This chapter was originally short. But…I felt it needed more beef. Thus, over 9,000 words again. OH WELL. It would have been finished sooner but I've been busy with work, and my 2 year old brother was in the hospital for the past two days…

I don't like how this chapter turned out. I MIGHT REWRITE IT. :[[[ I'm not happy with it, not happy at all…..

I animated some of Laura's expressions. It's terrible but…it's my first try at animation! Haha. Remove the spaces! 008kenichijouji . deviantart . com/art/Laura-Animated-284960407

Your reviews are WHOLE-HEARTEDLY appreciated to the highest degree, even if you think your opinion doesn't matter, etc. IT DOES. Also, let me know your predictions, and how you thought this would have played out, if you were the author! Reviews and comments make me happy. :]

Needing to use the bathroom,

Kelsey

CHAPTER 18: ACCELERATION DUE TO DEPRAVITY

May 3rd,Monday

Hello, Journal. This is only the 7th time I've written in you. Perhaps you're lonely. Well, you aren't the only one.

It's almost the end of the semester, and with it, the end of the school year. I'm already close to finishing my first year of college. For that, I am glad. Although it could be better, if only it was my final year…

But as for the most pressing issue:

Hershel hasn't quite been himself lately (it's becoming more natural to call him by his first name, by the way). I noticed a change like this before, but I just attributed it to him trying to lay low, not wanting to let on to others about us spending time with one another outside of class. He's still quiet about it all, as am I, but… He's becoming more unresponsive to me. Always in thought. Reviews have become anything but enjoyable, and I'd rather go home right after class. I don't really need them anyway; I suppose I've just been going because…well…it's nice to chat. That's the sole reason. I don't ever miss a review, but… I might start next week, if it doesn't improve any. Well, school's coming to an end soon anyhow, as I've mentioned…

He rarely laughs anymore, and is sometimes curt, even to me! 'Gentleman' indeed.

Maybe he's nervous about something. I thought about it in class the other day, maybe I should just be completely honest with him, tell him how I feel and how I interpret all this. I mean, semester is almost through, and the summer's going to be here. He'll be a full-time professor at the University, and won't be living nearby anymore. I won't have an excuse to go to London and see him, as my parents don't let me do anything besides walk about the neighborhood.

So, then again, maybe I should just keep it to myself, since it will be forced to end anyway…

Is that the way I should be? It's rational, I think, but…well, I'm still not cut out for this sort of thing. Admitting to myself that I actually have feelings that can be admitted, that's all so confusing! It means nothing to confess, if I can't come to terms with it!

Now I'm confusing myself….

When I think of being honest with Hershel, though, I get a bit frightened. It's still eating at me, the fact I'm quite taken with my professor. I don't think it's even too far to say I'm in love with him. Alright, I said it. Well, wrote it. That 'admitting' thing again… I feel it, but feelings are so fleeting! Can I believe it, stand by it? I think I can but…is that enough?

I really do think it's more than he merely fancying me as well, the way he behaves, but I don't want to assume. Really, this sounds really stupid and annoying!

I don't usually write in a diary, but I got used to talking with Hershel, and now he's a bit lacking in the social department. I resorted to diary entries to soften the blow should I have to acclimate to talking only to myself again. I quite liked having him to share my thoughts with. But…if it means going back to just myself for company, then I suppose I need to get used to it.

Who am I kidding… I don't feel I can really go back to that now, what with sharing all that time with him… I finally found someone who really is interested in what I have to say and offer, as an equal, and now he's acting curiously? I suppose I had better get to the bottom of it.

Maybe he's busy?

Maybe it's because I never congratulated him for his promotion. He wouldn't get so upset over such a trivial oversight, would he?

Either way, I'll figure it out, and write about it later.

Much love, to me! Ha ha!

Laura

A warm breeze swept through the window of the classroom, reminiscent of the first time Laura had laid eyes on the new assistant professor. Not that it meant anything. At that time, he was just another nuisance, pouring ludicrous topics down her throat, and making her vomit them back up again on a test. At that time, there was a good-humored headmaster, his buoyancy floating him through the class, the new teacher in his wake. Little did any of them know, his death would make waves throughout London, his passing a critical blow to the educational scene.

A lot had changed, since then.

Now, Laura perked up, her reverie broken once again when the door opened, Professor Layton striding into the classroom as usual. Although this time, he was wearing his wool cap again, rather than the top hat. He'd been switching every other day, something else strange that she'd noted. He started class as usual, but his tone of voice was hollow, faded, distant.

"Pop quiz, ladies. No groaning, I need to test your grasp on this material." He passed out half sheets of white printer paper, three questions typed out on each one. "Just answer as best as you can. I'll be walking around, judging how well we've read our textbooks… If I see a significant lack of understanding, I'll cancel it. Be honest, now!"

Groaning, Millie turned to Laura before the quiz got to either of them. "Can you believe this? Why don't you persuade him to stop this? We're all going to fail it anyway!"

"What? Why me? You do it, you're so fond of him, after all," she retorted, writing her name carefully at the top of the paper. The blonde girl smirked, then mumbled under her breath quietly enough for only Laura to hear her.

