"Ah, Ms. Chabra, good afternoon." Professor Davis leaned back in his chair, leather squeaking. He steepled his wrinkled yet well-manicured hands, brown eyes warm.

Fiddling with the straps of my backpack, I shifted from foot to foot.

What the literal heck was Alec doing here? Quickly, I glanced at him, then looked away.

Bookshelves lined every wall, except the wall behind Professor Davis's desk with a huge window overlooking the campus. Totally what I expected– Professor Davis didn't seem like the type to have plain coloured walls with awards or plaques or diplomas or whatever.

What I didn't expect was Alec. Like at all. He must be finishing up a meeting with Professor Davis.

Both of them looked at me expectantly.

Crap! Why was I just standing there like a doofus? Lips, move and say something!

I cleared my throat, almost choking on the saliva in my over-salivated mouth. "Uh, Professor Davis, hi," I stuttered.

Professor Davis waved a hand at Alec, who was sitting in one of the two chairs across from him. "This is Alec Ito-Russell. You were both in my course last semester."

Alec gave me a dismissive glance. He wore a black vintage hoodie with a white collar popping out the top and cuffed blue jeans with white sneakers. Perfect, polished– that was Alec Ito-Russell.

Jeez, I hadn't seen him in so frickin long. Time was such a weird thing. I could remember the warmth of our first kiss outside the bookstore like it was yesterday, but it felt like a lifetime ago too— a naive lifetime.

"Hi Nat," Alec said with a hard smile.

"Hi Alec," I parrotted, voice tight. Why wasn't he getting up? Leaving? Sayonara, sister.

I pinched the skin at my throat, eyes ping-ponging between them. "Did– did I get the time wrong?"

The clock on the wall said 3:30. Today was Wednesday, January 8th. That's what I put in my Google calendar, and my Google calendar didn't lie.

"No, not at all." His steepled hands were looking more Doofenshmirtz-like by the second. "I'll be mentoring you both this semester. Please, have a seat."

My body moved on autopilot, backpack sliding off my shoulders. My butt landed in the cushioned chair with an unladylike whoosh. I squinted at Professor Davis, who was backlit by the afternoon sun.

I'll be mentoring you both this semester.

No.

Nope.

Nope-itty-nope-nope.

I counted the stuff on Professor Davis's large desk. All the usual office supplies– sticky notes, stapler, pens and paper pads, a pencil sharpener, laptop, mouse and mouse pad, a cute lil ceramic turtle.

The steady drone of the heater came through my ears muffled like I was wearing cheap airplane earplugs. I blinked and stared at my lap, eyes dry.

"I didn't know you were interested in journalism, Alec?" My voice came out unnaturally high.

"Oh, no, no." Alec shook his head, but his hair stayed put, save for a little dangly bit on his forehead that wiggled, and my eyes decided to focus on that rather than the rest of his face because I swear if I looked at his face at that moment, I'd have a mini breakdown. Just a mini one.

Alec doesn't like journalism but is somehow in this mentorship thing with me?

I was in what one might call Denial. With a capital D.

I nudged the garbage can with my boot for no reason at all. Er, that's a lie. I did it to avoid glaring at Alec.

Alec was a fine person. I didn't hate him or anything like that. We didn't work out, and it'd be so, so very awkward to be stuck with him for the rest of the semester. More awkward than the time I accidentally called my second-grade teacher "Mom." I cringed at the memory that popped up.

Professor Davis scraped a hand over his face. "With Alec's unique circumstance, the department thought it'd be a great opportunity for him to be mentored by me so you two will be working together this semester. Expect this to be somewhat of a research position. And we'll keep it broad, not just focussed on journalism for you." He inclined his head towards Alec.

"The English faculty is very grateful for your family's generous contribution to the new wing being built, Mr. Ito-Russell." Professor David didn't smile, but then again, he wasn't really the smiley type.

So Alec's "unique circumstance" was that his family donated a dump truck load of money. Lovely. I held back my scoff.

Could I donate some money so that Alec wouldn't be here? I worked my butt off for the paper last semester, and Alec could waltz in.

"Of course, my family has been a longtime supporter of Summit University." Alec gave a huge smile that showed a lot of teeth, the little piranha. Well, maybe that was a little harsh. But that high chin, that gleam in his eye, it rubbed me the wrong way.

"Yes." Professor Davis nodded. What did Alec expect him to say?

Alec pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair. "You know, my father had a class with you back in the day."

Professor Davis shuffled some papers on his desk. "Did he?"

Welp, I'll sit here and look pretty. Not sure what to add to this. My parents went to university in Toronto, met there, fell in love, blah, blah. No good old connection to Summit.

Alec nodded and crossed his legs. "It must have been in the first couple years you were teaching– I was surprised you were still here." He let out a boisterous laugh.

Bro, why'd you say that? I shrunk back in my chair, hiding my cringing flinch. Professor Davis wasn't that old.

