Office Hours

A Box of Pasta

Ethan cracked his knuckles, like he didn’t know what to do with them.

“I… I was hoping you could maybe help me,” he said quietly in this deep voice. I’m kind of uh… slightly stuck in your course, so I was just wondering if you could tutor me.”

Elara looked up from her papers, calm and collected. She didn’t even hesitate.

“No.”

He blinked. “I… I just…” He tried to explain, about how he was failing and how he could not understand no matter how hard he tried but he lied he probably was even that bad at it, he just wasn’t trying, not even a little bit. All of a sudden literature became something he wanted to learn from her, not anyone else. But she just shook her head gently.

“I don’t do private tutoring,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

He exhaled, defeated. But he tried again, hoping to convince her, careful not to seem desperate. “I really want to pass. I… I just don’t get it.”

She didn’t think much of him. Just a student, stumbling over words, asking for tutoring like anyone else might. One of those campus heartthrobs, the kind girls may swooned over, thinking they could get attention just by walking into a room. That was him. But… that wasn’t really how he was, she was just assuming.

“I’ll think about it,” she finally said, just for him to leave.

Ethan nodded, lips pressed together, and turned toward the door.

Just then, the door opened softly, and Mr Dorian stepped in with a box of creamy pasta and a milkshake. He wore a light blue collared shirt with dark trousers, simple and clean. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, about 5’11 with sharply handsome face.

One of the history lecturers, he moved through the space like he belonged there. His eyes found Miss Elara immediately, with a small smile on his face as he set the food down on her desk.

“Oh,” Elara said. “Mr Dorian, hi.”

“I noticed you weren’t in the cafeteria. It was about to be closed, and I assumed you might be busy. So, I brought this for you.”

Ethan froze mid-step, watching from the doorway. Why is he bringing her food? She didn’t ask for it. Why is he being… nice to her. He could feel it in his chest, a strange tightness, jealousy perhaps.

Elara’s smile was subtle. “Thank you so much. I didn’t even know it was closing soon.”

He set the box gently on her desk, milkshake wobbling slightly in the cupholder. His eyes flicked down at her, scanning her reaction. Ethan could see it clearly from where he stood. She accepted it warmly and Ethan’s chest tightened.

He had no reason to stick around. So he quietly stepped out, leaving the office door ajar as he exited.

Once Ethan was gone, Dorian leaned against the edge of her desk, and lowered his voice.

He raised an eyebrow. “What was that troublemaker doing”.

“He just came by to ask for some notes,” she said defensively.

Dorian shook his head. “he’s really bad news. Got suspended last year because he was found with drugs. Even before that, he barely attended class. Always in some kind of trouble or fights. He’s complicated. Just… don’t get all wrapped up in all that.”

Elara pressed her lips together. “He’s just a student, I’ll be fine”. She said firmly, no reaction.

“I’m just saying,” Dorian replied gently. “Just wanted you to know.”

He glanced at his watch. “By the way, there is staff meeting, 2:30.

Elara nodded. “Okay.”

Dorian gave a small nod, then turned to leave. “Alright”.

Elara gave a small wave.

Elara stared at the box of pasta, her mind flicking back to Ethan. The way he had been described didn’t really match her perception. Even with everything the professor had said, she doubted a little. She had always been the kind of person who saw the good first in people when no one else would, and maybe, she could help him.

The thought of the private tutoring came to her mind, she considered it, not out of obligation or responsibility, but because she genuinely wanted to see if she could make a difference.