Professor

Ch. 7 - The truth

As professor Laufeyson instructed, Alice absentmindedly tapped her pen against her chin.

Loki had left without a word, he'd never tried to make it up to her. It couldn't be him, right ? It had to be Leo. The idea wasn't very appealing and deep inside, Alice still hoped her professor was the one who'd left a note in her pocket.

It would have been easy to just send a message or call, if only the last numbers written on the back of the paper were readable. Lucky as she was, Alice had accidentally spilled a whole beer on her jacket, leaving the precious note sopping wet and indecipherable.

The young girl had a hard time not thinking about her professor, not to mention he was prowling near the front row, his countenance and usual feral grace projecting a high degree of intellect to the eyes of his students. Just watching made her folds begin to swell. She then promised herself to be more careful. If her professor didn't feel the same as her, Alice couldn't take the risk to be broken again.

However, a Teaching Assistant position was an opportunity she couldn't miss. After all, it was a good job. She'd placed the form in front of her in order to fill it in, just in case...

Full name : ........

Phone number : ........

Yeah, phone number...

''What are you doing ?'' Jane hissed next to her and took a look at the paper. Her eyes then widened as she understood what it was, ''Wait, you're going to accept his proposition ?''

Alice shrugged. Behind her, Leo cleared his throat as to catch her attention. She slightly turned her head and looked in his direction.

''We're still going on that date, right ?'' He whispered.

Alice quickly nodded. Shit. She'd completely forgotten about that.

Jane kept glancing at her from time to time and Alice eventually scrunched her eyebrows. ''What's wrong ?'' She came closer to her friend and Jane nodded towards the front row.

''He's been looking at you for a full hour. Also, I'm not good in literature, but I feel like it's not the best class we've ever had...''

Indeed, Loki's eyes were obviously shooting quick glances at her. Well, he can go to hell.

His voice suddenly echoed off the back of the room.

''Well, don't forget to analyze this chapter and read the last one. See you next week.''

For a second, Alice's gaze crossed Loki's, but she quickly looked away and stuffed her belongings in her bag. Don't think about him, just don't.

Alice was done. Done with the crying, done with all the doubts and nights she'd spent, stomach in knots, thinking about her professor.

Leo was already waiting for her outside.

At first, Alice hesitated as she gazed at the form she'd filled in. After a moment of reflexion, she made her way to Loki Laufeyson's desk and put the form on the pile of documents.

Leaning against the furniture, Loki was unable to pull his gaze away from the young girl, taking away all the air out of the room and making her determination fall. Of course, he couldn't say anything, he was a professor for Heaven's sake. Loki almost looked sorry, but she wasn't fooled.

And yet, she noticed how nervous he was. Chest suddenly heaving hard, Loki almost gasped, ''Did you... did you apply ?''

Alice slowly nodded, his voice rumbling her ear and sending shivers down her spine. She saw his eyes light with a strange fire as he drew a deep breath and stepped towards her, his gaze full of hope, ''Can you stay ?'' He suddenly asked and Alice's heart started to race in her chest.