Episode 10

The rest of the day passed uneventfully—lectures, group work, and the usual humdrum of academic life. I tried to keep my mind on my tasks, but every so often, snippets of the morning’s exchange with Professor Sungit would slip into my thoughts. Her sharp words, the flicker of something softer beneath her steely exterior, and that ever-present curiosity I couldn’t seem to shake.

By the time my final class ended, I was itching to tell someone about the encounter. Jenna, naturally, was the first person that came to mind.

Back at the dorm, she was sprawled on her bed, scrolling through her phone, earbuds in. I tossed my bag onto my bed with a thud, catching her attention.

“Finally!” she said, pulling out her earbuds. “What took you so long? Did you get lost in your professor’s glare again?”

“Ha, ha,” I deadpanned, sitting on the edge of my bed. “Actually, something interesting did happen.”

Her eyes lit up with curiosity, and she sat up straight. “Do tell. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

I recounted the morning’s events—the early arrival, the empty hallway, and the unexpected banter with Professor Sungit. Jenna listened intently, her expressions ranging from shock to amusement.

“She told you to stop looking at her?” Jenna burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “Oh my God, Alexis, you’ve got to stop making your professors uncomfortable!”

“I wasn’t staring!” I protested, though her laughter was contagious. “I was just… observing.”

“Sure, sure,” she teased, wiping a tear from her eye. “But seriously, why are you so hung up on her all of a sudden? You’ve been talking about her more than usual.”

I hesitated, unsure how to explain it. “I don’t know. It’s like… she’s not who I thought she was. There’s something about her that doesn’t add up, and I can’t stop wondering about it.”

Jenna raised an eyebrow, her grin turning sly. “Hmm, sounds like someone’s got a little professor crush.”

“What? No!” I exclaimed, throwing a pillow at her. “It’s not like that. I’m just curious.”

“Curious,” she echoed, smirking. “Okay, sure. Whatever you say, Alexis.”

Shaking my head, I decided to drop the subject. There was no point in arguing with Jenna when she was in one of her teasing moods. Instead, I grabbed my laptop and started working on an assignment, determined to push Professor Sungit from my mind.

---

The next day, I walked into Professor Sungit’s class with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I wasn’t sure what to expect after yesterday’s odd interaction. Would she be her usual stern self, or would there be another glimpse of the person I’d seen beneath the surface?

As I settled into my seat, I noticed her at the front of the room, preparing for the lecture. She looked as composed as ever, her glasses perched on her nose and her expression unreadable. I tried not to stare, focusing instead on organizing my notes.

The lecture began, and as usual, it was intense and fast-paced. She moved through the material with precision, her voice commanding the room. But every so often, I caught her glancing in my direction, as if she was checking to see if I was paying attention.

By the end of the class, my notebook was filled with scribbles, and my brain felt like it had run a marathon. As the other students filed out, I stayed behind, hoping to clarify a point I hadn’t quite understood.

“Ma’am?” I said hesitantly as I approached her desk.

She looked up, her sharp gaze softening slightly when she saw me. “Yes?”

“I just had a question about the concept we discussed earlier. I didn’t quite get how it connects to the previous topic.”

She gestured for me to take a seat, then launched into a clear and concise explanation. As she spoke, I couldn’t help but notice how passionate she was about the subject. It was as if the stern facade melted away when she was teaching, replaced by genuine enthusiasm.

“Does that make sense now?” she asked, her tone almost gentle.

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” I replied, feeling a bit more confident.

She nodded, her expression unreadable once again. “Good. Now, if there’s nothing else, you should head to your next class.”

"Ahh, actually you’re my last subject, so I’m free now," I blurted out.

Why did I even say that?

She raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Then why are you still here?" she asked, her tone as sharp as ever.

I froze for a moment, scrambling for an answer. "Uh… I guess I didn’t feel like leaving yet," I admitted awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck.

She gave me a long look before sighing. "Well, if you’re not doing anything, don’t just stand there wasting time. Find something productive to do."

I nodded quickly, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Right. I’ll go… do that," I said, turning to leave before I could embarrass myself further.

Great job, I thought sarcastically as I walked down the hallway. Now she probably thinks I’m some aimless wanderer.

Professor Sungit watched as I sheepishly walked out of the room, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She couldn't help but find my awkwardness just a bit amusing.

"What are you smiling about?"

She looked up to see her colleague, Professor Jameson, standing in the doorway with a knowing look on his face.

"Nothing," she said coolly, stacking her papers into a neat pile.

"Do you still have another class, Ms. Alarcon?" her colleague, Professor Jameson, asked as he entered the room.

Professor Sungit glanced at him, her composure unwavering. "No, I’m done for the day. Why do you ask?" Her voice was neutral, but there was a slight tension in the air, as if something unspoken lingered between them.

Professor Jameson chuckled softly, walking further into the room. "Just wondering if you were planning to stick around for the faculty meeting or if I should prepare myself for yet another one of your silent retreats."

Professor Sungit gave a nonchalant shrug, organizing her papers with precision. "I’ll be there. Don’t worry. I have a few things to wrap up first."

Jameson raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, sure. I’ll take your word for it." He lingered for a moment longer before turning to leave. "Try not to scare off any more students while you’re at it."

She didn’t respond, her attention now fully on the papers in front of her, but the corner of her mouth twitched ever so slightly.

:))

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