Chapter 7 Elijah
Elijah
I tap my pencil along my notebook. How many minutes until I see that beautiful face?
All I can think about is how distracted he’s been lately. I can’t help but feel like Tobias has been a little…out of sorts. I mean, this week was hard for both of us with me leaving but—
Suddenly, a small hand slams down on mine.
“Could you not?” Katelyn’s whisper comes out like a hiss. I cringe, immediately taking in the fact that the room is noticeably quieter without my continuous tapping. I had no idea I was doing that.
I mouth a ‘sorry’ before she tucks a strand of her black hair behind her ear, turning her attention back to our teacher.
I’m in class for Conceptual Art, and if it wasn’t for my professor, who for some reason keeps glancing in my direction during her lecture, I would’ve already taken my phone out and texted Tobias by now.
I’m here because of Professor Vivienne Flux, the acclaimed art teacher students worldwide fight to study under.
She gave me a chance a couple of years ago when I thought I had lost everything due to a few idiots in high school.
One disastrous art night turned into her offering me a chance of a lifetime.
Without her, I wouldn’t have even gotten into this school. I owe her so much, and here I am. Sitting in her class. Ready to prove why she gave me that chance.
I sigh, trying my best to tune back in. The truth is, all I can focus on are two ocean blue eyes, and it’s screwing me up. Why’d he have to be so perfect and 400 km away?
1 day, 4 hours, and 20 minutes
“We’ll be discussing Dada’s origins in the early 20th century during World War I, its reaction to the absurdity of war, and its rejection of traditional aesthetics and rationalism.
” She says, pacing the floor. “Your first task will be to create a collage using found images or texts from magazines, newspapers, or random printouts. I’ll be expecting it on my desk by Monday morning. ”
I cringe. That means I’ll have to do some work over the weekend while I’m supposed to be with…
A snap in front of my face wakes me up from my daydream.
“Jeez. Are you going to zone out like that all year?” Katelyn laughs beside me as she squeezes her notebook into her beige tote bag.
She has it decked out in pins that describe her to her core.
Judging off her bag alone, you’ll know she’s a Fleetwood Mac-loving, raging bisexual, who adores black cats and mushrooms.
“I hope not,” I admit. I slowly pack up my things as the rest of the students in this auditorium do the same around us. “It’ll take some getting used to this long-distance thing.”
I’ve always been stellar at schoolwork. I can’t let it slip now. Not when he’s so proud of me. I love making him proud of me.
…dammit.
There goes my mind again.
“Thorne. A word?”
My stomach drops at the sound of my name being spoken by none other than Professor Flux. With a curl of her long, dark burgundy painted finger, she beckons me down to her desk.
I gulp, looking back up at Katelyn, who shares my sentiment. With a worried look, she shrugs her shoulders. “I’ll catch you in the quad for dinner?” She asks, shuffling past me.
“Yeah, I’ll text you later.”
I squeeze out of my seat, shifting my bag properly up on my shoulder. The lecture hall is now empty leaving Professor Flux and me, alone.
I make my way over to her desk and awkwardly shift on my feet once I stand there for a couple of seconds without her saying anything. Instead, she clicks on some tabs on her desktop screen.
I take this moment to look at her. She’s honestly a striking woman.
Her short blunt black hair has grown to her shoulders since the last time I’ve seen her.
She resembles a panther with her sharp feline eyes.
I watch as her eyes scan the screen. She must be no older than mid-40’s, maybe late.
Incredibly, she has accomplished so much at such a young age.
She clasps her hands together on her desk, making me swallow harshly. “Mr. Throne. I’ve been hoping to get a chance to chat with you.”
“Oh?” I breathe.
Did I do something wrong? It’s only been a week.
She gives me a once-over with her piercing eyes as she taps the back of her hand with her long nails.
“I’ve been excited to see you again since the art show at your high school. You impressed me a lot that night.”
I blink rapidly, trying to piece together what she’s telling me. “You remember that? I feel like I was just a kid then.” I scratch the back of my neck underneath my hair, suddenly feeling hot.
She gives a soft-hearted laugh. “Take it as a compliment. It’s not usual that a piece of art speaks to me like yours did.
To communicate such depth at such a young age.
It was impressive.” She leans back in her chair, eyeing me over again.
“Most students would never think to stitch their own face into the art like that, but you did—and it worked. You took a risk and it paid off.”
