「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(346) To The Swing

Lynn's POV

Upon my succinct—though floundering—revelation, Charles stunned, perhaps struggling just as me to digest the unbelievable truth. James' unexpected appearance undeniably alarmed him, except not totally in the same manners as it significantly unhinged me.

Do you want me to come home? Charles readily offered and his concerned tone was too enticing for my depressed, impoverished, heart.

It was a cordial invitation from Monash University that brought him away from me to the other side of the world. While I was the one who egged him on to partake in the immersion program that was imperative, possibly inaugurating an affable relationship between our academies to sprout future exchange opportunities, and it was the benefits of our students at stake, my selfish needs resonated too loudly in that moment to be ignored.

Frankly, I don't want anything more, I confided in defeat as I discreetly rubbed my throbbing temples.

I'll be on the next flight. Just hang in there, Lynn. I love you, Charles conveyed unhesitatingly.

Before I could reciprocate the words of affection, however, he promptly severed our unorthodox communications in order to conserve our vigors. I sighed and bit my lips that shivered, struggling to curve them into a smile while curbing my tears from destroying this fine, sunny, atmosphere.

Out of nowhere, stifled giggles surfaced to tickle my ears and only then did I discern the white noise emanating from the pure, innocent, one. Slowly, I opened my eyes and my mood was spontaneously lifted by the little bundle of joy as she ogled and fondled with my psychedelic leggings, like she was bewitched by the vivid array of constellations and galaxies printed on the fabric clothing my deadened limbs.

"When did you get here, Law?" I probed curiously and Lauren peered up, cheekily mimicking a pose of utter contemplation.

"Hmm, thirty seconds ago?" She replied with that cutest lisp induced by her two missing front teeth.

"And what are you doing here?" I prodded in amusement, gently stroking her Scott-chocolate mane.

"Can I get a ride?" Lauren requested, gazing at me with sheer excitement sparkling in her beautifully-Jean-green eyes.

"Of course, you can. C'mon," I heartily beckoned.

Hanging my droopy hand over the armrest, I carefully wrapped my healthy one around her tiny waist, providing all the support I could as she eagerly climbed onto my unfeeling lap. As she wiggled herself into a comfortable position, dangling her slender legs off mine, Lauren routinely—cautiously and conscientiously—hugged my braced arm, caressing it like her dearest toy.

"Where would you like to go?" I enquired in a spirited tone.

"To the swing!" She screamed, bouncing up and down as she vivaciously pointed to the thirty-year-old tree seeded in place of the one her father accidentally annihilated the first day he set foot onto this premises.

"Alright, alright. Hold on," I prepped and she threw her arms snugly around my neck, grinning with ecstasy.

"To the swing!" I repeated in an animated tone and imitated her hilarious finger gesture learnt from her favourite cartoon characters whenever they embarked on a new mission.

Delirious with glee, Lauren laughed unceasingly as we speedily floated across the charming park. Her high-pitched giggles were lustrous and genuine, but so was everyone else's merriment on the bountiful grass fields that it seemed I was the only one captivated by her chuckles so enchanting.