It didn’t take any longer than fifteen minutes before we arrived in front of my apartment building.
“Thank you, professor. You really didn’t have to do this,” I say as he walks me to the front entrance.
He looks over the seven-floor complex and nods in approval. A smirk forms on the corner of his mouth. “Who do you share your space with?”
“Lora. Our apartment is quite pretty, and it has two separate bedrooms. Having security is a plus. Even though it’s expensive, we’re splitting the rent.”
“Maybe I can stop by for a coffee sometime.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh, I’m sorry about that. Would you like to come in for a cup?”
“No, it’s fine. I already have other plans for tonight. I hope you have a pleasant evening, Ms. Scott.”
I chew my bottom lip. I wish I could ask where, but I obviously can’t. “I guess I’ll bid you good night. Good night, professor.”
“Good night.” He strolls back to his car.
For some reason, as I continue to go inside, I can’t help but see him one more time from a distance.
I turn to look in his direction, but as soon as I do, the professor darts around and heads straight to me. Suddenly, his body is so close to mine, and the small distance separating us makes me yearn for more.
He slowly reaches over and runs his thumb down my lower lip, and the spark of his touch travels down my belly.
Professor Sebastian’s irises are ablaze. He is not saying anything, just staring. My body tenses up. Or is it because I don’t want to move? I can feel the color on my face rising and my hormones racing. With just one simple touch, he has me squirming.
What are we doing? I’m not sure what’s going on anymore.
No. This is more than just a simple touch. He has his finger on my lips.
A desperate gasp escapes my mouth as I attempt to speak, but another voice joins in before I can say anything. It’s Kristoff.
“Anya? Julian?”
And, just like a magnet being pulled apart, Professor Sebastian pulls away from me. My heart beat faster against my ribcage.
“Kristoff.”
My boyfriend comes toward us with a puzzled look on his face. He slithers his hand around my waist possessively.
“What’s going on?”
“Professor Sebastian took me to dinner, and we just got here.”
Kristoff stares at me with suspicion, his gaze moving to the scarf around my neck. I squeeze my fists on the fabric.
God. What am I supposed to say? Faster, Anya. Think faster.
Ah!“And I tripped. Professor Sebastian helped me up. You know I usually trip over my own feet.” I chuckle nervously.
“Oh,” he exhales, relieved. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, just a bit cold. Why don’t we get in?” I turn my attention back to the professor. “Thank you for the ride and the delicious dinner, professor.”
He ignores me and averts his attention to Kristoff. “What do you suppose the time is?”
Kristoff grimly laughs as he scratches his scalp. “Man, I really can’t—”
“What would’ve happened to her if you were this late? She’ll freeze to death waiting for you.”
“It’s alright,” I say breathlessly. “I could just go home. This isn’t too far from school.”
“No, he’s right,” Kristoff says warmly to me. “I lost track of time. Thank you for driving her, Julian.”
The professor gives a simple nod in response. He peers at us impassively. I’m not sure whether it’s just my head, but his jaw clenches. Hard. Finally, pivots, gets into his car, and drives out into the dusk.
***
A romantic comedy with a dash of drama plays on my laptop while Kristoff and I lie with our feet entangled on the bed and a bucket of popcorn rests on my belly. We’re already close to the film’s ending. The plot revolves around a high school girl who pretends to be a guy at an all-boys school to achieve her dreams. There aren’t many movies that make me laugh and cry, but this one definitely does.
“Do you think he’ll forgive her?” I ask, leaning on Kristoff’s chest.
“Yes, because that’s how romcoms work.”
“Would you forgive her if the guy were you?”
He puts some popcorn into his mouth. “It’ll be hard to. She pretended to be a guy, but he still fell in love with her.”
“Right, and he was also a player.” I look back at the screen.
The hero breaks down in tears at the realization he has been deceived. I reach for a handful of popcorn, weeping for the main character. He loves her so much that he no longer cares about her gender. When she attempts to kiss him, he pushes her away.
“Oh, my. I wouldn’t know what to do if she were me,” I remark.
“No one would assume you’re a guy anyway,” Kristoff says, his gaze dropping to my cleavage. “She has no bust, and you can’t keep yours under wraps.”
I giggle. “Rude.”
He leans over and kisses me on the forehead. We go back to watching.
The guy follows his girlfriend to the airport to stop her from leaving the country. The movie concludes with him declaring his love for her in front of a large crowd. She accepts his proposal and confirms their love with a searing kiss. It’s a happy ending.
“That’s a good one.” I get up and stretch when the end credits roll. My legs and arms have gone numb.
“Say, Anya,” Kristoff says quietly, glancing up at me. “What if... I betrayed you at some point in our relationship? Would you forgive me if I begged for it?”
I snort. “What?”
“Would you?”
“Why so serious?” I slump back on the bed. “Did you do anything wrong?”
“No, it’s not like that. It’s just a thought.” He gives a faint smile.
“Well... It depends on the gravity of the betrayal. I’ll give you a chance to explain. And if I believe I can forgive you, I will. So, why not? Relationships are not without difficulties.”
“Don’t keep that attitude. Someone could easily deceive you.”
I take his hand and place it on my cheek. “Unless you dump me for someone else, of course. There will be no second chances.”
“I know,” he murmurs as he moves closer to embrace me and strokes circles on my back.
“Is there something bothering you?”
“Nothing. Just the effect of a rom-com on my mood.”
“Really? But I’m getting a gloomy vibe from you.” But good lord. He smells so good, like a fresh bath and aftershave. I want to bury my face in him all night.
“I’m just exhausted from the rehearsal,” he explains, but I don’t think that’s all.
“Hey, if something like that happens to us, let’s be honest, okay?”
“If.”
I smile. “Yes, if.”
And I will no longer welcome any attraction or strange feelings for my professor. He’s just someone I admire because he’s a great artist, just as I’m a huge fan of Ryan Reynolds and Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s not even my first time having a crush on a teacher. I once had a crush on my math teacher, but I was completely over him when I graduated.
Kristoff’s embrace tightens around me like a man pining for his lost love. His warmth is comforting, but there’s definitely something off about him. He is heaving breaths and sniffling softly. He probably thought I wouldn’t notice. At two in the morning, he heads home.