Lines We Shouldn't Cross

el's final lecture, his words and presence lingering in my thoughts. My routines

st time, I was starting to question whether the safe

to attend. These events usually ended up as formal affairs, polite conversations,

Michael's influence, or maybe it was sim

dress I hadn't worn in ages-a deep g

at the prospect of doing something out of the

, I felt a quiet confidence, an unfamiliar spark th

aurant near campus. Soft lights glowed over polishe

agues talking in small clusters, laughing over drinks, and e

ed a few professors from different departm

tion, and, for once, I allowed myself to rela

lder. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Professor Claire M

va! It's good to see you here," she said, her voice warm. "I was starting to think you'

r research to my classes. But as we talked, I could sense her eyes studying

lint in her eye. "You seem a bit...different l

one about Michael-not because there was much to tell, but because so

little point in hiding my restlessness. Well..." I trailed o

"It's not much," I said, laughing softly. "Just a guest lect

He had this way of talking, this passion that made

ued. "So, he made an impression. And you

ightly. "I suppose he did. It's nothi

s. "Passing or not, it seems like he left you with a spark.

a quick squeeze. "Don't overthink it, Eva. Sometimes it's worth exploring the unexpected.

ion, laughing more easily than I had in a long time. But as the night wound dow

Michael, and before I knew it, I had slowed to a stop, peer

was beginning to clean up. I stood there for a moment, feeling a wave of nostalgia

ght that normally I would have dismissed without a second glance. But tonig

. He had given me his number on a whim after our second meeting, saying som

y without much thought, never

breath, I type

ut would you be open to coffee sometime? I realize you mi

of me knew this was impulsive, and maybe a bit silly, but another part o

ne, leaving me with nothing but t

ing, I woke u

it, I'm still in town for another few days. Co

lief and excitement flooding over me. I quickly

ar thrill, a sense that I was on the

ise than anything else. I went through my classes, my meetings, and even a brief lunch with Claire, all w

heart pounding slightly as I watched the door. Michael arrived a few m

into the chair across from

ge mixture of nerves and excitement.

d, a glimmer of humor in hi

, the words flowing between us a

ce. We talked about everything from the challenges of academia to the complexities of balancing pas

th a thoughtful expression. "Eva, you s

ybe it's because I've been rethinking a lot lat

me to any conclusions? Not yet," I admitted, looking down

"Well, if you ever need someone to help you alon

ed over me. And in that moment, I knew that this was only the beginning of s

n the brink of transformation. I didn't know where this path would lead, but for t