Hello my beauties! It's me again. Surprise, here is chapter four! I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I got stuck at the end, not knowing how I should of ended this chapter, however I ended it like this ;) Like always, feel free to review my story. All reviews are welcomed; good or bad. Tell me what you liked, what you didn't like. Tell me what you would like to see in the future of this story. If you want to contact me for anything feel free to email me on here or on my tumblr (more preferably my tumblr however I will always respond). My tumblr is anybodihearme . No spaces, it is the same as my screen name on here. I will post updates of the story on my tumblr, as well as a copy of the chapter itself. Thank you guys for all of the kind and inspiring reviews I have received on here, as well as my tumblr. They make me extremely happy to know that you guys love this story and encourage me to continue writing it, and writing period. You guys inspire me. Thank you, until next time xoxo.
For the next two weeks Eddward finally felt content with being a professor. He had finally got over his nerves, and stopped sweating bullets every time he spoke through his microphone. He was thrilled with his students; especially their papers. He enjoyed reading them all, and appreciating their thoughts on certain subjects. He did his best to answer everyone's questions to the best of his ability when asked. He was doing a fantastic job if you asked him.
Fall has finally settled in on the campus. The temperature has dropped tremendously outside, and the days have grown shorter. Students no longer wore shorts and a t-shirt; they wore jeans and a sweater. Eddward was happy with the way it felt. It made him smile. The campus had a different feel to it now. The students were happier, they were excited. Excited for the first football game of the season, that so happened to be scheduled for this Friday. As Eddward had promised, he would be in attendance to the game even though he didn't want to. Even though he dreaded going, a little part of him wanted to go. To go and see the red head in action. He wanted to see Kevin.
Eddward sat at his desk reviewing some assignments. Writing little notes here and there on the papers; making corrections. Eddward had discovered that he lied to his students, telling them that he had only one peeve. He now discovered he had two. He couldn't understand how students in college forget to dot their "I's". It drove him insane. Mistaking the little line as a lower case "l" made him run up a wall. But he got over it.
Eddward was deep in thought reading a student's paper, when he was disrupted by a loud knock at his hall door. He looked up to be astonished that it was the coach. The coach waved at Eddward and entered the hall. Trotting down the stairs he looked around the room, astonished by the lovely decorations put up. It reminded him of High School.
"How do you do today Professor Vincent?" The coach asked him extending a hand for a shake.
"I am doing quite wonderful, Coach. How are you?" Eddward answered extending his hand returning the coach's shake. The coach leaned on Eddward's desk being quite careful not to disturb anything. He could see that Eddward was a neat freak, due to his neat and organized desk.
"I am quite well myself sir." The coach grinned and looked around the room. Awkward silence fell between the two. Eddward knew what the coach came for. He knew he would be blessed with a visit from him within the week, he just didn't expect it to be so soon. Eddward choose not to say anything though, he sat there quietly waiting for the coach to speak. While he waited he graded some more papers. He had nothing but all the time in the world. The coach fiddled with his fingers for what seemed like twenty minutes until he finally spoke up. "I think you and I know what I came for." The coach inquired.
"I do now?" Eddward asked, trying to play it off.
"You submitted your grades today, well progress reports. I know you did, the entire faculty had to by 9:00 this morning."
"I did. They were printed and sent out to the students, and to those who needed a copy of certain students' grades." Eddward answered matter of factly.
"I know I received all of my team's grades. All of them are doing quite well, except one." The coach said eyeing Eddward.
"Kevin Barr. He's the exception." Eddward said. Never looking away from his grading, he finally did to meet the coach's eye. The locked gazes for a minute until the coach cleared his throat and spoke up.
"He's failing, why?"
"Technically because his grades averaged out to a relatively low D. That's why he's failing." Eddward said.
"I know that." The coached growled at Eddward.
"Now, now, calm down." Eddward said, holding his hands up in front of him. "He is failing my class because I barely receive any work from him. He never participates in class, or in group projects. He comes in, he sits, he listens, and he leaves. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. I as a professor can only do so much. I can only grade a student based off of what I receive from them. So if I receive the bare minimum, I can only grade the bare minim." Eddward said back, not appreciating the coach's tone with him.
"I know that. Can't you do something about this?" The coach asked.
