Chapter five

   I glared at the clock in class. My math class never got out on time and my professor practically bored us to tears. The next classes professor cleared his throat in the door way. Finally! My professor looked up at the clock and apologized and dismissed us. I packed up my stuff and sent Teighlor a look of relief. Her face said the same thing. Neither of us were doing terrible in this class, since we had both taken it in highschool but it was still a requirement for us to take it.

    "So how was your morning class?" She was referring to the one that Mark was also taking. 

    "Surprisingly well. How about you?" She shrugged. 

    "Same as usual. You got in late last night how was your little impromptu date with Aiden?" I blushed. 

    "It went well. We watched some god awful horror movie. We talked through most of it." She smiled at me.

    "Good I'm glad, you deserve a little fun. You're seeing him again tonight right?" I nodded.

    "Yeah he said he'd be at the dorm about ten minuets before Amber kicks us out for a few hours." I said laughing.

    "Good. What did you guys talk about?" I knew she had my best interest at heart, but sometimes I thought she was too nosey.

    "Just like general stuff. Things we did and didn't like. We've got some stuff in common. He's never heard of half the music I like but honestly that doesn't surprise me." Teighlor nodded. Even she didn't know half the bands I liked.

    "Good it sounds like you guys get along well." I nodded. I thought back to last night. He really made me laugh a lot last night and he was really fun to be around.

    "We do but a part of me wonders what I'm gonna do if he ends up being one of my professors next semester." Teighlor stopped walking and I did too. 

    "Wait what?" I had forgotten to tell her. "He's a professor?" I nodded.

    "Yeah he told me next semester would be his first semester teaching." I thought back to our conversation last night. 

    "Uhm hot." Teighlor said continuing to walk. I rolled me eyes. 

    "But if we become a thing I just think it would be weird if I'm in his class. He won't tell me which one is his either. I don't wanna be accused of getting good grades because I'm dating my professor you know?"

    "I understand but Letty just talk to him about it. Besides this next semester starts mine and Sams last year. I want to make sure you and Amber will be alright. I had forgotten about that.

    "I know. I feel safe with him, I know it sounds dumb but he just makes me feel that way." My best friend smiled. 

    "Good. Now double time girly we gotta help Amber and Sam." She was right. Two hours to go until I saw Aiden again was all I could think though. I wasn't sure why I was so hung up on a guy I had just met. Maybe because I found him interesting? He was definitely different then the other guys I had dated. Much more attractive too. Perhaps that's why Mark had not seemed to like the fact Aiden had taken an interest in me.

    When we reached the dorm we all did our best to make it romantic. We moved some furniture into mine and Teighlors room other then the couch. I hung up my star string lights that lit up purple and plugged them in. I had bought those years ago I was just glad to see they still worked. Teighlor put candles pretty much wherever she could find space. Sam made a playlist of music for Amber to play during the whole thing that was full of different love songs. After a few minuets I inspected the room it was missing something. I dug through my closet until I finally found them. I had bought fake flowers and cut the stems off so that it was just the flower top for these glass vases I had in my room back before college. I strew them about carefully in the room and around the candles. When Amber came in she was speechless.

   "You guys you didn't have to go so hardcore all out." We all smiled at her. 

   "Nonsense this is for you and Tammy. We want it to be something you'll always remember" Teighlor said patting her back. Sam and I nodded.

    "Thanks for this guys you are literally the best friends a girl could ask for." Now the rest was up to Amber we all wished her luck and grabbed everything we needed for the next four hours before leaving. Sam and Teighlor were planning to go hang out at Sams sorority I felt bad for leaving them. Sam insisted it was fine since they would just be doing manicures, which they knew I really wasn't in to.

    "Letty." I smelled him at the same time I heard his voice as we walked out of our dorm. I turned and Aiden was there smiling. He was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans today but he still looked amazing in them. I looked at Teighlor and Sam as he approached us. They both seemed to be in shock. That's right this was the first time they had met him. 

    "Hey Aiden, did I keep you waiting?" I said apologetically looking at my watch. He shook his head.

    "No need to worry I just got here." I smiled at him forgetting for a second Sam and Teighlor were with me until I felt Sams boney finger poke me. 

    "Oh sorry Aiden these are my roommates and closest friends Teighlor and Samantha." He turned his gaze to them and gave them a small smile. I swore those two were about to faint.

