Professor doesn't preach

Twists and turns

For the next few days, Emma made every effort to avoid Reed. Each time she caught a glimpse of him in the hall or during class, her heart raced, but she steeled herself and looked away. The rumors swirling around campus that Mr. Reed was planning to leave the college soon struck her like a bolt of lightning.

*Is it true?* The thought gnawed at her insides. Emma desperately wanted to confront him, to ask if there was any truth to the whispers, but she felt paralyzed. *How could I even bring it up?*

She decided to wait outside his classroom one afternoon, hoping to catch him before he left. When the class finally ended, she saw him walking out, deep in conversation with another professor. She took a deep breath, mustering her courage. "Mr. Reed!" she called out, her voice a little shaky.

He turned slightly, but there was a distracted look in his eyes. "Ummm, Emma, I don't have time right now. I'll catch you later," he said, brushing past her.

Emma's heart sank. He didn't even stop. Feeling rejected and foolish, she thought, *Why would I care if he's leaving? If he wants to go, then let him go. I'm no one to him anyway.*

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, fighting back tears. But once she got home, the floodgates opened. She cried for hours, confused about her feelings and the depth of her emotions regarding Reed. Why did it hurt so much?

---

The next few days passed, and with Reed absent from campus, Emma tried to immerse herself in her studies. She buried herself in textbooks, trying to forget the man who had somehow managed to infiltrate her thoughts. She thought of him less and less-until she couldn't help it.

Her friend Claire, a vibrant and outgoing girl from a wealthy family, noticed Emma's distant demeanor. "Hey, you should come to my birthday party this weekend," Claire insisted, her excitement bubbling over.

Emma hesitated, shaking her head. "No, I don't think so. I'm not really into parties."

"Come on! You can't stay cooped up in your room forever," Claire urged. "Besides, it'll be fun! I promise you'll have a good time."

Emma sighed, knowing Claire would be relentless. "I don't want to embarrass myself. It's not my scene, and you know that."

But Claire was determined. "You're my best friend, Emma. I can't let you sit at home alone. I'll take care of everything-your dress, your ride, your stay for the night. Just come and have fun with me!"

Seeing the bright enthusiasm in Claire's eyes, Emma felt a smile tugging at her lips. Despite her reservations, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement at the thought of being out with her friends. After a little more pressure, she finally relented. "Okay, fine! I'll come."

Claire squealed in delight and pulled Emma into a tight hug. "Thank you! It's going to be amazing! You won't regret it, I promise."

Emma nodded, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and anxiety as she let herself get swept away by Claire's excitement.

---

**The Party**

The night of the party arrived quickly, and Emma found herself standing in front of the mirror, staring at the dress Claire had picked out for her. It was a deep blue, elegant yet comfortable, and she had to admit, she looked nice.

"See? You're going to look stunning!" Claire said as she fluffed Emma's hair. "Let's go make some memories!"

As they arrived at the lavish party, music pulsed through the air, and colorful lights illuminated the large space. People danced, laughed, and mingled. Emma felt out of her element but tried to push those feelings aside as Claire dragged her into the crowd.