First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 3

  This morning came quicker than what I like. I rub the sleep out of my eyes as I yawn because I am still tired. I really don't want to get up but I start my third and final year of college today. I yawn again and close my eyes for just a few extra minutes. When I open my eyes again, I reach for my phone to check the time. My eyes widen and I quickly sit up as I realize I dozed off for over an hour and it's 10:40 and my class is at 11:20. Shit, I'm going to be late on my first day. I've never been late or missed a day and really want to keep it that way.

  I rush to my bathroom, quickly shower and brush my teeth then rush back into my bedroom with the towel on my head trying to dry some of the water from my hair. I hurriedly grab a sports bra and boxer briefs and put them on. I walk to my closet, grab a black v-neck shirt, light blue ripped jeans, my black vans and get dressed. I put my wet hair up in a messy bun, grab my backpack then rush from my room to my car and take off not even worrying about breakfast.

  As soon as I'm parked at school, I grab my backpack and take off towards the English building for my Creative Writing 4 class. As soon as I make it to room 601, I swing the door open already apologizing. "I'm so sorry for being late, Dr. Howard. I overslept but that's no excuse, I promise..." I stop talking when I notice Dani sitting at the teacher's desk. Why is Dani here?

  "Dani, why are you here? Never mind, I'm already late but I swear this is the room I have Creative Writing 4 in with Dr. Howard. Where's everyone at? I am late and so screwed. I've never been late."

  As I rush back towards the door, I feel a hand wrap around my wrist stopping me. I did not even hear Dani get up or walk towards me. I pull away from her but she steps in front of me blocking the door and cups my face with her warm hands. The scent of apples and... honey invades my sense of smell and it's such a sweet calming scent. She smells so good.

  "Taytum, calm down sweetie! You are in the correct room for Creative Writing 4 but it doesn't meet until tomorrow morning and also, I'm Professor Howard not Doctor Howard." I furrow my brows as I look at her. "Let me see your schedule." Dani says as she quickly releases my face. I reach for my phone in my back pocket so I can pull my schedule up.

  As I'm pulling my schedule up, Dani stands right beside me to look also. Her body is angled to the side and her breast accidently brushes against my arm from her closeness. I try to carry on with my current task and not get distracted but it's hard when I have been crushing on this woman since I was 17 and she is this close.

  We look at my schedule and I feel a rush of relief wash over me as Dani points out that I looked at tomorrow's schedule instead of todays. I actually do not have a regular class today. All I have is the teacher assistant work study for a freshman class after lunch. I loudly sigh in relief and hear Dani giggle. I don't know if she's giggling at me or something else. I look at her "what?"

  Dani shakes her head "nothing" then points at my schedule and I look to see what it is. "I just wish they wouldn't put my middle initial on the schedules because it definitely makes it look like it stands for DR Howard." I laugh because that's exactly what I thought it stood for. I wonder what the R stands for? I will have to ask her at some point.

  "I guess I should go, I have to find out who I will be a TA for during my work study." I say as I look at the woman still standing close to me. She turns and walks back towards her desk and I can't help but to check her out in her black pantsuit. Of course my eyes automatically go to her butt and on my God. Her slacks are tight around her butt and show off her generous curves and leave little to the imagination.

  As soon as Dani starts to sit down in her chair, I quickly look up but then I notice her white blouse she has paired with her pantsuit and how the three top buttons are graciously unbuttoned exposing soft looking skin. She leans forward to grab her phone and I catch sight of a little bit of white lace from her bra.

  I swallow and look away because I feel bad for checking her out but she is so damn... hot. I'm pulled from my thoughts when Dani says "I'm actually getting a TA this semester to help me in my office and my Freshman Poetry class. If you would like to be my assistant I can go ahead and call up there to let them know you will do your work study with me." I look at her kind of shocked and she must take that as I don't like her idea because she quickly starts talking again. "You don't have to. I was just offering in case you wanted to be a TA for someone you know unless your favorite professor is needing an assistant then I understand..."

  I suddenly interrupt Dani. "Dani, it's fine. I'm still just shocked that you're a professor here and I never knew that. Plus I'm shocked that you would want me as your TA."

  Dani laughs as she stands up, takes her suit jacket off and walks around to the front of her desk then leans against it. "Taytum, why wouldn't I want you as my TA? You are super smart, trustworthy, reliable and I would rather have someone helping me that I know. I figured you knew I was a professor here since both of your mom's knew. So what do you say? Do you want to be my TA or not?"

  I smile at Dani as I nod my head yes. "I would love to, thank you." I say while still smiling and watch as Dani reaches for her phone to call whoever she needs to. I glance around her empty room as she makes her phone call. How did I not know she was a professor here? Especially in the English department since I'm majoring in Creative Writing. Just as she gets off the phone, my stomach rumbles really loud causing Dani to bust out laughing. She covers her mouth as I glare at her.

  "Sounds like you're really hungry." Dani says as she continues to laugh when my stomach rumbles again.

  I roll my eyes. "Well, I thought I overslept this morning and was going to be late for class so I didn't have time to eat even though I woke up hungry."

  Dani stands up, grabs her purse then walks around the front of her desk and heads towards the door. "Come on Taytum, I will treat you to lunch and no arguments. I can't have your stomach interrupting my Poetry class because that's where you're starting today." I want to ask her if she's sure it's a good idea for us to be seen having lunch together since she is a professor but I do not want it to seem like I don't want to have lunch with her. Before I can ask anything though, it's like Dani already knew what I was thinking. "I promise it's fine for us to eat together so let's go."

  "Yes ma'am." I say as I follow behind Dani only to stop as I run right into her because she suddenly stopped.

  Dani turns and glares at me "do not yes ma'am me. I know you're being respectful and I appreciate it but that is just to weird coming from you. Makes me feel way older than 33 and because I know you, it's just... weird. Only thing I ask is during class don't call me by my first name."

  I nod "yes ma'..." then stop as Dani glares at me again "Professor Howard" I finish saying, causing her to swat my arm and shake her head.

  "Don't do that either unless it's during class or my Poetry class. When it's just us please just call me Danielle or Dani as you have taken to calling me.