Jessie burst into the seminar room, her heart hammering from shame of being late. The class was already deep in discussion, pens scratching against rustling papers. She scanned for an empty seat and went rigid the moment her eyes landed on him.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with a kind of effortless elegance she'd never seen before. The sunlight didn't help matters at all, catching the edges of his dark hair and the sharp line of his jaw that immediately made her hold her breath.
He turned and his eyes met hers; warm, steady, and intriguing. Just enough to make her knees buckle and feel unsteady.
"It's nice of you to join us for class, miss?" His voice was smooth, low, confident. He tilted his head, waiting. "Miss…?"
Heat rushed to Jessie's cheeks. "Jes…Jessie Cruise, sir. I mean, my name sir," she stammered, sinking into the nearest empty seat.
Her roommate leaned close, whispering with a sly grin. "Jessie… finally have a crush?"
"I don't! Stop assuming things, Banny," Jessie hissed, though her eyes kept drifting.
"Oh, you don't Banny me. We all saw you in broad daylight drooling over the new Professor just moments ago," her roommate teased.
Across the room, Professor Harcourt's brow lifted almost imperceptibly, a hint of amusement flickering in his dark eyes as he returned to the podium. "Do I need to excuse you ladies, or will you quit talking and pay attention in my class?"
Jessie's cheeks flamed. Apologies tumbled from both her and Banny's lips. He turned smoothly, beginning the seminar. "I'll start by introducing myself. I am Professor Barry Harcourt, filling in for your CIP lecturer, Dr. Bruce. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask."
Jessie tried to focus, taking notes, but her gaze kept drifting to how every motion he made was executed with careful precision and a confidence that seemed to call her attention. One subtle glance his way, and she saw the hint of a faint smile as he tilted his head, and tiny sparks she couldn't explain overtook her.
The seminar ended, and students shuffled out. Jessie lingered, still seated, pretending to organize her papers.
Banny nudged her. "You're totally smitten by the Professor aren't you? I mean who wouldn't? The man is like the epitome of a Greek god.
"Shush, Banny, he might hear us" Jessie pleaded, feeling embarrassed about the subject.
"Oh please, I like that you're finally willing to live a little before graduation, and he is just the perfect candidate in Willowridge to be losing your virginity to, if you ask me."
Although she tried to pretend, her mind immediately went over the moon at the thought of losing her virginity to the professor. Jessie flushed at her own imagination, biting her lip. "You're crazy, Banny. Come on, let's go. The professor's totally out of my league anyway. He looks to be twice my age."
"Well, as you wish, mademoiselle," Banny conceded.
They packed up, Jessie's eyes flicked once more to him. He was already watching, subtle, calculated, every glance a quiet pull she couldn't resist. By the time they left the room, he had vanished, but the effect he had on her still lingered, a silent promise she didn't dare name.
***
By the time Jessie and Banny returned to their dorm room, the evening sun was already sliding low, staining the campus lawns in a lazy orange glow. The window was cracked open, letting in the faint hum of shouts from students strolling across campus.
Jessie dropped her bag on the desk, already reaching for her notes. "I swear, if I don't get another two pages done on my thesis tonight, I'm finished."
But before she could sit, Banny clapped her hands dramatically. "Absolutely not! Get up and change my dear cos you're not staying here tonight."
Jessie blinked. "What now Banny?"
Banny spun toward her closet with the authority of someone who had already planned the evening. "Eric's birthday party is tonight, remember? The entire department is going to be there and so are you." She plucked at Jessie's shirts with a wrinkled nose. "You're in your final year, Jessie, plus You're going to be twenty-three next month. You cannot keep acting like the library and your job at the diner are your everything."
Jessie groaned, rubbing her temples. "Banny, I really need to get work done. And honestly? I don't have the energy for any party right now."
Banny planted her hands on her hips like an exasperated mother. "Okay, let's just say, hypothetically, that Greek god of a professor you were practically drooling over today happens to also harbor a crush on you, where do you expect him to find you? Here in this bedroom buried under papers, or wiping tables at the diner?"
Jessie froze mid-protest. The image made her lips twitch against her will. "You… might have a point there."
"Yes!" Banny whooped, throwing a victory fist into the air. "Come on. Let's make you pretty."
Jessie rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "Fine. But I am not wearing anything over the top, Banny. And don't you dare try to set me up with any of your crazy friends tonight. If you do, I'm out of there."
"I solemnly promise to behave myself," Banny said with a mock bow, hand pressed to her chest like she was swearing an oath.
When Jessie emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later wearing jeans and a fitted tank top under a soft jacket, Banny's eyes narrowed immediately. "You're most definitely not going out with me dressed like you're going to a group study instead of a party."
Jessie lifted her chin. "This is comfortable and I'm not changing."
"But.." Banny started, already rifling through her own closet. "Here. Borrow this skirt. Or my top. Just something to make you look more fit for the occasion."
"Nope. Not happening." Jessie folded her arms. "If I'm going, I'm going as myself."
They locked eyes, silent wills clashing. Finally, Banny threw her hands up. "Fine. But don't blame me when you turn heads for all the wrong reasons and I'll gladly tell everyone you're 'mysteriously unavailable.'"
Jessie laughed, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail. "You're impossible Banny, leave me alone."
"And you love me for it," Banny shot back, grabbing her bag. She looped an arm through Jessie's and tugged her toward the door. "Now let's go. Tonight, my dear wallflower, you're blooming."
***
By the time they arrived at the off-campus apartment, music was already spilling out the windows, and laughter rose in waves. The air smelled of grilled chicken, perfume, and mischief. A string of fairy lights zigzagged above the balcony, and someone had already scrawled Happy Birthday, Eric! across the front door in neon chalk.
Jessie was reluctant to go in. "I already regret this," she muttered.
Banny looped an arm around her shoulder. "Relax. It's just a party, not a firing squad."
Inside, chaos reigned. A group was shouting over beer-pong, and two people were rapping into the karaoke mic at once. Banny twirled into the crowd like she owned it, laughing and hugging half the department. Jessie stayed near the wall, hugging her jacket like a shield.
"Jessie!" A coursemate pressed a red cup into her hand before she could object. She took a sip and immediately regretted it. The bitter burn of alcohol slid down her throat, foreign and fiery.
"That's not soda?" she coughed.
The guy smirked. "Welcome to the party baby."
Jessie's stomach turned, but before she could slip away, another guy appeared, his loud cologne and overconfident grin further making her uncomfortable. "Hey, pretty girl," he drawled, leaning too close. "You know, you don't have to look so shy. I can…"
Without thinking, Jessie shoved a chicken skewer into his mouth. "Eat," she blurted.
He gagged, sputtering as the crowd around them erupted in laughter. Jessie's face burned red.
"Still saving lives with food, huh?"
She turned, startled to see Richard standing behind her, smiling in that calm, steady way that had always unsettled her.
Her chest tightened with guilt. She knew what that smile meant. She had always known. He has loved her since their first year,and she had really tried to reciprocate his feelings but nothing came out of it. Richard, though, never held it against her. He still stayed by her side and protected her. Jessie never understood why his heart had chosen her, when she was clearly the wrong girl for him.
"Richard," she said softly, forcing a smile. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."
"Then stop looking like someone who needs rescuing," he teased gently.
Before Jessie could respond, Banny came bouncing over, her grin wicked. "Aha! Finally, the two of you in the same spot. Come on, you're dancing together tonight."
Jessie's eyes went wide. "No! No!! No!!! Banny."
"Yes," Banny sang, shoving them both into the center of the living room. The crowd parted just enough to give them space, the beat pulsing beneath their feet.