Emily: Hello Kitten (The ‘Hello’ series)

36. Chapter 36

thirty-six

I stare at my schedule for finals week. Adrian and I have managed to survive the week of being back on campus, but it’s almost too good to be true. I’m more focused on that than finals. He said we couldn’t go on dates unless I had finished all my studying and papers.

Which means we haven’t seen each other since Monday night and it’s Wednesday. I’ve completed one final. I still have two papers and a test left. Beth is losing her mind, second guessing everything, and Danielle is having me edit her papers.

It’s study and writing central in our room. But all I can think about is Adrian. I won’t have him as a professor next semester, so does that mean we have to keep hiding it? No. He’ll still be a professor. I could still get expelled and he could still be fired. Plus, people will ask questions about last semester.

“Hey, you haven’t typed in like three minutes,” Beth says. “Is something on your mind?”

“Just stressed,” I say, trying not to lie. I don’t want to lie to my friends anymore. It’s gross.

After hours of helping my friends, I stare at my half-finished essay for Adrian. After hesitating another minute, I dive into the argument I wasn’t sure I was going to use. It’s daring, controversial, but I’m sure it will work. Of course, since I could choose any book to analyze through one of the lenses we talked about in class, I chose the exact book I picked out when my sister was over at Adrian’s.

I talk about how Sherlock’s losing was actually a way for Arthur Conan Doyle to make female wit something to celebrate, to prove women can own their sexuality and use their looks and the way others use them as a ploy, how it adds to her wit, and the essay pours out of me.

When I finish, I have to go back through and edit it, organize my argument, put in the citations, and triple-check it for grammar issues. I glance at my clock, notice it’s two in the morning, then turn in the digital copy.

The next day, I turn in another paper, so all that’s left is my test. I breeze through it, but it’s so easy that I’m actually worried I’ve failed at the end of it. I nearly grab it back to go over it again, but my professor tuts and takes it from me.

“Maybe I should just check a few more things,” I hint.

“Don’t second-guess yourself, Emily. Your first answer comes from your gut. The second answer comes from your doubt. Doubt leads to failing,” he says seriously.

I nod, adjust my backpack, then leave the classroom. I head to the English building. It’s my last day of the semester and I need to oversee Dr. Spence’s test. I tried to avoid her after I saw her coming on to Adrian, but I couldn’t, really. I’m still her PA.

She said she trusts me enough to oversee the test. So I hand it out quickly, promising the students they have as long as they need since this is the last class of the day, but that I have to cap them at two hours if they’ll need that.

A few appear nervous, but I quote the professor I just had, promising the class that if they’ve paid attention, they’ll do well. I also spoil a surprise that Dr. Spence likes to keep secret. She went after Adrian, and this is the only revenge I can get.

“I happen to know that if your final essay is better than your final in terms of grade, she’ll drop the lower one. There’s no pressure here,” I promise in my calmest voice. “You can handle this just like you all handled the semester. Take your time, breathe, and don’t second-guess yourself.”

With that, they get started. I glance around occasionally, just to make sure that no one is cheating, but my phone vibrates after the first student turns in their test and thanks me. It has to be a record. Thirty minutes to complete an exam.

I wish them a good break, then check my phone. Adrian?

Come to my office when you’re done.

I glance around and gulp, then reply.

Everything okay?

It’s not about your final, calm down. I haven’t even started on those yet. I want you to be the first to know something.

I send him a few question marks, but he doesn’t answer.

I huff, my heart beating quicker, but I manage to glue myself to the chair until everyone’s done with their tests. No one has questions or reports problems. They just give me nervous smiles as they leave. I alphabetize the tests, then turn them in to Dr. Spence’s office where she’s already grading others.

“Thank you for all your help this semester, Emily. You really are amazing. You should consider teaching,” she gushes.

“Thank you. I hope you have a great break,” I say.

“You too!” With that she goes right back to grading, so she doesn’t see my smile fall.

I roll my eyes, then head to Dr. Hayes’ office. He has to be Dr. Hayes right now. Otherwise, I’ll get excited. After our first and last round of fun in his office, he all but banned me from coming in.

“Shut the door, Emily,” he orders as I walk in.

Someone outside hisses that I’m in trouble. I shake my head and shut the door but don’t sit down. I clear my throat. “Dr. Hayes, if there’s something we need to discuss.”

“You have no reason to call me that anymore,” he says without looking up from his desk.

My heartbeat fills my ears. I have no idea what he’s going to say, but I’m sure I don’t want to hear it. I’m sure it’s going to be terrible, and I have no idea what to think or feel. When I don’t say anything, Adrian looks up. He arches an eyebrow.

“We’re in your office, so I should call you that. You’re… my final hasn’t been graded, so…” I trail off.

He sighs and looks at his computer. “I saved your class for last. I’m trying to save your essay for last since I have a feeling it’s going to set the curve.”

“You shouldn’t grade on a curve,” I mumble.

“I am feeling nice,” he concedes with a half-smile. “I could give everyone As.”

“What’s going on? It sounded really important and you’re being weird,” I grumble.

He takes a slow breath. “Peel yourself off the door and come in here, Emily.”

“Did someone…”

“It’s been a pleasure being your professor,” he says, then reaches over his desk like he wants to shake my hand.

“Adrian,” I breathe. “Please, don’t tell me that my sister, that someone—”

He waves his hand until I take it in mine and pull myself closer, until my knees hit his desk. “You’re scaring me. What happened? Did the university find out? Did something happen?”

“Something did happen,” he says seriously. “I fell for my best student. I have it on good authority that it’s not professional.”

I feel like I’m choking. He can’t be fired. He can’t. it’s not possible. We were so careful. My eyes water, and Adrian walks around his desk, pulling me into his arms. “Don’t cry, baby.”

“You got fired?”

“No,” he says, kissing my forehead. “I quit. I’ll be working for another university teaching online classes. So now, I’m not your professor.”

I smack his shoulder. “You scared me! I was ready to do something about it, to take responsibility, to scream, to—”

“You’re already crying,” he murmurs, wiping under my eye. “I told you and your sister, I’d keep hiding us as long as it was necessary.”

“Why did you quit? You love it here.”

He kisses me softly, then deeper. “Because I get to have you without hiding it. We might have to wait until the semester starts to be seen together, but we don’t have to hide anymore. From now on, I’m just your boyfriend.”

I sniff as I stare up at him. “You did this for me?”

“I don’t like asking you to lie, even if it’s been ridiculously hot. I’ll be jealous of your other professors, but that means I get more time with you and I can steal you more often. No more worries about my getting fired or your getting expelled,” he promises.

“But did you do this just for—”

“Not just for you, but it’s the prominent reason,” he says with a shameless smile. “I’m old enough to chase what I want and do what I have to do so I can have you .”

I sniff as my heart swells. “I guess I can’t call you ‘Professor’ in bed anymore,” I whisper.

He laughs and kisses me again. “Oh, you will. I’ll make you.”