Labyrinth

Chapter 3

I groan as my alarm rings throughout my room. I'm still in that state between being asleep and being awake so I snooze the alarm and go back to sleep. In my defence, it's not like I wanted to, I just couldn't help it.

The next time my alarm rings, is half hour later. As I pick up my phone, I see the time and race out of bed. Shit! I'm going to be late. It's my first day as well. How could I be this careless? I quickly get ready, skipping breakfast and thanking myself that I packed my bag last night. I race out of my dorm, locking the door and racing to the campus.

Once I got there, I had two minutes to spare and I didn't even know exactly where my classroom was. I went into the building and thankfully the lecture hall wasn't too far. I got in, looking like a mess and scurried into the first seat i saw in the back of the hall. I heard students around me talking about the professor, "I heard he's the grumpiest. I mean he's like 60 years old.", "Mr. James is the worst."

I checked my phone and checked the time, he was 2 minutes late, to his own lecture. As I'm getting my stuff out, I hear the door open and all talking ceases.

I look up to see a man, evidently not in his 60s, with his back facing the class and emptying his satchel. He takes a pen and starts writing his name on the board, 'Prof. Caine'.

"Alright, let's get started shall we?" As those words are spoken he turns around.

No. I don't believe it. Why does it have to be that velvety voice and God-like stranger from the cafe? Does God hate me? This is going to be an awkward year.

"I know this is university but, I do like to know who can be bothered to turn up for my lectures and who is going to fail. So, lets do the register." His voice is void of all amusement unlike last night.

Why did I have to sit at the back? Now I'll have to carry my voice across the hall.

"I want a reply and for you to raise your hands so I can see you."

"Harrison Abbott?" He began.

"Here," A boy in the middle seating area raised his hand fully.

"Chloe Albright?"

"Here," I raised my hand slightly.

"Did someone answer?" He asked.

I clear my throat and answer louder, "Here." Raising my hand again, but not to the full extent.

His eyes land on me and I quickly look down at my lap. This is so embarrassing.

He continues with the register and only 6 students didn't turn up.

Professor Caine starts his lecture and every now and again I feel a burning stare on me. I know it's him but I try to copy down notes from the board and it takes a lot of effort because I can't read it. I mean, every teacher looks at their students, otherwise it wouldn't be a great class. I tell myself.

Finally, the lecture ends and I am still trying to copy notes down from the board. Why is the writing so small? As I give up trying to write things down someone knocks into me which makes me push my book and notebook off my desk. Dickhead.

As I finish packing up my stuff from the floor, I race to the door when a voice stops me, "Miss Albright."

His voice.

I turn around cautiously and see that we're the only ones left.

"Professor Caine." I clear my throat.

"I hope you're not running away." He perches on the edge of his desk with his arms and ankles crossed. Why does he have to pose like that?

"No..." I try to think of something, "But if you haven't realised, it's the end of the lecture so-"

"Miss Albright." He interrupts. He does not sound impressed. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

His question throws me off at first. "Y-yes. I did, thank you." He nods in acknowledgement. "Did you?"

He looks at me curiously, "Did I?" I nod my head and bite my lip. "I did get enough sleep, thank you, Chloe."

"No more 'Miss Albright'?" I tease.

He rolls his eyes at me and for a minute I forgot we were a student and professor. "Do you still have my number?"

"Oh- uh, yes I do, I'll delete it, don't worry." I start to get my phone out of my bag and open my contacts. I press on his name and go to delete it.

"'Sexy stranger'?" A voice behind my ear scares me.

"Fucks sake!" I shout and go to instinctively hit whatever it is.

"Language!" He scolds and grabs my arm.

I roll my eyes and look at him, "You didn't need to scare me."

"I didn't. And you don't need to swear."

"I could've dropped my phone." I remind him.

"But you didn't. Now stop avoiding my question: 'Sexy Stranger'?"

My face heats up like I'd just come out of a sauna. "You never told me your name." I mumble defensively. I realise how little space is between us. Is it hot in here? It feels like it.

"So you decided on the name 'Sexy Stranger'?"

"You're right." I open my phone again and change the name, 'Annoying Asshole'. I smile to myself with the name. "Do you like the alliteration?" I show him the screen.

He takes one look before staring straight into my eyes, "What did I say about language?"

"You didn't really say anything other than'Language'." I shrug and imitate him at the end using a deep voice.

"Chloe..." He warned.

"Okay, Okay. I'll delete it now." Before I can even do anything he snatches my phone out of my hand, "Hey! I was doing that."

"There." He hands me back my phone and I look at the screen. He had sent a message saying, 'Meet me at the cafe at 7.' And when I looked at the name I saw he had changed it back to 'Sexy Stranger'.

"But you're not a stranger anymore." He shrugs and looks down at me, clearing his throat. Obviously aware of the minute space between us. Why is he so tall? "I've got to go. I'll see you later." I look away from him and start to walk away.

"Don't forget." He reminds me. I don't answer I just hurry out of there. I let out a breath I didn't even realise I was holding.

Why did the sexy stranger from the cafe have to be my professor? I start walking back at a leisurely pace, taking in my surroundings. Is it weird to say that I'm thankful that only a few people know who I am? And by a few I mean one person. Guess who that is? If you said professor Caine, you'd be correct. Although I don't know where I got the courage to act like that in front of him. Ugh! I cover my face with my hands. Being embarrassed because of him has become a common theme recently.

I should just go back and work on the assignment that he gave out. Who gives out work on the first day, though?

Before I get to work, i look in my cupboards and to no surprise they're practically empty. I've got to keep on this until Friday so I decide that I'll just make myself a water. At least I won't be hungry and dehydrated then, right?

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A/n: Thoughts on this chapter/ the book as a whole rn?