Greer
My psych term paper basically wrote itself after Knight returned my notebook to me, and not only did he give it back, he helped me with it. I wanted his insights, and since I’d included stuff about his mom’s condition in there, I wanted to share it with him. He seemed like he not only appreciated it, but wanted to help, truly. I had no idea what was happening here, him and me, but for some reason, I didn’t fight it. Things were suddenly very easy with him, where he’d been rigid and abrasive before a thing of the past and I held onto that only too tight. I hadn’t wanted to let it go.
I just hoped he didn’t either.
I ended up being called to the front one day after psychology class, and since I had just turned in my paper, I was worried a little. Professional Hershel had called me out in the past, and I’d made sure not to sleep in his class since he’d addressed the issue with me. Even still, he stopped me once again when I passed his podium.
“Is there a problem, Professor?” I asked him. He was once again packing up his things like he had that day he reamed me.
A shake of salt and pepper hair and he was smiling as he finished loading his things. He propped his messenger bag on his shoulder. “I actually just wanted to commend you, Ms. Michaelson. I’ve started grading term papers, and not only has yours stood out, its leagues above my stack so far.”
Shocked, I blinked. “Really?”
“Really.” Taking his stuff, he came down off the stage and to the floor with me. “I’m not finished with it yet, but very fine work. I usually don’t see such insights in my 110 classes. The topic of mental impairments obviously intrigues you. I only get stuff like this from my graduate students.”
Blown away, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had tried very hard, and with Knight’s help, it’d been cake. He obviously cared about the issue too since I’d included stuff about his mom’s condition. “Thank you, Professor.”
“No problem. It’s still very early, but I have a feeling you’re going to do very well not just on the paper but for the duration of the term. I actually had to check the submission was you considering previous discussions we’d had. You’ve obviously come very far.”
I felt I had, definitely not as stressed thanks to a change in the tides. I smiled. “I’ve been trying to get better sleep.”
His eyes warmed. “I’m glad. It would have been a shame not to hear your voice, and it sounds like you definitely have one. The part about traumatic brain injuries was extraordinary and all the other terminology very well researched and insightful. It really sounded like you knew your stuff.”
“I tried. I visited a nursing home and got to speak with actual patients with some of the conditions referenced in our textbooks. Their doctors too, so that was helpful.”
“Really?” This definitely intrigued him, his smile widening. “Never in my years of teaching have I seen such a display of going the extra mile from one of my freshman students. Especially in one of my gen ed classes. What compelled you to go to a nursing home?”
“I have a friend whose mom is in one. He took me there actually, thought it would help. His mom is in a coma. Twelve years now.”
His expression fell. “I’m sorry to hear that. And twelve years? Wow.”
“Yeah. She had a car accident, resulted in a TBI, which put her in the coma.” He nodded and I continued. “Really heartbreaking.”
“I can imagine. I used to practice as a neuropsychologist for many years before teaching. We saw many coma patients, but no one in the condition nearly that long. I’m very intrigued to know more about that. Do you reference it further on in your paper?”
“A little bit, but I only got so many notes when I was at the nursing home. I of course wanted to know more, but since the situation was delicate I didn’t pry.”
“Makes a lot of sense. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what a good job you’re doing and to keep up the good work. I should have everyone’s papers graded very soon. I look forward to finishing yours.”
Really appreciating it, I started to walk with him out of class, and when he expressed interest in Knight’s mom’s case again, I offered to email him over some of the notes I’d drawn up. After I’d lost my notebook, I’d transferred all the information I had gathered from the nursing home on all the patients and doctor interviews over to a Word document and even all the information from the photo I’d taken as well.
Professor Hershel stopped at the door. “Only if you don’t mind sharing. I’d definitely liked to see more about that.”
Since I hadn’t minded, I told him I’d email him everything right away. He went about his day, and after I went about mine, I made sure to send him everything over during lunchtime. The day dragged pretty slowly after that, but eventually, I made it to my last class of the day. I’d been struggling in biology just as badly as my other classes, but now that I was awake I’d been able to get some good notes for our test coming up. I came out the room expecting to hop on one of the buses back to my dorm so imagine my surprise when a campus god lounged across the hallway from me.
Knight’s thumbs dashed across his phone, wearing a dark leather jacket and jeans that hugged his muscular thighs only too good. He was the epitome of thicc, and pulling his hand through his delicious hair, he caught sight of me. A girl or three giggled past him as he made his way over to me, and I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t expected to see him standing there. He never told me he would be, but then again, when would he ever ask my permission before doing anything at all? He was just rogue like that.
And why did I not mind more and more?
He draped his arm across my shoulders, grinning at me as he brought me into his side. He tugged at my hair. “Took you long enough, dove. I was about to send a search party in there after you.”
Because he’d been waiting so long. I mean class just got out, but the retort shut down in my throat the moment he folded his hand behind my neck. He pulled me into a kiss that set my body ablaze, his big arms caging me into his harsh heat. His teeth tugged my bottom lip as he pulled away, and after, he took my things and escorted me outside. I told him about Professor Hershel mentioning my term paper as we walked, and he basically took all the credit in so many arrogant words. I shoved his chest. “I did write it you know.”
“But without me…” He touched his chest, jostling me before dashing his eyebrows up. “Anyway, you done for the day? Was going to take you out for dinner or something.”
“Is that an actual invite for a date or…”
“Don’t with the mouth.” He held mine, grinning as he tugged my lip down. “And yeah, it’s a date. You got plans?”