I sat in class listening to the lecture on the chemical makeup of the human brain, when I heard the door to the lecture hall open and slam back shut. The class's eyes all looked behind us. A tall, broad shouldered boy walks in with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry," he says looking at Professed Rodgers. "I'm a late transfer, and I got a little lost," he says chuckling.
Professor Rodgers doesn't look amused, "Find a seat, speak to me after class." His voice was gruff with an edge of irritation. He's such a grumpy old man.
The class this semester was pretty full. After all the medical field is an ever growing career choice. I look around the room to see where he will have to sit, before I realize I'm the only one with an open seat next to me. I look up and see him still searching while trying to ignore Professor Rodgers's glares.
I raise my hand, while quietly saying, "Hey, there's a seat next me."
He looks to me with relief and smile spreads across his face. Woah. Breathtaking. I mean, it's nice. He has a nice smile. He makes his way over to the seat next to me, and sits down with a sigh of relief. He holds his hand out, but I don't notice at first because I'm caught up in his striking green eyes.
"Oh!" I exclaim, "sorry." I shake his hand
"I'm Trish." I say with a shy smile.
"Nice to meet you Trish, I'm Jordan, and I think you might have saved me today," he whispers jokingly and quietly chuckles.
The professor has begun his lecture again.
For some reason I get butterflies when he says this, and I can't fathom why besides it being because of how utterly good looking the man beside me was. I blush thinking about it, and look down as to not be seen.
Class had finally ended when Jordan turned towards me as we stood to exit the hall, and put his hand on the side of my arm as he said, "Wish me luck," and smiled brightly before turning away and heading towards the Professor.
His touch gave me chills. What is wrong with me? I've never had a man make me feel so foolish before. I don't know what it is. I mean I don't even know the guy. I give one last fleeting glance at the muscular, but seemingly goofy boy before collecting my thoughts and hearing back home to my daughter.
As the night goes on I push Jordan's handsome chiseled face with olive toned skin and dirty blonde hair out of my mind, or tried to. I had off work today so after going home for a nap so I could stay on my work schedule I picked up my daughter, had supper with her, and then put her to bed for the night. Since I had to stay up until at least 3 am to keep on schedule I took the time to clean around the apartment and to have some much needed me time. I would save my homework for tomorrow. I've learned it is so important to take a little time to myself. If not I might go crazy. After a bubble bath and a glass of wine from a bottle my mother bought me as a congratulations for getting into the nursing program I pass out for the night.
When I'm awaken again by my daughter the next morning the day goes as expected same old same old.
When I get to class, I begin to make my way over to the seat I usually take, but come to a halt. I can see Jordan in the seat he sat in yesterday, and don't know whether I should still sit next to him in my regular seat or if it would be awkward, because we don't have assigned seating. I play it safe and sit a couple desks off. I begin to take out my book, notebook, and pencil.
"Hey, Trish!" I hear Jordan call for me.
I look to him and slightly raise my hand off the desk in a small wave and partial smile.
"Why don't you come sit over here. You are my only friend in here so far after all."
I look at him and can't help the grin that comes to my face. "Well, if you insist." I say as I regather my things and move over two seats. He had the kind of personality that makes you feel fun and goofy too, and I really like that. If I was living another life in another body I might even try to see where a date would lead things. But I'm a mom, and I'm overweight. There's no way a guy as attractive as Jordan could ever be with someone like me. Not that I was looking for a relationship anyway. I need to focus on me and my daughter and school and that's it.
We spend class sharing notes, and quietly joking to each other about grumpy old Rodgers. Jordan is so easy to talk to, and he is very intelligent. I learned a few things about him too, like that he's 24, he just moved here recently but grew up a couple towns over, and that his long term goal is to become a pediatrician. I have to hold back giggling most of class.
I feel so guilty for not giving the professor and my education my undivided attention, but something about Jordan draws me into him. I just can't put my finger on it. I know next week when I come to class I will definitely need to sit somewhere else or learn to ignore Jordan.
Professor Rodgers finally dismisses us and I get up to leave.
"Hey, what can't wait to get away from me, huh?"
"Wha-, no I uh. I'm sorry. I just like to get home." I say hoping I didn't offend him with my chaste leave.
Jordan begins to laugh and his eyes sparkle, "I was just messing with you."
"Oh," I let out a giggle of awkwardness. "Well, I'll see you next class. It was nice talking to you today. I've got to go." I just want to get out of there. I love and hate the way he makes me feel all at the same time.
As I begin walking away again I feel my wrist get engulfed in his large sun tanned hand.
"Not so fast," he requests. "I was hoping I could maybe get your phone number so we could go out together, um or study," he says almost nervously.
But that can't be right. There's no way that this beautiful, full of life man could be nervous talking to me. I was so average, below average even. What could he possibly have to be nervous about?
I look up at him, and see his face waiting expectant for an answer.
"I wish I could but I just have a lot going on right now. It's not the best time for me to be dating any boys," I answer while blushing.
He chuckles, "Well who said anything about a date?" I blush even harder, embarrassed. "Maybe I just want to get to know a potential friend, and get some more pointers for the class." He tilts his head to the side I assume to gauge my reaction.
"Oh. I'm sorry I shouldn't have assumed! That is so embarrassing. Umm, well maybe we could. I would have to see if I can make the time."
"Cool," he says breezily. "He hands me a piece of paper that I hadn't noticed he scribbled his phone number on. "I thought you might be a difficult one, but here get ahold of me when you're free. And hey, we could even go to a park or something and you could bring you daughter."
I look to him in total surprise. "What? How did you know?"
He laughs and point to my bag where a diaper is making its debut. I can't help but laugh with him. But how did he know I had a girl?
"I also saw a picture of a beautiful little girl on your phone lock the other day. I knew she had to be yours. It's obvious where she gets her beauty from." And with that he's exited the lecture hall and left me dumbfounded and the only one left in the room.
Wowza. That man. He makes me feel so, seen. I've known him all of two days and he gets my heart stuttering. What am I going to do with myself?