"As if you don't know, Laura Haris. Rumors have it, you're the Professor's new 'pet', if you know what I mean. Seems you're more carnal than I thought…"

Millie's words were dirty enough to make her heart sink, brain disgusted. As much as Laura wanted to ignore her comments, she felt the need to make her name clean. "Pet? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you know, his little toy. And that could mean a variety of things. Nothing short of sexual being included. You wouldn't happen to be reviewing for anything…condemning, now, would you, Laura? Every day, archaeology? You're that brainless? I'm sure! You're a genius. It all fits much too well, don't you think? Review, indeed…"

"Really, Millie, why would such a bit of gossip be going around, and what is the meaning of you believing it?" She was starting to get worried, but didn't want to show it so openly. Such rumors were definitely the sort of material to ruin reputations, especially if the rumors made it to her parents. She in no way had any preparation for salvaging a decimated career due to the sort of lie now running rampant throughout the girls' gossip sessions. "I go for archaeology review, and that's final. I really have no other reason to speak with him."

Millie shook her head, writing her name casually at the top of her page, the Professor giving a small hush to the both of them. She waited for him to walk towards another student with her hand in the air. "Well, a few people have heard that Hershel was seen with a young girl, one closely resembling you. He and the mystery person have been seen at several establishments about town, but…well, you know me. I don't believe things unless I see them, but it's a bit suspicious, all the same…" Layton gave her an eye of warning, forcing her to turn back around in her desk. Laura was left with a sunk stomach and an intermittent heartbeat, her breaths getting choked up in her throat.

'What ridiculous rumors! I don't understand, I just don't! Where would those things come from? There's no basis whatsoever! Whether he wants to listen, whether he's busy, or not, I need to tell him that this is happening. Maybe I, we, haven't been cautious enough. But! I haven't even done anything wrong, really!'

The paper in front of her remained blank, Laura reawakening to the warm oven of a classroom. She'd been staring at a dusty corner of the window pane, talking mentally to herself. Professor Layton walked by her casually, glancing at her paper. He gave her an admonishing look.

"Nothing?" he whispered, on the verge of a hiss.

Were the circumstances different, Laura would have put on a dismal expression, a teary film glazing over her eyes for displeasing a professor, but currently, she was agitated. She sneered at him, eyes fierce, and shrugged. He shook his head and grabbed her paper brusquely from the desk.

"I'll grade these, ladies, and I'll see if we need to have a make-up class sometime this week. We were forced behind a bit due to the events of March, and with the field trip last month, I guess we didn't cover as much as I wanted to…"

Oh yes, the field trip, Laura thought. Was that when she first noticed the Professor's change in behavior? It was shortly after their trip to the beach when the entire class was scheduled to journey to the coast as well, but in Ireland. A dig had been going on for quite some time along the western coast of the country, and it was actually Laura's advancements in engineering that lent to the increase in production speed and, ultimately, the completion of the project. As the Professor was one of the head archaeologists on the team, he found it only appropriate that his class should make a brief visit, see history in the making firsthand.

They had spent a portion of the day watching the large machine diggers climb out of a stony pit, their dusty parts groaning with every pneumatic hiss as the workers at the controls hauled them away from the area. Then the class kept to a narrow trail, winding deep into the hole until finally entering a dark and cool cave. The girls listened to the guide with rapt attention, all except for Laura, who couldn't help but wander about, trying to access how well her mechanical pursuits faired.

"Seems those machines held up enough to get the job done," she said admiringly, watching the last digger roll heavily away, almost as a parent fond of their child's job well done. "I can't say I'm surprised though."

"You shouldn't be," the Professor had said, a fleeting compliment as he turned her attention back to the damp caverns that the rest of the class was still exploring. "You know we're here for archaeological knowledge, however, not to confirm that your expertise served the digging team well. You really need to get back with the class."

It was at that point that she'd noticed a direct change in tone. It wasn't subtle, it wasn't staged. It was just plain and simple instruction, as a professor. Yet it slowly changed into bored directing, as if she were a small child, chided constantly by the teacher for not keeping a straight line or for slowing down the class as they walked to the restroom for a potty break. For the rest of the field trip, she kept to herself, taking to the hotel room and feigning an excruciating headache in order to get the rest of her roommates off her case.

And now, she was walking down one of the many halls at Grissom's College, staring blankly ahead, ignoring the sideways glances of the people she passed. Perhaps she was just paranoid, after what Millie had said. She had every reason to be, after all. But it seemed as if the whole school was eyeing her, sensing she had some dirty secret that was just festering, waiting to be forced into the pain-filled light. She strolled mindlessly through the halls, walking the same path more than twice, lengthening the time between now and when she'd have to knock on the Professor's door. She felt as if she were on some dreadfully nerve-wracking task, when it was merely visiting the office as she always had.

"Come in." The typical voice of the Professor from within his office, although this time, a little dull. Laura wondered if he even enjoyed their chats anymore, what with the way he'd been acting.

She entered hesitantly, wishing she'd just went home. "It's me."

He nodded, as if only expecting it to be her. He immediately busied himself with his tea kettle. "Oh yes, Laura, please do come in."

She sat. "Already tired of using 'Laurie'?" she asked, a weak smile on her face. "You haven't called me that in weeks."

"Hmm, perhaps you're right," he whispered as he placed a single finger to his lips, signaling her to lessen the volume. "Well, Laurie, I was wondering if you'd be free this evening. Right now, I have some important things to attend to so I'll have to cancel review. And, although we've been having these sessions, since you are the only one severely falling behind—"

"Do you really expect me to believe that?" She glared dangerously at him, her fists clenched. "I'm doing just as well, if not better, than many in the course. 'Although we've been having these reviews'? Really? Who are you faking for? These words aren't yours, they're terribly staged."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You're a god-awful actor, that's what I mean. Do you think someone is listening?"

