My Professor, My Mistake
A Very Bad Dare
Scarlett Harper
I swear if this place gets any louder, my brain is going to leak out of my ears.
Emma Hughes
Stop lying. You love this place. You literally dragged us here.
Liam Carter
Correction—Scarlett said, “One drink before the semester starts. For mental health.”
Emma Hughes
Semester starts tomorrow and we’re already making bad decisions.
Liam Carter
Speak for yourself. I make excellent decisions. This drink told me so.
Emma Hughes
Okay, new rule. Since tomorrow is semester one, no stress talk. We play Truth and Dare.
James Miller
I vote yes. Scarlett always loses.
Liam Carter
Alright, Harper. Truth or dare?
Scarlett Harper
Dare. Obviously. But if I end up arrested, I’m haunting all of you.
James Miller
Kiss the first man who walks through that door.
Scarlett Harper
That’s it? Pathetic.
Emma Hughes
That’s it? you says, while three drinks deep.
Scarlett Harper
Please. I’m brave. I’m bold. I’m—
*pauses, squints at her glass*
—emotionally fearless.
Scarlett Harper
Same thing.
The bar door opens. Cold air. Heavy footsteps.
Charles Blake
*Walked Inside *
Emma Hughes
Door just opened.
James Miller
Fate waits for no one.
Scarlett Harper
*softly* Oh.
Scarlett Harper
He’s… inconveniently handsome.
Liam Carter
Well. He’s… older.
Scarlett Harper
Age is a mindset.
Charles Blake
*ordering at counter*
Scarlett Harper
*Walking towards him*
Scarlett Harper
*taps his shoulder.*
Charles Blake
*turning* Yes?
Scarlett Harper
*She leans in and kisses him.*
Scarlett Harper
*Pulling back, cheerful* It was a dare.
Charles Blake
*frozen* I—what?
Scarlett Harper
*Wiping lipstick off his lips with her thumb* Sorry about that. Red stains everything.
Scarlett Harper
*Smiling brightly* You’re very handsome, by the way. You shouldn’t look so cold.
Emma Hughes
SCARLETT, COME BACK.
Liam Carter
PLEASE COME BACK.
James Miller
I DID NOT THINK THIS THROUGH.
Scarlett Harper
*She turns and walks back to her friends, heart racing, cheeks warm.*
Scarlett Harper
Dare complete.
Emma Hughes
I cannot believe you just kissed a stranger like that.
Liam Carter
Correction. A very hot stranger.
Scarlett Harper
He was hot. Like… grown-up hot.
James Miller
I think he just mentally filed a police report.
Scarlett Harper
Relax. I’ll never see him again.
Charles Blake
*Watches her for a moment longer than necessary. His expression unreadable. Then he turns back to his drink, already deciding this moment will be forgotten.*
They laugh. Drink more. The night blurs.
The Man at the Podium
James Miller
I’m never drinking again.
James Miller
WHY AM I AWAKE
Emma Hughes
Because consequences.
Scarlett Harper
Please don’t talk. I feel sick.
Emma Hughes
Okay, first class of the semester. Fresh start.
Scarlett Harper
Yes. Nothing embarrassing will happen today.
James Miller
You say that every time before something embarrassing happens.
Liam Carter
Look like, professor’s already inside.
Lecture Hall – five minutes later
They step inside the classroom
Scarlett Harper
*freezing mid-step*
…
…
No.
Emma Hughes
*whispering* Why did you stop—
*looks up* NO
Liam Carter
What?
*looks at podium*
Oh.
My.
God.
Scarlett Harper
The lipstick wiping guy.
Liam Carter
That’s the guy.
Scarlett Harper
Don’t say it.
Liam Carter
That’s the kiss guy.
Scarlett Harper
I WILL END YOU.
Charles Blake
Good morning. I’m Professor Charles Blake.
Charles Blake
I expect punctuality, professionalism, and respect in this class.
Scarlett Harper
Sir, I wiped your lips like we were married.💭💭
Charles Blake
Please take your seats.
Scarlett Harper
No. If I don’t sit, I can still escape.💭
Emma Hughes
He looks… different.
Liam Carter
Academic hot hits different.
James Miller
*muttering* We’re failing already.
Emma Hughes
Scarlett, don’t pass out.
Scarlett Harper
If I pass out, erase my browser history.
They took their seats while escaping the professor's eyes.
Charles Blake
And before we begin, attendance.
Charles Blake
James Miller.
Charles Blake
Liam Carter.
Charles Blake
Emma Hughes.
Charles Blake
Scarlett Harper.
Charles Blake
*eyes lifting, brief pause*
Scarlett Harper
*Internal screaming*
HE PAUSED.
WHY DID HE PAUSE.
PEOPLE WHO DON’T REMEMBER DON’T PAUSE.💭
Charles Blake
*Continue taking attendance*
Charles Blake
Calculus is not about memorization. It’s about understanding patterns—
Scarlett Harper
Understanding patterns like kissing strangers who turn out to be professors.💭💭
Charles Blake
Any questions so far?
