Chapter 03 PETER
Lord. Take. Me. Now.
A student.
That’s who arrives for this couple’s session—a former student of mine. Dylan was one of the few students in the department to take my absurdist theater elective and wrote a paper about Ionesco.
It was an excellent paper.
He was an excellent student.
And he must be no older than 23.
There isn’t a happy hour in the world that will help me forget how awkward this is going to be.
“Oh, you two know each other?“
Sadie asks.
My voice cracks as I speak because I’m 13 years old again, apparently. “D-Dylan was a student of mine.”
“Professor Duncan is brilliant—one of the few professors who could make Pinter interesting.”
I know my cheeks are redder than some of the leaves outside. In the classroom, I’m in my element. My mind flows, relishing in the opportunity to talk on and on about something I adore. In life, I’m nowhere near as eloquent.
Academics tend to be really awkward. Surprise!
“That’s so kind of you, Dylan. You can call me Peter.”
“This is perfect!“
Sadie proclaims. “It’s always nice when there’s already a connection—so much easier to relax for the shots.”
Oh, I will be anything but relaxed.
“Well, Dylan, let’s take a look at some of your clothing options for the headshots and do those first.”
“Perfect!”
Dylan opens his garment bag, showing Sadie the options he brought, and I quickly slide my phone out of my pocket.
IT’S ONE OF MY STUDENTS!
Angela: Huh?
My session partner is one of my students!
Angela. Shut. Up. That’s so hot! Teacher’s pet!!!
OMG - I will kill you.
Angela: Is he in your class right now?
No, he graduated.
Angela: Oh. That’s far less scandalous. I’m disappointed.
SHUT UP!
Angela: Is he cute?
I’m not allowed to think he’s cute! He’s my student!
Angela: WAS your student. He graduated. He’s an adult.
Barely!
Angela: Is. He. Cute?
I do everything in my power to suppress my frustrated grunt.
Yes.
Angela: Good! Maybe Sadie can have you two reenact some kind of vintage teacher-student fantasy? Does she have a paddle?
I’m putting my phone away now.
Angela: ASK IF SHE HAS A PADDLE!
With my phone tucked away in my pocket, I scrub my face, hating that I agreed to do this. I should have just said no! She convinced me this would boost my confidence, and I stupidly believed her.
Sadie approaches and asks, “So, I agreed to take a few headshots for Dylan. Would you mind coming with us and holding the reflector? It shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes, and then I’ll take the couple’s shots.
“Sure abs—”
Dylan walks into the room wearing a beautiful azure sweater that makes his eyes sparkle like the sky. I never let myself notice the incredible dimples he has in class, but now that he’s standing before me looking like a movie star, it’s very hard to ignore them.
“Absolutely,“
I blurt out. Do I sound excited? I shouldn’t, right? That would be weird.
“Perfect. Alright, boys. Let’s go.”