Her Favourite Distraction

Mentorship And Mixed Feelings

I woke up slowly, my eyes adjusting as an unfamiliar ceiling came into view. For a moment, I didn’t move.

Then I sat upright—and that was when I saw Henry lying on the floor. He was still asleep, his face relaxed in a way I had never really seen before.

He looked… peaceful.

I watched him for a few seconds longer than I probably should have. Memories of last night flooded my mind, and a small pang of guilt settled in my chest, even though we hadn’t gone all the way.

Then reality crept in slowly, like it always did.

My test. My scholarship. My future.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, trying not to wake him. I gathered my things quietly, pausing for a moment to glance back at him. Then I left.

By the time I returned to my room, Isaa was already awake. Her eyes immediately locked on me, narrowing suspiciously.

“Wait…” she said slowly. “You didn’t sleep here.”

“I did,” I lied weakly.

She folded her arms, tilting her head.

“Amanda,” she said, like a mother scolding her child.

I sighed, dropping my bag. “Okayyy fine. I didn’t.”

A wide grin spread across her face. “Ahhh, I knew it.”

“It’s not a big deal,” I said quickly. “And nothing happened.”

“Mhmm,” she hummed, clearly unconvinced. “You sure?”

“Well… something almost happened,” I admitted.

Her reaction was instant. Her face lit up. “Ohhh, I knew it!”

Then she started making ridiculous, exaggerated s*x sounds.

“Stop it!” I groaned, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at her. She dodged easily, laughing.

“Okayyy, spill everything. In detail.”

I sat down and told her the story… well, almost everything. I didn’t tell her about Mr. Adrian. Not a word.

Even as we talked and laughed, my mind wasn’t fully there. It kept drifting… to him. Mr. Adrian. He had a way of creeping into my thoughts, uninvited and impossible to shake.

When I arrived at the lecture hall, it was louder than usual. Students gathered in clusters, their voices buzzing with curiosity and excitement.

“What’s going on?” I asked, slipping into my seat.

“Didn’t you hear?” someone in front of me turned slightly. “They’re starting a mentorship program.”

My stomach tightened.

Mentorship program?

Before I could ask more, the room fell silent. Mr. Adrian walked in. My heart skipped. I really needed to stop doing that.

Everything about him was the same—calm, composed, controlled.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning, Mr. Adrian,” the class chorused.

He placed his notes on the desk, scanning the room as if searching for something… until his gaze settled on me. I quickly looked away, heat rising in my cheeks.

“As some of you may have heard,” he began, “the department is introducing a mentorship program.”

A murmur ran through the room.

“This program is designed to support high-performing students academically. It will also contribute to your overall assessment and recommendations.”

My fingers tightened around my pen. High-performing students. My heart thudded faster.

“Selected students will be assigned to lecturers who will guide them closely throughout the semester.”

Guide them closely.

I swallowed. I wasn’t even sure why the thought made me nervous.

“Now, I’ll be calling names.”

The room fell completely silent. One by one, names were called. Each one made my chest tighten a little more.

Then—

“Amanda.”

My head snapped up. For a second, I thought I’d imagined it. But no. He was looking directly at me.

My heartbeat quickened. “Yes, sir,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“See me after class. You’re among those selected for the mentorship program.”

Heads turned in my direction. I lowered my gaze immediately, feeling the weight of their attention. The rest of the lecture became a blur. My mind replayed that moment on repeat.

See me after class.

When the lecture ended, I packed my things slowly, my nerves tightening with each passing second. Students filed out, and soon the room was nearly empty.

“Amanda.”

I looked up. Mr. Adrian was standing near my desk, his gaze fixed on me. Watching me.

“Sir, you called me?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said simply. For a moment, he just stared, expression unreadable, like he was studying me. It made me uneasy. I dropped my eyes to the floor.

“You’ve been selected to join the mentorship program,” he said. “And I’ll be your mentor.”

My breath caught. “Oh.” That was all I managed to say.

“I’ve reviewed your performance. You did well in my test,” he added. A small wave of relief flickered inside me. At least he noticed.

But then he continued. “I expect consistency from now on.”

My stomach dropped. “I understand, sir,” I replied quickly.

His gaze didn’t leave mine. It felt intense… almost too intense.

“Especially if you intend to maintain your scholarship.”

My heart skipped. Did he know? How? I looked away, unable to hold eye contact any longer.

“I understand, sir.”

“Good. Don’t get distracted.”

The words were simple, but the way he said them made my pulse race.

I nodded again, quieter this time. “Yes, sir.”

“You may go.”

I turned quickly and walked out, feeling his gaze follow me, but I didn’t look back.

That night, back in my room, I lay on my bed, scrolling aimlessly through t****k. A new email notification blinked on my screen.

MENTORSHIP ASSIGNMENT

A knot formed in my stomach as I opened it.

Mentor Assigned: MR. ADRIAN

I stared at the screen, frozen. Thoughts tangled together—pressure, fear, expectations… and something else I didn’t want to name.

The thought of being alone with him.

I locked my phone and leaned back against the wall. This wasn’t just about grades anymore. It was about how close I was about to get to him.

And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing