Chapter 6

Tessa’s POV

How could he get the bag in such a short time?

The parking lots and the professors’ offices were both far away from our classroom.

His house? That was even further.

But I couldn’t bother to think deeper about these questions right now.

“Girl, you look like you’re about to pass out. What’s in the bag?” Ruby asked again, narrowing her eyes at me.

A couple of others were looking at me as well with curious and timid frowns.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly. “Can you wait in the hallway? I need to talk to the professor.”

She was hesitant for a moment before she started to ask, “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Considering—”

“Ruby!” I cut her off, worried that others might hear.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll be in the hallway. Don’t be too long though. This class cut into my dinner time and I’m starving.”

On that note, she left and went into the hallway.

My heart was thudding violently as I looked back at Joseph Evergreen. He was speaking with each of the students and talking intently with them. Answering their questions with so much patience, I couldn’t help but admire him for that.

There was no way this wasn’t going to affect my chances of getting into this course. He’s going to look at me and think “One-night stand hussy.”

I wanted to crumble with embarrassment.

Although I probably wouldn’t be able to get into his class anyways.

I’ve sent dozens of samples to different literary agencies, and they’ve all been rejected.

Joseph wouldn’t be any different.

He was finishing up his conversation with the only other student in the room. It was a young girl, and she was twirling her hair while speaking to him. I had to keep myself from eye-rolling. It wasn’t a surprise that girls were throwing themselves at him.

Joseph was incredibly good-looking. I’m obviously not the only one who would notice that.

“Thank you so much for answering my question,” the girl said, batting her long lashes at him. “I’ll make sure to finish that sample by Wednesday. I look forward to working with you, Professor.”

“I look forward to reading it,” he said, giving her a head nod in return.

Soon, it was just Joseph and I left in the room.

He was leaning against his desk with his arms folded across his chest. He was wearing a button-down shirt with his sleeves half rolled up, which left no mystery of his incredible body and biceps.

He seemed so gentle this morning, up until our misunderstanding that is. That man was long gone and now stood a professor who looked at me like nothing more than a student.

“What can I do for you?” He asked when it was clear I wasn’t going to say anything.

“I wanted to apologize for earlier,” I said, finally finding my voice as I stepped close to him. “It was wrong of me to assume you were a callboy and—”

“Stop talking,” he said, cutting into my words.

His voice had hardened, and he sounded angry.

I knew I fucked up again.

There was no way he was going to let me into his course now.

The way he looked at me was similar to how Brian always looked at me. It was the same look that always made me feel so small.

“I’m sorry,” I found myself saying again, lowering my gaze. “But I actually just wanted to discuss the criteria for getting into the class—”

“I already explained it. You have all the tools you need to write me a sample. I need it sent to my email Wednesday at 10 am.”

“Right, but who would be making that decision?”

“Me.”

“I don’t think that’s fair,” I blurted.

His brows knitted together, and he silently stared at me.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Question my professionalism and ethics?” He asked. “No, I’m sure you didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s just that…” I paused, trying to gather my thoughts and dig my way out of this grave. “I wish you could just follow school regulations and allow students to sign up for your class the normal way.”

“I’m not going to work with students that have no hope. If they want to be a part of my course, I need to know that they have promise. You, like everyone else, need to provide me with a sample. I will make my decisions based on those samples alone and nothing more.”

“How can I be sure that your decision won’t be biased?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest. “I would feel a lot more comfortable if you could just follow regular registration. It would be fair for everyone and allow interested students to try something new.”

“That’s not how I do things in my classroom.”

“I understand that but—”

“I’ve already answered your question. So, if we are done here,” he said, turning away and going back to his desk chair.

I stared at him, shocked.

“Has the school board approved this?” I asked, proud that my voice came out stronger than I felt.

He looked up at me as he took his seat.

“The board believes in giving all students a shot, so I doubt they approved this method of admission,” I continued quickly, keeping my eyes locked on his.

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m just trying to keep things fair, Professor Evergreen.”

He looked at me for a moment longer, almost like he was considering what I had said. He didn’t say anything more as he turned to his computer and started to type.

My frown deepened when I thought he was ignoring me, but then he leaned back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest again.

He glanced up at me.

“I just read a story you submitted to the school newspaper. Why would a student with your capabilities fight so hard to get into my class?”

I felt heat rising into my features and I knew my face must have been cherry red.

He was making fun of me.

“That was last year. My writing had greatly improved since then,” I said to him, trying to sound confident.

Not many students had read that article and I was surprised that he was able to find it so quickly.

“Then, you’ll have no issues getting me a new sample that showcases the current you.”

My heart fell into my stomach.

This conversation was getting me nowhere. I turned to leave, knowing that there was nothing more I could say to him to change his mind.

But his words stopped me at the door.

“If it makes you feel better, I can have students anonymously vote. That will ensure that things are kept fair.”

I paused and glanced back in his direction.

I still worried about my chances of getting into his class, but at least now the decision wasn’t fully his.

“Thank you, Professor,” was all I said before leaving the classroom.

When I stepped into the hallway, I paused when I noticed Ruby was standing with her hands placed on her hips and her lips pressed firmly together.

I knew that stance.

She was pissed.

It didn’t take me long to figure out why she looked pissed. Standing before her were Brian and Amanda.

A tight knot formed in the pit of my stomach.

What were they doing here at this late hour?”

How long have they been here?

Did Brian overhear my conversation with Joseph?