Fern's Firsts
theme 119-college
theme 201-lust
theme from darkangelsnapelover's infinite theme list challenge. pm her if you're interested and she'll doc-x you the list.
-warning, rated m for a reson. sexual content in later chapters. don't like, don't read.
Chapter 1: Fern's First Kiss
Fern chose to attend Elwood City University as her college choice. Most of her classmates chose to leave home, but Fern liked Elwood City. She lived with her mother. Fern didn't know anyone in her classes because everyone had moved away.
Fern struggled because of this. She felt alone. She didn't know how to study for college either. She was failing algebra and biology. She was barely passing her English class. Fern was worried and didn't know who to turn to. She asked her advisor if there were tutors available. Her advisor was a bad one and told her wrong, that there were no tutors. This worried Fern more, but she decided to ask her English teacher for help.
"Professor Martin, do you have a minute?" Fern asked. Professor Martin finished erasing the board and turned to look at Fern. He smiled and nodded kindly. "I'm having trouble in some of my classes, including yours, and I was wondering what kind of tutoring is available."
"Every department has a tutoring lab in Carmichael Hall by the library," Professor Martin replied, "You just walk in and they'll help you. But you seem like a smart girl. I think I can tutor you myself for English. Are you okay with that?" he asked. Fern nodded firmly. They agreed to meet at 4 that afternoon.
Fern went to his office at 3:50. He had bought her a coffee. She didn't drink coffee but she thanked him anyway. He redid his thesis statement lecture. Fern took impressive notes. He eyed them carefully with a seductive smile. Fern didn't notice. She was just there to learn.
At 4:30, Professor Martin took a phone call. Fern felt she'd had enough tutoring and went home. She opened her notebook to study and found a note from Professor Martin. He wanted to meet her again after their next class. Fern didn't know if she'd need his help. She decided to think about it.
The next day, she went to the tutoring labs. They weren't as helpful as Professor Martin but it was a start. She felt like she was learning better. She went to her English class and stayed afterwards to thank him for the advice.
"No problem, Fern, you're a very bright student," he smiled. "Will you come this afternoon?" he asked. "What will we discuss? I understand the thesis statement now," she said. He smiled, looking around to make sure they were alone, "What if I just wanted to see you? Would you have anything against that?"
Fern blushed. He was flirting with her. This wasn't the first time, but it was the first time Fern noticed. She stepped back. Professor Martin was handsome. She'd heard stories of girls doing things for better grades. She wanted better grades but not the other stuff.
"Fern, I just want to talk," Professor Martin sighed. "I get lonely here all day. My family lives down south. My wife left me last year. I have no friends on the faculty. I just want someone to talk to," he said. Fern nodded. She could talk to him if he was that lonely. She was lonely too.
That afternoon, she went to his office. This time he had hot tea. She liked it better. They talked about the news using the school paper as reference. He made jokes. Fern laughed. They had a nice time together. Fern left after an hour but promised to come back. He said he'd like that.
The next time they met, he had hot tea again and a newspaper. They talked about the issues, made jokes, and laughed. Fern felt comfortable with Professor Martin. She called him by his first name, John. He called her Fern instead of Miss Walters.
Towards the end of the meeting, he said he was hungry. He asked if she would join him for dinner. Fern told him she was making dinner for her mom that night. He nodded. He understood that was important to her.
"Um, I guess you could come over if you wanted to," Fern offered. "I'd love that," he replied. "Is 5:30 good?" he asked. Fern nodded. She left, not realizing what she'd done until that night after Professor Martin left. Her mother found Fern in her room doing biology homework.
"Fern, what's going on between you and that professor?" she asked. Fern shook her head, "Nothing. He was helping to tutor me. My grades aren't as good as they were in grade school. He's helping me improve them." "How? You're not doing anything with him, are you?" she asked.
"Mom, no!" Fern exclaimed. "I would never do that." "A lot of girls say that, Fern," her mother sighed, leaving the room.
Fern thought of Professor Martin, John. He was a handsome man. Fern enjoyed being around him. Girls her age dated guys who fit that criteria. It wasn't wrong for her to do the same if anything happened.
The next day, Professor Martin passed Fern in the courtyard and handed her a thank you note. It smelled like cologne. The scent made Fern blush. She kept it in her binder though and smelled it when she felt down. The smell made her feel better.
During their next meeting in his office, his hand brushed hers. She didn't pull away. He held her hand. She liked it. They went to a coffee shop off campus for a quick snack. They talked, they laughed, and before Fern went home, they kissed. And she liked it.