Somebody For Me

"Ms. Bailey, I trust that you will be better prepared for the oral exam than your peers," Professor Webber said as they walked out of the class. They were two of the last ones to exit. Miranda Bailey, a second-year college student and Dean's List frequenter, always stayed afterwards to help the older man straighten the classroom. And because of this, and the fact that she'd taken his class four times already, they'd become good friends, their relationship surpassing that of teacher and student.

"Yes, sir. I'll do you proud," she said with a wide smile. Miranda was barely five feet and literally had to look up her much taller professor. She flipped her braids behind her head and backed up a little, slinging her book bag wildly over her shoulder.

"Mandy, watch out," Webber said wincing.

"Oops," she said as her bag hit someone who groaned. "My fault."

"It's... okay," a deep voice said. Miranda turned around and looked into the face of one of her classmates. Warren. She knew him. They always butted heads in Webber's "Principles of Human Disease" class. He was standing just outside of the door, leaning against the wall, the halls empty.

Miranda apologized with a smile. "Sorry, Warren."

"Bailey, fancy being hit with your abnormally large bag after I disagreed with you on gene therapy treatment."

She rolled her eyes. "I wish I'd premeditated my attack. I probably would have aimed for your thick head."

"And with that," Webber said with a laugh. "I will see you both tomorrow." They said their goodbyes and watched him walk away.

After a second, Miranda gave a nod and turned to leave, going opposite of her favorite teacher. "Wait, B-Bailey."

"We're outside of the class, Mandy is fine," she said readjusting her glasses. "Or Miranda. That's my name." She added the last part quickly. Nearly everyone who knew her on the college campus called her "Mandy". Her family had given her the nickname and it had stuck with her all throughout high school and into college. She actually preferred Miranda. It seemed like a more professional name.

"Miranda. I like that," he said smiling.

Seeing him smile made her stomach flutter. It reminded her that she needed to eat. "I... have to go."

"Cool. Me, too. Can I walk with you?"

"Sure, which way are you going?" She asked as he jerked his head in the direction that Webber had gone.

"It is lunch time and I need to put some food in here," he told her grabbing his stomach.

"Me, too," she confessed. He put his hand up for a high-five and Miranda leaned back a little and really took him in. He was, if she had to guess, just at six feet. And he was really handsome. Their campus was loaded with fine, Black men, but he immediately went to the top of the list. Even past her ex-boyfriend, Tucker, who was one of the sexiest men she'd ever seen in her life. She slapped her hand against his.

"I am starving. I always forget to power up when I'm about to go head-to-head with you in Webber's class." He laughed and accidentally bumped her, knocking her off of the concrete path.

"Trying to pay me back?" She scowled.

"No. Of course not, Miranda," he responded.

"I'm kidding, Warren," Miranda reassured him with a wide grin.

"Ben."

"Been what?" She said confused.

"No, my name. It's Benjamin. I'm Ben."