His Favorite Student

t day of her final year. She tightened her grip on her paper cup as she navigated the campus walkway, dod

vel bloggers?" she muttered to her best friend, Ava, who

smart, and I'm too

mirked

ing of the English Department. Leah took a

supervising your th

semester, super chill, old, forgets

n have one of the other groggy professor

dy planned my procrastina

om where upper-level English students were gathering. The atmosphere buzzed with groggy a

ked young. Maybe mid-thirties or older. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms and a discreet watch. His dark hair was

s and seminars for the semester. And yes, Mr Gre

bi. "This isn't a place for half-effort projects or recycled ideas

ed awkward glances. Le

ked as he returned to

slowly, a smug smil

, Mi

. "Just curious, uhm do you pre

m went

ined unreadable, but a faint crease formed b

forced to choose, it will be originality with discip

smug smile as she leaned in her ch

e list of thesis supervisor assignments on the bulletin

Assigned to Dr

nd, blinking. "You've

notebook impatiently as sh

led. "Should come wi

ut of the office and she

lutter. No framed diplomas. Just a pristine office, organized b

e chair opposite

sisting the urge to

e was calm, measured. "

s thudding slightly. There was a te

mission?"

e printed page. "It's

said, scanning it.

blin

ntial. But potential isn't enough. I need consis

asked, lif

gaging but undisciplin

that from one s

"I got that from your last three es

ed her up. Prepared. She didn't know

I'm interested in sharpening it. If that's not something y

e it," she s

eyes l

ian looked back at her paper. "Good. I'll ex

but not from shame. She hated being challenged

rned t

?" he called out as

ed halfw

up from his n

rovoking me in fro

sm

prom