My Professor

11. Proposition

For the rest of the day I was beyond frazzled, and when I sat down in the classroom for American Lit, Maria picked up on it immediately.

"What happened to you?" she asked with her usual bluntness.

"What do you mean?" I said, feigning ignorance. Talking about what I'd done that morning was the last thing I wanted to do, even with Maria, who was my closest friend.

"Are you sure? You seem kinda keyed up."

"I'm fine," I insisted. "What about you? How are you doing?"

Maria didn't need any more prompting into launching into a story about herself. I tried not to let my mind wander as I listened to her; it was easy to get wrapped up in the vortex of anxiety swirling within my chest. I pushed past any thoughts of Theodore or the kiss, and I payed extra attention to what Maria was saying.

"I don't know what's been wrong with Clyde but he's been acting like an asshole lately," she complained.

"That's crummy," I said.

"We've been together for three years and he's never acted this detached. I can't figure out what's wrong."

"Maybe he's just stressed out about his classes," I suggested. "Or our looming graduation."

"That's true," Maria said. "Still, I wish he'd get it together. Or at least tell me what's bothering him instead of acting like a jerk."

"Yeah," I replied. I didn't feel like I was qualified to give dating advice since I'd only dated one guy in my freshman year. I wasn't exactly the best source of feedback on the matter. Still, Maria turned to me for input.

"What do you think I should do?"

"Maybe you should go on a date," I said. "Spend some time one on one together? Maybe talk some things out?"

"That's a good idea," she mused. "I'll have to do that this weekend. Soon. I really want to know what's up."

"I bet," I replied.

"How's your love life been?" she asked, shifting the topic.

"Boring, as usual."

"Really? What happened to your hottie professor?" she teased me.

I knew she didn't mean anything by it; there's no way she couldn't known how much of a sore spot she'd just hit. Still, I had to try not to wince.

"You know nothing is going on there," I lied. Well, was it a lie? Theodore had shut things down pretty quickly. "He's my professor. It's not like anything could happen between us, if there was even a chance he was interested in me like that in the first place."

"You need to give yourself more credit," Maria said. "There are so many guys who would be more than willing to be with you."

"That doesn't mean I'm willing to be with them."

"You should consider giving someone a shot, at the very least."

I eyed her with suspicion. "Why? Did you have someone in mind?"

"There's a guy—"

"No," I said, cutting her off.

"His name is Colton," she continued. "He's in Clyde's fraternity."

"No," I repeated. "No. Frat guys are so not my type."

"What's wrong with frat guys?" Maria asked. I couldn't tell if her perplexed tone was sarcastic or not.

"Nothing," I said, remembering how deep she was in fraternity and sorority culture. "They're just...not my thing."

"What is your type, then?" she demanded.

"I don't know," I said.

"Come on. Give me something to work with."

"I don't want your help, Maria. If I wanted to date, I'd ask someone out."

"I highly doubt that," she smirked.

I knit my eyebrows. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know you. You're too wrapped up in your own would to go out of your way to see anyone. Are you telling me you've gone two years being single and you haven't wanted a boyfriend even a little?"

"Sometimes I have my moments of being a little lonely," I admitted. "But, there hasn't been anyone I've been interested in."

"Not a single person."

"No."

"Colton is really nice—"

"No, Maria."

"He's tall and smart and really nice, I promise."

"I'm not—"

"Come on, Indy. Just give him a chance. One date."

"That doesn't sound like a good time."

"You don't know that's true, and you won't know if you never go."

I gave Maria a leery look.

"Just this one time," she pleaded.

"I'll think about it."

"I hate it when you do that."

"I don't care. I'll think about it. You're lucky I'm willing to do that," I said. "Colton. A frat boy. You must be out of your mind."

"There's nothing wrong with fraternities," she insisted.

"Sure, sure," I said as our professor entered the room to being her lecture. I felt bad for potentially offending her.

As class progressed, I considered Maria's offer. It wasn't like I had anything to lose, and in light of the rejection I received that morning, it occurred to me that maybe a date wouldn't be the worst thing for me. Or at least for my wounded ego. Still, it would put me well out of my comfort zone. On the other hand, like Maria said, I wouldn't know if going out with...Colton...would be a bad time unless I went.

I didn't want to make a quick decision while I was still being eaten up by my humiliating encounter with Theodore that morning, so I waited until the next afternoon to shoot her a text confirming my willingness to go.

Maria: eek! nice! i promise you won't regret it!

Indigo: don't make promises you can't keep

Maria: don't be a debbie downer, you'll have an amazing time!

Indigo: sure, sure. i work saturday night but i'm free at any other time this weekend.

Maria: i'll set something up with colton and i'll send you the details

Indigo: thanks. and thanks for thinking of me

Maria: no problem :) you deserve happiness

Indigo: alright don't get sappy on me. just make sure you're free after the date so i can call you and tell you everything

Maria: perfect. i wouldn't want it any other way