Shy Smiles

Chapter One- The leading role (Part One)

It was a drizzly Monday morning when it all started. Sitting in a morning lecture half discussing Shakespeare and half wishing I was still in my bed, quick glances here and there at this and that. After a few introductions to the gloriousness that was Hamlet we got on our way with the class analysis, all the while the looks and glances between us continued. The small smiles and the shy look down persisted through-out the lecture. As I wrote in my book he looked as his, he was most definitely older than I, but that was irrelevant, but oh so attractive. I had seen him in my first-year walking through the corridors and at the campus shop, but only was it now that I shared a module with him.

As we finished watching one of the many adaptations of -well half watching- we took a break for coffee and things, then headed back to start the discussion. The differences between the book and adaptation, I think. The class has started discussing what we had just watched, he started speaking about some questions which were asked. Honestly my attention wasn't on what we were discussing but who was saying the words.

I'm so glad that they don't pick on people to speak at university because I didn't hear a word that was said. It continued for some time and my page began to grow with doodles of shapes and unrecognisable drawings, he then let the group go, and me being me I was the last one out. Slow as always but on this occasion, I did not mind.

"How'd you find today's lecture?" I heard a voice say, wait hold on a minute we were the only two now left in the room, except for the lecturer. So, I took a small deep breath and looked up to face him.

"Umm...it was okay. I rather enjoy Shakespeare and how his words can be ambiguous" a small voice from within me spoke. He smirked and pushed his glasses up a little, God help me. He made his way over to the door and held it open as if to hint that we should leave.

"I umm have to lock up if you wouldn't err..." The lecturer spoke and I quickly grabbed my belongings. I headed towards the door and therefore I headed toward him. But just before I reached him my foot caught an outstretched chair leg and the descent to the ground began. But nothing...I didn't think the floor was this far. I open my eyes to see I hadn't hit the ground but was caught by my lecturer, Victor Andrews. He had dropped his papers on the floor and was holding me up, our faces inches apart. It wasn't until we heard the slam of the door shutting, did we realise he hadn't moved. He coughed and released me from his electrifying grip to bend down and pick up his discarded papers. I tried not to allow my eyes to follow him but I could not stop myself and the sight I saw I had a smile a little. You know that mischievous smile when you see something you shouldn't, like the top band on his boxer shorts peeking-out from the top of his trousers. Oh, I should not have looked, but I did.

He had gathered his papers, coat and bag and stood back up, I quickly had to avert my eyes to prevent him from catching my gaze and causing that mischievous smile to reappear.

"Thanks, you know for umm... my clumsiness. But I swear that chair leg tripped me" He smirked and re-opened the door, I walked forward and left the room turning to him to say goodbye but before I had the chance he spoke.

"I'm glad I was able to stop you from falling, can't have accidents when I'm around." Right yes, he's my lecturer, just say yeah thanks and go. Come on Fefe it isn't difficult.

"Umm...I've got to head for the bus but thanks again for catching me. See you next Monday. We're continuing-on from today, right? Great, bye" I quickly scurried off down towards the lift and pressed the call button. I whisper to myself,

"Please don't come this way". I've just completely made a fool of myself and the last thing I want is to have him come here and make it more awkward. The doors next to the lift open.

Fuck!

"You dropped this, couldn't have you unprepared for next week's lesson" Victor hands me by dropped book.

"Thank you, I hadn't realised I dropped it. Thanks" I whisper, a little embarrassed. Just then the lift doors dinged and opened. It seemed like they were the slowest lift doors in existence. But the second they opened I hurried in, only to be followed by Victor. I pressed for the ground floor and move away slightly from the buttons. I didn't ask which floor I just presumed ground, but I was wrong. He slowly moved very close to me in-fact we were touching slightly and he pressed for the second floor. I hadn't realised but I was holding my breath. The lift doors began to close, and he inched closer to me, a look driven by irrationality, centimetres now and we both heard...