"If you're suggesting bending the rules so he can pass. No, I cannot." Eddward said. "If your player wishes to pass he needs to do some work. If he doesn't understand the material, that's one thing. I have office hours every day. Majority of the time I'm here." Eddward said.
"Exactly, I was hoping you would say that." The coach smiled. "I spoke with Kevin about this manner earlier in the day. I told him that the Education Hall has put him on probation because of his one D. I informed him that if he wants to play for the rest of the season, that this grade needs to go up, and stay up. I told him that he has mandatory tutoring after class today. I told him to speak to you on what he can do to bring his grade up, and the times you can tutor." The coach was happy now, playing with Eddward's ruler. How fascinating.
"That is fine with me, but he must be corporative. I will not do his work for him. He has to put in an effort to at least wanting to pass." Eddward said sighing.
"WONDERFUL!" The coach exclaimed, picking up the skinny male and hugging him. "You are a true life saver. I do trust he will past, especially with a genius professor as you." The coach put Eddward down and handed him his ruler. "Thank you." And with that the coach left the hall. Barely letting Eddward return a you're welcome.
Eddward sat at his desk. Slowly realizing what he just did. Now he would be forced to talk, interact, with Kevin. This time he can't simply run away like he did in the coffee shop. He can't go anywhere. He felt cornered. With today being Wednesday, Eddward had Kevin in his last class. He looked at the clock, 4:50 P.M. With only ten minutes to spare before his last class, Eddward ran and got him some more coffee. The whole time wondering what was in store for him. This is going to be a long evening.
As Eddward taught his last class for the day he couldn't avoid Kevin's eyes. Every time he spoke, he could feel Kevin's gaze on him. Watching his every movement. Every word he said was analyzed by Kevin's eyes. It seemed as if the class would never end. Eddward finally gave the students time to read their chapters he had assigned on Monday. Giving him time to think. He sat at his desk and unconsciously did some work, or attempted to. The hall was so quite. Eddward feared that all the students could be able to hear him breath. His ragged breaths sounding loud to him. Why must I be out of breath? Eddward wonder to himself. I don't know what has become over me these past few weeks. I must be going insane. This is not good. Not good at all. Eddward sat thinking to himself. He was lost deep in thought when he heard someone clearing their throat. Being pulled back into reality Eddward had noticed that the hall was completely empty, except for one student.
Kevin.
He stood in front of Eddward's desk staring at him. He had his hands in his back pocket, looking down at his shoes. He wore a simple black cardigan with some black pants. Breathe taking. All of the air in Eddward's lungs seemed to have dissipated all at once. He felt himself gasping for air. He was lost for words. This never happened to him. He didn't know what to do. Get yourself together Eddward. You're the professor, he needs your help. Not the other way around. Eddward cursed at himself. He simply smiled, trying to look human once more.
"Hello Mr. Barr." Smooth.
"Sup." Kevin said. Silence. Well that went well, now didn't it?
"How can I be of assistance to you this evening?" Eddward asked faking a smile. Kevin stared at Eddward for a moment. Cute, he's nervous. Kevin thought to himself. He's always been cute. Since grammar school. Shaking his head Kevin spoke.
"I need to pass this class. Coach told me to come talk to you, so here I am." Kevin said taking his hands out of his pockets and fanning at himself for dramatic effect.
"Then speak." Eddward inquired. Cocking his eyebrow.
"I need your help. I don't understand history, in fact I hate it. Why should I have to learn about some dead guys? So what their dead, they did some cool shit in the pass, and what. It's not interesting to me, I can't focus." Kevin spattered at Eddward. Eddward took it all in. Debating on how he should answer.
"It seems like you need a different approach to learning. A study was conducted some time back showing that the student's intake of information varies on the ways it is presented to them. Perhaps history may be boring to you, but what if you took a different approach in trying to learn it. It can be quite interesting once you really start understanding it." Eddward spoke.
"Then do that." Kevin said.
"It's not me that has to. It's you. I have no problem with giving you extra study lessons after class and helping you understand the information. It all depends on how dedicated you are to learning it." Eddward spoke. Kevin watched him with that grin of his. It made Eddward's heart flutter. "I don't want to waste my time on trying to help someone. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped."
"That's the way the saying goes. So help me, I want to be helped. I want to pass. I want to play football. We can start now if you're not busy. I don't have anything to do." Kevin said.