Layton sighed heavily, standing behind the desk. He leaned over it and motioned for her to come closer. "Never the fool, are you. As expected. Listen, I can't be frank about things as I was in the past. I have some important things to talk about, but not here. Definitely not here. I need you to come over tonight, but you can not be seen. Do you understand?"

She looked at him curiously, internally trying to discern what his words meant. "Of course. I'll just head over after I get home. My parents won't mind if I tell them it's a study group."

"Very well, but please, keep your voice down. And don't let on to where you are going. Other than your parents, don't tell anyone you're going anywhere." He sat down in his chair, eyes tired, his limbs stiff even as he tried relaxing in his seat. "So, that's all for today."

With a turn of her heel, Laura opened and shut the door with a click, but not before audibly mumbling, "Thank the Lord." The Professor was left in silence. Whether it was welcome or not was debatable, as he only worried more when left to his own mind. He sipped his cup thoughtfully, ending with a sigh that sent waves across the tea's surface.

"Disturbances. A ripple effect. So much for reading omens from the tea's dregs when the surface tells me all I need to know."

Laura impatiently tossed bags of noodles and cans of tomatoes into the small grocery basket, her mother striding quickly down the aisle.

"Any day now, Laura. I'm already onto the next items of the list!"

With a roll of the eyes, the shorter of the two propped the basket on her hip, gripping the handles with a bit of struggle.

"Really, mum, can't I go back to the front for a trolley? This basket isn't very—"

"Only a few more things, it's not too heavy now, is it?" She scanned the list and turned the corner, pressing onward, leaving Laura an aisle behind.

'If you'd carry it yourself once in a while, you'd know!'

She continued to mentally grumble to herself when she noticed her mother talking to someone in the middle of the produce section. It was always an awkward thing, meeting teachers in a store, as if they were only allowed to exist in the classroom. And although the one her mother was now animatedly speaking with had gone from the classroom to her heart in a matter of months, it was still a foreign thing, if not somehow embarrassing.

"Oh, here she is now. Laura, what a coincidence, meeting your archaeology professor here!" Mrs. Haris chortled, waving her daughter over to her and the forcibly smiling Professor Layton. "We were just discussing your improvement in the course, or lack thereof."

"How charming," Laura lied, chancing a note of sarcasm in her voice. "Good afternoon, Professor. Forgive my falling behind. This trip would be going a lot faster if I had a trolley…"

Her mother glared at her. "We were just finishing up, weren't we? I say! Laura hasn't invited you to dinner yet, has she? It's customary that we stay in close contact with all of Laura's professors, especially when they've done so much for her. What, with the extra review and taking her to engineering over at the University for the past month or so, it's only proper to treat you somehow, even if it is as humble as a dinner."

Layton laughed. "Really now, Mrs. Haris, that's quite kind of you, but terribly unnecessary. I'm merely doing my job, as do all of the professors. Staying in tune with your daughter's progress is thanks enough. It keeps your daughter on track, as I find that students tend to fall behind if it's only their professors attempting to corral their efforts within the classroom."

The woman was resolute to not be distracted, nor to take anything but affirmation as an answer. She waved his comment to the wayside of the conversation, giggling. "Still, as it stands, we owe you our thanks otherwise. Are you free this evening to join us for dinner, Professor Layton?"

Laura cleared her throat. "But, what about my review? I told you I had a study group to go to this evening," she interrupted. With a chiding glance from her mother, she knew in an instant that finding out what the Professor was going to tell her would have to be postponed for the time being, no matter how anxious she was to hear it.

"Silly girl. That can wait for one evening, surely! Professor, we'd love to have you over at 6 o'clock, if that is fitting for you."

The Professor eyed Laura briefly, as if telling her to keep quiet. He returned to his typical smiling expression. "Well, if you insist, I'd be most happy to acquiesce."

Soon after the trip to the grocery (along with a brief admonishing from her mother about how she shouldn't interrupt and make a mockery of her mother's conversation), Laura found herself peeling potatoes and grimacing at her mother's choice of wine for the evening, knowing well that the Professor wouldn't touch it. After finishing her task, she retreated to her room. She glanced at her bed, wanting to just phase into dreams, but knew better, given the situation.

"A dinner… Of all nights, of all times, why did she have to meet and recognize him at the store now? Any other time, she's all about me studying, and then now? It's all about pleasing people!"

An hour went by before she faintly heard her father calling down for her. She looked up at a bird on the window sill near her desk, its small beady eyes gazing back at her. It flew away as she stood up. She rubbed her eyes, wondering when she'd dozed off.

She was descending the stairs as her father opened the front door, Professor Layton graciously handing over an enormous woven basket with berries of all sorts as he stepped inside the foyer. Her father hoisted the gift higher into his arms and carried it from the room, not bothering to notice his daughter at the bottom of the staircase. She smiled tiredly at her guest.

"Welcome. Your first time inside, isn't it?"

He removed his hat, handing it to her with his typical warm smile. "Indeed. Such a bored looking hostess. Don't you know you're supposed to be welcoming to your guests?"

Sighing, she took his hat and hung it gingerly on a hook on the wall. "I don't feel I can be very welcoming when I don't like the change in events. You aren't supposed to be here, and neither am I."

"Don't worry," he whispered, laying a confident hand on her shoulder as she led the way to the dining room. "It's nothing so important that you have to worry about it. I was…a bit stressed earlier. It's mostly my burden. I shouldn't have made you feel involved, I apologize."

