Forbidden || Theo James

four / someone is jealous...

(word count:2014)

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

That's all I could think during the lecture. I nearly slept with my professor. Gosh...

I tried to focus on his words, but my mind kept replaying the events of Friday night. His touch, his kiss, the way he made me feel—it all seemed so surreal now. I snuck a glance at him, noticing how effortlessly he commanded the room. How could the same man who had been so passionate and spontaneous now seem so composed and authoritative?

Theo continued his lecture, but I couldn't absorb anything he was saying. My mind was a chaotic jumble of confusion, excitement, and a hint of fear. What did this mean for us? Was there even an "us" to begin with? I had no idea how to handle this situation.

As the lecture went on, I scribbled random notes, trying to look engaged. Every now and then, I would catch Theo's gaze, and each time, a small, almost imperceptible smile would tug at the corners of his mouth. It was as if he was trying to keep a professional demeanor while acknowledging our shared secret.

When the class finally ended, I packed up my things slowly, hoping to avoid a crowd. Theo was gathering his notes, and I wondered if I should say something to him, but my courage faltered. As I made my way to the door, I felt a hand lightly touch my arm.

"Rosie," Theo said quietly, his eyes searching mine. "Can we talk for a moment?"

I nodded, my heart pounding. We stepped out into the hallway, and he led me to a quieter corner.

"I think that night was..." he paused and gulped, "was pretty good."

I felt confused. Pretty good? Was that all?

He loosened his tie a little. "I think it was great, but... I am your professor as well as an actor."

"Yes, I know," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"The paparazzi can't spot us... if they do, it's over for me and maybe for you too. I don't know..."

I was waiting for his answer to be positive and reassuring, but I knew deep down it was just a hope.

"We shouldn't be involved... in anything," he said, his voice firm but soft. "We have to keep this professional, darling," he cleared his throat, "Miss Brown, I mean."

A lump formed in my throat, and I struggled to find the right words. "I understand, Professor James."

He nodded, looking both relieved and pained. "Thank you, Rosie. I hope you can understand why this is necessary."

"I do," I whispered, feeling a mix of disappointment and sadness. "I'll see you in class, Professor."

As I walked away, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The night we shared had been magical, but the reality of our situation was harsh. Keeping things professional was the right thing to do, but it didn't make it any easier to accept.

Back in my dorm, I tried to focus on my studies, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Theo. How was I supposed to navigate this semester with him so close yet so out of reach? The weekend had felt like a dream, and now I had to face the reality of keeping my distance.

Two days passed, and today I had his class again. It felt like a personal hell loop—how could I be so close yet so far from him? I put on a black fitted long-sleeve and a pair of jeans. Anne helped me look even better by adding some gold jewelry, with the golden chunky hoops being the best. I picked up my laptop and my notes and went straight to class. The rain was pouring, but luckily we had an umbrella with us even though the campus was just a short walk away.