Andrea“What’s happening?” I say the same time with Nicole. There’s a crowd in front of the academic building. It’s packed. I can’t even push my way through.Nicole tries to peer up by jumping but the students in front of us are taller than us. We just stand there as we wait for someone to fill us in. There are adults on the second-floor balcony. One of them is holding a megaphone. I recognize her from the school board.“Attention!!!” She screams into the cone and everyone goes silent. It’s like you could hear a pin drop and it’s broad daylight. “Would someone like to volunteer for the rest of you and state why you’ve decided to cause commotion this fine morning?” She asks. The people in front of Nicole and me just turn to each other. Left and right.No one wants to man up and say what they want. Which brings me back to the question. What the hell is going on? Who even started this?A blonde guy steps up. I can see his head well above the others. He must be on one of the platforms.
Andrea Not only did he show up at school, but he had me cornered in the secondary hall right next to the business principles block. “Hey, little birdie.” He taunts. He doesn’t look like someone who’s been bothered by rumors. All I can see in his eyes is playfulness and lust. He’s too relaxed for someone who’s an alleged murderer. I look both ways before focusing on him. If someone sees us, I’m fucked. “What do you want?” I hiss. “I’ve missed you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you after that night.” My mouth waters, and I swallow hard, avoiding his piercing brown eyes. Is this right? He’s my professor and a rumored killer but why is my heart beating so fast? Christian’s hands reach for my chin, and he tilts my face so that my eyes meet his. The playfulness is gone, replaced now with darkness. What made him change in less than a second? For some weird reason, I’m not intimidated by the turn of his moods. I feel safe. He did say he’d protect me, but I feel his promise this ve
There's a pregnant pause, a void waiting to be filled with his response. But instead of an answer, Christian diverts the conversation like the professor he is. I like that he doesn't try to gaslight me into starting another conversation but tells me he just can't spill his secrets, yet."That's a chapter I'd rather not revisit," he deflects gently, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance. "There are things in life that haunt us, things best left buried in the past."His evasion is evident, leaving an unspoken ache in the room, a void where answers should have been. Yet, despite the unaddressed question, there's a silent understanding between us—a mutual recognition that some topics are too raw to be probed further.I respect his evasion, sensing the boundaries he's drawn around that particular part of his history. There's a tacit agreement to let sleeping dogs lie, a quiet acknowledgment that some stories aren't ready to be told.The atmosphere shifts, the unspoken question still ling
Flashback (Five years ago) The blond beauty looked in the mirror one more, smacking her blood-red lipstick. The night was young and she was ready to make the most of it. Her boyfriend, who was not her boyfriend was waiting for her in their agreed restaurant already. Such a gentleman. He was punctual!He was the textbook definition of a perfect boyfriend but the man didn’t want to accept her feelings. He treated her like a princess. Lavished money on her. Took her to places that an average person can’t dream of accessing in their lifetime and he fucked her the way she’d never been fucked before.How couldn’t she fall in love? She’s confessed many times to Christian Lambert that she loved him and wanted them to be together but Christian kept turning her down. No matter, she hoped her plan was going to work tonight. She’d already started spreading rumors that Christian was her boyfriend. It was the only way to pressure him to accept her as his girlfriend, and possibly, future wife.Sh
Andrea(Five years later)Clubbing is definitely not my scene. I’m standing in one corner, eyeing the many bodies gyrating on the dance floor. Nicole thought it was a good idea to drag me here for my twentieth birthday. Don’t get me wrong though. I love a good party. I just don’t like being in clubs where everyone is packed like sardines. Sweaty and slimy.My said best friend emerges from thin air as I think about her.“What are you doing all there by yourself? It’s your birthday!” Nicole takes my arm and pulls me from the corner that has been protecting me from all the gyrating strangers for the past thirty minutes.I reluctantly allow her to pull me to an opening on the dance floor that has a few people. The DJ changes the music to something more electronic and I begin to feel the sound waves encourage my wild side. In no time, I’m dancing with Nicole. Twisting my waist, shaking my hair, running my hands through exposed parts of my body. I’m in a leather mini-skirt that stops half