    "Lovely to meet you. I appreciate you allowing me to borrow your dear friend for the evening." He was definitely a charmer. Teighlor seemed to come to her senses first.

    "Nice to meet you as well and it's no issue we really had no plans. Plus she doesn't get out much." I glared at Teighlor. Thanks sis, was all I could think. Aiden chuckled and turned his gaze back to me. 

    "Shall we go?" He asked looking me up and down. This was going to be a fun evening. I felt a blush creep to my face when his eyes locked  on to mine. Why was I blushing? Damn. I nodded realizing he was waiting for an answer. He looked behind me to a still speechless Sam and a practically drooling Teighlor. "It's been lovely meeting you lady's. I promise not to keep this one too late." He flashed a smile. Ugh.

   "You can keep her all night if you want." Teighlor said winking at me. I was going to get her good for that comment. Sam finally came back to reality.

   "Nice meeting you as well Aiden. Enjoy your evening together." She said practically dragging Teighlor away. Once they were out of ear shot I sighed and looked back at Aiden.

    "I'm sorry for my friends." He shook his head. 

   "No worries a lot of women get like that around me." I could see why. "Not you though, that's why I find you interesting." I looked at him. He was right I never had looked at him the way other girls did even though I found him just as attractive as other girls did.

    "That must get annoying." I said feeling bad for him. Guys must hate him.

    "It does but I've learned to ignore it. My brothers tease me about it." He said with a shrug. Brothers? I never asked him about his family. 

    "What are your brothers like?" I asked him as I started to walk to the coffee shop and he followed. 

   "Arrogant and vain. Especially my oldest brother Diedritch." That was an unusual name.

   "Oh. I'm sorry. They must not of been very kind to you." He looked at me confused.

    "They were. They just teased me like brothers do. They weren't mean to me though." He said with a shrug. " they may be arrogant and vain but they have a heart when it comes to some things. Well mostly those things consist of just family if i'm being honest."

   "Oh. I wouldn't know I don't have siblings." I was slightly thankful for that due to my abusive mother.

   "Well consider your self lucky. That just means you got to choose your siblings."He said tilting his head back in the direction we had came from. I nodded, he was right. 

    "Oh we're here." I said excitedly walking up to the door. It was unusually dark inside. There was a sign on the front door. They were closed for the evening. Crap. "Oh no." I said a little disheartened. This was the only coffee shop on campus. The next closest one you couldn't get to without driving or taking the bus. My car was a mess so I really didn't want him to see that.

    "That's unfortunate. Well what would you like to do instead." I shrugged.

    "I didn't have a back up plan, they're usually not closed. I guess we could go to the diner down the road they have pretty good food. The coffee is ok though." He laughed at that. 

    "Or I could cook for you. My apartments not far from here." I was speechless for a second. No that wasn't a good idea, I didn't trust myself. I shook my head.

    "I don't think that's a good idea." I said politely.

    "It's fine. When you're more comfortable I would enjoy cooking for you." I felt a blush creeping across my face. 

    "That would be lovely. In the meantime though let's go to the diner." He smiled and gestured for me to lead the way. 

   Once we reached the diner it was packed. We had to wait a while for a table but neither of us minded. A couple of girls were staring in fascination at him and glaring in hatred at me. Great. An older woman finally seated us at a booth and Aiden let me sit first before sitting across from me. I felt really anxious and felt like coming here was a bad idea now.

   "Let me see your hand." Aiden said looking concerned. Why did he want my hand? He wasn't going to hold it was he? I tried not to think about it and did as he asked. He flipped my palm upwards and started to message circles into it and my wrist. I started to feel better and less anxious.  "There you go that should help. Sorry you looked really nervous." I blushed.

    "Thanks. I have anxiety. I take medication for it but sometimes I get anxious still." I said with a shrug. He looked concerned.

   "It's because of the stares isn't it?" So he was aware of the looks we were getting. I nodded. I looked down and started to fidget with my shorts. "What do you want to eat I'll order for you if it helps any." I smiled at him and nodded. He must of had to deal with people with anxiety a lot if he knew how to handle it so well.

   "Thanks. I appreciate it. I usually just get their chicken fingers and fries with honey mustard and a lemonade." He smiled sweetly at me.