"That seems perfect. I am available every day after class. I will look at your class schedules and determine what times I would like you to stop by, is that okay?" Eddward asked.
"Whatever let's just start." Eddward directed Kevin over to the far side of the hall towards a table where they both can sit.
Kevin sat at the table waiting for Eddward to bring over some supplies. Kevin eyed Eddward. How the hell did this happen? How did he become a professor out of all people? I knew he was smart, but damn this smart. This some bullshit I swear. I wonder what college he went to. He must be lonely here; I can see it in his eyes. Kevin shook his head. I wish I could do something to help him. Eddward sat directly next to Kevin with what seemed like thousands of books next to him.
"Were going to start from the beginning, and work our way through it slowly." Eddward explained. "Please let me know if I could do anything to further help you." Eddward looked at Kevin, and their gazes locked. Kevin stared into Eddward's eye, refusing to let go. Is he okay? Kevin cleared his throat, and with a nod they began their studies.
"Wait, wait, wait! Slow down you're going to damn fast." Kevin roared. They were looking at a map of the world. They were both standing up hovering over the table. "So they crossed over the North Atlantic Ocean to get all the way here; America." Kevin directed with his finger.
"The new world, but essentially yes." Eddward smiled. Happy on how fast Kevin was catching on.
"They came here because they didn't like - they heard it was all good and what not. Then when they got here they felt stupid because there wasn't shit here." Kevin said bluntly.
"Well yes, in your terms that is what happened." Eddward said, shaking his head at Kevin's choice of words. Eddward reached forward to show Kevin the exact route they took when he suddenly lost his balance, falling forward. Eddward prepared himself for hitting the table when two pairs of arms reached out to stop him from falling.
Kevin reached out and grabbed Eddward, stopping his fall. Kevin held Eddward in a hugging embrace. His arms were around Eddward, one on the small of his back the other on his shoulder. Their faces were inches apart. Kevin had leaned forward so he could grab Eddward with more force, leaving no space between them. They were so close; air couldn't even pass through them. They both stopped breathing. It seemed like time had stopped, just for them, just for this moment. Kevin looked into Eddward's eyes, answering all of his questions with his eyes; bright green and dark green. Eddward blushed. All of his blood in his body rushing to his face. Unable to hide the blush Eddward was shocked, he couldn't move. His arms rested on Kevin's biceps; feeling every muscle that existed there. He liked the way they felt. He liked the way Kevin smelled. He wore light cologne. It was a nice smell, not to overpowering like some guys wear theirs.
"Are you okay?" Kevin asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you for catching me Mr. Barr. You can let me go now." Eddward said breathlessly. Kevin didn't quite want to let go of the smaller male. He liked the way were. It was as if Eddward was formed to fit into him. He let Eddward go, making sure he was stable on his feet.
"You can call me Kevin, you know. You act as if you don't know me. We did grow up in the same cul-de-sac. You lived across the street from me. I believe we passed first name basis long ago." Kevin said.
"That is true, but this is different. We are no longer the children in the cul-de-sac, we are adults. Me and you, we play different parts." Eddward said fixing his hat. Thank god it didn't fall off, that would have been quite embarrassing.
"I would like it if you would call me Kevin. Makes me feel like were on the same level." Kevin said.
"Well Ke-" Eddward looked at the clock. "Oh my, is it really that late? It can't be nine already." To Eddward's amazement he and Kevin had been studying for two whole hours. "We must get going Mr. Barr; it is quite late and dark out." Eddward informed Kevin. With that, Kevin nodded and helped Eddward put the books back on the shelf, and he gathered his things as well as Eddward.
"Thank you for the help tonight." Kevin told Eddward handing him his belongings as they walked out of the hall.
"It was my pleasure Mr. Barr." Eddward said as he locked the door to the hall. Noticing how chilly it was outside he shivered. Eddward turned to be met by Kevin's dark green eyes. No matter how many times their eyes met, Eddward never could get used to it. Hell it has been two weeks, not counting their childhood. "Please have a safe journey going home." Kevin nodded with Eddward. Eddward quickly turned and walked down the path leaving Kevin behind. Kevin stared at Eddward as he walked away. He watched the smaller male until he disappeared in the dark.
He just doesn't know.