"Well, I can't help but feel that way now, with what you said and all…"

"Oh, you're wearing the locket I gave you." He placed a quick kiss to her cheek before turning the corner. "Smile. Your concerned face is too…well…"

"I don't want to hear it." Laura blushed and scowled as her mother flew from the kitchen, placing dishes on the serving table against the wall. She greeted the Professor with an energy that only came out when carousing with those she considered elite, her expression hardening as she glowered at Laura to set the table quickly lest they have to wait to eat any longer.

It was a chore to get through, the dinner. As her parents coddled and buttered up the humble professor, Laura's insides twisted and churned, wishing herself away to some other place, some other uncomfortable situation. Anything but the current. She could tell the Professor was equally uneasy, but was handling it with finesse and grace, as expected. On her end, she'd have rather overturned the gravy boat over her father's balding head, stuff her goose of a mother with the dressing to mimic the entrée, and leave behind the whole thing as she walked cheerily to the Professor's house.

'But I digress…' she thought, smiling inwardly to herself.

Mr. Haris finally led the group into the sitting room after dinner had passed, offering the best recliner to the Professor as Mrs. Haris brought out a tray with dessert and tea.

"What a lovely piano," Professor Layton exclaimed, admiring the large instrument that loomed along the wall. "I assume it only receives the utmost love and attention from its players?"

Laura's father grunted. "Well, my wife and I don't play, but Laura does. Although, she's not allowed while school is in session. Gets too distracting, it does."

The Professor glanced over at Laura, who stood winding her fingers together, blatantly embarrassed now that the conversation was directed toward her. He smiled in sympathy, already knowing her feelings.

"Well, let's hear a tune now then, Laura. School's just about over, as it were."

Laura looked up, incredulous. "What?"

"A tune. Play us a song," he said, motioning to the piano. "Show us your talents."

Laura looked at her father, who sharply looked to the piano and back at her, his eyes threatening to punish her if she weren't to grant the Professor's request.

"You heard the man. A song! Your mother and I didn't pay for all those lessons just to go and tell people all about it! Show 'im!"

The rest took their seats as Laura slowly sat on the piano bench, her thoughts a violent whirlwind as she stared down the music stand. Her mind debated with itself, wondering what to play.

"If I may make a request, let's have something peppy, something unique," Layton suggested, as if reading her thoughts. "The first part of Satie's 'Le belle excentrique'?"

Laura turned halfway and looked at him curiously. "I can't. That's a—"

Her father grunted once more, sounding as if he were an irritated, impatient pig at the trough. "Play the song."

"You don't understand, it's—"

"Just play the song, Laura," he spat venomously, the last say on the matter.

She turned around to face the piano again and shook her head, pelting out the first few measures when she sensed someone at her side. Without warning, the Professor began the other necessary part of the piece.

"A duet, precisely," he said softly, rhythmically keeping the tempo as Laura tried looking over sideways, disbelieving the entire thing. "Just play."

"But how can you—"

"Decided to start practicing a bit more. It's paying off, don't you think?"

It ended as quickly as it started, but with more curiosity than anger. Laura stared dumbfounded at the ivory and ebony keys while her parents praised and glorified the Professor, obviously surprised he possessed such a skill. He shrugged it off as he reclaimed his seat.

"Well, after all, it required two to play, so it wasn't all me. Your daughter is quite the musician, isn't she? You should be proud." He looked at Laura's parents, expecting a compliment from them to their daughter, but knowing it would have to be forced out of them. Mr. Haris grimaced as he turned to Laura.

"A surprise, indeed. You've proven to be rather adept at it, haven't you?" the large man managed to work out, clearly having trouble constructing positive criticism. Her mother followed only with a taut smile, threatening to rip her face at the corners of her mouth, the gesture was so unpracticed. Laura knew better than to really believe any of it, and merely nodded. Normally she'd take the time to think about their actions, steadfastly holding to the fact they were fake. Tears would start in the corners of her eyes when she would become too self-conscious. But her surprise at her teacher's hidden skill took precedence over her self-pity.

She took a seat next to her parents and set her eyes on the tea tray, watching the steam from the pot block a small strip of background from view. She watched it rise and fade as her parents' conversations went from her pursuits to her grades to her acquisition of the QwiqLogiq scholarship. All about her, but never including her. She sat quietly, drifting in and out of a deep daze when her father asked suddenly about the Professor himself.

"So, Mr. Layton, any plans for your future? I hear you'll be starting up as a full time professor at Gressenheller. Quite far up the ranks in the archaeology department, aren't you!"

Layton smiled, taking a quick sip from his tea cup. "Yes, next semester I'll be doing all of my work at the University. As for plans, I enjoy my work as an educator and don't see myself doing anything else at the moment."

"Excellent. Say, you have yourself a family? A wife, children?"

He blushed, shaking his head with a sheepish grin. "No no, I don't have either. I suppose I haven't had much time to even think of pursuing a family."

Mr. Haris roared as Mrs. Haris picked up the empty cups and tray, taking them to the kitchen. "Well, you aren't missing out on too much! Although, I suppose in the end it keeps a man grounded, gives a man a place to return to at night. Gives a man something to protect. And it isn't too…acceptable for a man to get so old, and never be married, you know. Makes people talk, no matter how tolerant a society appears. Makes 'em wonder… Now, honestly, between you and me, the mate pool gets worse and worse, so you'd better find yourself a woman quick if it's in you to marry. Doesn't look like you're getting any younger."

The Professor smiled and tried to chuckle along with the burly man across from him, but felt more awkward rather than satisfied with how the conversation was going. His student sat emotionless, hands folded in her lap. He wasn't sure if she was even listening anymore.

"I suppose someday I'll get around to it. As for now, I'm teaching, and that's a life all on its own."

