Extra Credit

010:A Prude

EVANGELINE

"Hi there, Miss Student." The man grinned as he invited himself to my table, sitting in Jeremy's seat.

I leaned back, frowning at his lack of respect. "Good evening, sir."

"Sir?" He laughed, covering the lower half of his face as he did. "Please, my dear. I'm not Niko, you can call me Levi."

There it is. Niko, again. Should I ask why he calls Professor Arthur that? No. It's none of my business.

"Just Levi?"

"Yes. Just Levi. Or Lev, my friends call me Lev."

"We aren't friends," I gripped my cute black purse, pressing it into my stomach. I didn't like how this man made me feel. Like I was thrown into a pit full of snakes.

"Ah, you're right. Besides, Niko would skin me if we became friends. What are you to him, though?"

I blinked.

And again. The question caught me off guard.

"He's my Professor." I said.

The man leaned forward, planting his elbow on the table. He stroked his chin, absentmindedly. "Is that all he is to you? Just a Professor?"

My heart caught in my throat. My mind went to Professor Arthur. I found myself getting hot.

What? What is wrong with me? Jeremy is the one I want, he's the one I love! Professor Arthur...he's my dog and I’m Pavlov. That's all we are.

I cleared my throat, my back straightening as I faced Levi. "Yes. That's all he is to me. "

Levi smirked. He looked like he had just discovered what laid behind a black hole. "Ah, I see. You're one of the shy types. It's cute, really. One thing is certain, you aren't just a student to Niko."

I blinked. The slimy feeling intensified, and I gripped my purse till my knuckles lost circulation and turned white. "I think you need to leave."

For goodness’ sake, Jeremy! Where on earth are you?! If you were here, I wouldn't have to deal with this!

Levi plucked a macaron from my plate and popped it into his mouth. "My apologies if I have made you uncomfortable."

I didn't say anything.

I refused to think on the meaning behind his words. I’m not just a student to Professor Arthur? What am I then? His cousin? And Levi, I don’t like him. It’s more of deep rooted sense of danger that flares up each time I see him.

He’s dangerous.

I stared at the macarons and found that I’d lost my appetite for them. Quietly, I rose to my feet and walked out of the restaurant, vowing within my heart never to speak to Jeremy again. Matter of fact I should block him and move on and—

I bumped into someone on my way out.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see–“

That voice. One that I recognized, one I’d recognize even in my sleep. I looked up and came face to face with Jeremy.

Before I could stop it, my hand flew across his face and I slapped him.

His head whipped to the side. Someone in the restaurant gasped. My chest rose and fell, and my hands trembled with barely constrained anger.

“You,” I hissed, my throat clogging up. “Don’t you ever show yourself in front of me again.”

“Eva,” he looked up at me, his fingers grazing the red hand print on his face. “I’m sorry. I…I don’t…”

“You don’t what? Is it not enough for you that you embarrassed me in front of the entire cafeteria? And now you stood me up? Don’t you have any decency left, Jeremy?”

His eyes widened.

I knew what he was thinking. I never called him Jeremy. Not unless I was pissed or hurt as hell. Both of which I currently am.

Tears rushed to my eyes. I pushed them back, willing myself to remain strong and dry eyed. “Well?”

He looked at me. For a second, I saw my Jeremy. My love. Then his eyes hardened and I was looking at a stranger.

“You’re right,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I came here to tell you that we should never see each other again. But then I worried you won’t take it well and start crying all over me. So I stalled. Big deal, Eva. Big f*****g deal.”

Each word felt like a steel dagger plunged repeatedly into my heart.

“That’s all you do, isn’t it? You cry and you b***h and you whine, all so you can have your way. Well news flash, it’s not gonna work anymore. And we’re done, totally done.”

I bit my lip hard. The tears were close to betraying me. I felt eyes on me, again, and it was like the cafeteria all over again. My fists clenched at my sides and my heart cracked into a million pieces.

“Fine.” I breathed. “I hope you find someone who doesn’t know how to cry.”

“Good.” He tilted his head to the side. “And I hope you find someone who likes prudes.”

I slapped him again. But this time he caught my hand and shoved it to the side.

“If you find anyone at all.” He scoffed, a wicked smirk on his lips. “Goodbye Eva. Lose my number.”

“Asshole.” I hissed, my chest burning g with a mix of hurt and pain. I thought yesterday was bad but now, it’s like child’s play. “I hope you end up bald.”

He laughed. “Even your insults are prudish.”

If anyone had told me that Jeremy would say such hurtful words to me, I would have kicked them out of my life. I never imagined that one day he’d be among those that mocked my appearance and my values, all to make themselves feel better.

In a way, I’m glad I never had s*x with him. Who knows, maybe he’d be calling me a slut right now.

I laughed. “It’s funny. Very funny.” I’m grateful this ended.

Without another word, and ignoring the confused look on his face, I brushed past him and walked out of the restaurant . I hailed a cab and headed home. The whole time during the drive, I thought about him.

Professor Arthur.

A new plan unfolded in my mind.

I’d be lying if I said Jeremy’s words didn’t hurt me. I’d never particularly paid any attention to my s*x life. Afterall I thought I had Jeremy, we would be married after graduation and we’d both lose our virginities to each under under a moonlit sky.

So I never gave it much thought. Plus I have school eating up all my brain power.

But right now, I’m determined to prove him wrong.

Yesterday, I’d just toyed with the idea of sleeping with Professor Arthur. But now, it’s looking more real than ever. He’s handsome, he’s definitely experienced, and I’ve always had a tiny crush on older men.

I’m going to do it. And I’ll do it for myself first.

And I’ll make Jeremy eat his f*****g words.

“Sir, please can you head to the university instead?” I said to the driver. He nodded and changed routes.

I leaned back into the seat, staring out of the window. As long as it was school related, my parents would let me stay out a little later. Of course they’d demand proof to know I was actually reading.

That won’t be a problem. I know how to handle them.

I can only hope I’d magically run into Professor Arthur on my way to the library.