Chapter 2: The First Exchange

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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