Hard To Love (Professor / Student)

The Note

Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. I don't really have an excuse besides being unmotivated to write this. It's taking forever, I just want it to be right. But here ya go.....

Ness POV

I wake up in Mark's bed Tuesday morning, refreshed and ready to get back to my normal schedule. I have two classes, practice and then my late class today. I throw on a pair of blue jeans and a school sweatshirt before walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning beautiful" Mark says from behind the counter.

"Morning. Ready to go?"
"Yeah, here's your coffee" Mark says and hands me my purple travel mug before grabbing his.

"you are truly too good for me"

"It's the other way around my dear" He says as we walk out the door of his apartment.

The day goes by just as I thought it would. People are staring, whispering and making assumptions on my mental health. The only thing keeping me sane through this whole day are the texts from Mark. You're beautiful. Have an amazing day. Thinking about your butt.

"Ness?"

I look up from my phone to the sight of my entire Psychology class looking at me.

"I'm sorry, did you say something? I ask and Loughton just laughs a little.

"Yeah, I asked if you knew the answer the question on the board"

"Oh uh...." I say before taking a few minutes to read the prompt on the projector. "Uh, I'd say it's a healthy relationship"

"Why?"

"They clearly care for each other, fighting in a relationship is normal. Right?" I ask and look up at Loughton. He walks to the side of the room and sits on the corner of his desk, folding his arms across his chest.

"Of course, it is. It's perfectly healthy for partners to disagree and share opinions." He says before continuing the lecture. 10:45 rolls around and the class starts packing up and heading out.

"Hey Ness? Can you hang on a sec?" Loughton asks as I pack up to leave.

"Uh yeah, sure." I say just as the last student leaves. Loughton walks to his briefcase and pulls out a folder. "Glad to have you back." He says and takes a seat at his desk.

"Thanks" I mutter

"I asked you to hang back because I have some of your graded work as well as the notes that we covered."

"Oh, thank you" I say and reach out for them, but Loughton doesn't let go right away.

"I really am glad that you are okay" he says before releasing the papers. His eyes don't leave mine.

"Thanks, I have to get to my next class" I say as I back out of the classroom. Well that was weird. I get through my next class and head to the locker room. God it feels good to lace up these shoes. Shannon walks in and sees me siting on the locker room bench.

"Well look who decided to show up" She says and I shake my head and laugh. Despite everything that has happened in the last few months, Shannon will always be the norm. She treats me like I'm normal, like nothing has happened. And she sure as hell will not let me use my past as an excuse.

"I figured it was about time to get off my ass"

"Well it's good to have you back." Shannon says and I look down at my shoes and nod.