Page 35 of Zombies, Satyrs and Vampires, Oh My!

Knowing it’s a bad idea, I open my student files on my computer. I find her name immediately, as if my eyes know right where she is.

Harriet Chambers.

I open the file and there are her assignments. Papers she’s written. Videos sent in. I open one of the videos.

“Bear with me,” her recorded voice says, her lovely face beams into the camera, “I am not a great musician.” Then she places her phone so it’s angled, facing her torso and the piano keys. She proceeds to move through the assignment, talking as she goes.

Like a fucking pervert, I lose interest in watching her fingers fumble on the keys and zero in on her ample cleavage.

How had I never noticed her before?

She was a student. That’s how. Students are asexual beings that exist out in the world, but in a dimension other than mine. At least that’s how my brain categorizes them. Students are always off limits. So, I’ve never once looked at one and thought anything unprofessional.

Now, though, all of those rules cease to exist in my mind.

Harry725: I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position. Your friend, who told me where you’d be—you as in my former professor—said you’d be happy to see me.

PROF_JACE: Which friend would that be?

Harry725: Uh… I guess he’s a griffin?

PROF_JACE: Figures.

PROF_JACE: And yes, he’s a griffin.

I shoot a text to Xander telling him he can fuck right off.

He texts back immediately with a laughing emoji, then a, “you’re welcome.”

“Fucker,” I mutter.

PROF_JACE: I’m sorry if I was rude.

Harry725: You were ambushed. That’s my fault.

Harry725: You really do play beautifully.

PROF_JACE: Thank you.

Harry725: I mean I knew that from your lectures and class presentations. But hearing it in person is astounding.

Harry725: I’ll leave you alone.

I don’t respond because I don’t know what I should say. Nope, that’s not true. I should tell her yes, that she should definitely leave me alone. I should tell her to get her gorgeous ass out of this fucked up town before she gets hurt. Instead, I say nothing and leave the door open for her to find me again.