Professor

Ch. 2 - ... and how they met again

Alice took a bite of her toast.

''Did you read the information e-mail, last night ?'' Jane absentmindedly asked.

Still chewing, Alice shook her head.

''Well, it says Professor Benjamin has been replaced by ...'' Jane scrunched an eyebrow as she read, ''Professor Lau... F... Never mind.'' she scrolled down the e-mail but it was the only information she was able to furnish to her friend.

''Never met him.'' Alice shrugged.

A smile crossed Jane's lips and she jumped on her feet, ''Well, don't be late for our first class with him. It's in five minutes.'' She clarified, glancing at the second toast Alice was putting into the grill.

The young girl rolled up her eyes. She was used to these rushing mornings. The newcomer wouldn't be a problem.

And she was late, again.

She discreetly sneaked into the auditorium and walked towards her usual seat, not really paying attention to the new professor.

Jane shot her a glance, ''Where were you ?'' She hissed, her eyes looking back at the front row where Professor Laufeyson instructed.

Catching her breath, Alice pulled her notebook from her bag, ''Did he say anything important ?'' Her friend couldn't furnish a prompt reply to her apprehensive question.

''I see some of you are late, so I'll repeat one last time.''

No. It couldn't be.

''My name is Loki Laufeyson. I'll be teaching Literature this year.''

And yet it is.

Alice froze on her seat. Oh god. What did I do to you ?

The young girl sank into her seat. No, no, no. This isn't happening.

Loki didn't seem to have noticed her. As he kept talking, Alice's eyes glanced around her. The auditorium was filled, mostly with young women who stared at the new professor with sparkling eyes. All ignorant and fantasizing, unaware that the perfect model instructing was a complete bastard.

There were lots of students in the auditorium and Alice partially relaxed on her seat, trying not to draw attention.

Alice spent the entire three hours hiding behind strands of her messy hair, blushing and trying not to look at the front. Although Loki Laufeyson had been a complete douche with her, she had a hard time forgetting the crazy night they'd had together, laughing and ... Sleeping together.

From where she was, Alice distinguished his sharp features, she could clearly hear the deep tone of his voice, his slight sighs and the way he tutted. It was pure torture.

''Well, any volunteer to analyze these first sentences ?'' He peered at the crowded room and Alice lowered her gaze on her notebook. It was the moment Jane chose to have a revelation. Shit. Loki nodded towards her, inducing a quick reaction from Alice who bent down, pretending to pick up a fallen pen.

''Yes, you.''

Alice felt her whole body burning. She wouldn't be able to hide for six months. It was insane.

''I think it has something to do with the concept of exoticism ?'' As she talked, Jane shoot Alice an interrogative gaze to which the young girl vigorously shook her head, beckoning her friend not to say anything.

''To a certain degree, indeed.'' A few seconds of silence left Alice breathless. ''Anyone else ?'' he paused, ''As I mentioned earlier, the text refers to an ancient vision of the subject ...'' whew.

Alice slowly straightened up, unnoticed. Jane elbowed her, ''What are you doing ?'' She whispered, her eyes not leaving the front.

Heart pounding into her chest, the young girl slowly recollected herself. ''You'll never believe it ...''

Jane took the risk to glance at her and a heavy silence fell over the room. Oops.

Professor Laufeyson was silently looking in their direction with a terrifying impassivity.

Feeling the piercing eyes going from her friend to her, Alice swiftly pushed her hair in front of her face and hid behind the student who was seated in front of her. Considering Alice's reaction, Jane cleared her throat as to attract Professor Laufeyson's attention, ''Eh ... I'm Sorry ...'' she mumbled with a hint of apprehension.

Turning her attention back to her notebook, Alice started to draw figures, drowning herself away from Loki's voice who explained the challenges that the analyze of the first book would represent.

Alice didn't care. The burning fire into her stomach was unbearable and she did her best to get over it. She had to find a way to not attend this course.

The class ended rather early and the young girl took advantage of the chaos created by the students who clustered towards the exit. Making her way through the crowd, Alice managed to get out without being seen.

Damn.

''Alice, Alice !'' Jane called, running after her. Turning around at once, Alice beckoned her to stop screaming. ''What's wrong ?''

''I know him, Lo ... Laufeyson.'' Her friend tilted her head incredulously, ''How did you meet him ? Why didn't you want him to see you ?'' She asked, not understanding the situation.

Heat flooded Alice's cheeks. How could she even explain this to her friend ? Looking up at her, the young girl shrugged, ''Well ...'' a part of her ached to tell the truth, but the other one knew it was wrong. It wasn't like her. Of course, she despised him and the way he'd treated her. But she still couldn't do this to him. ''He ... was a bit of an ass, you know. We ... Argued. About things. Subjects.'' She uncomfortably waved her hands, ''Anyway. I wanted to ask you a favor.''

Obviously, Jane wasn't buying it, but her discretion was a quality Alice appreciated.

''I don't want to attend his class.'' She explained as they got out.

''Alright, I guess you could borrow my notes then ...'' Jane proposed, ''But Alice, you'll soon find out that I'm a zero in literature.'' Saying so, she pulled the last notes she'd been taking. Alice skimmed through the lines and frowned.

Oh ... It was a complete mess. Her desperate gaze laid on Jane who shot her a sympathetic glance, ''I'm sorry Alice ...''

Alice would have to attend Professor Laufeyson's classes. It couldn't be worse. Or so she thought.

Her phone and Jane's vibrated simultaneously. As her friend consulted her notifications, she made a face, ''And ... The first paper in literature is due next week. Damn, that's early.''

What ? He's definitely an ass.