WARNING: This is a student/teacher relationship.
"So, are you excited for the second semester?"
Eve caught one of the reddish-brown leaves falling from the tree. It was autumn, her favorite season. She played with it a bit, feeling its rough, dry exterior. After a second or so, she looked at the speaker. The girl had blonde locks, blue eyes and a perfect face; the type who boys go gaga over. Today, the girl wore a green shirt with a black jacket that only rich people could afford. Her skirt was a sea-green color that suited her top perfectly.
She gave a slow shake of her head. "I don't know," she mumbled.
"Oh, Eve, you're so bored all the time! I've never seen you hyped up or anything. You're always frowning, too. Like the world is so repulsive."
Eve flinched. She could honestly say she wasn't like that. Or was she? "All right, all right, sorry okay? Here, I'm smiling," she sort of gave a pained-looking smile. Natalia giggled. "I just slept late last night." Four in the morning, actually.
"Oh, so that's where you get the dark circles under your eyes. What were you doing last night?"
Eve wanted to say the truth to Natalia. But she didn't want her newly-found friend to know that she couldn't sleep over a guy. She was betting that she'll annoy her the whole month just to know who the hell it is. And besides, she's just not ready to tell her yet. Eve shook her head in denial, messing her ash-blonde, bob-cut hair. She averted her gray eyes and shrugged. "Nothing special, just some stuff, I guess." She let the beautiful leaf fly away.
"Oooh! What stuff?"
"Eve! Eve Summers!"
She turned and smiled gratefully. Luke!
"Natalia, I," she gestured toward Luke, "…have some work to do; stuff to draw for the newspaper, you know… the usual."
Natalia smiled. "Yeah, I'll see you at Biology class."
She had dropped her books. Biology class. Biology Class. Those words kept on circling in her head. Eve swallowed and swallowed yet that hard, solid thing in her throat wouldn't budge, and she couldn't talk. It felt like her throat had swollen so no sound came out. And it felt like time had stopped, the autumn leaves suspended in midair. Just the words 'Biology Class' made her feel light-headed, what about his name?
"Eve?" said Luke and Natalia together.
Eve blinked and nodded to answer them both. She reached for her dropped books but couldn't grip it properly. Her hands had become sweaty. Biology Class… That's in two hours… She walked so slowly that it took two minutes for her to reach Luke even though he was only a feet away.
"Eve? You look pale—Oh wait. You're always pale," said Luke jokingly.
She swallowed again and felt her throat loosen a little. "Yeah," she choked out.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked, worried this time.
And then he passed by. Right at that moment. His long, brown hair was tied to a pony tail, he wore a blue shirt and a black vest and tie, just like last semester. It fitted his torso perfectly; his black slacks the same. He passed by so quickly that it would only take an expert to see him pass by. Well, meaning a really obsessed girl who couldn't take her eyes off him.
"Eve…?"
"Luke," she breathed, "He's here…"
There had been rumors of Professor Jade Curtiss leaving the school. Rumors say that the administration no longer deemed him necessary and his service for one year already due.
Luke chuckled. "I know. Good for you, right?" Eve nodded. "Hey, no offense, but what do you see in him?"
"I told you, Luke, everything." She brushed her feet against the ground and amused herself with the fallen leaves scattered there.
Luke waited. She sighed and reflected. Sir Curtiss's tests were always hard. Eve would stay up late at night studying for his exams. When trying to impress the teacher you like, one must have excellent grades…
"Sir Cu—Um, let's not mention his name—He's so handsome, and his red eyes captivate me. His long hair is perfectly groomed every single day. He teaches with knowledge that is incomparable with anyone in this university. Yes, I know, his exams are long, hard and exhausting but you just have to put more effort in it."
"Yeah, you put all your heart into it because you want to impress him with your grades. But he's not getting impressed is he?"
Eve blushed and bit her lower lip. She whispered through gritted teeth, "You're just angry at him because he embarrassed you in front of Tear Grants," Luke scratched the back of his head uncomfortably.
"Okay, let's stop this, someone might hear…." He pleaded.
"LET me prove it to you, Luke. So you won't have to ask this again. He's really patient with you. You deserve a conduct of F, because you're always talking and playing your… um, device! But, he gave you a B minus!"
