I woke up feeling exhausted, as if I had run a marathon in my sleep. No surprise there, I had spent half the night tossing and turning, my mind refusing to quiet down after our conversation. No matter how much I tried, I just couldn't shake the feeling that there was something... different about last night.
With a groan, I stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I barely got any rest, and now I had to get through the day running on what felt like two hours of actual sleep.
Great. Just great.
I glanced at my phone, half-expecting another message from him, but the screen was blank. Somehow, that left a strange feeling in my chest, relief? Disappointment? I wasn't sure.
Shaking my head, I forced myself out of bed. I had a long day ahead, and I couldn't afford to keep overthinking this.
I went into the bathroom, letting the cold tiles wake me up as I turned on the shower. The water was warm, comforting against my skin, but even as I stood under the stream, my mind drifted back to last night's conversation.
Why does it feel like a date?
I shook the thought away, finishing my quick bath before stepping out and wrapping myself in a towel. The cold air nipped at my skin, reminding me that winter was still in full swing. With that in mind, I pulled out a cozy yet stylish winter outfit-warm leggings, a thick sweater, and my favorite wool coat.
As I dressed, I stole another glance at my phone. No new messages.
Good. That means I can stop overthinking now... right?
With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and headed out. Time to focus on school.
Before leaving for school, I made my way to the dining area, where my parents were having breakfast.
"I'm heading out now," I said, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.
Dad looked up from his newspaper and gave me a nod. "Have a good day, sweetheart."
Mom, on the other hand, barely spared me a glance as she sipped her coffee. "Don't forget about your cello practice," she reminded me instead.
I pressed my lips together but chose not to argue. Instead, I simply replied, "Yeah, I know."
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked toward the door. Outside, John was already waiting by the car, the engine running. I slid into the back seat, letting out a sigh as I leaned my head against the window.
"Off to Stanford, Miss Noa?" he asked with a polite smile through the rearview mirror.
"Yeah, John. Let's go."
As the car pulled away from the driveway, I tried to focus on the day ahead. But no matter how hard I tried, one thought kept lingering in my mind-Professor Elsher.
As soon as we reached Stanford, John quickly stepped out and opened the car door for me.
"Thanks, John," I said, grabbing my bag before stepping onto the pavement.
The moment I looked up, I spotted Samantha waiting near the entrance, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on her lips.
"Hey yo, rich girl," she called out playfully.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile forming on my lips. "Oh, shut up."
She linked her arm with mine as we started walking inside. "So... you look like you barely slept. Don't tell me you were up all night thinking about a certain professor?"
I scoffed, but my cheeks betrayed me by warming up. "What? No!"
Samantha gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, you totally were!"
I groaned, shoving her lightly. "Drop it, Sam."
She just laughed, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Alright, alright. But just so you know... I still think he has a thing for you."
I shook my head, trying to push away the thought. But deep down, I couldn't help but wonder...
Was she right?
We entered the classroom and quickly took our usual seats. I set my things down and pulled out my iPad, trying to focus on the lecture ahead. But just as I was about to settle in, the door opened, and I froze.
Professor Elsher walked in, wearing a long gray wool coat that looked effortlessly elegant. Beneath it, a black pullover with a white collar peeked through, and his beige trousers completed the look. He was holding a cup of coffee in one hand, his leather-attached case in the other.
And my God, he was absolutely breathtaking.
As he walked toward the desk, everything around me seemed to slow down, his every step, the way the sunlight caught his hair, even the soft swish of his coat as he shrugged it off.
Why is he doing this to me?
I could feel my heartbeat quicken as I tried to refocus, but my mind was scattered. He looked way too good for my own good.
Then I felt it, a presence beside me. I glanced to my side and saw Samantha, her eyes glinting with mischief.
I could already tell-she wasn't going to let this go.
"Well, well, well," she whispered under her breath, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Looks like someone's got it bad."
I sighed, sinking into my seat in an attempt to hide the flush creeping up my neck. "Samantha, don't."
But she only raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by my flustered state. "Oh, I won't. You're way too obvious."
I shot her a warning look, but it was no use. She was already making mental notes of all the things she would tease me about later.
And as Professor Elsher began setting up, I tried my best to avoid getting lost in my thoughts, knowing full well that Samantha was going to have a field day with this.
As Professor Elsher finished settling at the front of the class and got ready to start the lecture, I quickly glanced down at my iPad, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with him. I had to focus, there was no way I was going to let myself get lost in that again.
I knew I needed to listen, take notes, and not let my mind wander. The last thing I wanted was to get caught up in fantasizing about him in the middle of class.
