Student Secret

Chapter 3 : Not a Stranger

You woke the next morning, having slept through your alarm with about a half hour to spare before class. Your phone was lit up every second with texts from your friends questioning your whereabouts.

- Slept in. See you guys soon.
You hit send and rushed to the bathroom, frantically carrying out your routine and slapping on some messy makeup. Your clothes were situated in a pile in the corner of your room. Your laziness had found yourself with limited time to pull together an outfit. In a fit of hurry, you pulled on your dress from Saturday, sliding on a puffy football jacket belonging to an ex-boyfriend to match it. Piling your work for the day into a flimsy tote bag, you sped out the door to meet Maria, who placed your Student ID in your hand and led the way to the lecture hall. You hadn't even realised you'd left it at hers.

"You look good for someone who's only been awake for a half hour."
You smiled in Maria's direction as you greeted Wanda and Carol at the glass doors of the lecture building.
"You're lucky all our lectures are on campus, Y/N."
Carol handed you a takeaway cup of coffee as Wanda scanned her ID, all of you making your way inside behind her.

Upon arriving at the lecture hall, you found yourself with only a couple minutes to spare. The seating options were slim and luckily, your professor hadn't arrived yet. Looks like you weren't the only one who had slept past their alarm.
You sat next to Carol at the very front of the class, Maria and Wanda convincing some guys behind to move seat and, to your surprise, they did. Wanda played with the ends of your hair as the entire class awaited the arrival of your lecturer.

"I've literally done none of this fucking work."
Carol turned, flicking through your empty notebook as if she assumed you were lying.
"You could've told me and I would've sent you it last night!"
"Carol, I fell asleep at 4:30pm."
She giggled for a moment, being silenced suddenly by the door swinging open and a figure walking through. She scanned the class, her eyes stopping momentarily, dragging over you before carrying on.
"Morning, everyone. Sorry I'm a bit late. I assume everyone has done the work?"
She allowed no time between her question for leeway to reply.
"Right, let's just start then."

Carol was practically erupting in her seat. As Miss Romanoff turned to set up the day's powerpoint, Carol had turned to inform Wanda and Maria of your lecturer's identity. You rested your elbows on the table, holding your forehead in your palms as she did so.
Your three friends were stifling their laughs, creating obvious grunting sounds as they gasped for air.

"Something amusing, girls?"

That shut them up.
You lifted your head, once again making somewhat awkward eye contact with your lecturer. Or better known as the stranger you'd made out with in the club just that weekend. She held your gaze, clearing her throat uncomfortably and turning away. Evidently, she recognised you.

She continued on with the lesson, which was only an hour and a half, though you felt as if you'd been sat there for the better part of a year. Finally, the lesson was drawing to a close. You'd spent it avoiding eye contact with Miss Romanoff and taking a thin amount of notes. You didn't really have a choice considering you hadn't done the pre-reading yet, therefore you understood very little. Carol nudged you from your circumventing daze, nodding forward as to pay attention to Miss Romanoff.

You looked up slowly, your cheeks flaming as you noticed your lecturer's eyes running over you once again.
"I'll repeat that for those not listening. If you hadn't done today's work, please remain seated. The rest of you are free to go."

You remained firmly in your seat, looking round in the hopes to find someone in the same boat as you.
It was just you.

Mis Romanoff dismissed those leaving with a friendly goodbye, Wanda, Carol and Maria leaving last.
"I wouldn't wait on your friend, we might be a minute."
All four girls turned to you for confirmation, to which you mouthed 'Just go'.
Miss Romanoff closed the door and locked it gently, barely allowing the click of the hatch to make noise.
"We'll talk about...things in a minute but, first of all, you haven't done today's work?"

You found it increasingly difficult to maintain eye contact with her. You crossed your legs in a sub-conscious act to contain your attraction to her voice. You'd never heard rasp like hers - your chest tightened as she spoke. Her eyes fell to your exposed legs. She cleared her throat, turning away and leaning against her desk.
Finally, you'd amounted the courage to say something.
"I'm sorry. I was unprepared. Won't happen again."
Immediately, you were embarrassed by the shake and uncertainty in your voice.
She pushed herself from the desk and walked over to you. She placed her hands on the table, leaning forward and speaking to you the same way she did that weekend.

"You don't need to be nervous. I think we know one another a little better than that."
She smirked at her impact on you, even her laugh ended in rasp.
"You're not as talkative as you were."
She brushed her finger against your chin, pulling back as you gulped. She stood and brushed herself off, continuing to look down at you.
"Anyways, I think you know as well as I that whatever happened between us needs to stay a secret. Please don't let it get out further than your friends. I assume by their reaction towards me that they already know."

You began packing up your things awkwardly, unsure of how to conduct your movements.
"Yeah, sorry. But don't worry. I don't have any intention of getting you fired."

She grinned at you reluctantly, watching as you stood and pushed the hem of your dress to an appropriate length.
"Do you often wear party dresses to class?"
Almost habitually, you felt the blood rush to your cheeks once again.
"Not often, unfortunately for you, Miss Romanoff."
Immediately, you were filled with regret at your comment. She raised her brow at you, biting her inner cheek a little.
"I shouldn't be flirting with you, sorry."
She walked you to the door, unlocking it slowly as you stood before her.
"No. You shouldn't but..."

You waited for her response , but she failed to finish. As much as you wanted this to continue, you knew yourself that it couldn't.
You opened the door and stood in it's frame.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
She nodded, keeping her face turned away from yours. Part of you thought she was afraid she'd act on an urge, or found it difficult to seep your gaze - the way you did her. But she was the professional here. You were wrong.

As you went to leave, she grabbed your arm hesitantly.
"Oh and...no more party dresses in my class please."
You looked at her for a prolonged moment.
"Not that I don't...like them. Just for my sake."

You nodded, remaining still, forcing her to be the one to lose contact of your skin. It took her longer than it should have. She traced her fingertips down your forearm, letting them drop from your wrist before ushering for you to go home.

You strutted the halls awkwardly. They were silent as all lecture changeovers had happened. You shuffled awkwardly, afraid you'd drip down your leg after your encounter with Miss Romanoff. How were you meant to survive here? Five days a week in these lecture halls, trying your hardest to ignore your desire for her. Did she want you? If things were to pan out how the University board would approve, you'd never find out. But you needed to know.