"Stop eye-fucking her."

I cross my arms over my chest and look down, blushing. The guys who were looking at me start bickering at each other. I keep my gaze to the floor when I shuffle past them, heading to get my usual coffee order.

The barista smiles at me. I smile back. She should be proud of this coffee shop. It's a five minute walk from the campus, but it's worth it. It's cozy, cheap and delicious.

I order my frappuccino and look around, my eyes falling on her name tag. Daisy. I smile. That's a nice name.

Looking around, I see three guys—or rather, men—staring at her. I lean forward, causing her to frown and mirror my movement. "Do I need to call someone? Those guys are staring at you, very stalker-ish," I whisper.

A big grin breaks out. "Those three? Ah, if only the cops could keep them locked away for one night," she chuckles. "Nah, they're my boyfriends. They're rude, but barking dogs don't bite," she winks.

Oh. Boyfriends? 

Life's so unfair. She gets three and I get none.

"Here you go, girl. Will be four thirty," she smiles and sets the coffee in front of me on the counter. I nod and giver a five dollar bill. "Keep the change. For my rude assumption," I blush and walk away before she can protest.

The cold september air hits me when the door opens. The school year has just started, today's the first day. I've been on campus longer than a week now, because my parents had to pack for their world trip and the house would be all empty without them. I don't like being alone.

The most students arrive today, though. Some with family, some without. Some with a lot of noise, other silent and shy. Just like me, a lot of new students attend to Ohio State University this year. Others have been in here for a year or more, because friends meet up everywhere you look.

I think that's nice. Hopefully, next year I'll be one of them too. I'd love to make friends this year. All my high school friends took the college time as an opportunity to leave the state, but I like it here. My whole family lives here.

Two girls next to me squeal and hug each other. I squint, my right ear hurting from the high pitched screams. One thing for sure, I won't be like them.

I pass the main school building, where I have my first class today. I'm excited. Mom and Dad have thousand stories about college, and I can't wait to start my own adventure.

Couples are kissing in the hallway. I avert my gaze to give them some privacy. But still, dry humping your boyfriend is a little too over the top in public.

I cough. A couple is blocking the door to the classroom. His hand is under her shirt, hers is in his pants. They didn't hear me, so I cough again. They startle apart, eyes wide.

"Can I pass, please?" I whisper, embarrassed I've witnessed this. The girl rolls her eyes, chewing her gum with open mouth. I look down at the ground, ignoring the shiver running down my spine. They kissed with gum? Ew.

"What's wrong, miss Perfect? Are you going to miss the lecture if we don't let you through? Will you cry?" the girl snickers. I frown at the ground and shake my head.

The boy stays silent, but I can feel his amused eyes on me. A larger body suddenly appears behind me. I straighten my back.

"Miss Waterfield, I suppose you let the young lady go to her lecture? And the trash can is right over there. You know I don't tolerate gum in my classes," the voice booms. I turn around, eyes wide. This must be the professor of my first lecture.

"S-sir Whitlock, t-thank you for—" "No need, miss Huxley. Choose your seat and pay attention to my class, please." I nod, averting my eyes again and hurrying to one of the seats in the back, as high as possible.

I think I saw him in the coffee shop before. I blink, my eyes widening with realization. He's one of those boyfriends af the barista!

My eyes roar over him. He's tall, but not slender. He has muscles like a horse. A small stubble is on his chin, as if he forgot to shave this morning. I wonder how old he is. Thirty seems to old for his looks...

Multiple students walk in now. I was a little early, but that's okay. This way I can prepare my notes and concentrate better.

A few minutes pass while others choose seats and whisper a little among themselves. Professor Whitlock doesn't seem to mind though. His eyes are scanning the seats, not one student escapes his gaze.

I swallow and look down before we make eye contact. I don't know, but there's some weird vibe around him. And to know he voluntarily shares  a girl with two other men... that's weird, right?

I look back up a little, peering over my notes to see him walking to his desk. "Alright, does someone know where the Hockey Four are? I do not like this shit on my first lecture this semester."

Snickers go through the room. I drop my pencil. Is this allowed? Is a teacher—or professor, whatever— allowed to swear in front of two hundred students?

He sighs, but shrugs and starts the class. "I'm Asher Whitclock, as you all know. This semester I will teach you about business administration. Or at least, that's what you signed up for."

He winks at the class. I freeze. What is this?

He leans over his desk, releasing the formal position he was standing in. "You have my class three, four or five hours a week, depending on what you study or what year you're in. For all the newcomers, congratulations on making it to the most fun course of the year."

He winks again. I frown and look around, at the other students. Many are grinning too. I don't understand?

"I hate to inform you, but last year some students ditched my class and went complaining at the head's office, so I'll give one or two hours real lectures. The rest? You can study here or just go with the others." 

I blink. Am I supposed to get what he means?

Before I can raise my hand to ask what this is, the doors slam open and four boys walk in. They don't seem to care about what's happening, they straight up ignore sir Whitlock and sit down in some seats in the back.

My row.

I look the other side. These rude boys won't ruin my concentration. If I want to run a book shop, I need to know how. And I'm not so sure anymore that sir Whitlock's course is the way to do it.

I raise my hand with the question I had earlier. Sir Whitlock nods at me and a few tens of heads swirl my way. I swallow at the attention.

"If you don't give business administration, then what do you teach?"

Laughter booms through the room. I look down in shame and cover my stomach. Is it just me being dumb?

"It's a valid question," sir Whitlock warns the classroom, which goes silent again. My eyes widen at the sheets of papers in front of me. This is the first time I see a teacher having so much control of a classroom.

"Let's just say I teach biology more than I teach business," he tells me. Another wave of laughter follows. He grins. 

"Alright, alright. Miss Huxley? To answer your question, I teach sex."

****

Yes, it's *that* Asher Whitlock.