Page 19 of Make Me Learn
Cae shifted uncomfortably, reflecting the inner struggle we all faced. "And what about our personal desires?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of our unspoken longings in the air. "For now, we have to put our personal wants aside. They can't interfere with our professional responsibilities."
Amelia's eyes showed disappointment and understanding. "So prioritize our academic and professional pursuits and respect the boundaries set."
I nodded, grateful for her cooperation. "Exactly. We need to remember why we're here." I met Amelia's gaze, the intensity of our connection still there despite the constraints. "Amelia, you have to trust that we're doing the right thing. We'll protect our secret and put our professional duties first. Our personal desires will have to wait."
She nodded, determination and longing mixing in her expression. "I understand and trust you, Professor Steele."
As our conversation reached a temporary resolution, we exchanged nods, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. It was clear that our encounter at The Masquerade had thrown us into unfamiliar territory, and we had to navigate it cautiously to safeguard our careers and maintain our roles' integrity.
Xavier broke the silence, determination in his voice. "We need to make sure there are no slip-ups or suspicions from other students or faculty members. Our interactions should be limited to the classroom and strictly professional."
Ash added, serious tone intact. "Agreed. We should avoid meeting outside of the university and stay away from The Masquerade while Amelia is a student here."
I nodded, my gaze fixed on Amelia. "We have to be disciplined and show self-control. It won't be easy, but we need to do what's necessary to protect ourselves and our reputations."
Amelia looked at each of us, her expression softening with a hint of sadness. "I understand the need for caution. It's frustrating, but I don't want any special treatment. We have to be professional and keep our personal desires in check."
Myinternalresolvetomaintain a wall between myself and the professors I now knew were also my dominants remained steadfast as Tuesday unfolded. From my early morning Lit lecture with Professor Asher Bennett, whom I had known intimately as Hermes, to my midday History lecture with Professor Xavier Ortega, previously known to me as Ares, I navigated the academic landscape with deliberate focus.
Professor Bennett's piercing sea green gaze occasionally met mine, a flicker of concern crossing his features. His expressive eyes seemed to convey a silent message, hinting at the connection we had shared. Yet, I refused to acknowledge it, directing my attention solely towards the course material. I scribbled notes diligently, striving to immerse myself in the literature and analysis, desperate to drown out the memories of our passionate encounter.
In my History lecture, Professor Ortega's strong presence radiated authority and knowledge. Our eyes would occasionally meet, and I could sense the weight of his unspoken thoughts. A frown would momentarily furrow his brow, suggesting an internal conflict mirroring my own. But I refused to let it distract me. I engaged with the lecture content, mentally dissecting historical events and their significance, determined to separate the academic realm from the complexities of my personal life.
It was my Art class on Wednesday with Professor Caeden Rivers that tested my resolve.
My sweet Apollo.
And I didn’t even have Eva in this class to distract me since she had chosen a different one.
Once again I had chosen to take a seat towards the back of the room, but it was a different layout to the other lecture halls. There were various easels set up for each person to work at facing toward the front of the room, and in this case the focal point of all of our attention, which was multiple art pieces depicting clashes amongst the ancient gods.
He had to be fucking with me.
We were tasked with a project that would stretch over the entire semester. To create our own visualization and translation of conflict or resolution of conflict among powerful entities.
Seriously, he was fucking with me.
We spent half the class discussing different methods and mediums, and then we were finally given the green light to start our initial sketches. I found a quiet spot in the back of the room, working on my project while Professor Rivers made his rounds, chatting briefly with each student.
I knew he was getting closer to me, and I was not sure how I was going to handle speaking to him. Trying to keep a professional distance from such a sweet and submissive guy wasn't going to be easy.
As he approached my spot in the back, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. I knew I had to stick to my resolve and keep things distant, but fuck, Apollo's sweet and submissive nature was going to make it tough.
I focused intently on my sketch, pretending not to notice his approach. I could sense his presence with every inch he moved closer to me, and the gentle sound of his voice as he engaged with other students. My heart was pounding like crazy, and I took a deep breath to try and calm down.
Finally, it was my turn. He turned those golden eyes on me, genuine curiosity and artistic appreciation filling them. "Hey there," he greeted me with a warm smile. "I hope you're enjoying the project so far. Do you have any ideas or concepts in mind for your visualization?"
I glanced up at him, our gazes meeting for a quick moment before I looked back down at my sketch. "Um, yeah," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of nerves. "I'm thinking of exploring the concept of internal conflicts within oneself, the struggle between different aspects of our personality."
He tilted his head, intrigued by my choice of theme. "Sounds pretty fascinating," he said, his voice all soft and encouraging. "That’s a deeply introspective topic. I’m sure you will create something truly spectacular with that idea. And if you ever need any guidance or feedback, you know you can reach out to me."
I nodded, trying to keep my composure. "Thanks, Professor Rivers. I appreciate the support."
His eyes lingered on me for a moment, a touch of concern flickering across his face. Leaning closer, he whispered in that gentle tone, "Are you going to go back there?"
His question caught me off guard, and a mix of emotions surged through me. Anger, hurt, and a hint of longing all tangled up together. But I couldn't let him break down the walls I'd put up. I met his gaze, firmness in my voice. "We agreed, remember? That part of my life is off-limits now. It's none of your business anymore," I whispered back, trying to put a finality to it.
