For those who are not in college, a TA, also known as, a teaching assistant, is a student- currently enrolled or a graduate who might take classes, grade papers, solve doubts and do stuff which probably the professors are too privileged to be doing. (TA's are paid btw:))

***********************

"So today happens to be when our TA finally decided to say hello!"

Kiana casually ranted about how the working system of this university was fucked up, and well she might have been right since it had been a long time they had been attending lectures where professors came and went, all at the speed of light. Jessica too had a pile of doubts ready which she had to get cleared or else she wasn't too far away from failing the semester exams.

Jessica took a seat which wasn't too back or too much in the front. And Kiana followed suit. Believe me when I say you don't want to give either a 'too good at studies' or 'the back bench kids who have nothing to with studies' impression to any of your academic mentors in college, without knowing who and how they are. The mumbling all around stopped when the TA walked in. He appeared to be young, in his early twenties perhaps, but that hardly affected the aura he carried. Strong, professional and strict- all were words which would suit how one might see him as. Few students recognized him from somewhere in their memory, and so did Jessica.

It was the guy from the library. Not that Jessica especially remembered his face because he is the protagonist of our story. She happened to be generally good at names and faces anyway, like most people, I guess.

For some reason, Jessica could not move her eyes away from this man right there. He wore a navy-blue shirt, tucked in his jeans, sleeves rolled up and eyebrows were scrunching as he read something from a paper. He looked- intimidating, and handsome. Jessica's heart skipped a beat. She had not noticed him this well in the library that day.

She broke out of her momentary trance as Kiana lightly nudged her.

"What?"

"He's making an announcement."

"We happen to be a hundred and forty-seven of us here. As decided previously, the viva- "

"But wasn't the viva in the afternoon?"

"Yeah!"

Whispers broke out in the entire classroom, and that only seemed to piss Liam more.

"Let me finish. Professor Jordan has other duties to attend to, and thus we divided you into four groups. The viva will start in half an hour, as soon as you are settled. Only roll numbers A1256 to A1289 stay here with me, and the rest please find your respective TA assigned for this viva, the information for which has been sent to your e-mails right now."

Chaos spread over the place as students packed their stuff and headed out of the classroom.

"Bye Bae!" Kiana hugged Jessica as she too left for her class. They had different majors and only shared some classes this semester.

The class now was suddenly too big, the rows in front of Jessica were empty and she felt vulnerable just sitting there. Liam glanced at her for a second and like her usual self, she looked anywhere but at him aka, a person.

"Let us start. As soon your turn is over, please leave the classroom."

Jessica just sat there, patiently waiting for her turn to come. Often glancing at the man in front of her, who seemed to give her butterflies. She would try to not be nervous and take a deep breath, but she could not help listening to what questions were being asked and if she knew the answers or not. Always praying for her questions to be easy enough for her. That the butterflies would not eat the words to come out.

Hers happened to be the last roll number, and thus when her name was called, the classroom was already empty except her and Liam. He looked at her and Jessica could swear she saw him flash the faintest of an amused smile.

He must be tired by now, should probably make it quick. Jessica thought to herself. And I can tell you, she was completely wrong.

"So Miss Adams, you happen to be the last candidate for the day. Would you mind if I take a little more time of yours?"

I will.

"Um, no I won't."

"Where are you from?"

Huh?

"I am from Miami."

"Like the Miami in Florida?"

"Yes."

"How's life in here?"

"Its just, um, fine, I guess."

"Where did you say you were from, again?"

"From Miami."

It was after about half an hour she finally left the room. Apparently, her questions were the toughest since she took the most time to answer them; this was what the rumours amongst her classmates said. Only if they knew that the original viva lasted barely for four and a half minutes. The rest is history.

Jessica couldn't stop thinking of Liam. It had been a long time that she had found someone she found herself attracted to. He was hot. Also, there is this thing. For people who are like her, are more easily attracted to people who even pay them a little more attention. More than that, for someone like her, who has not much people for interaction, her mind was all too much willing to finally try something she could use to fill her mind with. Add to all of these- he was a few years older to Jessica, the thing that made Jessica's feelings stronger. She didn't really like the boys of her age. Because of, well, Ryan, who had inconsiderately rejected her feelings. Also, a point to be explained later- Ryan had been a total dick to her.

All of these words are just to state one thing. Jessica now had what we call a crush on Liam. Although, from a very normal human being, Liam's point of view, all he did was sense Jessica's nervousness by analysing her body language, and hoped that some small talk could make her comfortable enough. To Jessica, though, the small talks are often an indication of the other person being attentive towards her. And what happens when your crush gives you his precious attention? I do not know, maybe we make plans for the future?

"We like certain people when we find in them a mixture of the things that we like about ourselves and the opposite of the things we hate about ourselves."

*********************

🐣

P.S.- Above is my friend's recommendation for Liam.