Episode 50

"So lunch?" I looked up only to find Professor Ross swaying his self shyly in front of my desk while rubbing his neck with a blush on his young handsome face. I was just putting my stuff back in my bag. It has become a routine for him to ask me to lunch after our class. And I have long move on calling him Lieutenant Ross. I gave myself a pat on the back for that since I couldn’t stop calling him that the first time. I gave him a full smile. "Sure." As we walked in the hallways of our university, the students couldn’t seem to move on about the fact that Professor Ross and I have become close. The girls really gave me a dirty stare, feeling jealous with my relationship with the professor. That’s probably the reason no one was willing to be friends with me. Well, I really wasn’t initiating anything the first month I got here. There were guys who kept coming at me at first. With an intention of avoiding relationships, I brushed them off. I didn’t want complicated things right now. And guys always smell trouble for me. Thank god, they understood my signals. But my signals were misunderstood by girls too. I wanted to stay away from guys and not girls. Now, I don’t have any friends except this hot professor who I might add admired by almost all the university girls. Well, he is the youngest... and the hottest. The dimples he has make everything could go wrong with women. I shouldn’t really be thinking about him like that. Not when I broke my heart myself. I still have this huge hangover with Stefano. And it’s all my fault. Why did I even think I could leave him? A few months ago I was sulking about the fact he left me after that one night we have. And when he finally said he wanted us a chance, I left him. I was so stupid. I know I’m regretting it but I didn’t think it could be this hard. There were so many nights, so many thoughts that I tried to shoo him away from my mind. Just a thought of his face, I immediately wiped it off. Regret is painful, sad and damn annoying. If we have talked about it, would he give me a chance to leave? If not, would I let him understand that I needed this? I know that if things were different, I still get to be here. That’s what I always wanted. "You okay?" He asked with concern. "Yeah. It’s just your presence with me is making every girl here jealous." He laughed. "When’s Professor Evans gonna come back?" He smiled playfully. "Oh? Can’t wait to get rid of me, huh?" "You know that’s not what I meant." He chuckled. "He’ll be back next week so I’m off the hook. Think you can handle yourself without your best friend teaching you?" He nudged my elbow with his. I chuckled. "Whatever. You know you’re not the only friend I got." I rolled my eyes sassily. "Oh, so you do have friends." He said amused while crossing his arms. I stopped mid track and faced him. He stopped as well confused. "Speaking of which..." He raised his brow questioningly. "My friends and I are going to a club this weekend. Wanna come?" He smiled. One of his rare sexy smiles. I noticed my hand tucked a loose strand of my hair to my ear. I suppressed a blush realising I was actually flirting with him. I cleared my throat embarrassed of what I’ve done. Apparently, he didn’t noticed my action. He just grinned like he was excited. "So you were telling the truth that you have friends." He was teasing. I frowned. "Of course I have. And you will see them this Saturday so you’d know I’m telling the truth." "What makes you think I’d come?" He said with a playful smirk. I hit his chest with an open palm. "Ow! Hey, that hurts!" He exclaimed while laughing. I turned away and left him in the hallway. He followed suit. "Of course I’m going. How could I miss this? You never really invite me to anything." "That’s because you have some crazy fans. Don’t want to get tangled up with them." He chuckled. His face then shifted to a more serious one. I looked at him in inquisitively. "But you’re stronger now." Oh, that. He placed his left hand on my head  and rubbed my hair messily. I tsked and hit his hand away from me. He just laughed. Though pissed with what he did, I smiled. This man still cared for me. And that fact made me happy. --- "Is there something wrong?" Nathan stood frozen in front of me. His jaw hanging loosely. His crossed arms slowly slacking to his sides. His eyes stared at me in awe. We decided he’ll pick me up and meet at my apartment’s parking lot. He looked at me up and down and stared again. Of course his eyes lingered somewhere where there was cleavage. I crossed my arms seemingly annoyed by his stupid distraction thus ignoring me. His eyes widened even more with my gesture. Oh c’mon. I rolled my eyes exasperatedly. "Ehem!" Nathan shook his head trying to resist the sight of my two huge gems. "Y-yeah, hey..." He greeted like if I just got here and he did not stare. He then rubbed his neck with discomfort. I was wearing a white a-line scoop dress. It showed a bit more of my cleavage. It has a long sleeve and the skirt barely reached my mid thigh. The dress was a gift from Jenna and Sierra. I swear Sierra was the one who decided on this. She always makes me wear short dresses or something that makes my breasts or even *** pop out. And there is absolutely nothing that I could do about it because she literally strangles me to death if I refuse. "I know you’re a perfectly healthy man but don’t make it too obvious, buddy." I said as I walked towards him and patted his shoulder. Despite