Ethan Vale (Mixxiw) walked into Professor Aiden Cross’s (Earth Pirapat) lecture hall, feeling a mixture of nerves and anticipation. It was the first class of his final semester, and he had been looking forward to this course for months. "Contemporary Literary Criticism" was known to be challenging, but more than that, it was taught by Professor Cross—widely respected, somewhat feared, and undeniably brilliant.

Ethan scanned the room, spotting an empty seat near the back. He quickly sat down, pulling out his notebook and laptop, trying to blend in with the students around him. The lecture hall was larger than he expected, and yet, it felt small the moment Professor Cross entered the room.

Aiden Cross commanded attention the second he stepped inside. His tall frame and sharp, tailored suit gave him an air of authority that made even the most confident students sit up straighter. His dark hair, perfectly combed, added to his composed appearance, but it was his eyes that captured Ethan's attention—piercing, intense, and unreadable.

"Good morning," Aiden said, his voice steady and deep, echoing through the hall. "I’m not here to waste your time or mine. This course will demand your best. If you're not prepared for that, there's the door."

A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Ethan felt a thrill. He had heard about Aiden’s no-nonsense attitude, and it only intrigued him more. This was a professor who expected excellence, and Ethan wanted to prove himself.

As Aiden began the lecture, Ethan was captivated—not just by the content, but by the way Aiden spoke. He moved fluidly between complex ideas with ease, his passion for the subject shining through with every sentence. Ethan scribbled down notes, trying to keep up with the professor's rapid pace, but every so often, he found his gaze drifting back to Aiden.

There was something about the man that was impossible to ignore. Maybe it was his intelligence, the way his voice commanded respect, or the occasional flicker of something softer behind his otherwise stern demeanor. Whatever it was, Ethan felt drawn to it, even if he couldn't explain why.

The class passed quickly, and as Aiden wrapped up the lecture, he glanced around the room. "Remember, you're not here just to listen. I expect engagement, critical thinking, and originality. Dismissed."

Students began packing up their things, but Ethan lingered for a moment. He wanted to say something—anything—to stand out, to make a good first impression. But what could he say that wouldn’t make him seem like just another eager student?

Before he could gather the courage to speak, Aiden’s eyes met his. For a brief second, Ethan felt his heart skip a beat. Aiden’s gaze was sharp, appraising, but there was something else—something that made Ethan feel as if, for that fleeting moment, he had been seen.

Then, just as quickly, Aiden broke the eye contact and turned his attention to his desk, gathering his papers.

Ethan exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He grabbed his bag and headed toward the exit, his mind still buzzing from the lecture—and from that glance. It was nothing, he told himself. Just a professor scanning the room, looking at a student.

Still, as he walked out into the hallway, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. He had come to class to learn about literature, but it seemed he had left with something far more complicated.

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Ethan couldn’t shake the memory of that brief glance as he walked across campus. It was irrational, he told himself. Professor Cross had probably looked at everyone in the room with the same intensity, but it felt different—personal. He tried to push the thought away as he headed toward the campus café, but it lingered like a shadow he couldn’t escape.

Later that evening, Ethan sat at his desk, a half-finished essay draft glowing on his laptop screen. He had written and rewritten the introduction multiple times, unsatisfied with each attempt. The assignment was simple: analyze the symbolic themes in a contemporary novel of their choice. But for some reason, his thoughts kept drifting back to Professor Cross, his words from class echoing in his head.

“You’re not here just to listen,” Aiden had said, his tone demanding, yet filled with something deeper—expectation. Ethan wanted to meet that expectation. No, he wanted to exceed it. But the pressure he put on himself was starting to weigh him down.

After an hour of frustration, he saved his draft and closed his laptop, deciding that a fresh start tomorrow might help. He stretched and sighed, realizing how late it had gotten.

The next morning, Ethan arrived early for Professor Cross’s office hours. He figured it would be a good opportunity to get some feedback on his essay and maybe, just maybe, make a better impression. As he stood outside Aiden’s office, clutching his draft nervously, he noticed his heart beating a little faster. It was absurd. He was just going to ask for help. That was it.

When he knocked, the door opened almost immediately. Aiden stood there, a little surprised to see him.

“Vale, right?” Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan felt a small surge of pride that the professor remembered his name. “Yes, Ethan Vale. I was hoping you might have a few minutes to look over my essay draft.”

Aiden stepped aside, gesturing for Ethan to enter. “I don’t normally review drafts this early, but you’ve got my attention. Let’s see it.”

Ethan handed over the printed pages, watching as Aiden scanned them with sharp eyes. His office was minimalistic, filled with bookshelves lined with literature, but otherwise, it was neat and organized, much like the man himself.

Aiden sat down at his desk, reading through Ethan’s essay in silence. The minutes dragged on, and Ethan could feel the tension building with every second. He wished he could know what Aiden was thinking as he read, but the professor’s expression remained unreadable.

Finally, Aiden set the paper down and looked up at Ethan. “You’ve got a solid foundation here, but you’re holding back.”

“Holding back?” Ethan echoed, unsure of what he meant.

Aiden leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Your analysis is thorough, but it lacks depth. You’re playing it safe—sticking to what’s expected rather than taking a risk and presenting something bold.”

Ethan felt a flush of embarrassment. He had thought the essay was decent, but now it seemed lacking in Aiden’s eyes. “I... I wasn’t sure how far to push the argument.”

