Teacher's Pet

Clarity

"This isn't happening; it's not possible." I stood up and circled the pink trunk used as a coffee table.

Jasmine lounged on the compact, white sofa in her dorm room and tried not to smile. "Just because it's never happened before doesn't mean it's not possible," she said.

I scratched at my throat and couldn't catch a deep breath. "Is this how people feel? Really? It's terrible. Like an avalanche and volcanic eruption all at the same time."

"You know, your father thinks you're so straight and narrow because he's never seen you like this," Jasmine said.

"I've never seen her like this," Lexi called from the minute bathroom. "All hot and bothered. I think that Professor Bauer has got her number."

"Don't change the subject," I groaned and flopped down on the sofa next to Jasmine.

Lexi marched into the middle of the dorm room and planted her hands on her hips. "Relax, Clarity, it's just a D+."

I tossed the offending article on the pink trunk and covered my face with both hands. "I can't believe he gave me a D+."

Jasmine hooked the article with one, long arm and flipped through the pages. "His comments are really insightful. Man, I wish my English professor wrote half as many encouraging things. Have you even read his edits?" Jasmine asked.

"Why? All they'll tell me is that I suck at the only career I've ever wanted," I said.

"That's not true." Lexi pried my hands off my face and smiled brightly, “You used to want to be a writer. Like the woman who wrote that series we all obsessed over in high school."

"Don't be silly." I sat up and looked over Jasmine's shoulder. "That was high school. This is the real world, and journalism is a more-respected profession."

"Come on," Lexi sighed. "You used to be such a great storyteller. I still have nightmares about that three eyes story you told us around the campfire."

"Ooh," Jasmine gave a delighted shiver. "He could watch you even when his back was turned. Creepy awesome."

"What does that say?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

Jasmine held up Professor Bauer's comment and read, "Very poetic, but distracts from the point."

"See, I'm a total failure," I flopped back again.

Lexi snatched up the article. "He's complimenting you. Word choice, creative details, poetic images, and excellent storytelling. You just went over the word limit and buried the lead."

My groan turned into a growl. "So he thinks I'm flowery and frivolous. He doesn't even know me!"

"Is that what's bothering you?" Lexi asked. She sat down on the pink trunk directly across from me. "You're bothered because he got the wrong impression from your assignment?"

Jasmine sat up, her blue eyes sparkling. "What are you going to do, confront him during office hours? Step right up to that handsome face and tell him exactly how wrong he is about you?"

I stood up and paced around my friend's cluttered dorm room. "I'm not some dreamy poet or some fairytale writer. I want him to take me seriously." I snatched up my coat and book bag.

Jasmine clapped her hands. "Yeah, go to his office and make him take a good, long look at you. Here, I'll do your hair."

I swatted her away. "This doesn't have anything to do with how attractive Ford, I mean Professor Bauer, is. He needs to know that I take my work seriously, and I intend to be an excellent journalist. He can't scare me off or steer me towards some other career."

"Maybe he's just trying to provoke you," Lexi said.

Jasmine clapped again. "And now he's waiting for you to come into his office breathing fire so he can tame you."

"That's it," I cried. "I'm confiscating your paperbacks. You have got romance on the brain." I scooped up an armful of novels with ripped-bodice heroines and bare-chested heroes.

"Might want to leave those here if you're going for a serious vibe," Lexi said.

I dumped the books on the pink trunk and left in a huff, despite my friend's good-natured laughter. They didn't understand the pressure I felt. I had carefully and practically selected my chosen career because journalism kept