I took a deep breath, tapping away on my iPad, determined to stay on track. But as his voice filled the room, every now and then, I could feel his gaze on me. It made my heart race, my hands tense, but I couldn't give in.
Focus. Focus.
But despite my best efforts, every time he moved or his voice dropped lower, I felt a flutter of nerves, like I was trying to resist something I was helplessly drawn to. It took all my willpower not to glance up, but I kept my attention fixed firmly on the screen in front of me.
One thing was for sure, this lecture was going to be a challenge.
"So, before I end our discussion, I want to ask one of you a question," Professor Elsher said, his voice steady but laced with authority.
Fuck. My stomach dropped. He was calling on someone, and I had no idea what to expect. I tried to avoid looking at him, hoping he'd pass over me, but I knew the moment his eyes landed in my direction. He called my name.
"Miss Schmid," he said, his tone pulling me back into the moment. "As an attorney, why should you not judge your client, even if you know they're guilty? Why do you still have to defend them?"
I froze for a second, my mind racing as I tried to form a response. My thoughts were a blur, how could he ask me such a deep, philosophical question in front of the class?
I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me, but somehow, I forced myself to speak, my voice slightly more composed than I felt.
"Well," I started, clearing my throat. "As an attorney, it's our job to uphold the law, not to pass judgment. Everyone deserves a fair trial, regardless of their guilt or innocence. We have an ethical duty to provide the best defense possible, so the justice system can determine the outcome. It's about ensuring that no one is denied their right to a fair trial."
I glanced up briefly, meeting his gaze, but quickly looked down, not wanting to get lost in those eyes again.
There was a brief silence before Professor Elsher nodded, a small, approving smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Very well said, Miss Schmid," he said, his voice soft but sincere. "That's exactly the essence of law. You don't just defend a person, you defend the principles that uphold fairness."
I exhaled quietly, relieved that I hadn't stuttered or messed it up. As he turned back to the rest of the class, I couldn't shake the feeling that something more had just passed between us, though I couldn't put my finger on it.
For the rest of the lecture, I kept my focus on the material, but my thoughts occasionally drifted back to the conversation. Would he remember this? What did he think of my answer? And, of course, why was my heart still racing?
As the lecture came to an end, Professor Elsher straightened up, glancing at the clock before his eyes swept across the class.
"Before I let you go," he said, his voice commanding but calm. "I'll leave you with this quote. 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" He paused, allowing the words to hang in the air, their weight sinking in.
I could feel a quiet stillness in the room as his gaze lingered for a moment, almost as if he were trying to read our thoughts.
He finally nodded, breaking the silence. "Think about that as you go about your week. You're all here to learn how to be the ones who fight against that injustice."
And with that, he dismissed us, his voice trailing off as the sound of chairs scraping against the floor filled the room.
I gathered my things slowly, my mind still circling the quote and everything that had happened in class especially my conversation with him. It felt like something had shifted, something unspoken between us. But what?
Samantha nudged me as we stood up, her voice playful. "Well, looks like you've caught his attention, Noa."
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. "Stop it. He was just asking a question."
Samantha gave me a teasing grin. "Uh-huh, sure. And I'm just a casual observer here."
I shook my head, but deep down, I couldn't help the flutter in my chest. What was happening between us?
As I was about to leave the room, I suddenly heard him call my name. My heart pounded, and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Noa, do you have a minute?" he asked.
My heart raced even faster, but I forced myself to face him and respond with a soft, "Yes." I told Samantha to wait for me outside, though I was sure she already knew something was up.
As I walked up to his desk, I couldn't help but notice just how handsome he was up close. His features were sharp, yet there was a warmth to his expression that made me feel a little nervous. I tried to focus on what he was saying but found myself distracted by the way his eyes lingered on me for just a moment too long.
"About last night," he began, his voice low and smooth. "I just wanted to thank you for accepting Aleah's invitation. I already told her that you'd be coming, and she was beyond excited when she heard that."
I smiled, my cheeks warming slightly. "You're welcome. It was my pleasure."
But then, before I could even gather my thoughts, he asked another question that made my heart race even faster this time.
"I couldn't help but notice," he said, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity, "that you didn't look at me once during class. Are you avoiding me, Miss Schmid?"
His words sent a flutter through my chest, and I found myself fumbling for an answer. "I... uh... no," I stammered, trying to steady my breath. "It's just that... I didn't want to get distracted."
He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. "Distracted by what exactly?"
I bit my lip, unsure how to answer. "By... you," I admitted, almost in a whisper, as I shifted my gaze to the desk to avoid his intense stare.
For a moment, he was quiet, his eyes studying me in a way that made me feel exposed, like he could see right through me. "I see," he finally said, his voice softening. "Well, don't worry, Miss Schmid. I won't bite."
