Now I'm stuck here reminiscing 

Oh, to somehow draw a line 

Wanna cross it all the time

I think I'm mentally cheating

-Mentally Cheating by Natalie Jane 

Nine walked out of the room dressed and ready for school. Nine did not plan to eat breakfast at home since he and his friends would at a small café near the university. 

Before leaving the house, he walked towards the kitchen table when he saw Quin sitting there, writing on a notepad and drinking coffee. Nine entered Quin's space, sitting on his lap as he wrapped his arms around his neck, "Good morning." 

Quin did not hold him back, but he did pause in writing and looked towards Nine while replying, "Morning." 

Nine smiled, feeling like it was a win because Quin did not push him off, nor did they start the morning with an argument again. Although, Nine missed the days when Quin would automatically wrap his arms around him every time he sat in Quin's lap. 

He felt so touch-starved. 

"Will you be busy during the afternoon?" Nine asked, swallowing down his bitter feelings that wanted to appear again. 

Silence filled the air for a few seconds as Quin tapped his pen against his notepad to a random beat. "I might not." 

Nine swallowed down his disappointment this time. It is nothing new, but each time it kills Nine that he and Quin are barely spending time together. As bitterness began to fill his stomach, he wanted to argue and complain. But the morning is starting on an okay track; he shouldn't ruin it because of his feelings. 

"That is fine," Nine slowly moved his arms back, letting them limply hang by his sides, "can you let me know if you are available during that time? I want to eat lunch with you once I finish my morning classes." 

Quin hummed in response, going back to writing like the conversation began to bore him. Nine began chewing on his bottom lip, watching Quin not spare him any more attention. 

What should I do? Nine thought. 

He felt like he needed to do something to show his love, especially after what he did that night, even though Quin knew nothing about it. 

The marks are beginning to fade, but the guilt still eats up inside him. 

Although, how can he show that Quin is the one he truly loves when the man doesn't give him the time of day? 

"Quin." Nine softly called, catching Quin's attention once more. 

"Hmm," Quin responded, not looking up. 

Nine pecked his lips, "I love you." 

Nine's heart began to beat out of his chest as silence rang in his ears for far too long. He thought his heart would stop from how fast it beats until he finally heard a response. 

"Me too. Now, hurry to school, or you will be late for class." Quin shooed Nine off. 

Feeling like it was some win, Nine smiled before saying bye and leaving. Even though he did not fully say he loved him, at least he did not say anything at all. That counts for something, doesn't it? 

"Did any of you hear about Professor Meyer?" Jon started once their food hit the table. 

Lee put two mixed berry muffins on a plate before handing them to Cassy, who thanked him. Nine even watched Cassy take a bite of the muffin before tilting it towards Lee, so he could do the same. 

Ah, Nine was so jealous, he even ignored Jon's words. 

Jon sensed that no one was listening as he clicked his tongue to grab everyone's attention, "Are any of you listening!" 

They all looked at Jon, "No." 

"Assholes. I said, did any of you hear about Professor Meyer?" 

"No, what happened?" Nine asked, wanting to have something else cloud his mind. He honestly loves Lee and Cassy, but Nine cannot control his jealous feelings.

"He got into an accident. No one is giving out details. But I heard it from Lisa, and she said they already have a replacement for the class." 

"Lisa, the gossip queen? Doesn't she always mix a few lies with the truth to make things more dramatic?" Lee answered. 

"The real question is how she always gets her information. I swear she is worse or better than a journalist." Cassy added. 

"Do you even know if that is true? Lee is right; Lisa does like to exaggerate most of her information." Nine commented. 

Jon rolled his eyes, "I knew you guys would say this, so I came really early and went to check. I saw some hot guy sitting at Professor Meyer's desk; like, seriously, the man was extremely handsome." 

"Well, when class starts, I can already see that the man will be all over the discussion boards if he is as handsome as you say." Lee grabbed Cassy's wrist, pulling it closer to him as he took another bite of the muffin in her hand. 

Ah, can they hold off on the PDA, please? Nine internally sighed. 

"Well, I hope Professor Meyer is okay, and the new professor will teach the class right." Nine muttered, poking at his sandwich, not feeling hungry at the moment. 

"I hope he makes the class easier; I am struggling with my work." Jon sighed. 

Lee kicked Jon, "Struggling? How are you struggling when all you know how to do is copy others' work!" 

"Ow, you fucker! Sis, do something about your boyfriend." 

"Lee, love, you should have kicked him harder." Cassy laughed. 

Nine ignored his friends, pulling out his phone while staring at a locked screen with zero notifications. He sighed, hoping he would receive a text from Quin saying they could eat together this afternoon. 

Don't let this thin line of love snap, Quin. 

When Nine entered the class, sitting down at his seat with Jon and Lee by him, looking towards the professor's desk, he felt sick. 

Sitting there was the man from that night he almost risked everything. Or did he already risk everything by what they did? 

Ah, he wanted to run and not look back, especially when the man met his eyes. He felt the air leaving his lungs as the man surveyed his body. 

"You are exquisite." 

Nine closed his eyes, trying to take a deep breath, feeling like the man was right behind him, whispering in his ear. His hand slowly rose to his neck, caressing it as it felt like his fading marks were tingling. 

"Nine, are you okay?" The sound of Lee's concerned voice broke through his thoughts. 

He opened his eyes, blinking a few times, remembering where he was as he quickly put his hand down. He coughed, clearing his dry throat, "Yeah." 

"Oh, okay. You looked pale for a second there." 

Nine waved off his concerns, "It is fine." 

Before anyone could say anything, the man walked from behind the professor's desk, causing the class to give him full attention. 

"Good morning, class, I am Professor Vee, and I will teach this class for four months. If you have any questions, especially about Professor Meyer, please wait until after class to ask. I saw that you all stopped at applications of derivatives, so let's start there." Vee spoke, grabbing the remote on the desk as he turned on the smart board. 

Nine drowned out everything, barely taking out his notebook to write notes as he watched Vee. He bit his lip, practically bruising it as he let Vee's voice wash over him while watching the man's body. 

He tapped his pencil against the desk, his legs shaking while he tried to control himself from closing his eyes again and thinking of that night. 

But, it grew harder and harder to be rational as Vee kept looking back at him each time he turned towards the class. 

Nine thought he could forget everything and try to focus on Quin, but seeing Vee again and hearing his voice, he could not stop the shots of lust coursing through him. 

His husky voice, toned body in his business casual clothes, and glasses had Nine fantasizing about things he shouldn't. Nine moved his pencil towards his mouth, biting near the eraser part as he gripped his leg, trying to calm his shaking leg. 

Vee caught his eye again, stopping towards Nine's mouth, watching how Nine bit his pencil. Vee kept talking like his eyes did not grow darker or linger too long on Nine's lips. 

And Nine acted like he did not slowly pull his pencil out of his mouth, letting it slide across his tongue. 

What is this man doing to me?