"Okay! Okay! I get it!" Luke shifted his books to his other hand. Brrng!!! "See just in time, let's go to class."
"No, wait, Luke," Eve said.
Luke tilted his head. His short, red hair was spiky as usual; he wore a black and white jacket and underneath it was a white t-shirt. His black jeans were worn out as it was his favorite. His body bag was those army prints that he loved since high school.
"You know, I never told anyone this secret. I couldn't take it anymore so… thanks. I would have burst if I didn't tell you. I just wanted you to know that I trust you."
Luke grinned, "Hey, same with me. I told you about Tear right? So, I trust you too."
Eve smiled and swung her arm over his and led him to class.
---
Philosophy was a drag. The room was so hot because Mr. –uh I don't know his name—was always closing the windows. The air-conditioning isn't turned on. He says fresh air is better, but really, where will the 'fresh air' come from when he's always closing the windows? Although the weather's finally getting colder, it's still like a sauna in his classroom. It really does want to make you pass out.
"Miss Summers, I would certainly love for you to listen to my class sometimes."
Eve raised her head groggily and a blackboard eraser landed straight on her face then fell on her lap. Her black shirt and jeans were now a white mess. Some of the chalk even went inside her mouth!
"Sir—um—who..?" Crap, I don't know his name…!
"Professor Largo Lione, Miss Summers. We've been having this class for what—SIX months now and you still don't know my name?"
Laughter was heard all over the room.
Eve forced herself to keep it light, "Well Sir," she said through gritted teeth and grinned, "You're so easily forgettable."
This time gasps were heard all over the room.
Mr. Lione turned into a different shade. A vein was popping on his forehead and, if looks could kill, she'd be dead by now.
"Um, I mean you are 'unforgettable' with your size and all." She smiled contemptuously. Okay, get ready to flunk this subject, Eve.
"Size?!" He boomed, "Size, Miss Summers?!"
Eve scoffed and stepped outside the room then stood right outside. Eve knew Largo loathed her; even though she was always sleeping in his class, she always had great grades. Well, it was because of Natalia's notes. She sighed and tried to pat off the chalk on her clothes.
She loved this time of the day; the morning sunlight was penetrating the transparent windows. Although, she liked the afternoon sunlight better; the orange warmth felt better than white one. This cheered her up just a little bit.
A man with a deep, handsome voice chuckled. "Trouble with Professor Lione's class?"
Eve stopped what she was doing immediately. She raised her head in slow motion, and in each deliberate motion her eyes were widening in shock; her gray eyes meeting his red ones. His pale skin was more evident because of the black vest he wore on his shirt.
"Er… um, yes. Sort of. I always sleep in his classes," she laughed nervously, "Um, I mean..!"
Jade Curtiss smirked and raised his hand to stop her, "You don't sleep on my class."
Eve blinked and rubbed the nape of her neck. "Um… yeah, I d-don't," she bit her lip, "So… Sir, how are you doing? You… have a class… now?" Holy crap! What am I saying?! Damn, way to go to kill the conversation, Eve!
Jade checked his watch. "Come to think of it, I do, in ten minutes actually." He placed his hands in his pockets, "Well then, I'll see you around, Miss Summers."
He turned his back on her and started to walk. His parting stance seemed to crush her discomfiture. "Professor Curtiss?"
"Yes?" His raised his eyebrows; red eyes unreadable. His eyes were so penetrating that Eve blushed furiously. She studied every inch of his face and it was so perfect. His glasses made him look so handsome already; if he took it off, it would certainly be breath-taking.
She pushed her hair back against her ear and shifted her eyes rapidly, "I like your shirt," she paused, her heart pounding inside her chest. Cold sweat trickled down her spine, and her palms were wet. Her breathing was abnormally fast and she looked pale and flushed the same time. She faced him and smiled the type when you realize that the most important things were just around you, then half-whispered, "Just like everyday."
The sunlight caught his hair and it shone like gold. She wanted to run her hand on his hair, then across the side of his face. His eyes would be closed then it would gradually open as her hand would stop the contact. Her breath was hitched as she thought of that imagination.
Jade walked back to her; his soft, careful footsteps echoing throughout the empty hall. He pulled her close by the shoulder and whispered to her ear, "Thank you, Eve."
And then he walked away, smiling.
A/N: Please review and tell me your thoughts about it. Thank you!