ALANA

Joining regular classes was not my idea, it never had been. I'd graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History before I married, and truthfully, I was content with that. Rowan insisted that I needed to continue studying further, so I applied for a master's degree at Lowell University. I went to regular classes until last year.

I'd dropped out after I learned I was pregnant. That's not all. Rowan was Lowell faculty, that's right folks. He was an Economics professor, but before you'd run your train of imagination, I'll let you know that he wasn't teaching me. Nope. He had exclusively signed up to teach the juniors. I would have to take a stroll down the junior college block to run into him.

The dean Mr.Fitzgerald already knew about our situation, and he'd been very precise when he told us the set of rules hadn't changed though they were bent, conditions applied.

I pushed through the crowd and into the block. The feeling of déjà vu continued to punch me in the face. Even though my body was present here, my mind was preoccupied with my little mischievous boy back home. I constantly reminded myself that I was here only for three hours and that Cindy had my phone number in case Drew decided to not go easy on her.

"Alana," Monica called out to me; she worked in the C block office, also had an undying love got sugar donuts. It seemed like the woman ate them twenty-four-seven, "Good Morning."

"Hey, good morning. What's up?"

"Just wanted to let you know that this year they've decided to add something new to your old schedule, I figured you weren't told in advance." she began rummaging through a stack of papers below her desk. "Ah, here it is."

She pushed the list in front of me.

I scanned the paper in my hands. There was a list of subjects apart from the ones I had chosen. "What's this?"

"It's mandatory. You have to choose one class of the lot, one class which either does not include in your daily schedule or the one you'd like to study as an alternative." She took a large bite off a sugar-glazed and looked at me apologetically, lowering her voice, she continued. "You know how people are just getting a failing grade; this extra class will help cover your tracks at the end of the year."

I stared at the open donut box which contained six more of the same.

"I can take any class of my choice?" I picked up the ballpoint pen lying on her table amid the crumbs.

She nodded.

My hands hovered over Economics. Rowan wasn't teaching this block so what were the chances that he'd be teaching here? None. Besides, I could use some help if this was supposed to help with my grades at the end of the year. I'd already spent half a year in pregnancy.

Just to be sure, I asked. "So, who is teaching Economics here?"

"Class?"

"First-year Master of Arts?" I asked her.

Please don't be Rowan.

"Let me check." She pulled her chair towards the computer screen and a few clicks later she declared, "Mrs. Holly Jones."

"Thanks." I beamed at her as I ticked the box beside economics, and filled in the details.

"Alana, correct me if my memory has gone a little rustic, but weren't you here last year signing up for the same course?"

"Yeah but, uh...then I realized I was pregnant, so I took a bit of a break."

"Oh. Being a single mother must be hard, right?"

Woman, what gives?

I was at a loss of words. Had I said something that could've been misinterpreted?

"I'm married. I live with my husband."

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said. A pause later she said, "Good for you, the young man took responsibility for the child and even married you. Kids these days have no idea about the seriousness of the situation."

That's it. I'm getting the hell out of here.

"Oh, and I forgot to tell you one more thing...you see..."

The phone saved me from any further small talk. I owed my life to that red device blaring on the desk. She pointed for me to keep the form in front of her while she answered the call. I slumped my bag over my shoulder, picked up one of her donuts, and made my way towards the first class.

* * *

After each class was over, I made a point to call Lily and hound her for updates on my son. So far, so good. He was still asleep. I could hear the television in the background, also Damon Salvator cracking some vampire jokes. Teenage years. I'd told her she was free to use our Netflix.

There was a part of me that was missing someone, that part that yearned for my female bestie back from Carmel. Nina. Nothing was changed between us, other than the fact that we weren't dorm mates anymore. She was a hotel management student and Chez was a different story, he was my brother from another mother as cheesy as it may sound. That guy was still painting the Eiffel Tower.

My first class was Economics. The new subject was now added to my daily schedule.

I hadn't expected a room full of people taking up Economics but, then again they were probably students who had taken this as a choice. My situation was different.

I spotted a row of empty seats somewhere in the middle aisle. I settled down, placed my phone on the desk, and pulled out a notebook. I needed to make a list of things I wanted from the grocery store.

Some newbies like me had folded paper triangles and wrote their names on them. I tore a page and scribbled Alana on it.

I figured Mrs. Holly was late for class and someone had taken the liberty to write her name on the board with the marker. Just then my phone vibrated. The screen flashed Sexy Professor.

Hello Beautiful!

Despite the heated conversation and the tension brewing between us, I grinned. We couldn't stay mad at each other for long. I typed.

Hey Handsome :)

The response from Mister Sexy was immediate.

Sexy Professor: I'm sorry for being a dick in the morning. I don't know what came to me. Am I forgiven?

Me: I'll have to think about it.

I typed and hit send when the response I got was immediate.

Sexy Professor: Trust me, Mrs. Masters; you wouldn't be in a position to think. I'll make sure of it.

I giggled loud enough to earn a few stares.

Before I could type another response, the phone vibrated again.

Sexy Professor: There is one thing you should know, Alana.

You consume every part of my mind, my soul, and body. And even though, I'm trying to get some work done, my mind goes back to you, to us. I love you so fucking much. Don't you ever forget that. When I get home, I'll make sure you remember that.

I squeaked. Ovaries exploded inside me.

Me: You better fucking do that, Rowan Masters. I can't wait!

Then I received another response from him.

Sexy Professor: Need to run for class. ttyl, love. x

One last look at the phone and I continued to doodle on my notebook, smiling gleefully to myself. My ballpoint pen topped off the desk and landed on the ground. I bent down to pick it up as the classroom door burst open, and silence fell upon the entire room, the loud conversations were now carried away in a silent hush.

"Good Afternoon, class." The loud authoritative voice boomed and pierced through my ears.

There was something so wrong about this.

Since when did Mrs. Jones start to sound like a man?

I glanced up slowly; afraid of whom I might actually find.

My eyes rested on the new teacher.

My brain, my body, and every other nerve decided to stop functioning. The sound of my beating heart felt like the only sound in the room. This was not happening to me.

Not fucking again.

I tried to sink further down in my seat. Rowan Masters was standing right under my line of sight, looking as intimidating and daunting as he always did.

He cleared his throat. "I'm Rowan Masters and I'm your new substitute economics teacher."

* * *