The Teacher of My Dreams

Episode 1

The blare of the alarm clock began to ring, its grating melody reverberating through the dimly lit bedroom. The sheets were flung to the floor as Alice swung a leg out of bed, intending to rise, but like every morning, it was never that simple. A heavy, bored sigh filled the room, and her attempts to wake up ceased.

An hour later, Alice awoke to the persistent ringing of her cell phone on the nightstand. She glanced at the clock and gasped in shock, practically leaping from the bed and dashing to the bathroom for a quick shower.

After completing her morning routine, Alice returned to her bedroom wrapped in a towel, finally answering the insistent phone.

Alice📱 - Hello!

Tom 📱 - Well, better late than never! I thought you were dead. I was about to call the firefighters or an ambulance.

Alice 📱 - Very funny! I just overslept, that's all.

She opened her closet and selected a pair of jeans and a basic T-shirt, tossing them onto the bed before grabbing a comb to brush her damp hair.

Tom 📱 - It's not just oversleeping, Alice. This has been going on for, what, four or five months now?

Alice 📱 - Are you giving me a lecture? You sound just like my dad.

Laughter echoed from the other end of the line.

Tom 📱 - I'm just curious about what keeps you up at night.

Alice 📱 - Well, I guess you'll never find out! (laughs)

Tom 📱 - Don't underestimate the detective in me.

Dropping the towel onto a chair, she swiftly dressed, stuffed books into her bag, slipped on her sneakers, and left the room heading for the kitchen. Grabbing an apple, she soon exited her apartment, hurrying down the stairs.

Alice 📱 - By the way, did you read today's newspaper?

Tom 📱 - You know I don't read the paper.

Exiting the building, she approached an old jeep parked by the curb, opened the door with a smile.

Alice - Maybe you should start!

Tom glanced at her and hung up the phone. He started the car, and Alice got in, fastening her seatbelt.

Tom - Once again, YOU'RE LATE!

Alice - We'll be even later if you don't step on the gas.

He rolled his eyes and drove off towards the university where they both studied in different programs. Alice donned her sunglasses to conceal dark circles and rested her head against the car window.

Alice Ross, 22, a psychology student at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, had lived alone for about three years, though she would visit her family in another city during the holidays. She also kept her nocturnal job a secret, often losing sleep as a result.

Upon arrival at the university, Tom parked the car, and they rushed to their respective classes.

Tom - See you at lunch!

Alice - Sure!

They split at the stairs, with Alice running up to the third floor, arriving nearly out of breath. The long, deserted hallway spread out before her.

Alice - Darn, darn...

She murmured complaints under her breath as she approached the classroom door and opened it. Everyone, including the professor leaning against the desk holding a book, turned to stare.

Brandon - It seems tardiness is a part of your routine.

Swallowing her embarrassment as some students snickered in the back, she apologized.

Alice - Sorry, professor. I promise it won't happen again.

Brandon - I'm sure it won't, because next time, you won't be attending my class.

He looked over his glasses, closed the book, and gestured to a vacant seat in the back.

Brandon - Please, take a seat.

She nodded, walking past rows of chairs under the watchful eyes of others until finally sitting down.

Brandon - Next week, as you all know, exams start, and that's when things get serious.

Girl - Oh no, professor! I'm sure I'll screw up.

Brandon - Not if you study.

The relaxed smiles of the students contrasted with Alice's focus as she took out her notebook and laptop, turning her attention to the professor. She secretly harbored an unrequited crush on Brandon, a man who made many women breathless—not that she wasn't among them.

She knew her love was impossible, that he would never see her that way. He never gave any student leeway, partly due to ethics and partly because Brandon was engaged to another faculty member, with rumors of marriage within a week.

Alice - I have to get him out of my head; he'll never look at me, never!

Her fatigue from sleepless nights grew heavier, with her eyelids drooping. The professor's voice grew distant as her vision blurred and her head eventually drooped onto her arms atop the laptop.

Later, Alice awoke feeling groggy and warm. Lifting her head, she was stunned to find the classroom empty.

Alice - Oh no!

She lamented having fallen asleep during the lecture again, cursed under her breath, and noticed a white note on her desk.

Brandon 📄 - "Upon waking, please see me in the psychology department office."

Frustrated, she crumpled the note, packed her laptop, and exited swiftly, the halls now silent except for the janitor tidying up.

Janitor - Good afternoon!

Alice - Good afternoon?

Checking the time, she realized it was late in the day.

Alice - Darn it!

Janitor - Trouble?

Pausing, she looked at the man, bewildered by the time she'd slept.

Alice - Yeah, good afternoon.