Ha, who was I kidding, he looked like he'd been at the university since it started, but you don't say stuff like that to profs all buddy-buddy.

"Retirement's never appealed to me." Professor Davis's eyes flared with mild amusement.

I'd say I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding, but I totally knew I was holding my breath and deliberately let my lungs work again.

Professor Davis plucked two papers off the pile he'd been shuffling and held one out to me and one for Alec. "Here's a list of readings I'd like you both to acquaint yourselves with for next week. We'll get into more specifics then."

I scanned the list, but my scrambled brain made it about as clear as alphabet soup.

"Great, see you then, Professor." Alec stood and shook his hand across the desk.

"Thank you." I stepped forward and shook Professor Davis's hand too, my hand limp-noodle-like.

I grabbed my bag and left, shutting the door behind me.

Holding my bag up to my chest, I shoved the list inside, all the while trying to speed-walk down the hallway.

So I'd be stuck with Alec? Alright, okay, I'd make it work. I always made things work.

"Nat!" a voice called out behind me.

"Huh?" I mumbled, trying to zip up my overstuffed backpack.

Stopping, I glanced over my shoulder.

Alec was jogging to catch up with me, alone in the hallway of other offices.

My jaw tightened. Turn and keep walking, Nat. But that'd be rude.

I bit the inside of my cheek and waited for him to catch up. The bulletin board beside me gave off the smell of photocopy ink from just-printed fliers.

"Looks like we'll be doing a lot together for this." Alec held up the list of readings Professor Davis gave us.

I pressed my lips together. One hour a week, not that much, but okay Alec.

"Yeah." I frowned and went back to fiddling with my backpack.

Take a hint, and let's end this conversation.

"How was your break?" he asked, hint not taken. But it was an innocent question. Friendly, even.

"Good, I hung out with my sister." My eyes cut up to him. "You?"

"Tara and I went skiing at her family's chalet." He watched me for my reaction, but I gave none. Honestly, I didn't care. "The weather was great, and Tara..." he went on, but I zoned him out.

My breaths came slow and easy, gaze wandering around the hallway. Identical doors lined the walls, reminding me of the first time I got lost in this building looking for room 427. I met Layla that day, volunteered to interview Ty. Four-ish months ago. It hit me again how weird time went by.

A professor did a cough-sneeze combo in one of the offices nearby.

"Cool." I interrupted Alec's vacation story unapologetically. "I've gotta get going."

"I read your article, by the way."

That stopped me mid-turn.

"Hm?" I poked my tongue into my cheek and inhaled a long breath.

His lips twitched. "The one you wrote about me?"

My mouth slackened.

"About you?" I said, incredulous.

He looked me up and down in that gross-guy-way, smile cocky. "Yes, I clearly made a larger impact on you than you did on me."

What? Coming from the guy that said he loved me? If there's one thing Alec taught me, it's that "love" is how people manipulate you.

My jaw ached from how hard I was clenching my teeth.

The slam of a door down the hall echoed.

I shook my head. "The article wasn't about you."

"What?" He crossed his arms, spots of colour entering his cheeks. What happened to that cocky smile, huh? "Who, then?"

"Ty," I answered truthfully.

"Tyler Sawyer?" His voice took a tart turn, scowl making his pretty face ugly.

"Yeah." I gave a half-shrug. It wasn't a big deal. "Why are you so surprised?"

"I didn't think you'd hold his attention for that long." His lip curled. "Guess he's fine with sloppy seconds."

My throat caught, but no gasp came out.

Did he seriously call me sloppy seconds? How'd he go through his life treating people like this? How'd I not see through his shit sooner?

I looked past Alec rather than at him. That didn't even merit eye-contact or a response.

So, I turned and walked away. Alec didn't deserve any more of my time.

"Can't wait to see how long you two last!" He laughed, the harsh sound jealous and unkind.

What does Alec know?

But I couldn't ignore the not-so-little part of me that said I was too messed up to ever be loved by anyone.

T-minus ten minutes till my first date with Ty! Cue confetti explosion of nerves in my stomach.

I smoothed my sweaty palms down my jeans. I kept my outfit simple– my favourite high-waisted black jeans, a blush pink chunky sweater, and my black coat. Plus, my pink crossbody purse. The image of Ty wearing my bag before he took me to the hospital sprung up. Chuckling, I double-checked my makeup in the mirror hanging on my dorm room's door.

Hair curled, makeup done, teeth brushed– ready to go.

Alec's words from two days ago echoed in my skull. Can't wait to see how long you two last!

Who's gonna put up with me? I'm a mess.

Sucking in a breath, I squeezed my eyes shut.

I surfaced my memories of blue eyes, dimples, and a crooked grin.

Nat, I like you.

I like you too, Ty.

I like it when you ramble.

You're probably the only one who does, thanks.

I like the little dance you try to hide when you get a question right when we do calc.

