LYN

I managed to make it through the whole lecture; an hour and a half of pretending I didn’t keenly feel every eye on me, and didn’t notice the whispers about both me and the new student. It was a relief to get to the end of the lesson perfectly on time as the clock ticked over to a new hour.

With the reading requirements for the next lecture written on the board for the students to copy down and instructions on submitting their assignments through the online portal relayed, I set them all free. Sweeping up the papers I needed to grade for the professor, I hoped to make a quick exit; I was worried that if I waited for even a moment, I’d be drowning again in awkward tension.

“Mr. Weir,” the professor’s stern voice froze me in my tracks. I turned reluctantly, looking away from his raised eyebrow. I was probably acting suspicious, especially given the news article he’d read. He couldn’t know that the new student had been at the bar. I was sure that, if he did, I’d be in for another well-meaning lecture.

“Yes, sir?” I tried to hide the tension in my voice by being as cheerful as possible—no need to cloud the perfect picture of a helpful teacher’s aide.

“I was hoping you’d spare a minute for our new student. Mr. Lennox is no doubt missing some paperwork, along with notes for the lectures he has missed. Will you take care of that for me?” His tone made it clear it wasn’t really a question—I’d expected to have the work handed off to me when I noticed there was a transfer, but it took on a new meaning now.

I gritted my teeth against my objections, grip tight on the papers in my hands. “Of course, Professor Douglas.” I turned, not quite enough to see the man I didn’t want to face. “If you have time before your next class, Mr. Lennox, I’d be happy to help.”

“Thank you, Mr. Weir,” he said with a reserved tone, picking up his shoulder bag and turning on a small, slim tablet, likely to take notes. I couldn’t help but feel my eyes narrow. Whatever he thought about me, of one thing I was sure as I clutched my papers and pen: We were entirely different.

Ethan Lennox may have been handsome, shiny and new, but whatever rumors he had heard...no matter what he believed, he didn't have a clue about who I really was. I breathed in deeply so that I wouldn’t grind my teeth, and forced a smile.

“There is some paperwork that needs to be printed, and I can copy my lecture notes for you,” I said, gesturing toward the door. “If you’ll follow me to the professor’s office, I’ll borrow his printer for a bit.”

When I glanced at the professor for his permission, he nodded and waved his hand to dismiss my worries. “Yes, I can handle further preparations myself. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Weir,” Professor Douglas said in confirmation.

Even as I led Ethan out of the door, his long strides struggling not to overtake me, I wondered if this was a good idea. I could have told him I would have the documents for the next lecture while giving him a list of the required reading material…but Professor Douglas had been disappointed in me enough this morning. I had to weigh my job against the risk of being alone with Ethan. Reactions to the rumors ranged from amusement to threats sometimes, and considering a student had vanished, I wasn’t betting Ethan’s reaction would be kind.

At least there were students rushing through the hall to keep him from asking any personal questions.

It was only a short walk to the professor’s office. Retrieving my laptop from my messenger bag, I quickly pulled up the required paperwork and queued it to the professor’s wireless printer.

The silence as I worked felt awkward, so I reminded myself I needed to be a good aide and cleared my throat. “The first few reading assignments were fairly simple,” I said, pulling a pad of paper across the desk to write them down for him. “I’ll enter an extension on assignments for two weeks so you have a chance to catch up. If you need help with them, I check my emails regularly throughout the day. Are there any questions you have so far?”

‘Please say no, make this easy on me,’ I begged silently as I handed him the list of book work.

He scanned the list, frequently glancing up at me before saying the words I dreaded, “We’ve...met, haven’t we? At the pub in town?"

My polite smile twitched, strained by my effort not to flinch in response. “This is the first time we’ve talked.” It was true; I couldn’t say I’d actually interacted with him that night, just swapped stares from across the bar while he was told tall tales by drunken fools. He’d seemed pretty drunk himself, and I hoped his memories were foggy enough that I could convince him there was another ‘suspected sorcerer’ in town. “Sorry, but I think you must be mistaking me for someone else. The pubs in town are usually loud and dimly lit, and I’m sure alcohol didn’t help.”

