Almost Always You

Chapter 4

The next few days went by in a blur, and now it was the first day of college. I was excited and nervous.

I got dressed in a black crop top and blue ripped jeans. I was ready, so I made my way toward my first class. Mercy was still sleeping; she said she didn't have any classes this early.

When I entered the classroom, there were already a few students seated. I took an empty seat in the second row. It was English Literature, my favorite subject, so I didn't want to sit at the back. I wanted to be super active in this class.

A few minutes later, Xander walked into the classroom. He looked around and smiled widely when he saw me. A few girls were staring at him and giggling. Xander winked at them before making his way toward me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I failed this class last year, so I'm repeating it."

I just rolled my eyes as he sat beside me.

The professor came in and introduced himself to everyone. He looked really young, maybe in his late twenties. He was really handsome.

"I'm Professor George Tucker, and I'll be teaching you English Literature this semester."

He continued talking about the subject and our syllabus, while all the girls seemed to be in awe of him.

"He's hot and handsome too," I told Xander without taking my eyes off Mr. Tucker.

I could feel Xander's eyes boring into the side of my head. He scoffed.

I looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. He's not that handsome, alright? You're really blind to call him hot when I'm sitting right beside you. And it's really weird to have a crush on your teacher. What are you into? Older guys?" he asked me.

"Maybe. You're a boy; you know nothing about how girls think. Plus, I think you're being a bit narcissistic."

"What is your problem? I'm just saying it's weird to have feelings for your teacher. You know nothing about boys, El. You're so innocent," he said, the last part a little louder.

Now everyone was looking at us, including Mr. Tucker.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Matthews?" Mr. Tucker asked.

Xander was still looking at me, completely ignoring the professor.

I was scared. It was my first day and my first class, and I was already making a bad impression. And it was all because of Xander.

When he didn't reply, the professor looked at me.

He had grey eyes, pink lips, and a small, button-shaped nose. He was really handsome.

"Is there a problem, Ms...?"

"It's Jones, Mr. Tucker," I said.

"Ms. Jones, I think you should befriend someone who's serious about passing the class rather than trying to ruin it for everyone," he said angrily.

The whole class was staring.

Great! I thought. So much for making a good first impression.

Xander ignored the professor.

Mr. Tucker continued talking about the books we had for the semester. An hour passed, and the class was over.

"Ms. Jones, please stay back. I have to talk to you," Mr. Tucker said.

Xander looked at me and mouthed that he'd be outside waiting.

Everyone left, and the last student closed the door behind them.

Mr. Tucker came closer to me.

"You are really innocent, Ms. Jones. You don't want to befriend someone who doesn't take his future seriously. Mr. Matthews is a bad influence, and I suggest you stay away from him."

He was now really close to me.

I hate it when someone gets into my personal space. I took a step back and looked him in the eye.

"You're in my personal space, professor, and I don't like it. As for Xander, I've known him since we were kids. If he were a bad influence, then I don't think I would be sitting in your class. We're friends, and you have no right to decide whom I should be friends with. If that's all you have to say, then I shall be leaving."

He didn't say anything else. He just went back to his desk, and I took that as my cue to leave.

I walked outside and saw Xander leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when he heard me.

"What did he say?" he asked.

"He wants me to stay away from you and to be innocent and not befriend someone who doesn't take his future seriously."

Xander was furious.

"That fucktard. Who does he think he is? I'm going to give him a show and show him how to talk to students respectfully."

He started walking back toward the classroom. I grabbed him by the elbow.

"Xander, don't do this. I told him that he's not the one who gets to decide who I should be friends with. Let's forget this happened. And why are you so angry anyway?"

"He said you're innocent. It means that you're a virgin whom he'd like to sleep with," he said in disgust.

I felt weird.

I pulled Xander toward the exit and told him to forget what happened.

My first day was over, and I was exhausted. I didn't see Xander for the rest of the day.

I went back to my dorm room. Mercy was already there, so I told her everything that had happened in Literature.

"I know Mr. Tucker. He is really hot. He failed Alex on purpose. Alex is smart, but he still failed English Literature last year. Mr. Tucker doesn't like him and failed him on purpose," she said.

"Is that even right? I mean, does Mr. Tucker have the right to fail anyone? Xander can go to the administrator."

"Alex doesn't want that. He doesn't like anyone's help. He's a punk, you know. Strong, doesn't care what people think about him, and all that," Mercy said.

I just rolled my eyes.

I mean, that is Xander.

"Anyway, I have to go. I'm meeting Josh. He finally asked me out," she said, blushing.

"Bye! Enjoy, and be back before midnight, young lady," I said in an authoritative voice.

She just flipped me the bird and went out.

I decided to watch something on Netflix. I opened my laptop and decided to watch Bridgerton.

My mind was getting distracted. I kept thinking about what Xander had said about Mr. Tucker.

It was really weird for a teacher to say something like that to a student.

I ignored the thought and focused on the show.