Coffee People - Pedro Pascal by Emma Star

Chapter two, Meet Me Again

A month later...

Shit. Shit. SHIT. I was asleep peacefully until a few minutes ago. Jessie barged into my room, shook me awake and yelled at me to get up. Sleep drunk I tried to push her away. Upon opening my eyes I found that she was already dressed, her hair and make up done and her bag slung over her shoulder. It took me a second to put two and two together. The first day of the semester. The first day back after summer break. Ofcourse. And then it hit me, I'm still in bed.

Now I'm trying to multitask by shoving a cinnamon bun down my throat and simultaneously putting on jeans. I have no time to do my hair so I leave it in the braid I put it in last night. My bangs still look fine, thank god. I flush down my pills with some water.

Jessie and Lydia say their goodbye's and I hear the front door close.

I was supposed to have time to wash my hair, shave my legs and armpits, exfoliate my entire body and lotion every nook and cranny. If you couldn't tell already, I am a massive control freak. Things don't go as planned? Consider me distressed. And that's exactly what I am right now, distressed. I swear under my breath. Today was supposed to be perfect. I was supposed to be perfect. I unlock my phone to check my alarm. I never turned it on. I groan. It doesn't matter now, I have to go.

Kiko, our European shorthair, walks into my room. She purrs as she bumps into me trying to catch my attention. I pick her up, give her a quick kiss on the head and let her go.

I grab my schoolbag off the floor, rush through the apartment and barrel down the stairs. The bus arrives at its stop just as I round the corner. I run and make it just in time.

'Good morning.' I say hurriedly to the balding bus driver.

He smiles softly at me. 'Good morning young lady.'

I sit down and check my schedule. I'm supposed to be in lecture hall 23 of the main building in 10 minutes. The screen at the front of the bus says it arrives at Kalich college in 10 minutes. I should only be a little late. It's not a big deal, being late in college, but I have a new professor and I want to make a good impression.

My first class is a short story writing class. I'm actually really excited to start this course. I applied for it last year but I didn't get in so I'm taking it this year. Professor Coal is supposed to be a strict woman but her work is amazing.

As I wait I let my mind wander. This summer had been both fun and awful. I had made some good memories with Jessie and Lydia. We had gone swimming at the lake, baked sweet treats, organized movie nights, had gone on lunch dates together and so much more. This summer had been about trying to come out of my shell. I tried new things, like going out to a club which was surprisingly fun even though I was terrified until about 3 drinks in. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about that night and the stranger I had danced with. I didn't think I had ever been that attracted to someone in my 20 years of life. His face returned to me in sweaty dreams more than I cared to admit. I kept wondering what happened, why had he left?

What had been less fun this summer were the endless therapy sessions. I was pretty stable at the moment but it had fluctuated all summer. One day I was fine, the next I was crying, hyperventilating and dry heaving in the bathroom. I'd be on the phone with my mom who would desperately try to calm me down. Sometimes everything just got to be too much and my body would retaliate by getting physically sick. I was still finding a balance between having fun and taking time to recharge. The last couple of days I had been in hermit mode trying to prepare for school.

'Stop Kalich University' The intercom informs us.

I get up, say goodbye to the bus driver and get off the bus.

I speed walk across campus towards the main building. Fixing my hair and removing some cat hairs from my white top as I walk towards the door with the number 23 above it. The door is open and as I walk in I check my watch 09:02, just a little late. When I look up to greet miss Coal I am surprised.

Standing before me isn't miss Coal, but the man from the club. I stop in my tracks. He's wearing a crème colored suit. He turns to me. His eyes find mine and both recognition and confusion covers his face. I completely forget how to function and just stand there staring at him, he does the same.

How... How is this possible. He seems to be thinking the same thing, because he pales.

My ability to speak returns to me and I say, 'You aren't professor Coal.'

Smooth Mila, real smooth.

He seems to recover himself, 'No I'm not,' he swallows, 'Mrs. Coal has handed this class over to me for the indefinite future due to personal reasons.'

'Oh.' Is all I say.

'I'm professor Peña.' He says, holding out his hand.

I cover the distance between us and shake his hand. My body lights up, like I wasn't quite awake until he touched me. He looks at me with an intensity I can't place. Could he be feeling the same?

'Mila Emmington, Sir.' I say.

Someone coughs and the spell is broken. I turn to find the entire lecture hall staring at us. I feel my cheeks redden. That's when I realize I'm still holding his hand. I drop it like it somehow burned me and I take my place in the only open seat available at the back of the hall. I sit down next to a girl who looks at me as if I just confessed to murdering her beloved family dog.

'right, as I was saying, I will be taking over this class until further notice. I cannot answer any questions about Mrs. Coal seeing as it's personal information.' Professor Peña notes.

I'm very aware of the infatuated looks Peña is getting from most of the women in the class. I'm also aware of the irritated gazes directed at him by the men. Now that I'm seeing him in a well-lit room I'd say he's more than just a little older than me. I'd estimate him to be in his early thirties.

'we're starting this course off strong, your first assignment will be to write a short story yourselves.' He continues, 'The theme of your short story has to have something to do with a very flawed main character.'

Immediately people start talking amongst themselves. He lets them.

~

'One last thing before I let you all go, I'm in need of a teacher's assistant. If you're interested please find me after class. I'm looking forward to working with you all and I expect a first draft by next week.' He finishes.

Everyone is getting up and a lot of people are making their way to professor Peña's desk. A lot of women, I should say. I don't blame them, he's gorgeous. I was going to apply to be the TA for this course but that's out of the question now. I pack up the last of my stuff and walk down the stairs towards the exit. I steal one last glance at my new professor and see he's busy talking to at least a dozen of my fellow students.

What the hell just happened.

That was chapter two! I hope you enjoyed it. Again, please let me know if you have any comments. I know most people don't like unfinishes stories, but please be patient with me. I'm trying to upload as much chapters as possible without slacking on the quality. Have a lovely day!