   "Sounds delicious I think I'll have the same." I looked him surprised.

   "There's a lot of good food here you don't have to get the same thing." He shook his head. 

    "Nonsense I want to know you better don't I? What better way then tasting foods you like." He said with a wink. This man was something else. I smiled at him. He made me feel better. 

    When a waitress finally approached us to take our order she practically ignored me and stayed fixated on Aiden. She twirled her hair around her finger when she started talking to him but he completely ignored her. She took the order and left the table while giving me a dirty look. Would it always be this way with him. That reminded me.

   "Can I ask you something?" I said looking up into his eyes. He smiled and my heart started to beat quickly.

   "Of course that's the whole point of going on dates isn't it?" I smirked. Smart ass.

   "Won't it be awkward for you if I'm in your class?" He tilted his head at me.

    "No, would it for you?" I nodded.

    "A bit yes, especially if we end up dating."

    "Letty if we end up becoming more than this and you are in my class I wouldn't stand for any rumors that I was taking it easy on you because of it. I would make you work harder because I would have higher standards of you." Great. A part of me was happy that he wouldn't take it easy on me but I wasn't sure how his answer made me feel.

    "So you would make the class harder for me?" He shook his head.

    "Not at all. I would want you to work harder so that you can pass. My class isn't known for being easy." Oh great. "I would help you study though. And guide you but I wouldn't give you special treatment. Well at least not with course work." He said winking. Holy shit it just got hot in here. I blushed.

    "I'd feel comfortable taking a different professors class." He looked crushed. It was the truth though. I didn't want to be put in that position.

   "Letty there isn't any other professor teaching my class." Shit. I looked down. I could have sworn he told me that but I wasn't completely sure.

   "Oh." I didn't know what to do. I liked Aiden a lot but I wasn't sure if I could date my professor. Why was I even contemplating dating someone right now? Mark and I had just broken up a month ago. I still wasn't ready.

   "We can move at your pace Letty. If you would rather stay like this til after you take my class that's fine. I would never do anything to harm you remember?" I remembered his words from the party.

   "I'm not sure yet." I said honestly.

   "Take all the time you need." Just then the waitress sat our food and drinks in front of us. We ate in silence for the most part but he smiled at me every time I looked at him. 

    "What?" I finally asked. He shook his head.

   "Nothing I just enjoy looking at you." I shook my head. 

   "Well look who it is babe. It's the looser who doesn't know how to get over you." A shrill voice said to my side. The girl I had seen lip locked with Mark stood there glaring at me. Fuck. She was gorgeous with naturally tan skin that looked like carmel and dirty blonde hair that had that cute type of messy style to it. Her eyes were almond shaped and hazel in color. She was way prettier than me.

   "Are you on a date?" Marks voice said behind me. Shit. Not good. I looked up at Aiden apologetically. He was looking at Mark confused. The girl looked at Aiden and smiled then sat down next to him. I could feel my world caving in around me. I started to shut down like I always did when he was around.

   "Oh my what do we have here. Now what's a handsome guy like you doing with that pathetic excuse of a woman." My heart sank. Aiden ignored her and kept his eyes on Mark for the most part, ocassionally looking at me. Mark slid into the booth next to me and I froze.

    "I asked you a question Letitia." He said picking at a strand of my hair. I looked at Aiden. I felt so pathetic now. I couldn't even speak without feeling like I was going to choke.

    "So what if she is?" Aiden said glaring at Mark. Mark looked at him. Was this a date? I wasn't really sure.

   "I don't think I asked you." Mark said grabbing a fry off my plate. I felt sick to my stomach having him so close to me. 

   "And I don't believe you were invited to intrude on our date. Now I will ask you politely to leave her alone or I will personally ensure you regret it." Aidens voice depend to a low growl. Mark looked at him unbothered by his threat. 

    "I don't recall seeing you around before. I don't know what you see in her but let me save you some time. She's pathetic and not worth the air she breaths. She's terrible in bed. She couldn't suck dick properly if she tried. She eats to much and her riding is sub par if you catch my drift." I felt tears threaten to fall down my face. I looked up at Aiden. He saw my face and looked  beyond pissed off now. He looked at Carmen and she looked startled by his face.

