If it hadn't been unbecoming for a Vampire to skip, Nick was sure he would be virtually frolicking down the hallway. His still heart would have been beating like a rabbit's if he had been mortal. A torrent of emotions was tumbling through him. He was so excited to be among mortals again, teaching! It had been such a blow when he was forced to leave his job in the 1950's when he had been charged as being a communist. Now he was back again! But he couldn't help feeling scared. What if something went wrong? What if he couldn't teach anymore? What if someone recognized him? It had not been that long since Nick had lived in New York, it had been only 50 years ago, not all that long when you are immortal. Some of his younger mortal acquaintances could still be living. He usually waited at least a century before living in the same city twice but he knew Natalie wanted to become a part of the world again and he chose some place that he thought she would find exciting. He felt drawn to New York, like this was the pace he needed to be. And here I am...a teacher again! Nick smiled, it felt good to smile again.
Nick made his way through the hallways with ease. He had only been in this university a few times but his perfect memory meant that he could remember the way around without much difficulty. He quickly located the language arts building and stepped through the double doors.......right into another teacher who was hurrying through the doors.
Papers and various pens slid across the room and a very young and worried looking man nearly joined his papers on the floor.
"Oh my Gosh! I am so sorry. I wasn't even looking! Haste only leads to delays! I should have known that!" the young man mumbled hastily.
Nick smiled and remembering to use his French accent quickly added. "That's quite all right. Looks like something I might do myself."
"Hah! Too true friend, how oft do find men's faults within us." Then the young man extended his hand. "I'm Darius Hamlin, that is, English Professor Hamlin, blah blah, and so on. Youngest teacher at this school, well, second youngest I guess. You must be the new French Professor and I hear tell you are at least a month younger than me." Darius winked conspiratorially.
The vampire checked his watch…Just five minutes until my class starts!
Nick smiled again, if I am not careful that could become a habit, He accepted Darius's hand, "I look forward to running into you again, though perhaps, next time not so literally."
"Yes, yes! But first, If you wouldn't mind..." Darius gestured despondently at the mess of papers and supplies that covered the floor. "The students will be arriving soon and I still need to run out to my car. Can you help me get this stuff picked up right fast?"
"Certainly." Nick genuinely liked this young man. He stooped to help him collect his papers and warned himself not to let his guard down and become careless. Then his memory was drawn back to a time long ago......
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that Nick didn't see a pile of papers and pens by his feet and when he moved his feet slid out from under him and the ancient Vampire found himself in a very graceless sprawl on the ground.
If he had been capable of blushing, Nick was sure he would have been glowing, especially after he heard a burst of laughter from behind him.
"Aren't we a pair! Not an ounce of grace between us!" Nick glanced back at Darius and couldn't help but chuckle. Here they were, both sprawled out on the floor amongst a pile of loose papers, pens, and other assorted items.
"This was not exactly what I had planned for the first day at work. I will tell you that." Nick replied, again using his heavy French accent.
They both collapsed into laughter. It sure felt good to laugh again! I am glad I finally got rid of that troublesome suitcase of guilt!
Nick had clung to his pain for so long he had almost forgotten what it felt like to live. It did feel wonderful to laugh again and not feel guilty. It felt good to Feel again!
By the time Nick and Darius had collected their wits enough to stand again they were faced with at least two dozen students who had arrived for their night class and found two professors lying on the floor and laughing. Nick and Darius both resisted bursting into another fit of laughter after they saw the look on their faces. Nick rose first and dusted off his long black coat, then helped Darius gain his feet as well.
"Hey, Professor Hamlin, you all right?"
"Yes, yes. Just testing the uhh....new floor wax"
"Yes of course, the new floor wax..." Nick replied in a superior French accent, then he threw a wink at Darius, "It was nice making your acquaintance Professor Hamlin, I look forward to meeting you again soon." Then Nick gave a very regal bow, which Darius tried to return but of course failed.
"Come on, get onto your classes!"
"See you later, Darius."
With a swirl of his coat, Nick spun and disappeared down a hallway before Darius had a chance to mention that he didn't even know Nick's name.