Scarlett Harper
Do you accept apologies in written form?💭💭
Chairs scraping, students leaving
James Miller
You kissed your professor.
Scarlett Harper
I didn’t know!
Scarlett Harper
I’m transferring universities.
James Miller
We should run.
Liam Carter
Agreed. New identities.
Emma Hughes
Scarlett, come on—
Scarlett Harper
I have to talk to him.
Emma Hughes
You absolutely do not.
Scarlett Harper
If I don’t, I’ll explode.
Scarlett Harper
*She hesitates, then walks toward the podium*
Scarlett Harper
Professor Blake?
Charles Blake
*packing papers* Yes?
Scarlett Harper
I—um—about last night.
Charles Blake
*Looking up* It was inappropriate.
Scarlett Harper
I was drunk.
Scarlett Harper
It was a dare.
Charles Blake
You mentioned that—after the kiss.
Scarlett Harper
I don’t even like dares. I hate dares. Dares ruined my life.
Charles Blake
*Raising an eyebrow* Your life seems intact.
Scarlett Harper
You won’t complain about me, right?
Charles Blake
*sighs* I have no intention of filing a complaint.
Charles Blake
Provided there are no further… incidents.
Scarlett Harper
None. Zero. I will not even breathe in your direction.
Charles Blake
That would be excessive.
Scarlett Harper
*relieved* Thank you. Thank you so much. I swear I’m not usually like that.
Charles Blake
I find that hard to believe.
Scarlett Harper
Excuse me?
Charles Blake
*deadpan* You had remarkable confidence.
Scarlett Harper
*blushing* That was the alcohol.
Scarlett Harper
So… we’re good?
Charles Blake
Professionally? Yes.
Scarlett Harper
And… otherwise?
Charles Blake
*Raising an eyebrow* Miss Harper, I strongly suggest you avoid bars for a while.
Scarlett Harper
Duly noted.
Charles Blake
Miss Harper.
Charles Blake
Let’s keep our interaction strictly academic.
Scarlett Harper
Of course. Academic. Very academic.
Scarlett Harper
*She turns to leave, bumps into desk*
Ow.
Charles Blake
Watch your step.
Gravity, Glances, and Very Poor Filters
James Miller
Are you expelled?
Scarlett Harper
He’s not reporting me.
James Miller
Did he say anything else?
Scarlett Harper
He said I have remarkable confidence.
Liam Carter
He’s flirting.
Scarlett Harper
He is not.
James Miller
I still feel guilty.
Scarlett Harper
You should. I kissed my professor because of you.
Scarlett Harper
Especially involving lips.
Scarlett Harper
And professors.
Emma Hughes
Alright, crisis survived. Group hug?
Scarlett Harper
No touching. I’ve had enough physical contact with authority figures for one lifetime.
Liam Carter
You’ll be fine. Just don’t kiss him again.
Scarlett Harper
Goodbye. All of you. Before I commit another academic crime.
James Miller
Text us when you’re home alive.
Scarlett Harper
I hate you all. Bye.
Scarlett Harper
*walking and scrolling on phone*
Scarlett Harper
*Strong arms catch her before she hits the ground*
Scarlett Harper
*Looking up*
*blurted, zero filter* Why are you so handsome?
Scarlett Harper
*Brain rebooting*
Oh.
Oh no.
Scarlett Harper
*Stepping back* I—I didn’t mean—
I mean—shouldn’t professors be old? With big bellies? And—like—no hair?
Charles Blake
*Speechless* That’s a dangerous generalization.
Charles Blake
*Cold and composed*
Don’t scroll on your phone while walking, Miss Harper.
Scarlett Harper
Yes. Professor. I won’t use my phone while walking.
Scarlett Harper
I’ll… go now.
Charles Blake
That would be wise.
Scarlett Harper
*She speed-walks away*
Alice Harper
You’re home early.
Noah Harper
First day of semester already exhausting her.
Scarlett Harper
I survived. Barely.
Alice Harper
How were your classes?
Scarlett Harper
Educational. Traumatizing. Character-building.
Noah Harper
So, how are your professors?
Scarlett Harper
*Choking on water* Fine
Scarlett Harper
Very… professional.
Noah Harper
That’s good. Nothing worse than boring professors.
Scarlett Harper
He’s not boring.
Scarlett Harper
They. I meant they. Professors. In general.
Scarlett Harper
I’m tired. I'm going to my room.
Scarlett Harper
*Went to her room*
Scarlett Harper
*Group chat* I BUMPED INTO HIM.
Liam Carter
PLEASE SAY A WALL.
Scarlett Harper
THE PROFESSOR.
Emma Hughes
WHAT HAPPENED.
Scarlett Harper
He caught me.
Liam Carter
Like in movies?
Scarlett Harper
LIKE IN MOVIES.
James Miller
Did you kiss him?
Scarlett Harper
*Lies back on her bed and staring at the ceiling*
Scarlett Harper
First day of semester, and I’ve already insulted, kissed, and been caught by my professor.
This year is going to ruin me.💭💭
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