Beyond The Syllabus

Unspoken Shadows

Characters:

Elena Miller – The protagonist, a 16-year-old girl starting her new life in college, haunted by her past connection to her former neighbor, Jack.

Jack Donovan – A strict, no-nonsense physics professor in his 40s, formerly Elena’s childhood neighbor.

Rhys Donovan – Jack's elder son, who was a childhood friend of Elena.

Ivan Donovan – Jack's younger son, who used to play with Elena when they were younger.

Kayla Donovan – Jack’s wife, seemingly unaware of her husband's complicated emotional entanglements.

Lily and Sofia – Elena’s close friends and confidantes at college.

Alex - Jack's best friend
---

Chapter Excerpt: "A Familiar Stranger"

Scene: Elena’s first day at college. The courtyard is buzzing with excitement as students gather, awaiting their class assignments. Elena stands with her friends, Lily and Sofia, trying to blend in, but her eyes keep drifting to a familiar face across the campus.

Elena: (to her friends) "Girls... see that man over there? The one standing near the entrance?"

Sofia: (raising an eyebrow) "Yeah, why? Do you know him or something?"

Elena: (a small smile) "He was my neighbor when I was a kid. I used to go to his house all the time... play with his kids."

Lily: (eyes wide) "Wait, you mean that man? That’s Professor Donovan, Elena! He’s like, the most terrifying professor on campus. No one even dares to talk to him."

Sofia: (nodding) "Yeah, he’s the physics professor, right? Super strict, never smiles, barely talks to anyone. Are you sure it’s the same guy?"

Elena: (nodding, but with uncertainty) "I know him. He’s... different now, I guess."

The girls share a look of surprise as the announcement for class assignments begins. Elena shifts uncomfortably, her heart pounding as she glances back at Jack Donovan. His face is colder, harder than she remembers. He hasn’t noticed her yet, and she silently hopes it stays that way.

---

Scene: The corridor after the class assignments are made. Elena walks past Jack, hoping to go unnoticed. She doesn’t greet him like the other students. As she passes, she hears his deep voice cut through the hallway.

Jack: (his voice echoing) "Why is it that only some students remember their manners?"

Elena feels his eyes on her as she keeps walking, refusing to turn around. Her heart races, but she keeps her head down, moving quickly toward her classroom. A part of her is relieved that Jack isn’t her physics professor.

---

Scene: A few weeks later, Elena’s father runs into Jack in town, and the conversation makes its way back to Elena. Sitting at the dinner table, Elena listens as her father casually brings it up.

Mr. Miller: "You’ll never guess who I ran into today, Elena. Your old neighbor, Mr. Donovan. He’s teaching at your college now, huh?"

Elena: (pretending to be nonchalant) "Yeah, I know. I’ve seen him around."

Mr. Miller: (chuckling) "I told him you said he was strict and never smiles. He laughed at that. Asked me what class you were in so he could keep an eye on you."

Elena’s stomach twists at the thought. She keeps her expression neutral but clenches her fists under the table.

Elena: (forcing a smile) "That’s... nice of him."

Inside, though, Elena is anything but relieved. The rumors she’s heard from other students about Jack’s supposed affair with a senior swirl in her mind. She doesn’t want to believe it, but the way he looks at her in the hallway sends chills down her spine. Something about him feels... off.

---

Scene: A random encounter in the campus library. Elena is browsing through books when she feels a presence behind her. She turns to see Jack, standing much too close for comfort.

Jack: (in a low voice) "Elena Miller. I didn’t realize you were in my college until recently."

Elena stiffens, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to approach her, and his tone makes her uneasy.

Elena: (avoiding his gaze) "Yeah, I didn’t think you’d remember me."

Jack: (his eyes lingering on her) "How could I forget?"

His words hang in the air, heavy with something Elena can’t quite place. She steps back, putting some distance between them, feeling a strange tension build. The library feels too small all of a sudden.

Elena: (forcing a smile) "Well, I have to go. Lots of studying to do."

She turns quickly, not waiting for a response. As she leaves, she feels his eyes on her, watching, like he always does. That familiar chill runs down her spine again.

---

Scene: A private conversation between Elena and her friends in the dormitory room. Elena is sitting on her bed, arms crossed, while Lily and Sofia listen intently.

Lily: (concerned) "You’ve been acting weird lately. Is everything okay? You seem... on edge."

Elena: (hesitating, then sighing) "It’s Jack... Professor Donovan. I don’t know why, but every time I see him, it’s like... something's off. The way he looks at me sometimes. I heard some things about him, and I just... I don’t want him to remember me."

Sofia: (suspicious) "What did you hear?"

Elena: (reluctantly) "That he had some kind of affair with a senior student. And now, whenever he looks at me... I don’t know. It’s just creepy."

Lily: (wide-eyed) "Are you serious? I mean, I’ve heard he’s strict, but... an affair? That’s so messed up."

Elena: (nodding) "Yeah. That’s why I’ve been avoiding him. I don’t want him to get too close."

Sofia places a comforting hand on Elena's shoulder, while Lily looks even more concerned.

Sofia: "Stay away from him, Elena. If something feels wrong, trust your gut."

Elena nods, her mind swirling with confusion. She resolves to keep her distance from Jack, but deep down, she knows it won’t be that simple. The past has a way of catching up, and the secrets that Jack holds might be more dangerous than she realizes.

---

This excerpt sets up the tension between Elena and Jack, introducing their complicated past and the growing discomfort Elena feels as she tries to navigate college life while avoiding a man who once was just a familiar face from her childhood, but is now someone she can no longer trust.