Chapter 5: Scared of Two Men

The double date ends with Dante kissing my cheek and giving me his phone number. I agree to go on another date with him and he'll take me to his Black Sparrow's concert. He plays the drums. He'll remind me of my little brother, Corbin back home. Growing up Corbin always played the drums in the afternoon. He died of cancer when he was twelve. I sure miss him.

Evie leads us back to our dorm room. My phone buzzes. I ignore it.

"Well, what did you think of the date? Did you enjoy it or was it plain?"

Truth be told it was nice. Dante's interesting enough as far as male prospects go and he did spend the majority of the night staring at my chest every other glance. Which is more than Spencer ever gave me.

"I enjoyed it. I like him. You're right. I need to get a boyfriend. Maybe Dante's the right guy for me. Come to think of it I think Dante's in my world history class with Professor Oakley. I should try sitting next to him on Monday."

Evie agrees and starts getting ready for bed. Her rituals for bedtime are almost as complicated as the ones she uses to wake herself up in the morning.

The next few days fly by and I wake early for my tutoring session with Professor Oakley. I make a mental note to see if there are any signs of him being in a relationship.  I will need to examine his hands for a ring and his desk for couple pictures.

I knock on Professor Oakley's office door and he opens it. He's dressed like a business man. His black vest is tight against his chest, and I can hardly stop myself from admiring him. He catches me gazing at his vest.

"Can I help you with something, Cora? Or are you going to just stand at the door all day?"

I stop for a moment embarrassed and remember why I am here.

"Yes, sorry. I'm in a bit of a daze. I had a tiring weekend with friends."

"I'm glad to hear you are making friends. Tell me about them. Are they nice to you?"

"Well two of them are from my high school days. But Dante Meijers, seems nice enough. I think he's in your class. I'm hoping to sit next to him today. I'm going to hear his band this coming weekend. I guess you could say he and I are trying each other on. Sorry I've said too much."

Professor Oakley's fists tighten as he sits down in his desk chair.

"No it's fine. I know Dante. He's a good one. Make sure he treats you right for me, alright?"

"What do you mean, Professor Oakley?" I ask feeling a desire rise in my heart with each beat.

"You don't have to call me professor when we're alone. Call me Blake."

My heart starts wobbling within my chest and it's about to burst forth from this very heated conversation.

"Okay, Blake. What do you mean make sure he treats me right for you?"

"What do I mean...ummm well. Forget it and just show me your notes. What did you want to cover today?"

"I wanted to ask about the Japanese Samurai. I am curious to know more about Oda Nobunaga."

Professor Oakley stumbles on his words, and looks at my eyes intently. After fifteen minutes he stops talking.

"Professor Oakley. Is something wrong? I can leave if that would be easier for you. I know it's early and you don't have to tutor me anymore. I know it's a hardship."

He raises his hands in the air and I don't see a wedding band. His desk also has no pictures on it indicating that he might not be involved with anyone. Perhaps he is single. Maybe it's not all in my head.

"It's not a hardship. It's just hard for me. You didn't do anything wrong."

I start packing my things. Professor Oakley gets up and closes his office door to stop me from leaving.

"I think I've done something wrong. So I'll just find my way out. I'm sorry Professor Oakley."

"I told you to call me Blake when we're alone. It's hard for me being at this university and having no friends. You seem like someone I could be friends with. But I'm your professor and you're my student. It would be frowned upon."

"We can be friends. I'd like that. You seem like a nice guy, when you stop trying to be professional all the time," I say smiling up at him. He smiles back and puts his hand on my face.

"I'd like to be your friend, very much. But what if at some point I'd like to be more than that? I'm sorry I don't know what I'm saying. Maybe it's time for you to go."

My cheeks turn red and Professor Blake Oakley sees the power he has over me. The power to woo me and make me weak at the knees.

"Let's be friends first Blake. But I'm not saying no, to your other question," I say putting my hand on his.

We've crossed a line a little bit today. Our professor and student relationship has touched the edges of flirting and I don't let him go any further than he already has. Because if Professor Oakley is Blake to me outside this office, I know I will be the reason he gets fired.

"Alright. I will see you in class. We can discuss this later. And Cora please keep this to yourself for now. I don't know what's come over me. If I've made you uncomfortable we can discuss that later as well. Here's your notebook."

As he hands me my notebook our fingers brush and my love life has just gained two men in a twenty-four hour period. Dante Meijers and one Professor Blake Oakley, and I am scared to be around them both in my world history class.