A Classroom Affair

Chapter 3

The rest of the day goes by in a blur. I'm sitting in my Literature class, and I'm finding it hard to concentrate. I only have to take the class every other day and it's another subject that I enjoy, I chose to minor in English Lit just in case my Psych major doesn't work out. I'm hoping that once I get my degree I can pursue a career in clinical psychology, I'm most interested in working with incarcerated patients and helping to rehabilitate them. 

I half listen to Mr Hood's lecture on the Romantic Age, I've read plenty of works from that era from the likes of John Keats to Emily Brontë and of course Mary Shelley. It's been my favorite age of literature to study and has taught me to romanticize every little detail no matter how mundane. Mr. Hood continues to talk about an upcoming writing assignment and my eyes won't leave the clock on the wall, for five more minutes. I'm nervous to be alone with Mr. Irwin after hours, you would think it would be a dream come true but after our little moment earlier and the mixed signals I have received from him since then, I'm apprehensive.

Class is over but I remain seated for a moment, contemplating whether or not I want to go back to Mr. Irwin's classroom. My heart is thumping so loudly that I fear it might burst through my chest. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to calm my nerves. What is wrong with me? It's not like we're going to start making out like characters in a cheesy lifetime movie. I finally convince myself to just go and get it over with. He probably wants to talk about my late assignment and then send me on my way, nothing more.

"Bye Scarlett, have a nice night."

Lost in my thoughts, it takes a moment for Mr. Hood's words to register.

"Oh, bye Mr. Hood, same to you." I say politely.

He gives me a strange look while continuing to pack his suitcase, I brush it off and continue on my way.

On wobbly legs, I walk down the hall that leads to Mr. Irwin's classroom. I slow my pace, not wanting to seem too eager to get back to his room. Once I reach the door, I take a deep breath and peek through the window, getting déjà vu from earlier. And there he is, looking incredibly handsome. The professor is leaning against his desk and skimming through papers. His tie is lying abandoned on the chair, and his shirt is even more unbuttoned than before. I can't help but let my gaze follow the trail of hair down to his tightly fitted trousers.

He's not making this easy for me at all...

"Hello, Mr. Irwin," I say as I walk in, attempting to sound casual. He looks up from his paperwork, and a warm smile spreads across his face, causing a flutter in my stomach that I try to ignore.

"Hello Scarlett. Thanks for coming," he says, pushing the papers aside to give me his full attention.

"Well, you did ask me to, sir." I reply, unable to hide the smirk on my face. I search his eyes for a hint of darkness that usually flickers when I address him as sir but if it's there I must have missed it. Or I've been imagining things. 

"Yes, right." he says, narrowing his eyes at me, and then gestures to a desk in front of him. I take a seat, my thoughts running a mile a minute. To distract myself I let my gaze settle on his beautiful tanned chest, my breath quickens when I spot swirls of ink hiding under his shirt.

Mr. Irwin clears his throat, and as I lift my gaze to his eyes, I realize he's caught me staring. Instinctively, I bite my lip and feel the warmth spreading across my cheeks. It doesn't take much from him to make me blush. Mr. Irwin laughs, the sound warm and contagious, and even though it's at my expense, I find myself not minding at all.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, darling." his voice is deep, and his eyes brooding. This time, it's me who has to clear my throat, caught off-guard by the sudden shift in the air.