Professor Asher - My Dangerous Addiction

Eleanor's perspective. "High School wasn't this rowdy", I sighed, as I tried to concentrate on a book I was reading. I had barely even scratched the surface yet. "Why so serious in the first week? I like the vibe in the classroom actually". My roommate whispered close to my right ear with a giggle. Her name is Scarlet. "Yeahhh, they are hyper...way too hyper, I can't readdd!" I closed my book in defeat. She laughed at my little tantrum. My course mates were everywhere else in class but their seats. The guys were trying to get the ladies' attention and the ladies were doing the exact same thing. "We are all teenagers let loose into the world for the first time. What else do you expect?" Both her hands raised up in defense. She had a point. Maybe I was being too serious. "I wonder what they all see in each other?" I said in pure curiosity. I have always wondered how teenage love works. "Wait, you've never fancied a guy in your class before?!" I could hear the disbelief in her voice. "Wait, have you ever been in love?!" I could feel her touch my shoulder as she leaned forward to see my face. "Wowww!" Her mouth and eyes were wide open in disbelief. She was right though. I had never fallen in love before. "Wow, I need to fix that!" She shook me by the shoulder excitedly. I could see that crazy look in her eyes. "No, you don't." I whim with my head swaying lightly from her push. "Why not?!" She gives me another gentle push in protest. "Because I don't believe in arranged love. Love will find you when you least..." "HIS HERE!" A shrill voice cried out, interrupting my words. It was the class president; Harper. "...when you least expect it." I looked at her standing by the open door, as the entire class quickly settled back in their seats. "Her voice is something else!," Scarlet whispers, stunned. It was, but I was more stunned by the appearance of a handsome male figure that walked in. Tall, with his head almost touching the top frame of the door, he walked in poised. He looked fit and athletic. His dark hair was well-styled in a comb over, with a light stubble beard that highlighted his jawline. "Phhuuwwweeeeet-Phheeew!!!" whistling went off from different corners of the class. I couldn't be distracted by them as my eyes were fascinated by him. He looked stylish in his army green suit. He squinted his eyelids, almost concealing his beautiful dark eyes until our eyes met. Locked in an instant, they widened as he gazed at me. I could feel my heart thump a little harder. Could this be love at first sight? "Phhuuwwweeeeet-Phheeew!!!" More whistling could be heard in the classroom. It was obvious I wasn't his only admirer. I had competitions as he had caught the attention of the other ladies. He stopped in front of the classroom still holding my attention. I couldn't take my eyes off him even for a second. Love had found me when I least expected it... "Be silent." His bass-baritone voice interrupted my thoughts. It was commanding yet calm, as the whistling stopped. "My name is Professor Asher Scott. I'll be your substitute teacher until Dr. Emma Moore is back". His eyes scanned the entire class. "I'll be teaching you introductory zoology or ZLY 101". His eyes once again met mine. "I have only one rule in my class - one rule: do not constitute a nuisance!" he said, as he stared hard at me without blinking. "Oh my!" I ducked my eyes, embarrassed, as I finally understood. His words got to me. I could tell he was very principled, and he didn't welcome romantic attention from his female students. "Good. Now let's begin". He was pleased as he turned away. I stole a glance at him again as he took out his laptop from his work bag. I had fluttering feelings in my belly and weird happy thoughts about him already. Although he had an air of authority that should keep me at bay, I couldn't help but think otherwise. "We humans have always been fascinated with animal life on our planet earth. Its origin, its forms, its classifications and so much more." He stood in front of his open laptop on the podium. "In understanding animal life, microscopic or macroscopic, living or fossils, in whatever habitat they might be found and whatever form they might take, that is Zoology in simple terms..." I was mesmerized by his deep voice, as I listened closely. He looked up again at me and our eyes locked. He was so charming, and I had stopped everything to pay attention to him. "He is looking in this direction," Scarlet whispered, distracting me. There was a hint of happiness and nervousness in her voice. I looked at her, realizing she was beside me. I had zoned out completely, focused only on him. She was on her laptop and so was everybody else... "Hello." His baritone voice drew my attention back to him. He waved in my direction, as he stepped away from the podium. "You, the young lady with blonde curls." He pointed at me. I had loose blonde curls and wore a black tank top, but I was quite sure he wasn't referring to me. He must be referring to someone else more special. I turned behind me in search of a girl matching his description, but there was none in the line he pointed to. A few other blondes were seated in other areas of the classroom. "I am referring to you with the blonde curls and the black tank top, staring behind." The entire class suddenly exploded into laughter. He was referring to me! I turned slowly to face him as I stood up in the midst of my peers. I was supposed to be embarrassed by my situation, but I wasn't. Instead, I felt special because he had singled me out to talk to! "What is your name?" His dark eyes were glued to mine. It felt like we were both alone in the classroom together. "My name is Eleanor Rivera." A faint smile was plastered on my face. Now my love knows my name! "Eleanor." He paused. The sound of my name from his lips was ecstasy. "Why are you not taking any notes? It seems you know something the rest of the class does not." He looked at the rest of the class with their laptops out in front of them. "No, I do not, but I was listening," I assured him. I had been staring at him from the very moment he walked in, and he knew it. "Very well, in that case, I believe you will have no problem repeating to the class the last words I said about zoology." He smiled curiously. It was a challenge, but I was up for it. I took a deep breath in, as I closed my eyes. I imagined his deep voice speaking in my head, as I played back his last words on zoology. "In understanding animal life, microscopic or macroscopic, living or fossils, in whatever habitat they might be found and whatever form they might take, that is Zoology in simple terms..." "Woo!!!" The entire class erupted with cheers and applause. I opened my eyes, surprised to see their reaction. "Phhuuwwweeeeet-Phheeew!!!" The guys were whistling for me, while the ladies applauded. They were impressed. I looked at Professor Asher to see if he was impressed too. He was staring at me, but that was it. "Eleanor, the class is impressed." The class quieted down as he spoke, but I couldn't tell if he was pleased with me. "You proved me wrong." He smirked, as he went back to the podium. "Still in my class, you must take notes. You may be sitted." He said with finality, taking back control of his class. Clearly, he wasn't pleased. I could tell we had started off on the wrong footing as I sat back in my seat. I hope we are not enemies now. I took out my laptop as instructed, but I couldn't take my eyes off him. This man, who I knew only some minutes ago, now meant the world to me. I could already picture us together, although he was not yet mine. He had ignited the embers of love and desire in me, but I hope he was prepared to handle its raging flames...