Forbidden Literature

5| Slippers and Poetry

The next couple of days went a lot more smoothly than the first. I felt like I already gained a lot from the workshops regardless of their tacky names. I was always on time and ready to learn something new and challenge the way I think. I even figured out how to market myself which as first sort of sounded scandalous but eventually made sense.

And had to admit that as much as I tried to tune out Dr. Andrews' lectures, I couldn't help but find them extremely interesting. It was as if every day his workshops got better and better. Perhaps I am biased because they are about my favorite subject, but even Sara said she was captivated and she writes non-fiction. I noticed she was taking more of an interest in the subject which made my heart happy.

However, I also noticed that Dr. Andrews hardly talked to me now and when he did it was purely professional. The teasing died down significantly which I liked, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't sort of odd.

I stuck to my vow and went to each workshop on time, even sometimes a little earlier, and write down tons of notes to look back on. What I did not stick to was going to the gym with Sara every morning like we had originally planned. Instead we would go pork out over some muffins and coffee at the cafe that was open 24/7. I have no regrets.

Wednesday morning, I woke up to find Sara still fast asleep, but my stomach was killing me and I couldn't wait. Instead of being patient I put on my robe and threw on some slippers before heading downstairs. I figured since I would be by myself I might as well take my journal with me and start on some poetry. I have about four already done, but needed six more before the week was up.

After sitting down with my regular blueberry muffin and coffee I checked my phone to see if anyone had texted me. I tried not to frown when I saw that there was nothing but my lock screen staring back at me. I figured Mom or Dad might have said something about the pictures I sent them, but of course there was nothing but silence. I guess they were busy as ever. With a sigh I sat my phone to the side and tried not to think too much about it. There's really no point in sulking over it, so I turned my attention to my writing instead.

The thing about writing is I can get lost in it for hours and not realize it. So there was no telling how long I had been sitting there polishing up a stanza when the cashier's voice nearby broke through my train of thought.

"Would you like a pastry with your coffee? It's only fifty cents extra," she asked cheerfully.

"No thank you. Just a coffee will be fine."

I stiffened at the second voice. Almost immediately I could tell that it was him. The man I have been avoiding for the past few days. Well, sort of avoiding. I practically skipped to his workshops every morning, but after that I sped away like something was chasing after me. I will admit it's a bit immature, and I can't help but wonder what I'm really running away from, but I'm too stubborn to think it through like an adult.

Plus, I still was mad at him for giving me that damn map.

"Here you go," the perky girl said a little more happily than when she had served me. "Enjoy your coffee!"

Her sickly sweet voice probably had more calories than my muffin. I grumbled and went back to work ignoring her obnoxious behavior. I guess it can't really be helped. If I was honest, Dr. Andrews is definitely a looker. More than that, he's hot. I bet he's used to girls fawning over him constantly just like the cashier. This is probably nothing new to him. And even more so he probably--

The sound of a chair scraping across the ground in front of me stopped my thoughts.

"Is this seat taken?"

I stiffened and slowly looked up from my journal to see the familiar professor staring down at me holding a seat open. I nearly choked on my coffee.