Ethereal Dusk

Chapter 2

I tap my pen on the desk a few times as I watch the last group present their pitch. Professor Murray observes the rest of the class over the large spectacles that sit on his nose. Or he watches me, I'm not entirely sure.

There's not a designated spot for the assistant, so I tend to sit in the front row closest to his desk. Which also makes it extremely hard to tell whether he is looking at me, or the students. I mark a ten out of ten on my grading sheet for the groups overall performance as they begin to bring the presentation to a close.

Whether it's from him or someone else, I feel eyes creep over my skin as I pretend to read over the paper. The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I bite the inside of my cheek at the odd sensation. Maybe if I peek just once to make sure. I look up through my lashes at the professors desk and flinch as I catch him looking... no, staring at me.

And he doesn't bother to look away.

My eyes shoot back down to the paper and I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I lick my dry lips. Does he have no shame? The creep should be focusing on the applaudable camaraderie being displayed by this group of students who worked their asses off all semester for this final. Not staring into my very soul. The class begins clapping and my eyes snap back up to the group as they high five each other. I smile at them as I bring my stack of papers to Professor Murray's desk and set them down.

"Alright, quiet down!" he yells as the students begin packing up. "The official grades for the final will be in by Monday, so keep an eye out. It's been a pleasure working with all of you this semester and I hope you all continue to work hard as you move forward. That's All!"

I snatch my purse off the floor and make a beeline for the door so I can get the hell out of here.

"Roslyn," he croaks.

I pause and curse under my breath before turning around to look at him. He taps his crooked pointer finger on his laptop and raises an eyebrow.

"Stay here."

I nod and stand off to the side of the class as students make their way out of the door.

"See you later Ms. Huxley," one of the students says as she throws her backpack over her shoulder. I wave goodbye to her and watch as a few students bid their farewells to the professor.

I take a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth, annoyed I have to spend a second longer in this big classroom that shrinks smaller with each student that walks out of the door. He leans on his desk as the last student leaves the classroom.

"You can come closer. I don't bite."

I wouldn't fucking put it past him.

"Was there something else you needed?" I ask, feigning ignorance. I walk toward him and stop about five feet away from where he stands.

"Must I have a reason to talk with my favorite student?" he says, smirking as he crosses his arms.

Ugh.

"I'm not a student anymore Professor Murray," I say, my knuckles white from squeezing my purse.

"You'll always be a student in my eyes," he responds as his beady eyes slide over my body.

I give an uncomfortable chuckle in place of the gag I physically have to hold back. His gaze feels suffocating.

"Do you have any plans over spring break?" he asks as he stands up straight and takes a step closer.

I shift my purse to my other arm and peek at the time on my phone. C'mon, take the hint. Take the hint!

"Uhm, just hanging out with my mom and maybe making a trip over to Westport. But I actually have to get g--"