"I don't doubt it is, don't doubt it at all." The giant stood, brushing crumbs from the front of his shirt. "Well, what's the time now? Do you drink, Mr. Layton?"

The Professor glanced at his watch. "I don't, Derek, but I really should be going. I still have some things to prepare for my class tomorrow morning. I sincerely thank you for this evening. It was very wonderful, all of it."

As everyone clustered about the front door, the Professor took his hat and sat it rightfully atop his head. He smiled at Laura. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow morning, bright and early!"

"Class is at 11 though, Professor," Laura corrected him, smiling in an effort to cover a laugh. "Hardly early."

"Well, you do remember that I wanted everyone in a bit earlier tomorrow, as we have to make up for the class time we lost due to our field trip? I would say around 9:30. That should suffice."

She nodded after quietly decoding the situation. "Oh yes, that's right. I almost forgot."

Her parents continued peppering the Professor with comments and praises while she retreated, knowing no one would notice her failure to bid him farewell. Especially not her parents, as they were busy with sycophanting. She scaled the staircase slowly, looking behind her as the three stood on the front step, still talking, then ran up to her room, wondering all the more how the extra morning time would be utilized.

"Well, you made me wake up earlier than usual. This had better be worth it." Laura yawned, faking boredom as Professor Layton poured both a cup of tea.

"I dare say it is worth it."

"You know I hate hot tea…"

"To important matters," he said, ignoring her comment. "First, I'd like to say that it was a happy coincidence that I should meet you and your mother at the grocery. I'm glad it came about in the way it did."

Staring into her cup, Laura laughed. "Really? It was the most embarrassing situation to ever come about. What with my parents trying to brownnose every moment, and you forcing such a difficult song! Which, you told me that you play, but you never told me that you can play. Like, you know, you can play, if you know what I mean. And very well at that."

"A meaningful compliment, coming from you," he said with a warm grin. "I've been listening to Satie since that concert. I figured you'd know a song or two from the man."

"Yet you never have played for me before then," she said in a low growl. "You do realize it's difficult to find people who truly appreciate a proper musicality…"

He smiled apologetically. "I don't like to show off."

"Regardless, last night was a very uncomfortable thing. My parents are very, well…. Not too easy to get along with, really.

He nodded. "It was difficult conversation, to put it politely, but it was still enjoyable. Your father seemed to be enjoying himself the most."

"He'd had wine."

"Perhaps… But I got to have a lovely dinner with you, so, it's good enough in the end."

Laura groaned, quite wishing he'd cut to the chase and be done with it. She'd been up all night, thinking of possible scenarios and things that he'd say this morning. "Would you get to the reason you called me here so early?"

With a sigh, Layton looked up from his cup. He stood and walked to the door, locking it. "Straight to the point, I've become worried about…well, um, how do I put this…?"

"Does it have to do with me?"

"Strangely enough, it does."

She wasn't sure what it was exactly, but Laura's heart did something. Sank, fluttered, began to fail, she didn't know, but it felt peculiar. She knew what Millie had said and how she wanted to address it with the Professor, but what was about to be revealed… She didn't have much of a clue about what it was. Could it be related to Millie's comment? It could go either way: positive, in favor of her peace of mind, or negative, in favor of making her worry herself into a heart attack. And at the moment, as bizarre as it was, she wasn't quite sure which type she wanted.

She resorted to keep her composure, however difficult it would prove to be. "Well…if it's the same thing that's been making you behave markedly different for the past month, then it's probably important. Let's hear it."

"I'm glad you're so calm about this, because it's been clouding my thinking." He pulled the other guest chair directly in front of her, taking a seat. "We need to express our friendship in another way, on the school grounds and off. I have the feeling that some are starting to think negatively of how we spend our time."

Laura let her eyes fall to her lap. She quietly rubbed one of her knuckles, continuing to the others as she thought. "So, this has nothing to do with me not congratulating you for your promotion?"

He looked at her quietly, confused, then burst into a chuckle, breaking up the tension in the room. "Heavens, no! Although I did notice. But no, that's not the problem. It's just, well, this new headmaster. She's quite the…well, how to say this cordially—"

"She's a cutthroat, sexist feminist who has no place for men in her grand schemes. I'll also duly note that she attempts to exude the aura of a benevolent leader, yet she merely falls to the title of 'misguided do-gooder with degree', with an agenda that gravitates towards the cunning, calculating shrewdness of a snake. In other words, she's a wench."

Layton looked about the room, sucking his teeth in brief contemplation, until landing eyes back on hers. "That's one way to put it, yes. Not how I would say it, but the same meaning is expressed, yes, indeed."

"You're too kind, that's why."

"Perhaps." His smile returned, fondly grinning at the student in front of him. "And you're too clever. Regardless, the headmaster has been questioning me, as she has reason to believe that I'm catering to a selection of students. I don't know why she thinks so but—"

"These girls, your students, my classmates…they talk. It's not a 'selection' of students, it's a 'single' student. And there's now a rumor about. I wouldn't doubt that the girls find the headmaster to be a sort of counselor, that they would take to her with their complaints." She smirked. "Plus, they have been out to get me from day one."

Layton swallowed his tea, gazing thoughtfully into the cup. "That's not completely off the mark. I believe I'm being subtly interrogated in order to accidentally reveal some hidden information, whatever it may be. I think she suspects me of something. I'm not sure what she is going on but I feel it's rather dangerous to behave casually as we have. Teachers are meant to teach. Our reviews and activities external to the school are anything but educationally related. Therefore, private review is hereby banned."

