my professor, my obsession || cillian murphy

chapter nine

I sat in that cafe for hours, torn between completing my homework and mustering the courage to inquire about a job application. I wasn't planning on getting a job this semester, but if this was Professor Murphy's usual place to get coffee, I'd be happy to get one. Each passing moment heightened my resolve, and the constant contemplation became a silent dialogue with myself about the potential opportunities awaiting if I took that leap of faith and approached the counter to express my interest in working there.

Glancing out the window, I noticed that it was beginning to get dark pretty fast, and rain had started to pour down. With a heavy sigh, I acknowledged the impending misery of my walk back to the dorm. As I packed my belongings, regret settled in as I cursed at myself for not wearing a hoodie, foreseeing the inevitable drenching of both myself and my hair, intensifying the biting cold.

Stepping out into the downpour, the rain came down even harder, and the sun was entirely gone, leaving me shivering as I trudged forward. The relentless downpour only added to the discomfort, making each step a soggy struggle. The deserted streets amplified the solitude, and though I initially embraced it, a sense of unease crept in.

Navigating a desolate corner, my senses heightened as the sound of laughter reached my ears. Turning, I encountered a group, their deep voices indicating they were likely male. Amidst the rain, they relished in their soaked state, seemingly finding joy in the very conditions that left me chilled and uncomfortable. The suspicion grew as I recognized the slight slur in their voices, indicating that they might just be drunk.

As my instincts heightened, a surge of caution prompted me to play it safe, uncertain of the intentions of the group of guys ahead. Despite the possibility that they might be harmless, I decided not to take any chances. Swiftly turning on my heel, my hope was to avoid any unnecessary confrontation. Unfortunately, my attempt to make a discreet exit failed as our eyes locked before I could vanish.

Suddenly, the obnoxious laughter of one of them echoed behind me, breaking the quiet tension. Startled, I found myself now being the focus of their attention as all five of them shifted their gaze toward me. An inexplicable freeze paralyzed me, preventing my feet from carrying me away from this awkward encounter.

"Hey, you!" The voice pierced through the air, laughter lacing the words. My heart quickened as I stood there, caught in the unexpected spotlight. The inquiry that followed, "What's your name, girl?" hung in the rain-soaked air, leaving me grappling with a mix of discomfort and uncertainty.

"Come over here!"

Amidst their laughter, I reminded myself that these guys were just intoxicated, and that I might be overreacting. They didn't appear much older than me, and perhaps their intent was merely to engage in some light-hearted banter for their own amusement. With this thought, I attempted to ignore the uneasy tension building within me.

A calming breath steadied my nerves, and I decided to view their actions through a lens of harmless jest. Rolling my eyes at their annoying shouts, I distanced myself, convinced that redirecting my path would be the smartest course of action.

Retracing my steps, I searched for an alternate route to the dorms, still hearing the sound of their fading laughter. As the relentless rain continued to pour down on me, I found myself thoroughly soaked, water dripping from every conceivable angle. A chill ran down my spine, leaving me shivering. Despite having a general sense of the dorm's location, it was a challenge to find a new way there. The dampness of my clothes clung to me, and the biting cold had settled in.

My head snapped up when I heard the familiar laughs of the group echoing through the rain. Turning my head, I confirmed my suspicions – they were now trailing behind me. Panic gripped me as the realization set in that I was indeed being followed. Instinctively, I quickened my pace, the rhythmic pattern of my footsteps intermingling with the persistent rain.