The Degrees of Obsession

Chapter4

"Any news about the change of room request?" Marilyn asked. They were sitting in the lecture hall, waiting for the next class, which was Reproductive Endocrinology, to commence. Some students seated in rows of curved desks, which steeped downwards in tiers, were either talking, scribbling in their notes or taking a break before the class starts.

"Not yet, it's been a week already. And since I spend more time in your room now, I couldn't care less anyway," replied Koko.

Marilyn nodded and went back to scrolling through her phone. Just then a man, immaculately dressed in a navy blue button-down long-sleeved shirt, tucked in black slacks stepped into the hall and walked towards a wide stage at the bottom which features a digital podium and a microphone. Marilyn, who had been distracted by her phone suddenly looked up when she noticed the hall gotten completely silent. Beside her, Koko's mouth hung open.

The man tapped on the microphone to get the attention of the students, which he already even had, the instant he walked in.

"Good afternoon students...I apologise for being late." His deep voice resonated through the speakers.

Koko tapped Marilyn underneath the desk and leaned close to her ear,

"Oh my f*****g goodness! He's so freaking hot!" she whispered fiercely. Marilyn just stared at him, not really paying attention to Koko's hysteria.

The man went on, "I'm Dr. Dean and I will be taking over Reproductive Endocrinology course. I want to also extend my condolences for the tragic passing of Dr. Jane." His eyes scanned each one of the students.

"He looks way too young!" Koko leaned in close to Marilyn again.

This time she glanced at her. "Not really, he looks like he's in his mid-forties." She murmured.

"Whatever. He has that hot dad bod. Are you sure we can concentrate in this class?"

Marilyn rolled her eyes. "I don't know about you, but I sure as hell would."

"Okay, let's begin our lecture," Dr. Dean said, flipping his laptop open.

*****""

"Dr. Dean Simmons, born in Australia but raised here in Red field, forty-four years old, he loves to fence, he has two dogs."

Koko was sprawled out on Marilyn's bed, aggressively scrolling through Dr. Dean's profile on i********:.

Marilyn scooted closer to her and laughed. "Wait, I can't believe you actually found his profile."

"Oh my God! A shirtless pic of him. How often do you see professors on social media? Or even taking and posting a hot shirtless picture?! That's like... nearly impossible. Lyn, I think I'm getting wet." She completely ignored Marilyn's statement.

She smacked Koko's arm and moved away from her. "You're f*****g disgusting, get off my bed."

This earned a laugh from Koko, who stumbled to get off the bed. She walked towards the other side of the room where Alyssa was lying on her bed, reading with headphones on.

She tapped Alyssa's shoulder to get her attention and showed her the picture. Alyssa looked up from her book and took off her headphones.

"Isn't this man hot? Please tell me you agree with me Ally."

Alyssa let out a small nervous laugh. "Uh...he's not actually my type. He looks good for his age though, but I wouldn't say hot." She held her fingers up in air quotes and pretended to shudder.

Koko playfully glared at her and walked back to Marilyn's bed before plopping down on it.

"You guys are no fun."

Alyssa put back her headphones and went back to her reading.

"Are you crazy?!" Marilyn gasped as she saw Koko tap the follow button.

"You can call me crazy when I successfully f**k this man."

Marilyn groaned and got up, "I can't with you right now, I'm going to find something to eat."

She walked to the door and opened it, with Koko right behind her.

"You should know me better than that Lyn, I wouldn't do that." She laughed and laced her fingers through Marilyn's as they walked down the stairs.

"Well, I know you so much that after you finish your stalking, you'll go right ahead into his DM."

They stepped outside into the cool evening air and made their way towards a food truck at the corner of their dorm. Some girls were lying on the grass talking indistinctly, few were strolling with their partners, while others flooded around the food truck service window.

Koko was about to respond when her phone dinged with a notification. She glanced down at it and squealed so loud that she earned annoyed glances from some girls nearby.

"He followed me back!" She did a little happy dance.

"Well, that was quick," Marilyn said as she stood right behind Koko on the queue of people waiting to get their orders.

After a few seconds of silence, her phone dinged again. "I just got an email from the accommodations' office."

Marilyn leaned over her shoulder to read the contents of the email with her.

"No more bed spaces left," Koko muttered.

"Well that settles it, you can fully move into my room."

"Are you sure babe? You're my best friend, but I still don't want to inconvenience you even though I have my own space." Her black curls swayed with the light breeze as they stood in the queue.

"Oh please, I'm used to all your inconveniences," Marilyn joked.

Koko rolled her eyes and tucked her phone into her shorts pocket, "You're lucky I love you. Tell you what, I still won't move in totally, but I'll definitely be spending the night at yours."

Marilyn nodded, "Okay then, whatever works for you."