Andrea“Drea, come on,” Killian, my ex-boyfriend is stalking me to my first-morning class. I sip the bottle of coffee I’d brewed in my apartment complex’s common kitchen. I wasn’t expecting Killian at the front door when I stepped out but worst things could have happened.I ignore my dusty blond ex and add speed to my steps. Partly to get away from him and partly to arrive at class in time. I heard there was going to be a new professor taking over Professor Alec in our international film studies.“Andrea, you can’t just break up over text and think I’d accept it,” Killian splutters.It’s been over a month or two since I ended things with him. It’s the first time I’ve broken up with someone and they protest.I should feel special. Like a girl who’s on top of the world after catching her crush’s attention. But Killian is not my crush. I’m not sure I loved him while we dated. I know I liked him and was attracted to him but they’re two different things. I exasperate a sigh at his comment
AndreaThe images keep replaying as the man speaks. Distracted, I take the chance to admire his features. Angular jawline, hollow cheeks like a model's, perfectly carved eyebrows, and the straightest nose a man could bear. And his lips. Did I really have the privilege to kiss them?Something flutters in my stomach as I recall the roughness he kissed me with. It was hot and right now, I’m hot. My breathing becomes harder and I clutch the desk-top in front of me to calm myself down.Professor Christian Lambert is still speaking so I do my best to pay attention.”You can call me Professor Lambert and I’ll be taking you all on international studies from now,” the girls giggle and the boys go “Ahh.” We’re all excited. I’m not.I don’t know much about campus rules but I think fraternizing with a lecturer or a professor is not advised. Right?I can only hope he doesn’t remember who I am. He disappeared after giving me one of my best pleasures and it’s already been two weeks. There’s no way h
I’m furious at Killian. What the heck? I should be grateful it wasn’t the professor but what if I’d spilled everything out thinking it was him? What if I’d addressed him by his name and Killian got the whole story?Bile rises in my throat and I force it now. Not today.I give Killian the glare of a lifetime, hoping he gets my message. Leave me alone. I place my free hand on his chest and push him away from me.“Quit it, Killian. It’s getting creepy.” I suspiciously eye him one more time, quickly turn on my heels and make it to my next class. “Andrea!” He shouts behind me and I hasten my footsteps. Has Killian been a stalker this whole time and I didn’t realize? Oh my gosh. I have to tell Nicole when I see her. Goosebumps rise on my skin as I think about all the times I’d felt someone behind me but turned back and saw no one. Honestly, what the heck?The professor for my following lecture arrived ten minutes after I got to the class. And so, that’s how my day went. From one class to
There's a pregnant pause, a void waiting to be filled with his response. But instead of an answer, Christian diverts the conversation like the professor he is. I like that he doesn't try to gaslight me into starting another conversation but tells me he just can't spill his secrets, yet."That's a chapter I'd rather not revisit," he deflects gently, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance. "There are things in life that haunt us, things best left buried in the past."His evasion is evident, leaving an unspoken ache in the room, a void where answers should have been. Yet, despite the unaddressed question, there's a silent understanding between us—a mutual recognition that some topics are too raw to be probed further.I respect his evasion, sensing the boundaries he's drawn around that particular part of his history. There's a tacit agreement to let sleeping dogs lie, a quiet acknowledgment that some stories aren't ready to be told.The atmosphere shifts, the unspoken question still ling
Andrea Not only did he show up at school, but he had me cornered in the secondary hall right next to the business principles block. “Hey, little birdie.” He taunts. He doesn’t look like someone who’s been bothered by rumors. All I can see in his eyes is playfulness and lust. He’s too relaxed for someone who’s an alleged murderer. I look both ways before focusing on him. If someone sees us, I’m fucked. “What do you want?” I hiss. “I’ve missed you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you after that night.” My mouth waters, and I swallow hard, avoiding his piercing brown eyes. Is this right? He’s my professor and a rumored killer but why is my heart beating so fast? Christian’s hands reach for my chin, and he tilts my face so that my eyes meet his. The playfulness is gone, replaced now with darkness. What made him change in less than a second? For some weird reason, I’m not intimidated by the turn of his moods. I feel safe. He did say he’d protect me, but I feel his promise this ve
Andrea“What’s happening?” I say the same time with Nicole. There’s a crowd in front of the academic building. It’s packed. I can’t even push my way through.Nicole tries to peer up by jumping but the students in front of us are taller than us. We just stand there as we wait for someone to fill us in. There are adults on the second-floor balcony. One of them is holding a megaphone. I recognize her from the school board.“Attention!!!” She screams into the cone and everyone goes silent. It’s like you could hear a pin drop and it’s broad daylight. “Would someone like to volunteer for the rest of you and state why you’ve decided to cause commotion this fine morning?” She asks. The people in front of Nicole and me just turn to each other. Left and right.No one wants to man up and say what they want. Which brings me back to the question. What the hell is going on? Who even started this?A blonde guy steps up. I can see his head well above the others. He must be on one of the platforms.
