The Professor's Wife - a Benedict Cumberbatch fanfiction

#10 Just Tom

INT. LECTURE HALL - MORNING

After Tom finally finished with today's lesson for their Literature class, he talks a little about the personal tutor stuff.

TOM
(Clears throat)
Sooo... I'm assuming everyone has already gotten the email and figured out who your personal tutor is huh?
In the following months, each and everyone of you will have to meet up with your tutor for at least 3 times a week. The purpose for each meeting is to discuss about your dissertation and the progress of it. Please be reminded that you'll have to write a report about what you've discussed with your tutor after every session, just for record. Oh, and a moment of silence for those who got Dr Rachel as their tutor. She's really strict and let's be honest.... boring as well!

Class laughs.
He then continue reming the class of what to read before their next session.

KINGSLEY
(Sigh)
Well, wish me luck guys....

EMILY
Oh? You've got Dr Rachel???

CHARLES
(Teases him)
Oh-ho-ho! No fucking way? Are you being serious mate? But hey, on the bright side, she might be the first one to "pop-that-cherry"!

KINGSLEY
(Scoffs)
Will you shut up already, Westley.

TOM
Any questions? If there's no question then class dismissed! Have a good day everyone!

Charlotte and her friends are packing and about to leave when,

TOM
Miss Anderson, a word please.

Charlotte told her friends to leave without her.
They reminded her to give them a text when she reach home so that they can discuss about the group assignment that they have over Skype.

CHARLOTTE
(Nervous)
H-Hello Professor Hiddleston.

TOM
(Chuckles at the way she stutters with her words)
Hey, you don't have to be nervous you know? It's not like I'm going to swallow you alive.

CHARLOTTE
(Relieved)
Guess he's just like what everyone says, goofy and nice.
It's not you...um..I mean...
I guess I still feel new here around the Professors and all....

TOM
How adorable... and new here?
Did I hit the jackpot or what?
Oh then if you have any problem or question about the campus please do not hesistate to ask me about it.
You know what, I'm not supposed to do this but...

He pulls out a piece of paper from his notebook and quickly wrote down his number.

TOM
(Passes the paper to Charlotte)
...here's my number.
Just so you can text me regarding to either dissertation matter or anything at all.  Anything at all, really.
(Smiles)

CHARLOTTE
Now this is a gentleman... Why can't Benedict be this nice all the time?
Thank you Professor Hiddleston. It means a lot to me. But I still don't have anything in mind for my dissertation....

TOM
It's okay. It's just the first semester so don't worry about it. Just read around and see what you're interested in doing a research about. Don't stress about it, I'll guide you.
And um.. just Tom please, whenever we're alone. Professor Hiddleston sounds too formal for me. I understand that people have to address me that way when we're in class or surrounded by people. But I always prefer my friends to call me Tom.