Instant Message * AU

@ClassAct

The next morning, Carey wakes up to her alarm, groggy and still anxious from the night before. After blocking that squirrel fellow, she lay awake all night, fretting over who it could've possibly been. She'd only allowed herself to fall asleep after rationalizing that it was probably just some kid screwing with her.

Soon, however, it was practically out of her mind and she was sitting down at her computer to check her email, watch her favorite youtuber, Profiplier, and eat breakfast. The video she watched as she ate was educational, yet light and comedic. Profiplier specialized in those kind of videos, as he was the local biology professor, among other things. Even if he only produced videos in his spare time, he was well known on campus by now by his moniker. Although when Carey first found out about him, he wasn't quite so popular.

It all began when a fellow classmate struck up a conversation with her during class as they worked on a project together. They'd gone through all the small talk they could handle when they suddenly, excitedly, asked if Carey had ever met Professor Fischbach.

Carey replied, "Fischbach? Ah... isn't he the biology teacher?" and the classmate had nodded. They began to explain that they'd found the professor on youtube and told Carey that they'd show her a few videos after class. As she'd sat in the grass in the quad, watching this dapper man in a suit goof around, while somehow still remaining dignified and intelligent sounding, she knew she was forever hooked on Profiplier's videos. Sure, she thought he seemed kind of foolish, but since she'd started attending his classes this semester, she'd gained endless amounts of respect for the man.

She glances at the clock, still watching the video, and jolts when she realizes what time it is. She tosses her dishes into the sink, finishes dressing, and rushes out the door. To her surprise, she still manages to arrive 15 minutes early, as she does nearly everyday, despite her slightly late departure. Carey notices that the only person in the room other than her is the professor as she sets her belongings down in her seat. She also notes that he's currently cleaning marker off the whiteboard.

"Hey, Professor Fischbach," she greets happily. At the sound of her voice, he tenses up, dropping the eraser. As he picks it back up, he notices Carey hadn't even seen his blunder. He sighs silently in relief. She traipses down from her seat in the lecture hall to his desk calmly. "Need any help with anything?" she asks politely.

He looks around quickly, trying to find something to busy her so she has no possibility of taking note of his suddenly nervous behavior. Finding nothing, he turns back to the expectant student, hanging his head. "Unfortunately not."

She offers him nothing but a sympathetic smile and a shrug before heading back to her seat. She tosses him a casual, "Looking forward to today's lecture," on her way back.
The professor checks his watch. Almost time to start class. He checks his notes, willing more students to come in. When the next student enters, he sighs again in relief that he's not alone with Carey.

Joaquin, Carey's closest friend in the class, enters and sits beside her. They immediately begin conversing and laughing at a semi-hushed level. Professor Fischbach looks over his glasses and sighs once more, only this time with a hint of longing.