Reality hitting hard, Laura shouted out. "But, that's not fair! I rely on that! For…educational purposes, I mean. My grades might slip…"

"Hmm, someone's rather eager to learn a subject she supposedly hates," he mumbled, chuckling to himself as Laura sneered bitterly.

"Shut up."

"Do you not think I have a solution? You do need to continue being tutored, do you not? I believe it's in your best interest to continue, so I expect you daily at my house, 4:30 PM sharp. I'm hosting a study group up until finals."

She grumbled, exhaling audibly. "That's not the review I'm used to… Group? I can't learn in a group."

"Well, you can only expect yourself to show until I find the invitations I misplaced." He winked. "Can't seem to find them anywhere, no, I can't. Rather strange…"

"Um, verbal invite? Like you just did for me?" With a crafty smile she let him ruffle her hair as he stood, continuing to the door.

"Humour me, won't you?" He unlocked the door, opening it. "There are no other invitations, if you haven't come to that conclusion yet."

"I'm not a Neanderthal. Shall I tell the headmaster on you?"

"There's nothing in the handbook against studying."

"For playing favorites. Catering." She smirked deviously, her eyes barely visible as her cheeks pushed upward to make room for her grin.

"Who said you were my favorite?" He shrugged at her scoffing, her expression changing within seconds.

"Oh yes, that's believable."

"Now then, 4:30 PM sharp, or else reviews are permanently canceled in all forms, group and private." He gave her a severe glance, his tone humorless as he walked out the door, pulling it slowly behind him. "And there's also nothing in the handbook against professors assigning repercussions for unruly students."

Laura placed a finger to her chin. "My, someone's eager to conduct a review for a student who's supposedly not his favorite, and who supposedly isn't being catered to."

With a deep sigh, finding a battle of wits fruitless, Professor Layton left the office with a click of the door, smiling to the girl's giggle of ephemeral victory as he walked down the hall.

The pond reflected the willow branches and cattails as distorted, wavering stalks of green and brown. Layton tossed a pebble in lazily, silently watching the ripples. "That pie should be close to done now, Laurie. How about we go inside?"

Laura made the trek to the Professor's house a bit earlier than usual. She began going to reviews at the starting time of 4:30, but slowly found an affinity for leaving a quarter of an hour earlier each new day. She was now coming over at about 2:30 each day, staying for several hours before finally returning home.

"It's such a lovely afternoon though…" Laying her book down in her lap, she checked his pocket watch. "Oh my! It's almost 6. Bloody time. It eludes me more than your puzzles do!"

"You solve them almost every time though, so they aren't so elusive, now are they?" He took her book from her and linked her arm with his, walking her across the lawn and to the porch. Removing his shoes, he continued to the kitchen, leaving Laura in the sitting room. She sat on a stiff chair and thumbed through a book on the History of China, crying inside from the sheer amount of

foreign names that popped up on the numerous pages.

"How do you ever manage to read through these, Hershel?" she asked exasperatedly as Layton sat a plate with dessert on the small end table.

"I spend most nights alone in the quiet, you know. One must do something to pass the time." He cut into a piece of pie with a fork. "Puzzles half the time, books in the other…"

"Sure. Or spending time with me." She immediately felt silly as his face turned a shade lighter than the inside of the pie. Following suit with her own slice of cherry pie, she sounded off her approval with a low hum. "Mmm. You've outdone yourself again. I'm thinking there's not a single thing you aren't capable of."

"We're both gods of the world then," he chortled, grinning while chewing another bite. She looked at him sarcastically.

"Please, Hershel. Your compliments are so droll." She finished her piece in silence, only looking up after the Professor hadn't moved or said anything for some time. He bored holes into the floor rug with his eyes, a concerned expression upon his face. "Thinking? That's a silly question, I guess. When aren't you?"

He stirred, shaking himself from whatever thoughts he was buried in. "I'm fine. Just a bit of a daydream, that's all. May I take your dish?"

Laura followed him to the kitchen, watching carefully as he placed the dishes and utensils into the sink. "Would it be rude to inquire…about your thoughts?"

"You know it's never rude to ask things of me, Laurie." He had gotten quite accustomed to using the nickname outside of the classroom, feeling almost closer to her now that it was only he who used the name. He turned around, wiping his hands on a towel, familiar, warm expression returning to his face. "I'm your open book."

She looked at the floor. "You've…been getting lost in thought lately. Not that that's odd, but…it's only when you're around me. You're fine in the classroom. You used to talk more. Now, you think two-thirds of the time. I know you're worried about what people might be thinking but—"

Layton walked past her briskly, motioning to the front door in his passing. She followed him to the porch, sitting beside him on the wooden swing. He sat on the edge, feet planted firmly on the porch floor, not allowing the swing to move. His hands covered his knees.

"I have something to discuss with you, but I'm not sure how to approach the topic appropriately." He looked straight ahead, much like he just had in the sitting room. Laura looked at him through the corner of her eyes, hands in her lap. "I'm not even sure if it should be brought up. I'm sure it's terribly obvious already, but—well, yes, I just don't know how to go about it. It's not really appropriate for me to ask others, such as my colleagues, about it so I can't say I'm sure how to properly compose myself on the issue."

Her eyes narrowed, trying to comprehend his words. "If that's a puzzle, it's rather cryptic to catch on to."

"This isn't a puzzle in the slightest."

"Did the headmaster say something to you again?"

"This is different."

His quick and short responses somehow jarred her. There was an urgent, frantic tone to his voice, almost fearful. He drew in a long, sharp breath.

