Luke’s POV
I couldn’t sleep at all.
I didn’t love Amber, nor did I want to spend the rest of my life with her but I’m the father of her child. Our child. I wasn’t going to abandon our child. These were the thoughts that were invading my mind as I sat in the lecture room, watching all the students spill in. Amber decided to stay at home instead of coming to today’s lecture and for that I was grateful; she would have thrown a fit if she saw me looking out for ‘her’. Calum walked in, glanced at my direction then decided to take a seat near the back.
Wise choice.
Moments later in walked Katarina.
I sat up in my seat and moved the notebook that I had left on the seat next to me, hoping that she would see it as an indication to sit next to me, however unlike Calum, she didn’t even glance my way.
I watched as she took a seat next to Calum.
What the fuck.
“Alright class, lips shut, ears open” Professor Young spoke as if he were taking to a bunch of pre-schoolers, “A few of you have approached me asking about an extension for the assignment that I have given you and after much thought, I have decided that I will grant you all a two-week extension” he continued before the whole class erupted into a wave of applause and whistles.
“Before you all start celebrating the elongation of your procrastination, I have a deal to offer you”
Almost immediately the class fell silent.
“The extension will only be approved to those students that submit another piece of work on the theme of their choice by this Friday. If you decide that you do not want to submit another piece, then you are expected to hand in the original assignment by its due date. You will need to discuss this with your partners” Professor Young explained, prompting everyone to discuss their decision with the person next to them.
I turned around to look and Katarina, who high-fived Calum.
Once again I was stuck.
“You can make your decision in your own time folks, I need to get back to my lecture now. Today we will be discussing “From Silent to Sound Cinema”” he continued.
I took that as my cue to zone out completely.
*******
“Luke and Katarina, may I speak to you?” Professor Young said, snapping me out of my daydream.
I noticed all the students shuffling out of the auditorium.
Class was over already?
Katarina walked towards Young’s podium.
“Is something the matter Professor?” she asked
I stood up from my seat and stood next to her and noticed her move away from me slightly.
“I know that you wanted to change partners for the original assignment Luke, but unfortunately I cannot allow it,” he said clearly
“Why not?” Katarina spoke up, surprising both Young and myself
“Chancellor Gallagher won’t allow it Kat” he responded
“I thought you were the professor, not him” she replied sharply
“I don’t appreciate your tone Miss Sierra. I am fully aware that I am the professor but the chancellor is my boss and I must obey him regardless of whether I agree with him or not”, Young replied sternly, crossing his arms across his chest.
Katarina closed her eyes and exhaled deeply “I apologize for my rudeness sir”
“Don’t let it happen again” he responded, “Luke do you have anything you’d like to discuss about this situation?” he said, turning his attention to me.
“No, it’s fine” I answered, trying to wrap up the conversation, thankfully it worked.
“Alright then, off you two go” Young replied before beginning to pack up all of his materials.
Katarina began to walk out of the lecture room and I followed her.
“Katarina can I talk to you please?” I asked once we were in the deserted hallway.
“Sure” she said softly
“Is everything okay between us?”
“Us?” she questioned, cocking an eyebrow “there is no ‘us’, Luke”
“That’s not what I meant Katarina. You seem very hesitant to work with me again, if you want another apology for what happened the other night, then you’ve got it – I am sorry Katarina, I truly am” I said in a single breath.
“I know your sorry Luke,” she said, looking down at the floor
“Then what’s with the cold shoulder?” I asked lifting her chin so that she would look at me
“That’s exactly it Luke” she said stepping away from me, “you have a pregnant fiancé who absolutely hates me, do you think being around each other is something that she wants? I know you don’t want drama in your life and neither do I”
“Fair point but there’s nothing that you and I can do to reverse Gallagher’s decision and Amber will just have to understand that, okay? We need to do this assignment, together. At the end of it, if you decide that you don’t want to speak to me ever again then I guess I’ll have to learn to accept that” I blurted out.
“Do you promise to keep it strictly professional Luke?” she asked
“Of course” I said, sounding mildly desperate.
“Fine” she said, sighing.
“So are you going to take up Young’s offer?” I asked
“I don’t mind either way. Do you want to take the extension?” she asked, looking at the floor again
“I think we are going to need it, don’t you?” I responded
“I guess so. What are you going to hand in this Friday then?” she probed
“Honestly? I have no idea,” I answered truthfully
“Well start thinking buddy, you only really have four days, including today to get everything done” she said with a small smile playing at her lips.
“I know, I know!” I responded, laughing.
“I have to head off now Luke, call me if you need any help okay?” she said
“Thanks, I will” I responded
Katarina turned around and walked down the hall and I couldn’t help but eye her up and down.
The next few weeks should be fun.
YOU ARE READING
Devotion {l.h.}
Romance“Listen here, b?!*#” he spat “I need to pass this assignment but I cannot stand you so this is how it’s going to go down. I’ll do my parts and you do yours. We keep the communication to an absolute minimum. I’ll stay out of your way and you’ll stay...
