Coffee People - Pedro Pascal by Emma Star

Chapter four, Roots

'...and that's why Emma is believed to be Jane Austen's best work. If you have any questions you can find me after class or send me an email. Thank you all, have a great day and remember, reading is just as important as writing as an aspiring author.' Professor Janssen finishes.

Everyone is getting up and leaving the lecture hall. I make my way down to Professor Janssen's desk.  Mr. Janssen was a short white man with a receding hairline. His clothes were ill fitting. Even though he was wealthy enough to buy new pieces he insisted on wearing his old ones, which hung on his body like rags. Mr. Janssen, or Tom as I knew him, was an environmental activist. If you give him an excuse to talk about it he will go on an endless rant about the over consumerism in the world. I've heard him talk about it more than I've heard him talk about his wife, and he mentions her a LOT. I adore him and his wife Betty. He's been my mentor the last year. He's more of a parent to me than my biological father is.

My parents got divorced when I was 12, my father moved out and in with the woman who he was cheating on my mother with. As far as I know he's been more than happy living with Caterina and her children Bass and Iris. He sends me an annual text on my birthday and major holidays. I come over at Christmas for a 'family' dinner, but most of the time I just try to forget about him. About how he left me and mom to start over and try again with a new family.

'Hello Mila, did you enjoy the lecture?' Tom Asks, looking around at the few people still lingering.

Last year someone started a rumor that I was sleeping with Mr. Janssen which almost got him fired. Luckily we were able to explain our relationship to the dean. It definitely got Tom a little anxious at the time. He was doing better now.

'Hello Mr. Janssen, I did. I look forward to discussing Jane Eyre next week.' I say.

I insist on calling him Mr. Janssen when we're at school no matter how many times he asked me to please call him Tom again.

'You've already read it?' He laughs, surprised.

I nod, 'Twice actually.' I say.

'You surprise me every day Mila.' Tom smiles, 'Betty bought a new cookbook and is dying to try out the vegetarian pasta recipe. Are you still coming over for dinner on Friday?'

I have four hours until my next lesson. My next lesson... With professor Peña. Fuck, after what happened in the shower yesterday I wasn't sure if I could face him without turning scarlet.

'Mila?' Tom's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

'Yes, I'm looking forward to it.'' I respond.

He was invading my thoughts. I had spoken to him twice and I was behaving like a 13 year old who just met the boy who she thinks is the love of her life. Get. Out. Of. My. Head. Peña.

'And how are you?' He asks, furrowing his brows.

'Me? I'm fine, why?' I say, trying to appear casual.

'Are you sure? You know you can tell me if something is going on, right?' Tom says. We are alone now.

I nod again. 'I'll see you Friday, okay?' I say, moving towards the exit.

'See you Friday Mila.' He says.

On Tuesdays I'm free from 11:30 to 15:30 which gives me time to work on my short story. The deadline isn't until next week, but I want to get it done by Friday. I try to get as much work done as possible during the week so I can focus on myself on the weekends. I need those days to recharge otherwise I'll burn myself out. I'm trying to be extra careful, seeing as I'm taking an additional course this year. Burn outs are inevitable, but I try to limit them for obvious reasons.