Sleeping With the Professor (NOT CONTINUING)

Seven

"Eric?" I sat in my empty dorm room, tears streaming down my face. He had called me for the first time and for some reason, I knew it was him as the phone number flashed across my screen.

"Hey Lilly, sorry I didn't call sooner." Eric's voice was soft and apologetic. The way my name rolled off his tongue was enough to send chills down my spine.

"It's okay," I sniffled.

"Lilly are you crying? What happened?" Eric's concerned voice made my heart speed up a little.

"Yeah, can you come over?" I said, my words barely coming out intelligible.

"Yes! Send me your location and your dorm room number. I'm coming to you now." I heard the sound of keys jangling.

"Okay," I said weakly as I put him on speakerphone. I saved his contact to my phone before sending my current location via text message.

"Do you want me to stay on the phone?" His kind voice spoke over the speaker. I could hear him starting his car in the background.

"No, that's okay. I'll fill you in when you get here." We exchanged our goodbyes and see-you -soons.

---

A knock on the door woke me from my daydream. It took me a second to recollect my thoughts before realizing who it was. I jumped up from my spot on the floor and flung open the door. Eric's tall, brooding body towered over me as I fell into his arms.

He pecked my forehead and shut the door behind him. "Tell me what's wrong Lilly." He wiped a fresh tear off my cheek and tucked my hair behind my ears.

I led him over to my bed and dragged him up to the top bunk with me. As soon as his head hit the pillows I began to sob into his chest.

"So many things." I sighed.

He rubbed my back as I laid there, crying on him. It felt like forever as he comforted my weak and tired body. I don't know why I was so eager for him. It's like the end to Tony and I, just made me long for Eric.

Guilt ate at me because deep down, I was crying to a potential love interest about another potential love interest and all of the other fucked up things I have endured throughout the course of my life.

The warmth of his body pressed against mine was calming and welcoming. I needed to forget about Tony. Eric was bending over backwards for me and I just met him. He's respectful, kind, loving. Tony is nothing compared to Eric.

Right? Maybe.

I need to choose. I can't torture myself. Eric doesn't deserve to be lied to, and even though I'm pissed at Tony, he doesn't deserve it either. Where's Sarge when I need him.

---

I hugged Eric goodbye and thanked him for being my shoulder to cry on in the middle of the night. "Anything for you." He pressed his lips against mine teasingly before leaving. "I'll see you soon."

"Can't wait." I winked and slowly shut the door behind him. Once the door was shut and I was alone again, I crawled back into bed and mumbled to myself.

"I choose Eric. Tony is my professor and nothing else. I will refer to him using Professor Phillips. I will not speak to him unless need be." I sighed, satisfied with finally figuring out what to do.

I looked over the edge of my bed and noticed the photo of Sarge. "If you were here I wouldn't need any boy to comfort me." I whispered. My daydreams about Sarge led to me dialing my mothers number.

She picked up on the second ring and demanded I fill her in. I told her that I met someone and that the week was going fairly well. Only small white lies.