Chapter 2

IRIS

When I got back down to his desk he looked up at me almost like he was curious. "What can I do for you, Sir?" I asked trying to be respectful, even though I felt that he was an ass. He smirked at me confirming my observation. "I wanted to apologize for singling you out earlier, I must make an example at the beginning of the semester." He said leaning against the desk maybe a foot away from me. "It's fine Sir, I was late. I understand." I said trying to focus on something other than how his closeness was making me feel. "Please don't call me that." I saw a flash of something on his face but he quickly pushed it away. "Don't call you sir?" I asked. I watched his jaw tighten this time when I said it. "Sir is my father, Iris, Please for now just call me Professor Lorcane," he said calmly. What did he mean for now? This man is obviously off his damn rocker. "Okay, is there anything else I can do for you professor." I asked again, ready to go to my dorm and breathe steadily for a while. This time he flat-out smiled at me. A smile that I hadn't seen before in a man. I looked down at his shoes again. I found it hard to look at his face. "Anyway," he said taking a deep breath and walking back around his desk, " I think you will enjoy Philosophy Miss. Huldine. I would like to offer my tutoring services, for this assignment, since I know the quote you got so very well." He wasn't looking at me this time, he was looking at the papers on his desk. "I have a group of students who want me to join them," I said nicely trying to decline his offer. It's not a smart business move to decline mentoring from a well-known lawyer. He scribbled something on a form reaching it. " I have excused you from Criminology for the week, when you are to be at that class you will report to my office." He was almost demanding. All I could do was nod. "Great, if you miss anything in that class I will help you there too." He said letting out a breath he must have been holding for a minute. I nodded again. Something about this seemed off, but for some reason, I was intrigued. I want to do this, I just don't know why. Finally, he excused me saying he would see me tomorrow afternoon in his office. I could feel him watching me as I walked out of the classroom.

When I got back to my dorm, I fell backward on my bed. I threw on some headphones and switched my music app to a rock genre playlist. I closed my eyes letting the beat of the drums carry me away. I shuffled through about ten songs before opening my eyes. My mind wouldn't stop racing. I should appreciate this teacher taking an interest in me right? I felt different around him, a way I had never felt around any man. He was gorgeous to say the least, but there was more to it. I feIt a pull towards him. I pulled my phone out planning to search for his name, before noticing that I had missed a text from Adam.

Did you get in trouble? I hope not. Phil group at 4p tom. Hope you can make it ;)

Oh.. this is Adam.

I giggled at the message, he seemed like one of those clumsy guys who buys the girl flowers but drops the vase on the way to her door. The funny guy in the sitcom that is silly but the sweetest one. I could tell he wanted to get to know me. I grabbed my bookbag pulling out my assignment paper. I traced my finger over the red pen at the top. I closed my eyes picturing those dark brown eyes on me.

Hello Adam, I assumed it was you. haha. I wasn't in trouble, he was nice. I will try to make group sess.

Thanks for the invite. IRIS.

I laid back down deciding not to google his name yet. I tend to overthink and that is probably what I am doing. This nice man offered to help me even when I spent the first day of his class rolling my eyes and being late. I thought about licking my lips and instantly felt heat on my face. What he does to me is unnatural right? He is twice my age plus some. I know he wasn't looking at me like my hormones and brain chemicals tried to make me believe. I ran to the shower room and jumped in and out just as fast. I don't like using those showers, but I was clean. I walked to the vending machine grabbed a snack, and headed back to my dorm, falling asleep early but not forgetting to set my alarm.

I woke up before my alarm annoyed with myself for getting excited about our office meeting. I grabbed a pop tart and a Red Bull before sitting down in front of my computer. I had a cancellation for my early morning class, econ, which was fine. I had a club sign-up reminder, which I was planning on attending. The last email was from Ryker. The time stamp on it said 4 a.m. Is it too much to think he may be excited as well? I don't know what I am thinking. I hesitated before clicking on the email.

Good Morning IRIS,

I realized I may have come on a little demanding yesterday. I apologize. I can be an intense teacher sometimes. I sure hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. I am giving you a choice. If you would rather not attend our tutoring meeting, you do not have to. It will not affect our class in the least.

Professor Lorcane.

I didn't reply. He said something at the bottom about just not showing up if I chose not to come. I had fully planned to go. I don't know now. Should I go and learn from him? I looked down at the time deciding I would run to the dining hall and grab some actual food before making up my mind. When I entered the hall there were students and staff everywhere. I saw Lorcane's assistant talking with some other teacher's pets around the salad station. She looked up at me glaring again. Don't worry bitch, I won't take you rabbit food. I thought. I smirked at her and headed for the taco station. I love taco Tuesdays. I made a heavy taco, grabbed a soda, and sat down at a table by myself. I was minding my own business when assistant stick up her ass sat down at the table. "Iris what are you eating??" she grabbed my plate and pulled it toward her. "He won't allow this." She mumbled. I looked at her confused. I reached for my plate back and she let me take it. "No soda either dear." She smiled. What the hell is she talking about? "Ryker will want you to take good care of yourself, sweet IRIS, You will see my dear, You will learn. He will teach you." She smiled at me softly laying her hand on mine. I refrained from jerking away thinking maybe this girl has mixed reality with fantasy. "What's wrong?" I asked her gently. She laughed at me. Flat-out laughed. "Have you not been to the office yet?" She asked. I shook my head no. "I am Ryker's assistant, but I am also his best friend's, um." She hesitated. "I am his lady." She finally said. "OH!" I said shocked. I really thought she had a thing for the professor. "Why do you say he will want me to be healthy? What does that have to do with Philosophy?" I asked my head ready to spin.

She smiled at me. "Oh sweet innocent IRIS." She patted my hand and stood up walking away. That was not an answer, where was she going? I looked down at my Fitbit. It was 1145, and I had a 20-minute walk if I was going to go. I got up quickly and darted out of the dining hall. I half walked half ran down the sidewalks. I ran down two small flights of stairs. I had to stop to breathe, looking at the time again, it said 1152. I am going to be late. Maybe he doesn't know my Criminology class starts at exactly 12. I couldn't hardly catch my breath and my heart was beating in my throat but I made it by 1206. Hopefully, he doesn't think anything of it. When I knocked on the door he didn't answer. I knocked again, suddenly the assistant walked out of the door. She almost looked sad before walking down the hallway. She turned saying, "He is ready for you Iris. I am sorry about earlier. I have had a strange day." A sudden feeling hit me and all I could think was, am I ready for him? I knocked for good measure before opening the door. He was leaning against a large vintage looking office desk. "Hello Professor Lorcane, I have decided to accept your tutoring offer." I said still breathing hard from running. Well partly from running.

"You're late, Iris!"