With classes cancelled for the last day and no more surprise encounters from his new blonde roommate, Ciel took the opportunity to finally finish notes, Elizabeth had stopped in with an offer for lunch. Already finishing the rest of his unpacking and homework notes for mechanics, Ciel decided to go .The sky was bright outside with no forecast of rain or snow and the sun seemed to be shining even brighter than it had been mere moments ago. The sunlight appeared to glow in his cousin's hair, her usual ringlet curls sparkling like strands of silken gold from the light. The sparkle in her gentle eyes increased as a laugh fell her lips, telling the boy a story while they walked past a few other dorms on their way to the cafeteria.
"Oh mother was so angry with me after that! She just didn't understand! But how could I tell her?" Elizabeth started giggling as they finally reached the main building. Up each sterling white step they went and in through the grand open doors. Stopping at the entrance, Ciel glanced back up at the cerulean sky. He sighed quietly before smiling just the slightest. Seeing his cousin closer to her normal self was a huge relief. After that horrible incident the other night,he was afraid of how it would affect her but it seemed Elizabeth wasn't the same weak little girl he knew as a child. 'Lizzie…. just don't push yourself…'
Elizabeth's group of friends greeted them with enthusiasm as they arrived. The conversations were much lighter then last night and full a newly found cheerfulness Ciel could see himself easily getting used to.
"Honestly I still can't believe they moved you in with that brat, Ciel. I would so complain if I were you. Talk about corporal punishment." Anna snobbily said while mixing her salad.
'No need to be negative Ann...I mean he isn't exactly my cup of tea but I'm sure you can make it work!" Said Elizabeth with a way to optimistic smile.
Anna sighed, her coral-colored eyes rolling back in her head. "You English people are way too naive, you know. Did you forget what he did to Leo in the fall at the homecoming game? Leo had that huge bruise on his face yet administration didn't bat a single eyelash. The little sadist is bad news."
A childish pout formed on Elizabeth's lips but she didn't press the matter farther. Ciel felt a deep sinking feeling as he gradually zoned out of the schoolgirls' conversation. This hole of a situation kept growing bigger and bigger. He thought of trying to switch rooms, but who knew how long that could take? The bump from Alois' attack still resided discreetly under his dark hair from the first day but he couldn't help but think how the attacks would grow worse if he stayed in that room. Ciel stared down quietly at the table, leaving the remainder of his lunch untouched.
"Oh look who's here! It's unusual to see him here now isn't it…" Ember murmured as the rest of the girls' gaze flickered over to the entrance of the cafe. The man who caught their attention had hair the same color as crow's feathers and a unique skin tone that looked as pale as death itself.
"Professor Michaelis….. Oh what I would do to get a chance with him…" Rebecca sighed as she folded her hands her chin.
"Becca! D-Don't say things like that!" With a somewhat flustered look, Elizabeth exclaimed. Laughter circled around the table as Anna playfully waved at the blonde's bright scarlet face. Ember held out her hand to silence the giggling girls as the man approached the lunch table.
"Excuse me ladies, but I would like to borrow Mr. Phantomhive for a moment if you would allow." Professor Michaelis said with a fluidity that made it obvious why the girls seemed to melt when he was around.
Ciel looked up in surprise, his gaze instantly locked with his professor's ruby like eyes. A feeling like lightening jolted through him as his heart started racing like a horse in a derby match. Realizing he had just been staring at him again, he shakily forced his legs to cooperate and stood up from the table.
"If you would please follow me." With a swish of his black coat, the professor led Ciel out of the cafeteria. He could feel his cousin and her friends' gaze trail after him as they left. The long, otherwise empty corridors stretched out between them in beautifully aged wood and portraits. Stopping in front of a classroom by a staircase, the dark haired man stood by the door and beckoned the short boy in first. Feeling his cheeks flush slightly, Ciel headed inside. He gasped softly as he took in the room around him. The room held a surprising light atmosphere with fresh potted flowers seated snuggly underneath the windows. The side adjacent to the door was complete bookshelves with what had to be a few hundred books. Instantly, he gravitated towards the line of books like a child at a candy store. An amused smirk was painted on the professor's marble smooth lips as he watched the boy.
"I tend to keep extra copies of the books we read in class and references in the case the library's copies are maxed. Perhaps I go a bit over at times." He chuckled lightly. " Feel free to borrow any if you ever desire."
Ciel ran his fingertips along the spine of an age worn novel, his professor's voice the only thing keeping him from completely zoning out around the sea of books. Suddenly he felt something lean close to him.
"King Arthur, huh? My daughter has always been a fan of that one." The man murmured with a nostalgic tone while reading over his shoulder.
The flushed burned his way across his face again as he pulled back and motioned towards the rows of desk. "I meant to give you your textbook for this course yesterday when I ran into you, but you seemed awfully busy at the moment. In addition, most homework is assigned on an online program and I would like the opportunity to sign you up if you can offer me some of your time."
Ciel nodded and tore himself away from the books. He sat down silently at the seat in front of Professor Michaelis's desk. His sapphire eyes traveled over to a picture setting on his desk of three very fluffy cats.
"Lovely little creatures, aren't they? My daughters can be such a hand full but I can't imagine life without them" The man sighed happily while turning on his laptop.
'So he reads to his cats….' Ciel silently thought, almost skeptically. 'Well….. Maybe Mr. perfect isn't all that perfect….' After filling out the online form, his professor handed him a textbook and a shakespearean novel. "If you could read a few pages of that later on I would very much appreciate that." Ciel nodded and held the books securely against his chest. He walked him to the door and the boy couldn't shake off his tantalizing gaze. A cold to the touch chill ran down his spine as a hand was suddenly on his shoulder. Turning slightly, his professor brushed a loose strand of his dark grey hair out of his eyes and behind his ear.
"Please enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Phantomhive." The same smirk as early played on his lips as he turned silently and disappeared down the staircase, leaving Ciel with widen eyes and a thundering heartbeat.