"Laurie…" The swing was able to return to its free, pendulum motion. Sitting back, he turned towards her. "The whole situation with the headmaster, the comments she made… I felt offended by whatever it was I believed she was insinuating, assuming. I found her presumptuous."

"She is! At least… Yeah, well….it is presumptuous, sure…" She stopped, realizing that he had never actually told her what the headmaster believed he was doing wrong. Was the headmaster's line of thinking parallel to the rumors Millie was tossing around wantonly, or was the headmaster simply concerned that not all students were being treated equally? Laura had assumed it was the former, but to assume that meant that the Professor really was more than just fond of her, that she was more than just 'teacher's pet'…

'Oh my…I think I know where this is going…'

Layton shook his head. "I realized there was a reason I was offended. I was most definitely, inarguably guilty. Obviously, I am painting a picture, one that tells others my true feelings, the ones that your classmates and the headmaster are starting to pick up on. It's something that I feel needs to finally be brought into the open, at least with you."

"I…really don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing to be guilty for." She tossed her hands up. "It's just a petty rumor, some silly girls talking about things that they probably make up and gossip about at slumber parties."

He gave her a scornful look, perhaps even disparaging. "You aren't going to be able to play dumb anymore. You know what I'm talking about. I'm making this as plain as possible. It's not really such a hard thing to figure out, what with how much time we've been spending together, it's… Well, it's human nature, really, to start having feelings for things that we come to know well."

She felt her heart beats becoming erratic. She knew exactly what he was going on about, but couldn't feed into it just yet. Her stubborn, challenging personality got the best of her; she wouldn't let him let it out easy. He never would let her get off easy! Return the favor, she thought. After all the blasted puzzles, all the things he alluded to but never admitted. He wasn't now going to just lay it all on the table with no recompense. "You…are really going to miss teaching us after this semester is over, aren't you? Being your last year as assistant, and all that. You'll just miss me, right? You'll miss us, yes?"

He sighed heavily, looking up at the ceiling. "Laurie… Please don't play dumb with me. You're too smart for that. I really don't need this right now. It's difficult enough as it is."

"It's fun to see a side of you that others don't get to though," she admitted, chuckling. "Like how it feels, to be met with a challenge? You throw this sort of cleverness at me, why can't I return the favor?"

"I don't like emotional challenges of this sort… Mental, I can handle. Logic. I can not put up with this, these head games, for very long. I know you for sure don't like them. I'm sorry, you're a bit stronger than I, I suppose." He returned his eyes to hers, holding her gaze in his effortlessly. "Are you going to let me finish? Sans sarcasm?"

"I suppose," she said in a sing-song voice, a grin playing at the corners of her lips. She felt silly, fooling around and not letting him finish, but she was afraid of his words. She wanted to hear them, she had entrusted that secret to herself months ago, but the implications of the truth continued to brand images in her mind. Honest to herself, she was scared.

'Is this feeling…the reason why so many people get cold feet before their wedding, or before making any major decision in life?'

"I must say," he continued, "I've had some of the best moments of my life merely sitting here with you, chatting, sharing, engaging, conversing, thinking. I can't just toss these facts out of my mind. And if I were to make a guess at your thoughts, you continue to enjoy the time as well. Am I correct?"

She broke her gaze away from his and nodded, staring at a hole in the porch's floorboards. Please, have a snake come out of the hole and bite me! she thought. Anything to change the subject! The nervousness she'd encountered many times before was slowly inching its way back, although she thought she'd conquered it months prior. He moved closer to her.

"Laurie, I have shared so much with you. And…I've toiled with the fact that although I'm your professor, and we are somewhat far apart in age…"

"Around 10 years, give or take…" The number sounded so much larger when she said it. She felt quite a bit uncomfortable at the thought, now that she had verbally expressed the figure. "And yes, you are my college professor…"

Layton looked at the trimming on Laura's dress, defeated. "I… As awful as it sounds, though, Laurie…I can't deny the fact that I felt guilty when interrogated by the headmaster because I feel passionately attracted to you. And…" He laid his right hand over hers, looking into her eyes once more. "…not just through an academic perspective, although you provide quite a bit of that, indeed. I…" He bit his lip and closed his eyes, sighing. "This is more complicated than I thought."

"Hershel, it's—" she started.

"No, I'm sorry. I feel absolutely disgusting and unfit to be telling any you any of this. I should have never allowed this to go so far… I suppose I should have just let things die out on their own, instead of attending to them."

"Hershel." The girl put her hand over his, shaking it slightly so that he would look up at her. She felt a deep sense of dreadful guilt, mindful of the fact that it takes 'two to tango'. "It's okay. I…am equally to blame. I mean, there's not many men who would shy away from a young woman fancying them, falling in love with them even. Although, it's not as if I ever told you that before. Outloud. To your face… As I just did."

'I'm such a failure!'

Layton shook his head, eyebrows knit in anger. "It's never the lady's fault. Never blame yourself for anything, Laura, do you understand? I led you into this, and I shouldn't have, but now I feel like I can't go back. I… I really, truly, am at a loss. I can't organize any of my thoughts and feelings logically. I feel things that I can't explain, that I can't change no matter how hard I try. I just want to not think for once, and just be myself, just act on what I know is real! It's not like I'm doing something immoral, I've thought it all out rationally and I just…well, I just…" He trailed off weakly, pulling her towards him with contrasting force, pressing his lips against hers. She gasped slightly, shocked.

A part of her was telling her that society dictated that this relationship from the very start was wrong! It should be abandoned now at least! To spare both of them from any further questioning by anyone! But… Another part of her told her to keep going, that what she was feeling and doing right now was 100% right, and she would continue no matter what anyone told her. That was her stubbornness, battling her traditionalist self.

