"So, I need you a to create a short list of physicists who have inspired you and why. Just as an icebreaker to get to know you all for next lesson!" Anthony boomed at the end of the lecture.

I sighed in relief, I was starting to get a bit hot in the stuffy lecture theatre. I looked around me as people started to stand up to leave. There were around 20 people sitting sparsely spread out around the 50 odd empty seats. I spotted 2 other girls in the entire class, and made a mental image of what they looked like so I could get to know them a bit more.

I was snapped out of my day dreaming as I felt hot breath on my neck.

I turned round and I nearly jumped out of my skin as I became face-to-face with my professor fanning his minty breath over my face.

"Uh-hi.." I stuttered out as he smirked at me.

Getting a closer look at him, he looked around 26 or so. Not much older than me, I thought. He had dark blue eyes and very dark thick brown hair. He made my knees weak, to put it bluntly.

"Ella, did you enjoy your first big-girl physics lecture?" He quizzed as he pulled away to observe me from a more normal distance.

"Oh! Umm, it was great! I loved it, I'm especially looking forward to when we do quantum mechanics, it was my favourite thing to study outside of school." I replied, significantly calming down as I was talking about what I loved...him-what?! no, physics!!

I collected myself from my thoughts and blushed a little as I waited for his reply. He looked at me intently.

"You know, we are only doing a small module of quantum so I could always give you private tutorials if you wanted to learn more?" He suggested, smoothly.

My brain suddenly split in two. One side was thinking: You get to see you hot Professor more and privately! But the other was thinking: I can't concentrate on what he's telling me with that face!

I nodded my head. Great response, Ella.

"So tell me, what's your favourite part of quantum?" He asked, clearly amused at my daze-like state.

"Definitely the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, although the many worlds is also a good theory. I'm really interested in the Higgs Boson and finding out more about bosons like Gravitons. Although, researching into fermions like quarks and seeing what's inside them would be amazing to do..." I had to hold myself back from rambling on too much, I hung my head a bit to avoid his gaze.

I felt his finger tilt my head up to look at him, his eyes burned into mine with an emotion I had never seen before.

"You're different Ella, aren't you? You're not like the other students that come here. I can't put my finger on it, but you have an interest like no other student I've taught." He observed, still staring at me.

I blushed even more. What do I say?

"Thankyou..?" Is that all you've got?!

He shook his head and chuckled a big, his laugh sounded like a beautiful orchestral melody.

"I'll see you soon Ella." And he walked away. I was left speechless.

Anthony strode to the door, looked over his shoulder and looked at me intensely before opening door to leave.

WHAT THE F WAS THAT??!

I grabbed my things and stuffed them into my patch covered bag, throwing the straps over my shoulders and running out of the lecture theatre.

I needed to distract myself before I got completely obsessed with my physics professor, urgently.

I decided to head back to my dorm, do my quick assignment and explore for the rest of the day. I ran to my room and shut the door behind me, I flopped on my bed and took a deep breath. This isn't going to be easy.

I opened up my laptop and clicked on my emails. I fiddled with my earring as I read a new email from the 'Head of First Year Pastoral Care'.

Dear First Years,

I hope you are enjoying your first day at your new University. As a celebration of this new period in your life, you are all invited to a freshers party tonight at the University Hall. No matter if you do drama or graphics or philosophy, you are welcome to come and have fun and make new friends!

Regards,

Clara Lawson
Head of First Year Pastoral Care

I clicked out of the email and clapped my hands.

This is my chance to get to know people and make new friends! The thought scared me but at the same time excited me immensely.

THANKS FOR READING!! COMMENT AND VOTE!!

L x