Professor's Favorite Student

6

As Elizabeth was preparing some cocktails for a group of friends, she heard someone calling her, "Elizabeth Brown?" The sweet male voice called in a British accent, and when she raised her eyes she saw a somehow familiar face, but she couldn't tell where she had seen him before. He was only a bit taller than her, his hair short and dyed blonde, his eyes in a hazel color, and a sweet smile pictured in his face.

"Sorry, do I know you?" Liz asked, still not figuring out why his face was kind of known to her.

"No, I guess you don't. I actually remembered you from Mr. Ambrose's class yesterday..." the boy said, honestly, making her smile almost shyly.

"Oh, that..." she said, while brushing her hair after her ear. "Did I become famous or something?" She asked, still embarrassed, but he chuckled at her words.

"I think you did, but for good," he told her, smiling the whole time, and she realized once again he had such a pretty smile, and his British accent was to die for. "I'm Alex, by the way. Sorry if I sounded like a creep or something, I only now saw you were working here and came to greet you."

She waved it off, finding it nice from him to worry about such little things.

"Not at all. It's so nice to meet you, Alex. And you can call me Liz," she said, giving him a handshake and he was left speechless. "What is it?" She asked as she saw him lost in thoughts.

"Nothing, I was just... surprised you were this nice. I mean you looked intimidating yesterday, and I was even scared to approach you," he said so honestly that it made her lean her head back from laughter.

"I'm not that bad, don't worry," she told him, while still preparing some drinks for Zed who was waiting to serve them.

"No, I liked it. Your perspective of the novel and also how you responded to that boy. Damn it, was so savage," Alex continued, making sure she didn't feel bad that he called her intimidating, but she didn't mind.

"Thank you," she simply said, but her voice came out soft and he chuckled again.

"I bet Mr. Ambrose liked it too."

Here they were. She was just forgetting about his existence for some minutes and this boy had to remind her of him and his opinion on her, like it mattered that much. Actually it did, he was her professor, after all.

"Uhm, I don't know... let's hope I won't fail."

They continued to talk for a while and Liz found out he was a transferred student from London, majoring literature and not planning on turning back to Europe, even though his parents wanted him to. 

It wasn't hard to find out he was such a funny and sweet guy, he made her laugh the whole time.

Only then Alex remembered his friends were still waiting at the corner table for him, her existence only making him forget the others.

"I'll see you tomorrow I guess," he said, waving goodbye to her.

"You definitely will, we have the same classes. You'll get bored with me." She waved him goodbye, but he only smiled from his shoulder.

"I guess it'll be quite the opposite."

                                      ***  

The next day Alex sat down beside Liz at almost every class, and she knew already they'd become close friends. She already loved his company and the fact that Mia was getting along with him just fine too, made her even more happy.

In her free time she knew she had to face-time with her parents, she had avoided this for two weeks now. Besides everything, she loved them, but they only worsened her mood by 'worrying' that her daughter was living under the same roof with a lesbian couple. She couldn't really understand their logic, and the call ended up with them arguing as always. 

But at least the face-time with Thomas, her big brother who lived in LA made her feel a little more better. He was the person she loved the most in the world, and she hadn't met him for more than a year, but at least they always face-timed once or twice a week, and it made her feel so blessed that he was in her life. The fact that his girlfriend used to always be there too made Liz even more sure that he was in a serious relationship this time, and on top of that she looked like such a sweetheart. She couldn't help but feel happy for them both.

                                      ***  

Another week and a half went by so fast and she was now almost best friends with Alex. They spent most of the time in campus together, they'd go to eat together in their free time between classes, or drink some hot chocolates in the nearest bar-café and those were the best parts of her days. He was a literal sweetheart, a supportive friend she had always needed in her life but only now was able to find. And he looked affectionate towards her too, she liked that his attention was at her most of the time and he'd try his best to make her laugh when she was down.

However, even though Mr. Ambrose hadn't gone to the bar she worked in anymore — because of Zed she knew he had gone only on Sunday, on her day off, so it was more than obvious she was the reason for it — but sometimes she could feel his piercing green eyes on her in the auditorium whenever her attention was at Alex, and not at him analyzing literary works, or in hallways when she'd occasionally put her arm around Alex's, or in the park where they used to sat down on a bench and listen music together and sing out loud like some crazy rebellious teenagers. She could almost swear he was upset she was with Alex that much nowadays, but in the other second he looked so unbothered and it only confused her more.

She couldn't even understand why his opinion, especially for this matter, bothered her that much. It's not like she'd ever ask him or anyone else whom she'd spend her time with.

Alex spent the weekend in his aunt's house that was in the other side of New York and she was glad for it, because she had to focus on studying for her Renaissance literature exam that was on Monday. The subject was one of her favorites, but however, the professor, an old man who talked in the speed of a turtle walking, made it so boring and repetitive and it felt like she knew nothing about it, so she had to learn everything from the beginning.

She decided to study in the library and sometimes in the bar-café, since she couldn't focus with Mia studying in the room as well, but most importantly because she knew she was getting in her girl friends' way and they wanted some time alone. It wouldn't surprise her if they hated her already, although she knew they didn't.

They actually loved her.

                                      ***  

It was already Monday morning and she was in the hallway with Mia, waiting to meet with Alex after three days.

"I can't believe we have two exams today," Mia complained, and Liz took a few seconds to let her words sink in.

Two? What did Mia mean by two?

"But, we have only one..." she mumbled, still hoping inside that Mia was mistaken.

"Liz, we have Renaissance literature and Shakespeare today," her friend said alarmed. "Didn't you know?!"

Shakespeare? Oh, God. 

She remembered how she skipped Shakespeare course some days ago because Zed wanted her help in the bar.

"Liz, I'm so sorry, I thought you knew," Mia said with some sad eyes, but Liz felt like she couldn't breathe for a couple of seconds, anxiety taking over her as she felt her hand shaking. It was not like she hadn't studied Shakespeare all her life. It was the fact that she was a perfectionist, she was always organized mentally and physically, and if something unexpected like this happened it made her lose control of her thoughts and her body.

"Oh, God... what am I gonna do?" She mumbled, trying to catch her breath and clear her thoughts that were being clouded with negative feelings of failing.

"What is it?" She felt Alex's hand in her shoulder but when he saw her ghost face he became even more worried. "Liz, what happened?" He asked, but when she didn't respond and he saw her scared eyes he wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face on his shoulder. He hugged her tightly, making her feel warmer and safer. 

"Alex, I didn't know about the Shakespeare exam," she said with a sad cracking voice, her face still buried in his body.

"Shh, it's okay, Liz, I'll help you. Besides, I know you're good with Shakespeare. Please don't be like this," he whispered in her ear, and his sweet voice made her calm down and relax her breathing. 

But as his arms were still all around her body, she saw Mr. Ambrose walking by, with two other professors, and she felt like if look could burn into ones' skin, Alex would be in flames already. His green eyes were obviously a little darker, his brows furrowed as his hands in his pockets were tightened into fits.

She unconsciously let go of Alex who brushed her hair behind her ears and smiled to make her feel better.

"I'm okay," she whispered as she could still feel his presence and his penetrating gaze. But she decided to try and ignore it — still failing miserably — when Alex offered her his hand and they entered the auditorium.