Chapter 23: MILFs Can Wait A Little Longer

We were heading across campus, walking down that long stone path that cut through the quadrangle. Sun out, breeze light, students everywhere — couples whispering, groups laughing, some dude sleeping on the grass like he gave up on life. Typical college vibe.

Michael was still buzzing like he drank three Red Bulls.

Neil hovered behind us, looking like a guilty puppy ready to confess to a murder.

Finally, he cleared his throat.

"Um... guys... I need to talk to you."

Michael didn’t even look back. "If it’s about you fapping in class again, please—"

"No!" Neil yelped. "It’s about the project."

Both of us stopped.

Neil stepped in front of us like he was about to announce a global crisis.He took a deep breath.

"So... I’ll... uh... put your names back."

Michael blinked. "What?"

"I’ll add your names again," Neil repeated. "On the report. On the submission. Everywhere."

I raised an eyebrow. "That’s a sudden change of heart."

Neil scratched the back of his neck. "Well... yeah... it’s because... uh... my mom told me to."

Michael shot me a look.

I shot him a look.

Both of us knew EXACTLY what that meant.

"Yeah... my mom told me," Neil said. "She said Alex apologized. Like—actually apologized. Sincerely."

Michael leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Bro, he thinks you were kneeling or crying or something."

I kept a straight face.

Neil continued, proud of himself: "Yeah... when she came home last night she said you apologized to her. She said you were... really sorry."

Michael covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

I stared dead ahead. "Yup. That’s... definitely what happened."

"She said you were really polite," Neil added.

Michael choked.

"Polite," I said. "Right."

"And respectful."

Michael’s soul tried to leave his body.

"Very," I said.

"Yeah..." Neil sighed. "Honestly, I didn’t want to remove your names. I was just angry. But since you apologized to my mom, I realized... you’re actually a good guy."

Michael walked behind me and gripped my shoulders like he couldn’t take it anymore.

"Oh he’s a GREAT guy," Michael said, barely keeping his voice steady. "Super apologetic. Very remorseful. Insanely polite."

Neil nodded, oblivious. "That’s what Mom said too! She said no guy ever apologized to her like that."

Michael lost it internally.

I elbowed him before he exploded.

Neil bowed his head a little. "So yeah... uh... I’m sorry too. You two didn’t deserve that. I’ll fix the project right now. After lunch break."

"Good," I said.

"Thanks," Michael added, smirking at me.

We started walking again.

The three of us crossed the courtyard — girls gossiping on one side, guys playing football on the other, some club handing out flyers aggressively like they were trying to recruit for a cult.

Neil walked ahead now, relieved.

Michael slowed down next to me.

Then — very quietly — he spoke:

"Bro."

"Yeah?"

"You apologized to his mom?"

I didn’t answer.

"No, no, no, no, hold on—" Michael grabbed my arm. "THE MILF WHO SHOWED UP AT YOUR APARTMENT. The one who took her clothes off.

THAT

mom?"

I didn’t break stride. "Drop it."

Michael stared at me like he discovered fire.

"You apologized while she was naked?"

"Michael."

"YOU APOLOGIZED WHILE SHE WAS SHOWING YOU HER—"

"MICHAEL."

He shut up.For two steps.

Then he burst out laughing.

"Oh my god... oh my GOD... Neil thinks you sat on the floor crying like ’Ma’am I am so sorry for bullying your son.’"

I tried—really tried—not to crack. My mouth twitched, but I kept walking.

"We’re not discussing this."

"He thinks you apologized formally!! Like you bowed!!"

"I’m going to punch you."

Michael slapped my back. "No wonder she defended you! She probably told him, ’Alex was very sincere.’ Yeah — I bet."

I glared, biting back a laugh. "Michael. Shut. Up."

He wiped tears from his eyes.

"I can’t. I can’t. I’m dying."

We reached the sheltered walkway — concrete pillars, vending machines humming, clubs setting up posters on the walls. Students walked past, arguing, laughing, flirting — someone even dropped a water bottle and cursed like they got shot.

Neil stopped at the vending machine, turning around with a bright smile.

"Guys! Want something? I’m buying."

Michael whispered, "Oh he’s buying now... your apology must’ve hit hard."

I stepped on his foot.

Michael winced. "Ow— deserved."

Neil bought three cold coffees and handed them out like we were the Avengers.

"I want us to be a team again," he said seriously. "No more drama."

Michael raised his can. "Agreed."

I raised mine too. "Yeah. Let’s make sure we don’t fail Mrs. Claire."

Neil gulped. "Right... Mrs. Claire... today she seemed... tense."

Michael side-eyed him. "You okay?"

Neil nodded, then sighed deeply.

"She gets scary when she’s upset. I hope she doesn’t yell at you today, Alex."

I opened my coffee. "I’ll handle it."

Michael made a weird cough-noise. "Oh, he’ll handle it alright."

Neil narrowed his eyes. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Michael said too quickly.

We kept walking until we reached the central academic block. The building was buzzing — students swarming like ants, professors marching around with folders, the smell of cafeteria food floating in from somewhere.

We pushed through the crowd toward the main staircase when all three of us stopped at the exact same time.

Michael froze.

Neil froze.

I froze.

Because walking straight toward us was a goddess.

Long brunette hair that fell down her back in soft waves. Tight white T-shirt that looked one size too small — clinging to her body and showing cleavage so deep Michael almost forgot how to breathe. Skinny jeans hugging her hips like they were made for her. Small waist, perfect curves, steps confident like she knew half the hallway was staring.

And they were.

Every dude behind her was pretending to check their phone but actually staring directly at her ass.Some even slowed down just to watch her walk.

Michael whispered, "Oh MY GOD."

Neil whispered, "Is she... real?"

She walked right up to us — not the group of jocks, not the shy nerds, not the cluster of thirsty guys five meters behind her.

Us.

"Um... excuse me," she said, voice soft, slightly shy but insanely attractive. "Do you know where the principal’s office is?"

Michael’s jaw hit the floor.

Neil blinked like he forgot English.

I answered. "Yeah, top floor. Right side. Big double doors, can’t miss it."

She smiled — and fuck, that smile was dangerous.

"Oh thank you! I’m new here, first day. Transfer student."

"Right, makes sense," I said.

Truth? It made too much sense. No regular student looked like that on a Monday morning.

She brushed her hair behind her ear, and every guy within earshot tilted their head for a better view of her neckline.

"What’s your name?" she asked.

Before I could speak, Michael cut in—

"I—I’m Michael."He pointed at me. "This is Alex."Then waved vaguely toward Neil. "And that’s... whatever his name is."

Neil looked betrayed. "It’s Neil..."

"Oh! Nice to meet you all," she said with another soft smile.

Michael almost fainted.

She stepped away, turned to go... then paused and looked back at me.

"I... still feel a little lost. This building is huge. Do you mind showing me the way? Just to make sure I don’t walk into the wrong place."