why.

Her legs..they're so long and slender especially in those shoes.

"So fùcking gay!" Brooke teased as she pushed me off of the chair. I laughed and rolled my eyes before taking the money she gave me and starting to walk to the stage. Denise and Brooke cheered me on and I sighed while shaking my head as I walked over. I couldn't get through the group of men that were going crazy, so I managed to walk around them and get to the front of the stage.

I watched as she danced, moving her hips before climbing on the pole again. She moved graciously, her body swerving around and I couldn't help but lick my lips as I watched. My eyes were locked on her legs. They were glossy and dark and it made my mouth water. They looked so smooth and I wondered what they would feel like under my fingertips.

But..so did everyone else that watched her.

She bent over and put her ass in the air, giving me an opportunity to slip the money into her waistband. Her skin felt warm on my fingertips and I pulled back, watching as the other men tossed money at her.

The music finished and she turned around and I placed the pile of money onto the stage and swallowed hard, watching as she blew kisses before grabbing the small bag and slipping the money inside when I finally got a good look at her face as she moved closer to the front of the stage.

My heart dropped in my stomach as I stared, my lips parted slightly as she continued to pick up the money. I leaned in, squinting to make sure it wasn't the alcohol playing tricks on me, but it wasn't as she looked up, her dark eyes meeting mine and her face dropping completely.

"N-novalie?"