The Papers

It was raining heavily outside. The students were just sitting in the lecture room. “Ugh… It’s so gloomy outside,” Elowen thought to herself as she scribbled away in her notebook. After a while, the door to the lecture room opened, and every student looked at the door. A man in his 30s entered—a handsome man wearing glasses, with black hair and gray eyes. He walked to the front of the lecture room, laying down the papers on his desk. He then checked his watch and looked at the students.

“Good morning, class. We’ll be having a test today, so please prepare your things.”

Elowen still remembered back when she was just 18 years old, a first-year college student in the course med tech, when she first saw Professor Rafaelio Castillo. Now Elowen is 26 years old, in her fourth year of medicine, still attending Professor Castillo’s English literature class.

“Professor Castillo is 9 years older than me, huh? I’ve got to admit he’s quite a looker no matter how much I look at him,” Elowen thought to herself. She was startled when Professor Castillo spoke. “Ms. Elowen Grayson, what are you staring at? Please pay attention.”

Elowen felt flustered and ended up blurting, “Uh, yes, professor! I’m sorry!” Professor Castillo looked away and began to distribute the papers. As he got to Elowen, he stopped to give the paper to the row where she was sitting. He glanced at her and smiled, then went back to his desk and sat down.

“Everyone, you have one hour to finish, so answer carefully.” Professor Castillo leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He glanced at Elowen and thought to himself, “Elowen Grayson… Hmm, she’s one of my top students since she entered this university. I’ve got to admit I really like her work, especially the poetry.”

After one hour, the students finished the test and placed each of their papers on Professor Castillio's desk before going out since they were done. The last to finish and hand in her paper was Elowen. She fidgeted with her paper before handing it to Professor Castillio.

"I... I'm sorry about earlier, Professor."

Professor Castillio looked at Elowen and sighed as he accepted the paper. "Uh, it's alright, Elowen."

Elowen was shocked in a good way and shyly asked, fidgeting with her fingers, "Uh... Professor, you just called me by my name..."

Professor Castillio tilted his head, crossing his arms. "Can't I call you that?"

Elowen shook her head and shyly responded, flustered, "Uh, no, no, I didn't mean it like that. Professor, please don't misunderstand."

Professor Castillio just replied, "Just hurry and go; you'll be late to your next class."

Elowen checked her watch, thanked Professor Castillio, and hurriedly, clumsily left. He sighed as he arranged the papers, with a small smile on his face. Then he thought to himself, "That was cute—" Professor Castillio snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. "What was that... ha... I can't believe I just thought of that"

It was lunchtime, after Professor Castillio's class, when Elowen knocked on the door. "Uhm... Excuse me, is anyone there?" Professor Castillio cleared his throat and responded, "Uh, yes, please do enter." Elowen opened the door slightly and peeked in, but she got startled when she noticed Professor Castillio staring right at her from a distance.

"What brings you here, Elowen?" Professor Castillio asked. Elowen bowed her head and looked at the professor nervously. Before she could speak, Professor Castillio continued, "The lesson for the 4th year ended earlier, so why are you here?"

Feeling nervous, Elowen fidgeted with her fingers and couldn’t look directly at him. "Erm... erm... it’s just... that... erm..."

"Elowen." Professor Castillio spoke, causing her to startle and flinch. "Elowen, what's the matter? Why are you so jumpy? I just called your name."

Elowen felt embarrassed and lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers once more. "I just... wanted to get the paper I left in here earlier... I wanted to know if it's still here," Elowen said.

Professor Castillio thought for a moment and then replied, "Ah, you can get the paper tomorrow since it's in my office. Just go get it tomorrow at my office after the lecture."

Elowen nodded and bowed once again, feeling relieved. "Hai! Thank you so much, Professor." Professor Castillio nodded as he looked at Elowen, and unconsciously patted her on the head with a small smile on his face. This made Elowen blush a bit and stutter.

"Uhh... Uh... Professor?" Professor Castillio was taken a back and quickly stopped patting her head, clearing his throat. "...Uh... Ahem, I'm sorry about that, Elowen..."

Elowen smiled brightly and shyly bowed again. "Uhh... it's okay, Professor. Thank you once again!"

Suddenly, a student one year younger than Elowen appeared at the door. "Uhm... Elowen... Are you done? I'm hungry..."

Elowen looked at the boy and shyly said goodbye to Professor Castillio. "Uh... I'm coming. Goodbye, Professor, thank you once again!"

Professor Castillio thought to himself, "Hmm... Fenric Benette, 3rd-year college student, majoring in English... Why is he with Elowen?" He sighed as he picked up the documents and thought, "Why am I overthinking everything?... Ha... What has gotten into me?.."

Elowen and Fenric walked together in the hallway while talking. It was clear that Fenric liked Elowen; however, she just saw him as a brother.

"What are you having for lunch?" Fenric said.

Elowen replied, "I don't know; I'll just decide when I get to the cafeteria."

Fenric smiled and walked by Elowen's side.

"Hm...I shouldn't bother thinking" Professor Castillio thought as he watched Elowen and Fenric walk away chatting.

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