A breath of air leaves my chest. Such an intimidating woman feeding me so many compliments? I can’t believe it. This can’t be real.
“This type of experimentation is what pushes art forward, and you knew how to do this at the mere age of only seventeen. It reminds me a lot of…” A flicker of something passes over her face.
It’s gone before I can capture it. She looks back at me, emotion suddenly in her eyes.
“I’m interested to see what you’re going to bring forward in this class. ” She nods.
I open my mouth, but no sounds come out. I’m stunned. Speechless.
“Professor, I–”
“I called you down here today because I want you to know I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.” She props her glasses up on the bridge of her nose and turns back to her computer. “I’ll be looking for an assistant in the coming few weeks and I truly think you’d be a strong contender for the position.”
My eyes go wide. “Wow, Professor, I’m so honored that you…” My voice trails off as I realize she’s begun typing.
Well.
Guess, I’m dismissed.
***
I close the door to my dorm room and throw my book bag on the ground beside my desk before flopping face-first on my bed.
Taking a mini moment to just scream excitedly into my pillow, I pull out my phone and press my top contact.
On the first ring, his face fills the screen, filling my heart with warmth. I swear, seeing him is like a shot of dopamine.
Tobias looks as godly as ever. Wearing his backward LA hat and a red plaid button-up shirt, he makes me feel flustered just looking at him.
“Hey, baby.” He flashes his charming smile at me, just adding to the gushiness I feel right now.
“Do you have to look so goddamn delicious? I had something important to tell you, and now I forgot what it is.” I groan, flopping back onto my bed, feeling the steady flow of blood straight to my dick. There’s no way this is normal.
He gives me one of his deep laughs that booms through my chest. “You’re ridiculous. I’m just about to get home. Had to run errands today.”
I nod my head, looking him over. “I guess you get a pass. Did you say hi to Tan for me?” I ask.
Tobias lifts his to-go caramel macchiato from Bloom & Brew in front of the screen.
“You know it.” He smiles. “So, try and remember. Was it something about school? I know you had your first class with Professor Flux today.”
I roll onto my stomach. “Oh, right. Yes! She pulled me after class specifically to tell me she’s excited to see what I’ll do this year. Isn’t that insane!?”
Tobias beams. I see his excitement for me through the screen. “Seriously!? Honestly, I’m not even surprised. E, you’ve got a serious talent. She’d be insane not to think so. Anyone would.”
I bite my lip and stuff my face into my pillow. Damn. He always knows exactly what to say.
It looks like he’s walking into our house and taking off his shoes at the front door.
“I just can’t believe it. She really sees something in me.” I shimmy up my bed, grabbing one of my pillows. I fold the pillow under my chin so I can prop my head up more easily to watch him on my phone.
“I knew it way back in school,” he says, running upstairs to our room.
I hum, just soaking in his love. Too many compliments for me in one day. Anymore and I’ll combust.
“Getting ready for work?” I ask.
“Yeah, just showering and then I’m heading in. Closing up tonight with Terry.” He smiles. Terry is one of the restaurant supervisors.
I nod my head. “Cool. Cool.” Everything becomes way more interesting the moment Tobias props the phone up on the washroom counter. He takes off his hat and shakes out his hair. I can feel my mouth suddenly water as soon as he begins to unbutton his shirt.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s going to be a long night.
I don’t sleep the best without you here.
” Tobias continues. Without another thought, he slips his shirt off his shoulders, exposing his bare chest and abs.
He slips his thumbs beneath his waistband and slips down his pants and boxers in one smooth swoop.
Holy fuck.
“Goddamn,” I blurt. He looks up at me and smirks, as though he forgot I was watching.
Standing up straight, he lifts his arms and stretches them over his head, showing me the gorgeous lines of his body.
“You amaze me.” I laugh, propping my chin up on my hand. He reaches behind his back to showcase his stiff muscles, his rigid, toned biceps, and flexes his pecs.
I sneer at him. “How cruel of you to look like that and not be within touching distance.”
He smiles, dropping his arms at his sides. “Oh yeah?” He bites his lip, running his hand across his chest. “You want to touch me?”
I breathe in deeply, rolling over onto my back. Flipping the camera, I show him the now large and in charge tent that I’m sporting in my pants. “Not at all,” I tease, flipping the camera back onto my face.
A red blush spreads across his neck and up to his face. I watch as he slips his hand through the shower glass doors to turn on the faucet. The sound of water hitting the shower floor echoes through the phone speaker.