   "Move." He commanded. She scrambled out of the booth and before I knew it Aiden was looming over Mark. Mark stood up and the height difference almost made me laugh. Aiden was clearly over six feet and Mark was only five feet and seven inches tall. Aiden looked at me. Mark made an attempt to shove him but Aiden didn't budge. He looked down at Mark and contemplated what to do for a second.

   "Aiden please." I managed to whisper. His eyes softened when he looked at me. 

   "Aiden? What kind of gay ass name is that?" Mark said laughing. Aiden turned his gaze back to Mark. I'm sure if he could Aiden would of killed him with just a look alone right now. I grabbed my purse and began to slide out of the booth but Mark blocked me with his body. Fuck this was just getting worse.

   "If you're smart you will walk away now. I don't see why you insist on bothering her and making her feel down. If she was so terrible why would you bother? Or perhaps it's because she's a fucking angel and a piece of shit scum bag like you doesn't want to see her happy. She probably was the best you've ever had and you can't cope with the fact she is no longer available to you. Well let me tell you something I don't give a shit what you say about her. You clearly don't know shit about her and are so miserable in your own life you want to make her miserable. Now I suggest you and you're cheap smelling whore over there back the fuck off or I swear I will throw you through that window." Something in Aidens words made Mark move so I could get up.

   "Whatever. Enjoy my sloppy seconds dude call me when you're sick of her and maybe I'll take her off your hands. Let's go Carmen." Carmen shuffled past me and Aiden and out the door with Mark. I didn't realize until then that everyone in the diner was silent and watching us. Great. Aiden placed his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him. I felt a tear run down my face.

    "I'm sorry." I managed to say. I put money for the food and a tip on the table and quickly ran out of the diner leaving Aiden behind. Great I really was pathetic. I was halfway to my dorm when two arms wrapped around me and forced me to stop. No I had to keep moving or I was going to cry.

   "Letitia stop and look at me." Aidens voice sounded concerned.

   "No." I said defiantly. Mark would never let me be happy would he? Aiden spun me around and pulled me tightly against him. That was it I couldn't hold it in anymore. I started to sob into his chest.

   "It's alright. Come with me. You haven't eaten much and I don't want you to go to your dorm like this. I know you said you weren't comfortable with it but I swear I have no ill intentions and I want you away from the public right now." I nodded into his chest. I didn't care where he took me right now I just wanted to be far away from Mark where he couldn't hurt me. 

   I followed Aiden for about thirty minuets before he walked inside a building. I paid no attention to anything. I just looked at the floor and followed him. I needed to stay strong for just a little while longer. He called the elevator and let me walk in first. I said nothing the entire time. He held my hand and led me out of the elevator and down a hall to the door on the right. Odd there were only two doors on this floor. 

   Walking into Aidens apartment I realized why. It was huge. Bigger then my dorm room by a good bit. It was beautiful though. He definitely was a very clean and well organized man.

   "Sit down. I'll grab something quick." I just nodded and did as he asked. His couch was some type of grey cloth but it was super comfortable. 

   I tried to focus on something, anything, but I couldn't. What little willpower I had to hold myself together on the walk here disappeared and I began to cry. This was definitely a really bad day.

   I felt Aiden sit beside me and I wanted to turn away from him but he pulled me against him and held me while I cried. Why was he being so kind to me? He smoothed my hair down just like Teighlor did when I would cry to her and eventually the tears stopped. He continued to hold me though and I honestly didn't mind.

   "You need to eat something. It will make you feel better." I honestly felt sick to my stomach  but I didn't want to tell him that so I just shook my head. He tilted my head up to look at him. I must of looked terrible at this point. "Please." He said in a gentle voice. He pointed to the table. I looked over and saw some cheese, grapes and crackers. He probably knew how I felt. 

    "Aiden I'm not really hungry." I said looking down. He grabbed a handful of grapes.

   "Don't make me force feed you." He said handing me the grapes. No that definitely was not something I wanted. I forced myself to eat the grapes he handed me and soon I started to feel better to the point I actually ate more. 

   After eating some I yawned and Aiden pulled me against him so my head was on his chest. I was so comfortable like this even though I know I shouldn't be. I put my feet up on the couch and leaned into him. He was a damn good pillow at least. His scent made me feel so calm and relaxed that I eventually closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.