There is nothing worse that being in a 3-person seminar. Hands down, that is the worst scheduling a university student could ever have. Especially when the seminar is taught by your idol. Seeing your inspiration shoot you disappointing glances between the slow, heavy, labored blinks of your puffy and unrested eyes while you (despite how it seems) try your absolute hardest to stay conscious during a 90-minute, 3-person seminar about the theoretical approaches to the studies of botany and biochemistry was heart-wrenching for Logan.

He had big dreams, dreams of becoming a doctor, but his dreams would be shot to shit if he wasn't serious about his academics. He normally was serious about his academics – incredibly serious, actually. He had a 3.89 GPA. But, again, his GPA would be shot to shit if he didn't snap out of snooze and pay attention to Dr. Knight's discussions. He tried to lift his head from his hands, but it was heavy. So heavy that, being too weak to keep it up, it dropped onto the table with a disruptive thud. His classmates shit him looks that said, "Get your shit together, Mitchell. We're embarrassed just being next to you." Logan closed his eyes, not because he was tired, but because he couldn't bear with the reactions he saw on the faces of the other four people in the room.

The second his lids closed, a timer went off from the TA's cell, indication that it was time for a 10-minute break before resuming class. The other two students and the TA sprung from the small round table and left the room, eager to get some air. Logan was left alone with Dr. Knight.

For a few seconds, there was a silence so awkward it was unbearable. Logan knew he should say something. Apologize, maybe, for basically falling asleep on her. He lifted his head and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Dr. Knight said

"So, Logan, how are you finding this class lately?" She didn't make eye contact and kept her gaze on the papers she was ruffling through in her navy binder.

Logan had never felt more intimidated. God, he thought, what the fuck does she want me to say to that? Should I go for the truth? Let her know how much I love her class? It might seem like I'm just kissing ass…though a little bit of that would certainly be in order after my magnificent class participation this last half hour. You know what, no. I'm going to be honest. Honesty's the best policy…right? Isn't that what they say?

"Great! Really very interesting, Doctor! I'm learning a lot, Doctor! It's really one of my favorite classes! No, no, my favorite class!" he replied, nervous stutters punctuation his speech. Christ, I'm such a dork for saying any of that.

"Really?" replied Knight, faking incredulity. "I wouldn't have assumed you felt that way after today's class."

His poor heart almost stopped beating at that remark. He wasn't surprised that she'd brought it up – he would have been more surprised if she hadn't mentioned at all – it was just that hearing the words out of her mouth was a lot tougher than he'd thought. He didn't like being a letdown. He scrambled to redeem himself:

"I'm so so sorry, Dr. Knight! I really do love your class, and I could kill myself for making you think otherwise! Oh God, I know it seems bad from where you're standing, and while I hate to make excuses for myself, I haven't slept well these past few days. Well really I haven't slept at all the past few days. I've just been really busy looking for a job so I can pay for next semester's books and what not and I really don't want yo –"

She put up a hand to shush him. "Jesus, Logan, you're racing."

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm just reall –"

"Right back to racing, sweetie." She giggled a bit.

Logan gulped, then caught his breath and organized his thoughts. He sheepishly raised his head and muttered, "I just don't want you to get the wrong impression of me as a student, Doctor."

She laughed at that, which made Logan basically shit his pants. OH GOD, SHE ALREADY HATES ME CHRIST SAVE ME WHAT WAS I THINKING IT'S LIKE I GO INTO AUTOMATIC KISS-ASS MODE AROUND TEACHERS WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.

Dr. Knight's next words brought Logan back from his nightmarish thoughts.

"I'm not mad at you, Mitchell. I know that you enjoy my classes, otherwise you wouldn't be one of my favorite students."

Now he thought she was just mocking him or trying to shut him up.

"One of your favorites out of three, huh?" He laughed breathily, flashing his smile in an attempt to ward off any disrespect that could have been detected in his response.

"Ha, ha, ha. No, out of all my students. I love your zeal for learning, Mitchell. It'll get you places, I can tell you that much."

Logan could have sworn he felt his jaw drop. One of her favorites…My idol, MY IDOL, has declared me one of her favorites. Holy shit.

"Wow, really? I mean, thank you, honestly, thanks so much. That means a lot."

"Aww, you're welcome, kiddo. Say, you still need a job?" She didn't wait for an answer from him. At this point she wasn't even looking at him. She was rummaging through her purse. "I have a pretty serious set up in my backyard; tons of exotic plants, all needing very specific care. Requires a real professional, you know, knowledgeable and comfortable with the plants. I think you meet those qualifications, Mitchell."

Logan wanted to pinch himself, but that would only be embarrassing when he realized she was serious. "Um…what? I mean, sorry, but, uh, excuse me?"

"You'd come over to my estate whenever you're free, though I'd require you put in at least an hour's of work every Saturday. I'd give you, what, $75 a week. More, if you put in a lot of extra time. How does that sound?"

He just stared. That was all he could do: stare. The renowned Dr. Knight was inviting him to her house to tend to her estate. And was willing to pay him $75 a week. This was incredible.

"Hello. Mitchell. What's your answer? Is it, uh, a yay or a nay?"

"YAY!" he took a second to compose himself, not wanting to scare her with him enthusiasm. He cleared his throat. "I mean, sorry, yes. Of course."

"Great!" She was beaming, which had Logan's cheeks blushing redder than a ripe tomato. "Can you start, let's see…can you start tomorrow? That's Wednesday."

"Tomorrow's great. Thanks you so much, Doctor!"

"No problem. Thanks for being available. You're doing me a real favor here, considering the shoddy job my son's been doing of taking care of my little babies."

A son…I didn't know she had a son.

"No worries, Doc. I'll take excellent care of them for you."

"I'm sure you will. Maybe you could even teach my son a thing or two!" She laughed, and Logan joined in.

"Yeah, definitely."