When Dante meets Shakespeare

This is wrong

"Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide no escape from reality.

Open your eyes, look up to the stars and see..."

The radio clock sang from Alexis's bedside table. She stirred in bed yawing and suddenly remembered what happened the night before. A huge smile appeared on her face. She grabbed her phone and found a text from Benedict.

"Morning wonderful professor. See you later. XXX Ben"

Alexis sighed in joy but suddenly felt strange. A phrase echoed in her ears "NO RELATIONSHIPS". Director Graves would have fired her immediately. She thought about those words all the way to the school. Alexis really didn't want to lose her job. But she even didn't want to lose Benedict. It was such a good feeling to have him around. She was so confused she didn't realize she reached the school entrance. "I have to talk to him." Alexis thought. "Aly, finally!" Matthew almost scared her. "So? How did it go yesterday?" He asked, excitement in his voice. "Matt hi! Well...it was good. Really good." Alexis replied, still worried. Matthew understood something was wrong with her. "Uhm...fancy a cuppa before starting?" He asked. "Yes, please. I need one!" Alexis cried out. As they sat at a table Matthew asked "Alexis, what's wrong?" Alexis frowned but started "We had a lovely night Matt, really. The wine, the dinner, the walk. Everything was perfect. The kiss was just amazing and..." "WHAT?!" Matthew shouted almost spitting his coffee. Alexis smiled shyly. "Yes Matt, we kissed. Hadn't you talked to him?" "Of course I hadn't! So Benedict-it-won't-work-Cumberbatch finally made it!" Matthew said with a grin. Alexis laughed a little "He is amazing Matt, really. But I think it can't work." She suddenly changed expression. "What are you talking about Aly?" Matthew asked puzzled. "Director Graves. I know it won't work because of him. And my last relationship didn't work well, at all. He was an idiot and I didn't make anything to change it. I am worried I can ruin everything again." Alexis said holding her breath. "First, Director Graves is an idiot. Second, you are amazing and believe me, Ben likes you a lot. You won't ruin anything! Why don't you try and talk to him?" Matthew said smiling softly. "I'll try at lunch." Alexis said sighing.

Alexis and Benedict barely met in the corridors moving from a classroom to another. He always smiled at her widely as they met their gazes, whereas Alexis smiled nervously and immediately moved her eyes from his face. Matthew was really concerned and decided to let those two have a word at lunch. He texted them the same message:

"Sorry, I have to leave for lunch. See you tomorrow, Matt."

"Oh well, thank you mate!" Benedict thought reading the text. "You bastard." Alexis said in between her teeth. Benedict and Alexis met in the professors' room at 1.30 pm. "Hey Aly." Benedict whispered reaching Alexis and taking her hands. Alexis shivered at the touch of his hands but tried to hide her emotions. "Hi Ben. I...erm...I think we have to talk." She said firmly. Benedict was puzzled. "Alright. Should we have a walk in the park?" He said. "Yes, please." Alexis said.

They walked for about 10 minutes without saying a word. Alexis walked staring at the sky and Benedict walked beside her trying to catch her attention. In the end, he managed to speak "Alexis, what's wrong?" He asked. Alexis turned to face him. "Benedict, yesterday it was a lovely night..." She started and then went immediately silent. "It was for me too, Alexis." Benedict said. "Fine! What happened in the end...well..." Alexis was trying to say something but Benedict interrupted her "It has been wonderful. Well, to me at least." He said blushing. Alexis stared at him and smiled widely. "It has been amazing, Ben. Truly amazing." She said "But I think we can't go on, Ben. It can't work." Benedict frowned. "What? Why do you think this?" "Because of Director Graves. I don't want to lose this job and don't want you to have troubles." Alexis said. She was so worried she started to shake a bit. Benedict, instead, was frozen and speechless. "So you think this is not good for us?" He asked. "No Ben, I really think that what happened yesterday is good for us. It's just that I don't want you to be in trouble with Graves." Alexis said , her voice shaking. "I'm sorry Aly but I don't understand. I won't be in any trouble and neither will you. I thought you liked this." He was getting upset. Alexis grabbed his hands and stared at him. "I really like this, I told you. I am just worried about what could happen. What if Graves finds it out? Also, I am not good in keeping a good relationship. My last one didn't work well at all. My ex was a stubborn man and I wasn't able to let it work out properly and...." "Shut up." Benedict said putting a finger on her mouth. "Now listen. I want a relationship with you. I don't care what Graves could think of it. I don't care of what you have done before me. I want to be with you now. I want to enjoy every moment I'll have with you." Alexis's eyes widened as Benedict was speaking. "Could we just try? Could we just go on with our lives? Together?" He said, taking her hands. He was smiling softly and Alexis couldn't help but kiss him. After a moment, Benedict said "Should I take it as a yes?" "I don't want to lose you, professor Cumberbatch. I want to try. I need to try." Alexis said. "That's great!" Benedict said before grabbing Alexis's face and giving her a deep, breathless kiss.