My Professor

1. Chemistry

My senior year of college began with my books in a puddle.

It was another rainy day in Brighton, Oregon and in between showers I was on my way to my first class of the day. I stumbled on the cobblestone underneath my feet as I was crossing the crowded courtyard, across the main walkway led from one side of Brighton University to the other. I was nearing the library when I tripped and dropped an armful of brand new textbooks into a puddle.

For a moment I stared down in disbelief before jumping into action and scrambling to get my books up before they were thoroughly soaked. I managed to grab one, but before I could get the other two somebody had already picked it up for me.
I stood and looked to see who was kind enough to help me out. A man, tall with dark brown hair, and very handsome, stood next to me with the rest of my books in his hands.

"Here, you lost your books," he smiled as he offered them back.

"Thank you," I replied, accepting them gratefully. I took a quick glance at them and they didn't seem too badly damaged.

"It's no problem at all," he said, pausing for my name.

"Indigo," I introduced myself, extending my free hand toward him.

"It's nice to meet you, Indigo," he replied, shaking my hand. "I'm Theodore."

"Nice to meet you," I smiled. He radiated a warmth that was hard for me to put my finger on. He seemed so positive and kind, and I felt instantly drawn to him.

Theodore glanced down at his watch. "I need to get going," he said. "I have to get to class."

"Same," I nodded along. "Thanks again. You're a lifesaver."

"It was my pleasure," Theodore assure me.

We exchanged small waves before he walked away. After he'd left, I found an empty bench and sat down so I could do a more thorough check of the damage on my books before heading off to class myself.

* * *

Chemistry was by no means a class I was looking forward to attending. I was an English major with dreams of becoming both a librarian and a published author; Chemistry was just one more science credit I had to have under my belt in order to graduate.

Mild dread caused a small knot in the pit of my stomach as I settled into my chosen seat in the middle of the large, auditorium-style classroom. I was one of at least a hundred students that day, and the seats were filling up fast. I was glad that dropping my books didn't detour me for too long so I was able to get a good seat; not too close to the front, but not too far back. I'd managed to get a spot that was in line with the large white board at the front of the room, with a podium nearby as well.

I tucked by book bag and and books underneath my seat after I'd pulled out my iPad, which I'd set on the desk in front of me. It wasn't long before I had someone sitting on either side of me, as the classroom was near full by the time all of the students were close to settled for class. I pulled my Apple Pencil off the side of my iPad and flipped it open, navigating to an empty digital notebook I had prepared for class. I assumed it'd be a slow day, mostly just discussion of the syllabus, as I doodled aimlessly on the screen and waited patiently for class to start.

As I waited I daydreamed a bit more about Theodore from out in the courtyard. He was tall, probably around six foot, and a little on the slender side. He had a crop of dark brown hair that was styled neatly but was tossled due to the wind. I admired his brown eyes and I hoped more than anything that I'd be able to see him again. Campus was large, thought, as was the student body so the odds weren't exactly in my favor. Realistically, I'd have to settle for reminiscing the fleeting moment I'd had with him.

I was in the process of getting swept away in my thoughts when, to my deep surprise, Theodore himself entered the classroom. He crossed the front of the room with confidence and stopped in front of the podium, which stood just left of the white board.

"Hello, everyone," Theodore said, address the class. The idle chatter around me died down quickly. "I hope everyone managed to get here easily." he continued. "My name is Theodore Callahan, and I'm your Chemistry professor for the semester."

After his introduction, he got into walking us through his syllabus, as I'd expected.

I was flustered, and quite frankly embarrassed, although I knew there was no reason for it. It was a massive class and there was a very slim chance the professor would ever notice me again. I kept myself looking busy, scratching away on my iPad as he spoke, casting occasionally glances up at him, only to be reminded of how utterly handsome he was. I wondered idly if he'd be able to make Chemistry at least mildly bearable; I desperately hoped so. If not, it was looking like it was going to be a long semester ahead of me.