(Lila's POV)
I shook my head as we walked into class. It had been three days since the meeting in his office, but I haven't stopped thinking about him. Every time I remembered his words, my heart fluttered uncontrollably. My chest skipped a beat as I settled into a seat beside Maya.
He would come in anytime soon. My chest skipped a beat again.
"Hi, ladies," Ethan greeted as he slid into the seat beside me. The scent of citrus filled my nostrils.
"Ethan, how are you?" I asked, attempting to distract myself from the thoughts racing through my mind.
"I'm great, Lila, you?"
"I'm good too. You smell like citrus; did you change your perfume?"
"Oh no, I used Elena's shampoo. Mine ran out."
Just then, he walked in. Immediately I set my eyes on him, my pulse betrayed me. He barely looked at me, but I could feel his awareness.
He cleared his throat and scanned the room. "Class, tell me — when a character acts against their own morals, what does it reveal about their inner desires?"
I raised my hand, and he nodded. "Miss Bennett?"
I took a breath, gripping my notebook. "It shows that desire often outweighs reason. Even when someone knows the rules or the risks, the pull of what they want most can be overwhelming. It's not just about choice — it's about what drives them internally."
"Excellent, Miss Bennett." He said, his lips curving upwards. My heart lurched.
"Careful, Lila. You keep showing off like that and the professor might start giving you special treatment," Ethan whispered with a smirk.
I laughed quietly, but when I saw his glance, it made my heart race again.
As class went on, I struggled to focus. My eyes kept traveling to his face, shoulders, and the occasional drift of his gaze in my direction.
"You look so beautiful when you're focused, Lila," Ethan whispered in my ear. I smiled, feeling flustered, my emotions a jumble.
"Focus, Ethan. I won't let you borrow my notes or tutor you this semester," I murmured back.
"What are you guys whispering about?" Maya leaned in.
"I was just telling Lila how beautiful she looked when she's serious," Ethan said.
Professor Hale cleared his throat, and I looked up, meeting his eyes. There was a flicker of something I couldn't place in his blue eyes before it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"I don't like distractions in my class. You, what's your name?" he asked Ethan.
"Ethan Cross," he replied.
"Ethan, interpret this passage from Madame Bovary: She longed for something forbidden, yet beautiful, and it consumed her — what do these lines reveal about morality and desire?" he asked, his eyes glinting.
I saw a glint of curiosity and calculation as he spoke. He was addressing Ethan, but I could feel his eyes on me.
Ethan leaned forward. "It shows that the heart can push people beyond rational limits. Even when they know the consequences, their emotions demand expression."
Professor Hale tilted his head, not fully satisfied. "Explain why you think the author chose to show internal conflict this way rather than external consequences."
Ethan met his gaze, speaking confidently. "Because internal struggle is universal. It makes the reader empathize, rather than just judge the action. The desire becomes relatable."
A girl raised her hand, her notebook clutched tightly.
"Your name?" he asked.
"Clara Hayes," she said, standing a little straighter.
"And what is your interpretation, Miss Hayes?" he pressed.
Clara cleared her throat. "It shows that temptation is part of human nature, and the conflict between desire and morality is what drives the story forward. It's the tension that keeps readers invested."
He nodded slowly but still frowned slightly, clearly not satisfied. He looked around the room, his piercing gaze lingering on a few students before finally straightening. "We'll continue this discussion in the next class. Think more deeply about internal versus external consequences."
The murmurs rose as students packed their things and stretched, some whispering comments about the passage. I stared on, lost in thoughts about the Professor and the way he looked at me while questioning Ethan.
"Let's go, Lila." Ethan's voice broke me out of my daze.
"I think I'm going to fail his class," Maya sighed as we walked out.
"It's not that serious. He's just too rigid and difficult to please," Ethan replied.
"You won't fail, Maya. Don't be a pessimist," I said, shaking my head with a small smile.
"Professor Perfect sure seems like he's going to give us a hard time," Ethan added, laughing.
Maya giggled. "Professor Perfect?"
"Yeah, didn't you see how he was grilling me in there?" Ethan replied.
As we left, I glanced back and found him watching me just for a second before he disappeared down the hallway.
"Coffee, anyone? Bills on me," Ethan asked.
"Sure, I'm in," Maya said.
"Lila?" Ethan prompted.
"Yeah, let's go," I replied.
As we headed to the coffee place, I reflected on my emotions.
Am I falling for my Professor?