At first it was just an attraction, which had to end, because "students should not date professors", but after the sudden death of Ruby's close friend Erin, fate brings them together and their attractions quickly turns into something more, and thes...
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I was grateful that Mr. Urie took me home. My family didn't really discuss problems, but at least I could feel calm there.
When I woke up on the next morning, my mom greeted me with coffee and sandwiches, which sort of made me feel like a teenager again. I sat by the table, sipping my coffee and watching a music channel, while my mom was cleaning up the kitchen.
My mother was a beautiful woman, who had chosen a life of housewife, and she was good at what she was doing, after all, she raised two children- me and my elder brother-, and I think that she had done a great job. Dad... well, he was working and was never around, and, I remember, that, when I was just a child, they were often arguing on that. However, as the time passed, she found a way how to cope with his absence. Maybe she had fallen out of love, I don't know, but she was never complaining about anything.
I caught my mother's gaze as she turned around and looked at me with a slight concern. "How are you coping, my dear?" She asked me quietly.
I knew that this question did not request any real conversation, but I nodded, giving her a mild smile. "I'm fine, don't worry."
She beamed, "Good. You're a strong girl." She replied wit a certain sense of contentment in her voice, "We should really hurry up, if you don't wish to miss your lectures."
"Sure," I put down the sandwich and coffee. I stood up and she passed me to get her purse.
I don't know if it was a good idea to go back to university today, but I knew that it might take my mind off of what had happened. Quickly I put on my jacket and shoes. I also took my bag and Mr. Urie's jacket, which was hanging on one of the hooks in a hallway, and, together with my mom, I left the house.
The ride to the university was silent, except for the music, which was playing on the radio. I managed to put professor's jacket in my bag, before we reached the destination. For some reason the building seemed to be less inviting than usually, now, when I knew that I will never see Erin's greeting smile in its hallways.
"Call us, if you need anything, Ruby." Mom spoke, before I got out of the car.
"I will."
"And be careful, okay?"
"Okay, ma," I smiled awkwardly, her concern seemed to be staged, even if I knew that she probably meant what she was saying. I wanted to make sure that she felt appreciated, so I quickly leaned towards her and gave her a quick hug. She froze, I felt it, but I didn't really care. "Have a good day, okay?"
"You too, hun," She replied while patting my hand uncomfortably.
It was short, but pleasant moment. I don't think that I have had that with my mom in years, and for some reason it made me feel more confident, as I got out of the car.
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I had a lecture in Research Methods course which nobody really liked, but which requested 80% attendance during the semester. I went into the class, just to greet a view, which, I knew I might experience. Everyone was looking at me... I heard whispers as I walked trough the auditory, Samantha and Ann, girls, who would often spend time with me and Erin, greeted me quietly and one of them asked if I felt okay. I nodded in response, and in a half whisper, told her that I was fine, even though I felt as if walking the walk of shame at that moment.
