Cammie Healy - Jennifer Foor Page 0,4

whole day in here with me. You must have better things to do.”

“You’d be surprised,” he affirmed. “Some of us don’t have a choice what comes next. Once you get my age, you’ll know what I mean. There is no going back, Miss Healy. Remember that. It will keep you motivated.”

“I will.” He sat down at his desk and started shuffling papers around.

For the next hour I sat on the sofa reading with headphones on. Professor Willis finished up his work and waved before exiting the office, leaving me all alone. I kept at my studies, until curiosity got the best of me. Now, I was no sloth. In fact, there wasn’t a sneaky bone in my body, but I wanted to know more about the man who was giving me a second chance.

I’d no sooner sat down at his desk and began rummaging through his belongings when I spotted the picture on his desk. The woman, a blonde looking to be in her forties, was sitting in a chair. Professor Willis was behind her, and on either side of them were two kids looking to be my age or maybe a bit younger. They seemed happy, like the kind of family you see on the stock photos when you buy a new picture frame. I wondered if they had secrets, or if they were genuinely kind people.

Coming from an extremely close-knit family, I often looked for the good in people, valuing when they flaunted their closeness with their kin. Call me a romantic, but I wanted to think happiness could be found by looking deep into a person’s soul, where memories of happy times were all that could be reached.

After examining the photograph for far too long, I flipped through his student book, finding my name easily since they were arranged alphabetically. For some reason, my name had been highlighted. Before I could look further, I heard the door creaking open. Professor Willis stood with his hands in his pockets, jingling some change around.

I stood up, knowing I’d been caught red-handed. There wasn’t a chance in hell I could talk my way out of this situation. With guilt written all over my face, I closed my eyes and waited for him to scorn me or retract his decision to give me a second chance.

“Miss Healy, was there something you were looking for?”

I bit down on my lip preparing to reveal the truth. It almost hurt to speak. “I was snooping. I know it was inappropriate.” I started to walk over and gather my things, only to have him come up behind me and take my bag.

“Next time you’d like to know something about me, just ask.” He was almost saying it like it amused him.

I sunk back down on the sofa and covered my face with my hands. “I’m sorry. I feel like such an idiot.”

I felt the cushion moving next to me and knew he was there. The scent of his cologne caught my attention. I recognized it as the way his classroom always smelled. He’d showered, and I couldn’t deny how pleasing the aromatic fragrance was to take in. “I would have done the same thing.”

I finally gathered enough courage to peer in his direction. His dark eyes were staring right into mine. I wouldn’t call it uncomfortable. I certainly didn’t feel threatened, but something about this moment stood out. Maybe I should have read more into it. At the time I saw it as a peace offering. He was trying to reassure me we were still on good terms and nothing had changed. When his hand came over and patted the back of mine I didn’t pull away. “I meant what I said. If you want to know something, just ask.”

I waited for him to stand before letting a question escape my lips. “My name. It’s highlighted. How come?”

He sighed, replacing his smile with an inquisitive grimace. “Because you are special. I looked forward to having you in my class.”

With that being announced, I turned my attention back to my books instead of letting him see how his words had gotten to me. Once again, I didn’t feel uncomfortable, just overwhelmed with flattery. I’d worked my ass off for the grades and accomplishments I’d managed. For him to acknowledge them was gratifying.

“I’m sorry again. I’m embarrassed. I was taught to be respectful. If I were home with my family I’d be reprimanded for my actions.”

“Your parents sound like they know how to raise a child right.