Academic Life (2)

A firm hand on my shoulder jolted me from sleep. For a moment, I was disoriented, my mind still fuzzy with exhaustion. Then I looked up and felt my blood run cold. Professor Vale stood over me, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp with disapproval.

Reality crashed in like a bucket of ice water. I'd fallen asleep in class - Professor Vale's class, of all places. The silence in the room was deafening, and I could feel every single pair of eyes focused on me.

A poorly suppressed giggle broke the tension. I didn't need to look to know who it was - Toby's distinctive snicker was unmistakable, joined by Julia's lighter laugh. Those jerks had probably watched me fall asleep and deliberately left me to face the consequences.