I looked up at him, my heart still thumping in my chest, unsure whether his words were meant to reassure me or leave me more flustered than before.
As I stood there, trying my best to keep my composure, he leaned slightly forward, his gaze locking with mine in a way that made me feel both nervous and oddly exhilarated.
"I must say, Miss Schmid," he began with a teasing edge to his voice, "it's not like you to be so shy. I didn't think I'd ever see you avoiding someone, especially not me." His smirk was playful, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
My stomach fluttered, and I nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm not avoiding you," I insisted, though my voice betrayed me, sounding almost too defensive. "I just... I needed to focus, that's all."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Focus, huh?" He took a small step closer, and the space between us seemed to shrink, making my heart beat faster. "You mean on the lesson, or on me?"
My breath hitched slightly at his words. I quickly tried to cover my unease with a smile, but it probably came off as more awkward than I intended. "On the lesson, obviously," I said, though even I didn't believe it myself.
He chuckled, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine. "I don't think I've ever heard a more convincing answer, Miss Schmid." He paused for a moment, his gaze softening just slightly. "But tell me, what's distracting you more? The lesson, or me?"
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, my mind scrambling for something to say. "I'm just... it's just hard to concentrate with all the, uh, attention you're giving me," I stammered, my words feeling clumsy.
Professor Elsher's smile grew even more mischievous. "Attention, you say?" He leaned in just a little, his voice lowering to a teasing whisper. "Are you sure it's my attention you're worried about, or something else entirely?"
My heart skipped a beat at the way he was looking at me now. There was no mistaking the playful challenge in his eyes. I swallowed, suddenly aware of how close we were, how his presence seemed to overwhelm me. "I'm not worried," I managed to say, though my voice was much less confident than I intended.
He grinned, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Well, Miss Schmid," he said, straightening up again, "I'll leave you to your thoughts. But if you ever need help with that focus problem of yours, you know where to find me."
Before I could react, he was already turning away, but not without giving me one last teasing glance over his shoulder.
"Good luck with that," he added, his voice rich with amusement.
I stood frozen for a moment, my heart still pounding in my chest, before I finally forced myself to move.
His words hung in the air, and I was still trying to process the weight of his compliment when he turned back around to gather his things. "By the way, that was a good answer back there, Miss Schmid," he said casually, as if it was nothing. But the way he said it, smooth, confident... made my chest tighten. "I can't wait for you to become my colleague."
My heart skipped a beat, and for a split second, all I could do was stare at him. Colleague? Was he implying that he saw me as more than just a student? The thought sent a flurry of excitement and confusion through me.
I forced a smile, trying to play it cool, even though I felt anything but. "Thanks, Professor," I managed to say, my voice a little shakier than I would've liked. "It's... it's kind of you to say that."
He turned to face me again, his gaze steady and knowing, as though he could read every single thought running through my mind. "Of course. You've got the potential," he said, voice softening just enough to make my heart race. "And I have no doubt you'll be great at whatever you choose."
I wasn't sure whether he was referring to law school, my future career, or something else entirely. But the way he said it like he believed in me, like he had faith in my abilities... made me feel... exposed. Vulnerable, yet oddly empowered.
Before I could respond, he glanced toward the door, then back at me. "But for now," he continued with a teasing smile, "focus on today. The weekend will come soon enough."
I nodded quickly, my mind still swirling. "I'll, uh, do that. Thanks again." My voice came out a little too eager, but I didn't care.
With a final, almost affectionate smile, he turned back toward his desk. "Good luck with the rest of your day, Miss Schmid."
I stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. His words echoed in my head, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was just a professor being kind, or if there was something more behind it... something deeper.
But for now, I had to shake it off. There was no time for overthinking.
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt my face flush with heat. Am I starting to fall for Professor Elsher? The thought felt insane... he was my professor, for crying out loud. Yet, every time I saw him, my heart raced, and my thoughts seemed to revolve around him in a way I couldn't control.
It wasn't just his looks, though, let's be real, the man was gorgeous but there was something else. The way he spoke, the way he looked at me like he was really seeing me. It was like every interaction left me questioning my own emotions, making me wonder if maybe I was reading too much into it, or if there was something... real there.
"God, why do I feel like a high schooler who's in love?" I muttered aloud, knowing how ridiculous it sounded, but also feeling it so deeply.
But it wasn't like I had control over it. With every word, every glance, it seemed like he was pulling me in a little more. I felt like a magnet, drawn to him, and it was hard to tell if it was just admiration, or if my feelings were starting to run deeper.
Could I really be falling for him? Or was this just some infatuation that would pass, like some fleeting crush?