My Professor's Secret

42 |

forty-two

Professor Thornton makes me wait five minutes after leaving his office to walk into the lecture hall. Luckily for him, he'd made it just as class was scheduled to begin, whereas when I arrived, he made sure to announce in front of the class how my tardiness would affect my grade. I didn't take it personally—not when he and I had planned the whole scenario after we finished satisfying our scandalous appetite in his office moments earlier. Nevertheless, my response to him was in agreement with what he had said.

Our lecture today was a continuation of the last discussion we had. Stage presence, confidence, and communication were the subject of the majority of our conversation. Not to mention the different styles and methods of acting. Once Professor finishes the lesson, he allows us to break into sections to further develop the plan for the play. Because this class not only catered to aspiring performers, there were roles for everyone. Costume designers, stage managers, and stage directors, along with playwriters and light board and soundboard technicians. It was the beauty of this class. Everyone's part mattered just as much as the next person's.

For the remainder of the lecture, I spent alternating roles and scenes between Wyatt, Chessie, and Gavin. When I wasn't going over lines with them, I was appointed to every other position that needed to be filled. By the time everyone was given a position and Professor Thornton announced that we'd be rehearsing in the auditorium from here on out, the class had been released. It wasn't until the students in attendance today exited the class that I realized I'd been unconsciously waiting to be alone with Professor. I'd inconspicuously perfected the process of packing my bag in the most efficient manner requiring the most time.

My eyes find Wyatt, who'd nabbed a seat in the back of the class on account of his punctuality. He grabs ahold of his iPad, but instead of shoving it in his bag to leave, he uses the sleeve of his pullover hoodie to buff the surface clean from its already immaculate condition. It was pretty clear his intentions weren't to leave until I'd been ready, so I packed my things a tad quicker and began towards the door to leave. As if on cue, Wyatt does the same.

Trevor as I lock eyes as I trail to the door, and I'm reluctant to give him a proper goodbye with Wyatt and his lingering suspicion hanging around, so instead, I mouth the word 'later' to him and proceed for the exit. Once I've reached the corridor, I slowly cling to the wall near the lecture's exit. It provides a clear view of the Professor's desk and the whiteboard but nothing more. It doesn't take Wyatt much longer to find himself down the stairs and to the exit, either. He dallies once he's reached the final step and shifts his position toward Trevor's desk.

Wyatt only comes to a complete stop once he's standing inches from the desk with his back toward me and his undivided attention on Trevor. It takes him a moment to acknowledge Wyatt's position, but once he does, he shifts in his swivel chair and breaks focus from his computer. To my surprise, the conversation remains professional as Wyatt inclines about tips on how he could improve his role in the play. It's enough to cause my sneaky suspicion to vanish enough for me to proceed out of the hall and to my car.

I'm barely approaching my car before I hear the sound of Wyatt calling out to me as he jogs the remaining distance between us. "Does that offer of a date still stand, or have I missed my opportunity?" He questions, shoving his hands into the pocket of his pullover hoodie. The weather was indeed changing, but not enough to leave the house in just a hoodie. He bounced uncomfortably awaiting my answer.

Of course, his offer still stood. There was no denying my feelings for Wyatt. He was attractive, intelligent, talented as hell, wealthy—not that that meant anything, and genuinely a pretty good person to have and be around. Nevertheless, realizing that, I couldn't help but wonder why deep down, I favored the professor's attention above his or why I wanted to curse him for ruining the one-on-one time I could've had with our professor and there sure as hell was no way to explain that to Wyatt.