'Why couldn't I be older…?'

What had she been hoping and dreaming for, for the past three months? She occasioned the daydreams more often now, not caring about her appearance, whether she sat staring stupidly in the classroom, on a bus, while walking home... She didn't care.

'All because I'm a stupid, naïve student. The very type of person I hate!'

Smiling against his nervous mouth, she wrapped her arms about his neck, parting her lips slightly. She invited him to use his tongue by teasing him with hers. Without hesitation, he held her close and accepted, trying to taste every part of her mouth. She let out an accidental moan and cut it off sharply, pulling away and staring with wide eyes.

"Haha, I'm…sorry. I didn't mean for that…it's just…well, see how dangerous it is when you just…act without thinking? Really, Hershel, we shouldn't do that, rational or not, it's just—well, you know what the headmaster thinks! She somehow knows!"

He brushed the tips of his fingers against his lips delicately, as if debating whether what they had just done was real. "I don't care what she thinks and knows."

"You can't say such things! Do you really want to get in trouble, tarnish your reputation, defile your good name with such an indelible stain?" Her voice rose in panic, uncertain whether he was even listening to her.

His smile was distracted as he stared at the patch of swing between them. "In trouble? She's running on crooked lies and warbled gossip from an unreliable source. No one would suspect anything. Laura, do you love me?"

Laura groaned, clenching her fists tightly. "Good God, Hershel, what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong," he stated calmly, warm smile resting on his lips. "If you feel for me as I feel for you, logically, their accusations are baseless and false. Rumors about me using a student, favoring a student? What student? You aren't a student to me anymore. In the class, maybe. But outside, you're just another woman."

Laura shifted backwards slightly, shaking her head. "No, no, you can't say it, you can't or else we'll get in trouble, it has got to remain a secret!"

"No, no more secrets, Laura," he whispered. He looked at her slyly, catching her off guard in the same way he did back on his first day of teaching, when she surprised him with the distance puzzle's correct answer. Had he used the same smile then? It seemed more energized now. "This isn't the most proper place for this, is it?"

He slipped his arms underneath her knees and behind her back, scooping her up in one swift motion. He forced open the front door holding a laughing Laura, her arms about his neck.

"What in blazes are you doing? Have you gone mad? You're going to drop me! Hershel, please!"

She yelled it out just as it happened, Layton tripping over the rug hem and taking her down with him. He landed over her, allowing only a second's gaze before covering her face in kisses upon noticing that she was okay. He slowly moved down her neck, teasing the skin just above her chest.

"Hershel, what…what are you doing…? This isn't…really…"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" he whispered, kissing her nose. "I'm going to break from thinking for this evening. I've thought enough during the past year of teaching. I'm done with it. Laurie, you are so much more than a student to me. I don't believe that I've been very subtle about it. Even if I was trying to hide it behind puzzles, it was still there, being alluded to. And…" He looked down her neck, tracing his fingers along her collarbone, outlining her dress, smoothing the material covering her chest. "I'm finding it very difficult to resist you at the moment."

"And where on earth did the gentleman Hershel Layton run off to?" she laughed as she pulled his face to hers, staring into his small dark eyes. He blinked in surprise, trying to focus his vision. "Fine, then I'll do the same. I refuse to resist. Do you know how long I've sat in that classroom, in your office, stressing over my feelings?" She let him lift her up once more, holding her against him more securely than the last try. "Feeling guilty and awful for longing to see you again the next day? Finding pleasure in watching you ramble on about bones and fossils and Egyptian history? And I hate archaeology, Hershel."

"You've only told me 1,000 times. 1,001 times won't hurt," he chuckled in a low voice. They were ascending the staircase.

"I stayed up so late most nights, wishing I had been born at least 10 years earlier so that I would have more acceptance in being your lover as a fellow academic, rather than falling in love with my educator." She stared at him longingly. "Do you know what that's like? Of course you don't."

He stopped and stood in front of a dark wooden door. "I understand more than you know, living in the same fear: of feelings, and of outside, societal pressures. Mine are graver to bear, as the supposedly more mature, wiser one. It scared me since, well, you're only 18 but… Apparently, I'm not allowed to be a witness to the same, or possibly greater, wisdom of one so much younger than me. It's almost a crime, you know.

But, unfortunately, I feel I'm the victim. You see, the perpetrator is you." Placing a quick peck to her lips, he turned the door's handle slowly.

"Me?" Laura scowled, contorting her face in disgust. What rubbish! How could he even think of such things, let alone say them! "You haven't been listening to me! I've told you all the girls are suspicious! We can't even talk together as we used to, since all I get from them is 'How's Mrs. Laura Layton? How was today's 'lesson', Laura?' I hear it all the time. I have to be secretive about where I'm going, whom I'm getting help from. There are rumors, Hershel! Rumors! And you're saying it's my fault? I thought you said it's never the lady's fault! I—"

"Ah, ah. Naughty children must be disciplined, no getting out of this."

"But that's not my fault! And I'm not a child! Who was it who lent to those feelings being developed, hmm? You offered to spend time with me! You catered to my birthday, and other things, and, well, it's not all my fault!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms tightly across her chest.

Setting her on her feet, Layton gently pushed her backwards into the faintly lit room. "Perhaps, but I'll see to it you get your just punishment."

"Punishment?"

Not waiting for another word or objection, the door closed with a soft click.

END.

Ahahahahaha. What were you expecting, really? Review, people, review.