Aiden studied him for a moment, then leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “This isn’t about regurgitating what others have said. I want to see your unique perspective. What do you really think? Don’t be afraid to challenge the norm. Safe writing never stands out.”

Ethan nodded, taking in the advice, though a part of him still felt nervous. “I’ll work on it.”

Aiden handed the draft back to him, their fingers brushing briefly as he did. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a strange jolt through Ethan. He quickly withdrew his hand, his mind racing to refocus.

“Good,” Aiden said, his voice softer now. “You’ve got potential, Vale. Don’t waste it.”

Ethan smiled faintly, grateful for the feedback but also for the unexpected encouragement. “Thank you, Professor.”

As he turned to leave, Aiden spoke again, this time with an edge of warning. “Remember, Vale—if you want to be great, you’ll need to push past your own limitations. In writing, and in life.”

Ethan paused at the door, those words resonating with him. There was something about Aiden’s tone that felt personal, like the professor was speaking from experience. He left the office with a renewed sense of determination, though part of him couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Aiden Cross than he let on.

As he walked down the hallway, Ethan glanced back briefly, wondering if the professor’s eyes were still on him. He didn’t dare check.

For the first time, the world of academia didn’t seem like the most challenging part of his life.

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Ethan spent the next few days consumed by the essay. Aiden’s words echoed in his mind as he worked: Don’t play it safe. It was easier said than done, but Ethan knew he needed to take a risk, not just in his writing but in how he approached everything in life. A small part of him felt like that challenge extended beyond the classroom, beyond literature—maybe even to his strange and growing fascination with Professor Cross.

He had never felt anything like this before. Admiring a professor’s intellect wasn’t unusual, but the way he found himself thinking about Aiden was unsettling. Every glance, every word exchanged between them seemed charged with something Ethan couldn’t quite name. And that brief touch in Aiden’s office? He hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Ethan forced himself to focus on revising his essay. He tore apart his original draft, diving deeper into the symbolism and layering his analysis with new ideas. He worked late into the night, pouring his thoughts onto the page, risking interpretations that felt bold, even controversial. When he finally finished, he felt a rush of both fear and excitement. Was this enough to meet Aiden’s expectations? Or had he pushed too far?

The next class came quicker than Ethan expected, and his nerves returned in full force as he walked into the lecture hall. Aiden was already at the front of the room, speaking with a few students who had gathered to ask questions before the class began. Ethan took his seat quietly, but he couldn’t shake the sense that today felt different. It wasn’t just about the essay anymore. Something about Aiden had gotten under his skin.

As the lecture progressed, Ethan couldn’t help but steal glances at Aiden. The professor’s commanding presence filled the room as usual, but today Ethan noticed more. The way Aiden’s eyes sparked with passion when discussing literature, the subtle movements of his hands as he gestured, the way he carried himself with quiet confidence—it was all so magnetic. And then, as if sensing Ethan’s gaze, Aiden looked directly at him.

Ethan froze, his heart racing. For a split second, Aiden’s expression softened, a brief flicker of something unspoken passing between them. Then, just as quickly, Aiden continued with the lecture as if nothing had happened. But Ethan knew he hadn’t imagined it.

The rest of the class dragged on in a blur, and by the time Aiden dismissed them, Ethan’s mind was in turmoil. He gathered his things slowly, waiting until most of the students had left the room. He had to talk to Aiden—about the essay, about something. Anything.

As he approached Aiden’s desk, the professor looked up from his notes, raising an eyebrow. “Vale, what can I do for you?”

Ethan swallowed, suddenly feeling foolish for lingering. “I—I revised my essay based on your feedback. I was wondering if you’d take another look at it before I submit.”

Aiden nodded, glancing at the paper Ethan held out. “You’re persistent. I respect that.” He gestured for Ethan to hand it over.

Ethan’s pulse quickened as he watched Aiden skim the pages, his brow furrowing in concentration. The silence stretched on, and Ethan found himself nervously fidgeting, unsure if his risk had paid off. When Aiden finally looked up, there was something in his eyes—approval, maybe even a touch of pride.

“This is much better,” Aiden said, his voice quieter than usual. “You’re starting to find your voice. You’ve taken risks, and they’ve paid off.”

Ethan’s heart swelled at the compliment. “Thank you. Your advice really helped.”

Aiden set the paper down, leaning back slightly in his chair. “You’re a rare student, Vale. Most people don’t push themselves like this. They’re content to follow the rules, stay within the lines.”

Ethan felt a strange pull between them, a tension that hung in the air. “I just... I want to make sure I’m giving my best.”

Aiden’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, and there it was again—that unspoken connection. Ethan could feel it. He wasn’t imagining things. “Just remember,” Aiden said, his voice soft but firm, “sometimes breaking the rules is necessary. But it comes with consequences.”

The words hung between them like a challenge. Ethan wasn’t sure if Aiden was talking about the essay or something else entirely. Before he could respond, Aiden glanced down at his watch, breaking the moment.

“I have another meeting in a few minutes. We’ll discuss this further next time.”

Ethan nodded, taking his paper and turning to leave. As he walked out of the room, he couldn’t help but feel like he had crossed some invisible line. Aiden’s words echoed in his mind—breaking the rules comes with consequences. But what rules were they talking about now? Was it just about the essay? Or was there something else lurking beneath the surface of their interactions?

Ethan’s thoughts raced as he left the building, the cool air doing little to calm his mind. Something had changed between them. He couldn’t deny it anymore. And while he didn’t know where this path would lead, he was certain of one thing: he was already in too deep to turn back now.

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