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“I do. It’s not like I’m that much older than all of you.”
Others then chimed in with their own recaps of Fall break. I already knew where Nicole had gone because she’d called me prior to boarding her plane for California, but she joined in with the others. The only one to not say anything was Travis so I looked over at him. “And what about you?”
He smirked, and after winking at Nicole, he responded. “Los Angeles. I spent my time there with a good friend.”
Something about the way he said ‘friend’ and looked back over at Nicole had me ready to growl. I held it off, and remembered the grades. “Enough of that. I’ve sent your midterm grades so I’ll give you all a few minutes to look them over.”
I then went back to my office and finally let the scowl out. I knew Travis hadn’t been lying when he said he went to Los Angeles, and I knew he probably saw Nicole when there. It shouldn’t bother me, especially since she had stressed to me multiple times that he was simply a friend and nothing more, but as a man, I knew what the looks Travis gave her meant. She might want to ignore them, but I certainly wouldn’t. There was little I could do right now though, so I headed back out to the classroom.
Overall, it appeared that most were happy with their grades. I was tough on them, but I graded fairly. “And if there’s any concerns over your grade thus far, please make sure to request an appointment with me to go over them.”
No one seemed overly concerned, so I moved back to my desk and sat back atop it. I then spent the next twenty minutes telling them about their newest assignment. I wanted them to write their own five thousand word chapter from the point of view of one of the guests at the many parties that Gatsby threw. I went over the specific questions I would be looking for the answers in their writing. I also mentioned what percentage of this new term’s grade it would be in case someone wanted to just throw something out there. We’d been delving deep into the meanings of the different themes, and the best part was that the class was not in complete agreement over which one they believed which meant I should get some good essays to read.
I’d always loved writing myself, and if I had not become a teacher, I might’ve seriously considered pursuing a career in that field. I’d done a similar assignment in one of my Lit classes, except my assignment was to write an epilogue to a different book. My professor had been so impressed with my work that he told me I should consider getting an agent. I had tried once or twice to come up with a plot, but I had never quite had the right kind of inspiration. I looked over at Nicole as she scribbled something down in her notebook. Her head was down, and that long mane of dark hair was framing her face as it fell. She had the perfect look for one of those regency heroines, and maybe I finally found some inspiration after all.
The bell rang again and the students all stood. I walked to the door, and stood there as I waited for Nicole to leave. She was the second to last one to leave and when she stepped near, I cleared my throat. “I got your request to talk about your grade. I have a class next period, but you’re welcome to stop by after it.”
She looked at me with a strange look, then glanced over her shoulder at Travis who was right behind her. “Thank you, Professor.” She then exited with him, and I shook my head.
The next class practically crawled by, and it felt like hours since I had last laid eyes on Nicole but it had only been about fifty five minutes. I gave this class the same assignment, and when the bell rang, I went back to my office as they saw themselves out. I had just sat down and pulled back up my email when I heard a light rap on the door. I looked up to see Nicole.
“Close the door behind you,” I told her, and she quickly did. She didn’t move closer though until I stood up. “What’s the real reason you wanted to see me? We both know it has nothing to do with my grade.”
“Very observant, and impatient, Nicole.” She smiled at me but kept her brow arched. “Come over and sit down.”
She hesitated. “I actually need to run by the library before my next class.”
“Okay. I called you here to invite you to a party.”
“A party?” she asked. “Where?”
“There’s a Halloween Masquerade Ball to benefit one of the dance theaters in town. It’s going to be on Halloween night at the—”
“Won’t I be recognized?”
I knew she would think that, and I absolutely hated having to ask her what I was about to ask her, but it was the only way I could see her that night. “Yes, which is why I will need you to do more than just wear a masquerade mask.”
“More?”
“I’m sorry, Nicole. Would it be possible to wear a wig as well? You know I hate to ask you to do all of that, but with you being my student, we can’t risk it.”
“I don’t know. I—”
“Did you have other plans?” The thought had never occurred to me, although it should have.
“Well, I was going to hang out with some kids from marketing at a local club, but if it would mean a lot for me to go with you, I—”
“It would mean everything to me. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. Will you be stopping by tonight?”
I nodded. “Absolutely. I don’t think I could handle another night without you in my arms.”
“I’ll see you tonight,” she told me, then stood up. I watched her leave, then leaned back in my chair.
NICOLE
The big night arrived and I was pretty nervous. While it seemed as if this was a true date, I knew it wasn’t. Callum couldn’t come to my door and pick me up like a suitor would, and I had to alter my appearance enough so that anyone from UChicago wouldn’t recognize us if we stole a dance or two together. I did figure it was a start, however, so I tried to keep my spirits high. I had agonized over what to wear, and it had taken me more than a couple of shopping trips to finally secure the perfect dress. Going into this, I had thought the mask itself would’ve been the most difficult thing to find, but it had turned out to be the easiest.
