Chapter 3: Sleepless and Set Up

Maybe I was too worried about being tormented by Julian, because I barely slept all night. I tossed and turned, and when I finally did fall asleep, I dreamed about him!

I spent hours staring at my ceiling, counting the hairline cracks and replaying dumb arguments, but every time I closed my eyes, Julian popped up—smirking, mocking, sometimes even saving me from imaginary disasters. My pillow was a mess by morning.

So annoying, this guy really haunts me.

If sleep paralysis had a face, it would be Julian’s. Even my dream self couldn’t catch a break.

So early in the morning, I showed up with huge dark circles under my eyes, startling Mariah and Camila.

I shuffled into the kitchen, clutching my Yeti tumbler like it was a life raft. Mariah nearly dropped her toast when she saw me.

Mariah joked, "Did you go out stealing last night? Those dark circles are intense."

She shot me a wicked grin, snapping a quick pic on her phone before I could protest.

"I dreamed of something scarier than ghosts and couldn't sleep all night." I yawned, exhausted. "What's the first class today?"

I barely managed to keep my eyes open, fighting off another yawn as I slumped at the table. Coffee did nothing to help.

"English," Camila reminded me. "Don't forget your crush is in this class, too. Better cover up those dark circles."

She winked, handing me a compact from her bag. The reminder lit a fire under me—I couldn't let Ethan see me like a zombie.

That snapped me awake. I immediately grabbed a mirror and saw I looked terrible, so I quickly put on some makeup in five minutes.

The concealer barely covered the damage, but it was good enough. I fluffed my hair, threw on my favorite jacket, and crossed my fingers.

At noon, after having lunch with my crush Ethan Brooks, I had to go help the professor again.

Lunch was awkward—he kept glancing at his phone and was vague about his afternoon plans, and I kept spacing out. I just mumbled something about allergies and wolfed down my sandwich.

I was so tired and sleepy, my head was fuzzy, and I felt like I could fall asleep any second.

The walk to the science building felt like a marathon. I kept blinking, hoping I wouldn’t collapse before I made it to the lab.

Unable to hold on, I decided to send Julian a Facebook Messenger text.

I typed with heavy fingers, the letters blurring on my screen. Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Maybe if I played nice, he’d let me off easy.

If I was polite, maybe he wouldn't make things hard for me, right?

It was worth a shot. Miracles do happen.

"Julian~" I pressed the voice button. "Can I go to the lab a little later? I didn't sleep well last night and want to go home for a nap."

I tried to sound as sweet as possible, stretching the last syllable like I was begging for a favor.

Julian replied quickly: "What did you just call me?"

He was baiting me, I knew it. My phone buzzed against my palm like it was in on the joke.

Pushing his luck.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

To get myself an hour's nap, I could only grit my teeth and sweetly call, "Julian~"

I hated myself for giving in, but a nap was worth it.

Julian: "Sorry, Lane, the time is set and can't be changed. Please be on time."

Damn!

He was just messing with me!

I stomped my foot, cursing him under my breath. No mercy from Julian Carter—should’ve known.

I angrily kicked the pillar next to me.

The sound echoed, earning a look from a passing janitor. I gave a sheepish smile and hurried away.

I told you, you can't negotiate with Julian Carter.

If I've done something wrong, just send campus security—not let Julian Carter guide me in experiments!

With no choice, I braced myself and went, only to find that besides me and Camila, there were other students from different majors.

The lab in Kendrick Hall was packed. I squeezed past a group of guys debating DNA replication, the hum of incubators filling the air.

Julian stood in the center, surrounded by them, chatting and laughing.

He looked like the golden boy—everybody’s favorite TA, cracking jokes, running the show. I rolled my eyes.

It was my first time seeing Julian in a lab coat.

He looked so official, all clean lines and crisp fabric, glasses perched on his nose. I hated how well he pulled off the scientist look.

He wore black-rimmed glasses, and the white coat made him look gentle, fair, and clean.

Even his hair looked neater than usual, like he’d spent five minutes in front of the mirror. Camila nudged me, and I pretended not to notice.

The top button of his shirt was undone, showing his collarbone—a little wild, a little refined.

The contrast was unfair. If only he was less attractive, I wouldn’t be so annoyed.

If he didn't mess with me, I'd admit he was good-looking.

But he always ruined it with his attitude.

Julian was the first to see me, glanced at his watch. "Lane, we're just waiting for you."

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear, turning heads my way. I glared back, cheeks burning. Lane—that’s what he calls me when he’s in coach mode; "Autumn" is the one he uses when I’m in trouble.

I pursed my lips, put my backpack aside, and ignored him.

I set my bag down a little harder than necessary, hoping it would make my feelings clear.

Julian turned and started explaining the experiment steps to everyone.

His voice was smooth, confident, and annoyingly easy to follow. Hair tied, lab coat on, I pulled on nitrile gloves and leaned against a bench, feigning indifference.

I leaned against the incubator, listening to his soothing voice, my eyelids growing heavier.

The hum of the machines and the faint agar smell drifted around me. My head bobbed, fighting sleep—definitely not near the sterile hoods, for the record.

My consciousness blurred, and I actually fell asleep standing up.

One minute I was counting petri dishes, the next I was dreaming of falling through clouds of test tubes.

Until Camila kept calling my name, jolting me awake.

I snapped to attention, heart racing. Camila looked half concerned, half amused. Julian was watching too, smirk firmly in place.

I looked up to meet Julian's deep, amused eyes. He said calmly, "Lane, did you sleep well? You were drooling."

He handed me a paper towel with a flourish. The whole group tried not to crack up, and Camila shoved a tissue at me.

Camila handed me a tissue.

She gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, whispering, "At least you didn’t snore."

I immediately wiped my mouth.

I tried to play it cool, dabbing at my lips, pretending not to care. But my ears were on fire.

Everyone was staring, all holding back laughter. I wanted to sink into the floor.

I could hear a few snickers from the back. My pride took a hit, but I straightened my spine and forced a grin.

Damn, first day and already a major embarrassment.

A new personal record. I prayed nobody had filmed it.

But I couldn't lose my composure, so I lifted my chin and smiled calmly. "Not bad. I've been a bit insomniac lately. Can I record Julian's voice as a sleep aid?"

My voice was steady, but inside, I wanted to die. Maybe I could make a fortune selling his voice as a relaxation app.

"Happy to oblige," Julian tilted his head, smiling.

His tone was all mockery. I considered launching my own brand: Sleep With Julian™. He’s such a menace.

Happy your ass!

I mouthed the words at Camila, who grinned back, barely holding in her laughter.

Julian kept us for two hours, and seeing it was getting late, told us to go home early.

He checked his watch, clapped his hands, and dismissed everyone like a CEO.

Oh, not us—them.

Because just as I grabbed my backpack, ready to escape, Julian calmly said, "Autumn Lane stays."

Of course. The universe hated me.

God, please let me go!

I turned, gritting my teeth and forcing a smile. "Julian, anything else?"

My voice was sweet enough to give someone a cavity.

"Extra lesson," he said, turning to prepare equipment. "Here are five agar plates—glove up, label them, then streak each one with the specified strain. If they’re clean and correct, you can leave. If not, you’ll sit through my explanation again."

It was a pop quiz, Julian-style, complete with safety goggles hovering by his elbow. I stared at the plates, wishing I could disappear.

I'd just been asleep—how could I remember what to do? But Julian was patient and explained it again.

He went through the steps, slow and steady, like a pro TA. I scribbled notes, tied my hair tighter, determined to survive.