being night time, his blush could still be apparent. The light post highlighted it. "You really have no idea how beautiful you are... How beautiful you look tonight." I tilt my head to the side. He was suddenly acting shy and awkward. His head tilted down staring at the ground. There was a flutter in my stomach when he said that. There was a blush growing but I fought their way from creeping out. How could he say something like that so easily. "I... I-" "We should go. Your friends are probably waiting for you." He said cutting me off. I was surprised he got rid of his discomfort right away. He walked towards the door where the passenger sits. He opened it for me. I said my thanks and got in. He smiled at me with the killer dimples he always have. When we arrived at the club, it was jump packed with people. Rich people by the looks of it. We made our way in, passing the scents of alcohol, cigar, sweat and probably some drugs. Everyone in the club was in the peak of their night. "Avery!" I choked at my own breath when a loud girl suddenly crushed me around her thin arms. "Happy Birthday!" She screamed at my ears. Oh my god. Is she drunk? "Thanks Jen..." I said more of a question. She then giggled while not planning to let me go. "Happy Birthday, girl!" It was none other than Sierra who followed and joined the hug. I groaned while taking their weight. "Wow, thanks. Did you guys wait too long?" The two finally let me go. "No, not really. If you’re wondering, Jenna here is actually a lightweight." She pointed Jenna with her painted thumb. I chuckled. "Is that why she’s been refusing our drinks?" I noticed Sierra not minding what I said and focused her eyes behind me. Jenna, on the other hand, was giggling beside her while leaning her head to Sierra’s shoulder. She then answered with a trail. "Yeah, I convinced her to drink since it’s your birthday. Everyone should have fun." She then looked at me and grinned. "So who’s the guy? Is he your date? " Her smile was almost forced. But I figured I’m just imagining things. Jenna stopped giggling and finally took notice of my companion. "Yeah. This is Nathan. He’s a professor from my University." Both of their eyes widened. "You sly little witch. So you’re actually hitting on your professor." Shocked and embarrassed, I hit Sierra’s arm. "That’s not... Argh! I can’t believe your saying something like that." Both of them laughed. "Hi, I’m Nathan." Nathan came out from behind and offered his hand to them. The two stood in awe, mouth in agape. Nathan was a tall guy. His build was lean and muscled. Though he quit from military, he still maintained his figure. Makes me wonder if he’s still doing drills. "Ahhhhh..." Came Jenna’s reaction. Nathan’s hand was still extended. I noticed him becoming stiff. The two girls ignored his hand. I rolled my eyes at their antics. "Alright. Are you two going to just stand there and stare or are you going to continue being rude to my friend?" Just as Nathan withdrew his hand, the two shook their head from their awestruck state of mind. Sierra cleared her throat and introduced herself. "Hi-hi, Hi, I’m Sierra and this is Jenna." Nathan just nodded to them with a small smile. Probably embarrassed from what happened a second ago. "So where did you guys stay?" I asked while searching for our table. The two then dragged me towards the table. We decided not to take the VIP ones as per my request. I was glad they followed my request considering it is my birthday. Nathan followed behind. As soon as we reached the table, Nathan whispered shout near my ear. Though the music was loud and the surroundings so noisy, I could still hear him. "I didn’t know it was your birthday. You should’ve said so. I didn’t bring anything for you." I smirked. "This is why I’m being quiet about it. I don’t want any gifts. My friends already bombarded me with so much. Especially that blonde one over there." I nodded at Sierra’s. We took a sit down the couch. Sierra and Jenna across us while Nathan beside me. He smiled. The one that he always showed to people who he was close with... based on my observations. Calm and handsome.  "You’ll still get one from me. Happy Birthday, Avery. I’m glad I met you in that stupid military school." I giggled. I fucking giggled. I do no shit like that. Well, probably back in high school when I was young and stupid. This is the first time I giggled again. Like giggle flirt. This guy knows how to flutter my butterfly. "Thanks." I answered shyly. I really didn’t know how to retort smartly with that. And I’m being all mushy and shy which is never really me. My eyes shifted to my friends across us. Their faces showed surprised and disbelief. I realized I never really talked about Nathan to them. I just gave them a stupid live show. Jenna was obviously completely sober now from what she was witnessing. Sierra on the other hand, was sort of confused and in disbelief. I looked down seemingly guilty. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. Nathan is just my friend. Nothing is going on between us. I am confused why I’m feeling this way. "Hey, I’ll grab some drinks. What do you want?" He asked, ignorant to what’s actually going on. "Anything." I answered nonchalantly. "Anything? You sure about that?" He asked bemused. "Yeah, I’m not really particular with drinks." He nodded as he stood and went to the bar. As I looked back at the two, Sierra then confronted me. "You got some explaining to do, White."