AndreaIs she being serious? I thought as his cousin, she’d have more accurate information but all Nicole had supplied in the past hour was just the same as the rumors. What then is the truth?If he really killed the woman, he shouldn’t be anywhere near students. Near me. I feel my body shake again. It’s been doing that since I read the article on that guy’s phone.I can’t help but think I’d have been his next victim the night I saw him. What if he’d taken me somewhere else under the guise of wanting to make out?Oh, man.“I didn’t think it was necessary to bring it up because I believe he wouldn’t do such a thing. He’s such a gentleman. Christian would never hurt a fly,” Nicole tries to reassure me but it’s not enough.I have to know if there was anyone else there at the time of the crime. “It’s not enough, Nics. It’s not. He could have done it.”Nicole’s head shakes violently as she dispels my words. “No. He’d never do it. Take my word for it.”A tired sigh escapes me. I don’t kno
Christian I knew this was going to happen sooner. It just had to, with the way the students have been gawking at me since I arrived at this establishment.The school board won’t take it up. I’m too important for them to and the court denied all charges against me. I did not kill her. That night was traumatic but I know I didn’t kill her. Whatever she took. Whatever she was high from that night...I close my eyes and bend my head low as my therapist had instructed me to when my chest gets tight and I find breathing difficult.As soon as the panic subsides, I lift my head and scrub my face with my hands. I’ll have to be in my office until I’m sure the whole of this floor has been cleared.I wasn’t even meant to come into school today but I just wanted to get a glimpse of her. Sweet, sweet Andrea. The way she’d looked at me in the hallway sent chills down my spine.It was going to be hard to convince her I’m not a murderer. Nicole could help but I don’t want to ask her for anything. I’
AndreaThe class I’m currently sat for is such a boring one. The lecturer’s voice is like background noise I’ve muffled with the aid of pillows.I’m not with pillows in the class but my thoughts are loud enough to cover it. Nicole doesn’t have this class with me so I’m alone.I think back to our conversation nights ago. It hasn’t been that long. It’s still fresh in my mind. My thoughts are also filled with earlier moments of that night, when the professor had kissed me.No, Christian. I wonder what he’s up to now. I’ve not had any of classes since the first day I saw him. We have his classes only once a week so I have to wait till next week to see him again. I cannot go look for him in his office or after school hours. I suppose he wouldn’t do the same because he knows what risks are involved if he does.The lecturer continues to drone on about women scholars who were philosophers in ancient Greece. The dude next to me taps the girl in front of him.“Hey, seen this?” He shoves his pho
Andrea “Well?” I asked Nicole when I got back to our apartment. I told Christian to drop me off at my parent's home because I needed to get something from my mom. She was surprised to find me home, especially that late but she was happy to see me. Dad was not back from work so I missed him. Or is it the other way around?It doesn’t matter. Anyway, I had to take a taxi back to my apartment. I didn’t expect to find Nicole already waiting for me. She dropped her phone when I entered the room so I guess she’s ready to spill the beans. She rubbed her palms on her pajamas. I could tell she was nervous but what was she nervous about? I just want to know how she and Christian are related. That’s all. “Okay, don’t be mad.” She started. Why did she start with that? It’s a universal fact that when someone starts with don’t be mad, the other party who is listening would most definitely be mad. It means you’re going to say something that will make the person mad and therefore, make them ant
We go to his car which I am still surprised to find out is actually HIS. I didn’t know professors could be loaded. Back at the club, I thought he was a CEO but to find out he’s actually a professor is even, dare I say, hotter?I’ve always liked people who are smart. When I climb inside, it smells like new leather. The seat is soft and cozy. A sudden urge to not leave the car, ever, possesses me but I keep it down.The professor joins me later, dropping my meal into my lap. I want to ask him how he knows my name but my brain has a little talk with me.It tells me that he’s my professor so it’s expected. That explanation doesn’t sit right with me though so I abandon my brain and let my mouth take charge.“How do you know my name?” I ask, averting my eyes from his veiny hands. I swallow hard when I remember the way he’d fingered me back at the club, during my birthday. It was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced.“Your little friend told me that night.” At the mention of my best friend,
I’m furious at Killian. What the heck? I should be grateful it wasn’t the professor but what if I’d spilled everything out thinking it was him? What if I’d addressed him by his name and Killian got the whole story?Bile rises in my throat and I force it now. Not today.I give Killian the glare of a lifetime, hoping he gets my message. Leave me alone. I place my free hand on his chest and push him away from me.“Quit it, Killian. It’s getting creepy.” I suspiciously eye him one more time, quickly turn on my heels and make it to my next class. “Andrea!” He shouts behind me and I hasten my footsteps. Has Killian been a stalker this whole time and I didn’t realize? Oh my gosh. I have to tell Nicole when I see her. Goosebumps rise on my skin as I think about all the times I’d felt someone behind me but turned back and saw no one. Honestly, what the heck?The professor for my following lecture arrived ten minutes after I got to the class. And so, that’s how my day went. From one class to