a pissed-off glare in the general direction of the heckler, but I can tell from the darting shifts of his eyes that he can’t figure out who said the offending words. He may as well get used to it. Though I’m not exactly sold on the first-row seating yet, so maybe he won’t have to.
He circles the podium and picks up a thick stack of papers. I sink back into my seat with a sense of relief as he begins distributing his printed critiques for the assignments collected from the class I missed.
I catch a few outraged gasps from around the room and smile. I guess Maximus is a hard grader after all.
“As most of you can tell, there’s some room for expanding your view of the work and improving your grade. I’d suggest reading through my comments several times. Nobody enjoys being edited, but my purpose is to make you all better critical thinkers. It’s a life skill worth developing. These summaries are due weekly, every Friday. Late delivery is an automatic incomplete. No exceptions. If you have any questions, I’m happy to discuss them during office hours.”
Then he dismisses the class. My smug smile fades because I don’t have mine. I thought delivering it in person might make up for the fact that I delivered it late, but I guess not.
When the hall empties of people, I walk down to him.
“Maximus?”
There’s no answer from him. Not even a nod.
“Professor?” I prod. “I didn’t get my assignment back.”
He avoids eye contact, shoving his copy of the Comedy and some other papers into his leather satchel. “I said any questions about the assignments can be addressed during office hours.”
I let out a dry laugh. “And office hours start right after this class. What’s the difference?”
He looks up. “The difference is you’re not my only student, Kara. And office hours take place in my office.” He arches his eyebrow, like I’m clearly an idiot for thinking I can demand answers from him the way I have been.
I lock my jaw and force a smile. “Very well, Professor. I guess we can walk over together.”
He releases a tense sigh and strides past me. I struggle to keep up with his pace as we make our way to the Archer Building. When we finally arrive at his office on the fourth floor, I’m delighted to find the plastic chair next to the door empty.
“Wow,” I say, following him into the little office. “I really thought the line would be longer.”
He drops into the chair behind his desk. “Close the door.”
I do as he asks, trying not to think about all the things I’d rather do behind closed doors than interrogate him about my missing assignment.
When I turn back, he’s looking out the window, absently dragging his thumb along his lower lip. That quickly, I’m launched into a vivid memory of those lips. The way they felt against mine. The way I’d sought them out again. The way they’d sought mine…
I take the seat opposite him. “So what is this about?”
“I’m dropping you from the class.”
My heart falls to my stomach. “Excuse me?”
“You missed an important class, and you already have a zero for the summary that was due Friday.”
My jaw falls open, but he’s speaking again before I can.
“And even if you hadn’t turned it in late, it was…” He picks up a pen and starts clicking it rapidly. “Subpar.”
I launch upright. “Bullshit.”
“You’re not a lit major, Kara. It’s clear in the way you craft your thoughts. You’re better suited to sticking with a seminar in your major. I’m sure your GPA is stellar. There’s no point in taking a hit this late in the game.”
I circle the desk. My skin feels like it’s on fire, for entirely different reasons than the last time we were this close. He spins in his chair to face me.
“You’re lying.” I shove my finger at him accusingly. “Besides that, I’ve been waiting to take this class for three years. You can’t just pull me out of it for no good reason.”
He clicks his pen a dozen more times before I tear it out of his hand and throw it across the room. He closes his eyes briefly like he might be reaching for his Zen place after my little outburst.
“This isn’t going to work,” he utters quietly. “You know all the reasons why. I don’t need to spell them out for you.”
“You’ve been patronizing me for ten minutes. Why stop now?”
“Kara… This has to stop before