You do notice everything.

I like that you go for what you want, even when working nonstop lands you in the hospital.

I opened my eyes and stared back at myself.

Ty cares about me, and I care about him. I'm worth it. We're worth it.

So snap the heck out of the self-pity party, Nat!

I turned the nerves in my stomach to excitement. I shouldn't stress, this would be fun!

Ty said he'd come get me when he got back from his game, but I couldn't wait.

Before I could think about it more, I turned off my light, left my room and locked my door. Ten steps and I stood in front of Ty's open door.

I rapped on the door and stuck my head in the room. "Knock, knock, it's Nat, and I know it isn't the typical dating convention for the girl to knock on the guys' door, but this isn't a real conventional scenario 'cause you live down the hall from me–"

Will turned around from the fridge, pitcher of water in hand.

My head jerked back. "And you're not Ty."

I froze in the doorway. The fridge door closed with a suctiony slurp.

"No." He drew out the word.

"Right." I nodded. To retreat or not to retreat? That was the question.

Will poured water into his bottle, movements jerky. "I think he just went to the washroom, he'll be back in a second."

"Oh." Heat rose in my face, the back of my neck prickling. It'd be weirder if I left right now, so I took a step into the room.

I cleared my throat and stared down at the carpet. "How was the game?"

I had a history paper due at midnight, so I couldn't go to Ty's game, and he was chill about it. Or at least I think he was chill about it? Was it girlfriend-like to go to all of his games? I wasn't his girlfriend– this was our first date. Stop overthinking everything, Nat!

"We won," Will said before taking a long drink of water.

My throat made a noise, but no words came out. I knew they won. Layla posted about it on her Instagram story.

What do I say? God, it sucked that things were so awkward between Will and me now.

"Uh, how're you doing?" he asked.

"Me?" My brows went up. "I'm good. I mean, great."

He bobbed his head. "That's goo–"

"No." I cut in.

His brow furrowed. "What?"

I pressed a fist against my thigh and paced the length of the room.

"I'm actually not good, great, grand– any positive g-adjective you can think of. And it's because of you. I'm the worst at keeping secrets! The literal worst. One time, Mia, my sister, who I don't think you've met, but maybe you have? It's not like I know everything she does, and she's transferred to Summit, so it's within the realm of possible possibilities that you've met, but anyways Mia was planning a surprise party for her friend back in high school, and I had to keep it a secret for one day and guess who blew it. Guess!"

Will winced but still said, "You?"

"Yes, me!" I stopped in front of him and held up my hands. "My palms get all sweaty and clammy and–"

"I've been meaning to..." he said in a flat, emotionless voice that was so un-Will-like.

"We've been back a week!" I groaned. "Five days, lots of hours in those days!"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly. "I will. I just need more time."

If a doctor used one of those arm-squeezy things on me right now, my blood pressure would be astronomical. All this panicky stress was not the vibe I wanted right now.

"Son of a gun, you're putting me in such a bad position, you know that?" I crossed my arms. "It's my first date with Ty, and now I have to keep your secret. I wanted to explain to Ty why I thought what I thought with your ring and, ugh, I hate lying!"

The air between us was heavy and soupy and pressed on my chest.

"Moral of the story is that Ty needs to know." I glared lasers at him.

Will wouldn't meet my eyes. "Uh-huh."

I sighed. "Look, Will, if you don't tell Ty, I will."

"Tell me what?" asked that low, gravelly voice I knew so well.

Both our heads swivelled to the doorway where Ty stood.

Don't hate me, this lil cliffhanger was too good to pass up MWAHAHAHA

Thoughts on Alec & Professor Davis? Or Will? The cliffhanger? 

Where do you think Nat & Ty are gonna go for their first date?

I'm making a reading list with books by Summit University readers, so if you're writing a book, self promo here in the comments & I'll add it! Mention the genre & a one liner about it so we so we can all find some new reads.

If you don't write, what else are you currently reading/watching? Or do you have any recommendations? I've been rewatching Bones for the like third time.

Vote if you wanna smack Alec upside the head (I'm totally not violent at all)😉 

Aaaaand time for honesty hour with Nikki– it's been a MONTH since I've written anything. What the heck. That's a vv long time for me. And a very long time for you to be waiting for an update, I'm vv sorry about that too. But I'm human. Sometimes the creative well dries up a lil, sometimes five bajillion things are happening in my life and writing has to take a backburner. And I stress about it, 'cause I don't wanna disappoint you, or make people think I'll leave my book unfinished. Hopefully, you know by now that I won't leave you hanging (I did end the chapter on a cliffhanger but you get me, I'll finish my books lmao). I don't know where I was going with this, but I want to say that I really, really appreciate your comments and messages encouraging me to write and tell Nat's story. It means so frickin much to me. So thank you, I'm here because of you.

Anywho, ramble over.

See ya next time!

✌️