My curse

Sky

''Professor can I change my group, I want to work with someone else?'' I ask Mr Parker as the students gather their things to leave the classroom. He looks up from his laptop a smile clear on his wrinkled face. ''Have you taken any of my classes last year?'' He asks in an amused voice.

 I feel the heat reach my cheeks from embarrassment. ''Yes, I did,'' I reply looking at the ground. ''And what do you know about changing groups when it comes to my classes?''. He demands his amusement slowly turning into seriousness. I recall the first class I ever had with him, and remember his words exactly. He watches closely as I realize how impossible it is to switch from one group to another. ''If you don't have a really good reason, there is nothing I can help you with. And I believe you don't, right?'' He asks staring into my soul, curiosity lighting his pupils as he waits for my answer. I avert my eyes and nod.

 ''The purpose of these classes Miss Lindson, is to teach you how to act when you are paired up with different kinds of people. When you graduate and secure a job, there will be group projects where you won't have any right to ask to change the people you work with or switch between departments just because your colleague Samantha is a lazy worker. Or Jonathon doesn't show up when he needs to, or Sam always ignores the deadline. You need to learn how to tackle these kinds of situations head-on and get your work done. Do you understand?'' He asks in a soft tone.

 This scene is similar to one between a daughter and her dad. It feels like my dad is gently giving me a lecture. I feel my chest tightening at the thought of my dad but I shake that feeling away. ''Yes, I understand'' I answer my eyes on his with a polite smile to let him know I understand that I will have to put my big girl pants on and deal with Elijah. 

As I leave the classroom, I feel someone's hard shoulder shove mine. The someone in question is no one other than Mr Elijah himself. He continues walking in front of me as if nothing happened.  ''Hey, what's wrong with you?'' I ask before I can stop myself. He suddenly stops walking and slowly turns my way, his stupid hot smirk plastered on his handsome face. ''Changing groups now, huh?'' His deep voice reaches my heart before anything else and I feel it start beating faster. ''It's not like you are dying to work with me either now, are you?'' I ask, my voice slightly rising. My eyes stay locked on his as he takes a step closer. We stare into each other's eyes for a long moment before he whispers ''Oh you have no idea''. 

I leave college drained. Today was a long day. So many unexpected things happened. First I went to the gym and had an embarrassing encounter with the new guy, then I realized he goes to my uni, and I have to work with him on a project for an entire semester. And he is hot. And.... wait what? I shouldn't think he is hot. In fact, I shouldn't think about him at all. 

I sigh as I look at the building where I live. I don't remember how I walked all the way from college to my house. It was like I was on autopilot. Well, thinking or rather overthinking can make that happen. I stand for a moment, still overwhelmed, contemplating the sky as I mentally torture myself by think back on the day I had. 

When I realize that I've been standing awkwardly in the middle of the street for a couple of minutes, I internally scold myself. I need to get my mind cleared. This is getting embarrassing.  

I walk the few remaining steps to my building as I look for my keys. My big bag always swallows them, and I always say that I have to do something about it, but I never really do. Frustration slowly creeps its way to my brain and I fight a loud groan. I can't find them. And after this long, exhausting day, I might cry right here right now. Fighting the urge to scream, I crouch down in front of the building's door and start getting all my stuff out of my bag. Where are my damn keys for the love of God?

''What are you doing?'' A deep voice murmurs in my ear. I scream loudly as I move away landing on my ass. My heart feels like it's about to stop working from how fast and irregular it beats. I look up to find the owner of the deep voice that almost gave me a heart attack. And of course, it's no one but him. Again. Elijah. The end of me.

''What is wrong with you? You almost gave me a heart attack.'' I yell looking at his dark eyes. He doesn't say a word, but I notice the corners of his mouth pull in a discret smile. ''Do you think that's funny?'' I yell again feeling my day spiraling worst and worst ervery second that passes by in his presence. He then starts laughing uncontrollably. I look at him in diseblief, ready to throw my now empty bag at his beautiful face. I mean just face not beautiful. 

As I am seconds away from actually throwing it, I notice my keys on the ground. A happy sound leaves my lips as I snatch them and hold them to my chest. Finally, Elijah stops laughing and looks at me curiously. He cocks his head as his eyes roam my face and asks ''Are you planing on staying there forever?''

As those words reach my ear, I get deja vu from this morning. And I notice his extended hand. It's exaclty the same situation but different locations. Me on the floor, him looking down with his hand extended my way to help me. First this morning in the gym and now in front of my house. This day couldn't get any worse. I stare horrified at his hand, thinking about all the possible scenarios that could play out. 

Either I accept his help and hold his hand, then I will get a vision of him dying. Or I can once again refuse it and seem rude since I can't really give any explaination. My eyes find his, as I hesitate and he slowly seems to realize that I might be hiding something. His pupils hold mischief as he keeps his right hand extended, challenging me and waiting to see what I would do.