Ethan's eyes took on a sharpness that told me I hadn't fooled him. He sighed, his strong shoulders dropping slightly. “Look, I’m new here…we both know I’ve heard things. Inebriated or not, I know it was you that night at the bar. We have met…and you’ll find out quickly, as my TA, I am not stupid.”

My hands gripped the edge of the professor’s desk, my lips pressed together tightly as I contained the urge to snap back. If he already suspected me, insulting him would only make things worse. Perhaps lying had even made me look more suspicious. The last thing I needed was to send him running to the papers to build on their headline…or worse, give the police any reason to think those headlines might have the ring of truth. “It’s probably best to forget what you heard. You’ll find there’s not a lot to do in town other than talk, and most of the time, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“I never said I agreed with them,” Ethan uttered calmly, his look softening as he blinked at me. “I just said we’d met. You’re the one that's defensive.” He sighed, smiling a little sadly. “Look, believe it or not, I’m not one for gossip. I just want to do well in my classes and be upfront with you. I don't like conflict, as you probably gathered…so, you don't have to worry. I’m not going to be any trouble. Call it a poor excuse for conversation.”

After the whispers and stares that had followed me all morning, I found it hard to believe. Watching him through narrowed eyes, I tried to find any sign on his face that he was lying. “I hope you can keep to those claims,” I finally answered. He seemed earnest, and something about those hazel eyes made me want to trust him—I’d just seen the worst of this town too many times to think somebody new would be any different.

The silence made me realize the printer had stopped, and I collected the printed pages to hand to him. “This should be everything you need to get caught up,” I said, holding them out to him. “Any questions about the actual class? I’m sure you have a lecture to attend soon, and I have other assignments.”

He shook his head, making a note on his tablet before packing up the documents. “Two weeks, you said, for submission? That's fine. I think that's everything. Thank you for your time, Mr. Weir.” He stretched out his dark hand, waiting for me to shake it, perhaps as a form of 'truce'.

I hesitated before reaching out to shake his hand. His skin was slightly rough and warm as his fingers slid against mine, and I pulled my hand back quickly before I could become entranced with his differences like the girls in class. Busying myself with my laptop kept my gaze down long enough for me to reform my cool, polite smile. “You’re welcome, and I wish you the best of luck in this class.”

Hooking my bag up over my shoulder, I skirted around him to open the door for him. “Have a good day, Mr. Lennox,” I said, hoping it was enough to usher him out so I could move on with my day. The events of the morning had already left me drained, and I was in desperate need of a refresher. All I needed was a quiet clearing in the forest that crept up on the east edge of campus…and for Ethan’s sharp hazel eyes to be out of my way.

He cleared his throat, stretching out his fingers as he wrung his hands together. “You, as well...sir.”

I mumbled my thanks, leaning against the door as I watched him walk away. I wasn’t the only one watching, either. Several girls in the hall enjoyed the view, giggling with their friends, and a small part of me hoped rumors of an attractive new student might help quell the news of this morning’s headline. I was watching for less voyeuristic reasons, however; as soon as Ethan was out of sight, I locked the office door and headed down the hall in the other direction.

The cool air was bracing as I shoved out the double doors at the back of the building. I was on the wrong side of campus, my hand clenched tightly around the strap of my bag as I glanced around to make sure there were no new, watchful eyes. Assured I was free of suspicion for the first time since I’d rolled out of bed, I headed for the worn path that led around the outside of the college campus.

It was quiet. Few students were willing to take the scenic route, and I enjoyed the peace as I made my way towards trees that were calling my name. I was desperate to be surrounded by the scent of pine and tree sap, almost in a world all to myself. A world far from the rumors and allegations. One where I could stir myself up a little good luck to make up for what had been an unfortunate morning.

With one last, cautious look around, I stepped past the line of trees, and headed for the clearing where I knew no one would dare to follow me.