It was the day of my college entrance exam. I'm so nervous. I went straight to the information desk and asked for directions. Got my examinee number, room number, and my brain fully prepared. Samantha and I didn't apply with the same school. She goes to a private school in Cambridge, and I on a public school. This must have been a great chance for me to start a new life. New environment, new faces, and new friends to mingle with. I stood in front of the classroom, where I'll be taking my exam. The was almost full, I sat on the farthest chair I could see.
"There's a vacant chair near the window. That's a perfect spot." I mumbled to myself. As I head towards that direction, someone bumped me, and sat directly on the chair. Such rude person, racing me towards that chair. I glared at him, he didn't even look me in the eye. I sat on the chair next to it. Furious as I may, I decided to just let it go.
"Alright examinees, prepare your pens. Make sure I only see a pen on the table. Everything else, keep them away." A man on his mid 30's with glasses showed up, handing out the exam papers. His lashes was long, short brown hair, slightly curled. His body was toned, I can see his muscles formed out of the shirt he's wearing. I could even hear some of rhe examinee's murmuring, talking about him. I noticed the guy next to me, the very guy who stole my chair, glanced my way. I glanced back, and glared at him again. He looked away, focusing on the paper in front of him.
Every subject, we were given 30 minutes to answer each of them. Withour wasting any time, I went ahead and answered each one of them. There were 6 subjects, and I finished all in just 2 hours. I handed over my exam papers and went home directly.
"How did the exam go?" My father asked me, when I met him along the way. He's about to head to work.
"It's okay, the results will be posted next week."
"Alright, go inside now, your mama is out buying groceries. Lock the door since you're alone in there."
"I will papa. Take care on your way for work." I bid my goodbye and went inside the house. I locked the door, headed straight to my room. I checked my phone, scrolling through messages. I went back to my conversation with Nathan, before they had that relationship with Samantha. When satisfied, I deleted it, including his number.
"Nathan's case in now officially close!" I told myself, letting go of all the fleeting emotions I had.
Two weeks past, and the results were out. I passed it, and got admitted. Just weeks away and it's finally the start of my college life.
First day of school came in a flash, I got early, made sure I won't be late on the first day. Ate my breakfast, and hitched a ride with my father. He dropped me off, bid our goodbyes, and off I go. I scanned the area, savoring the new environment. Whether it'll be good to me or not, only time will tell. I went to the classroom I'm assigned to, and a familiar face greeted me.
"Hey, nice seeing you again."
"You? Don't tell me----"
"Yeah, we're classmates." He smiled, but I just ignored it and headed inside. I checked for a vacant seat. He followed me, and slightly tugged the end of my arm sleeve. I looked at him, waiting for him to speak. He only gestured, and pointed on a seat near the window. I looked back at him, confused.
"Did you save that seat for me?"
"Y-Yeah, it's to make up for taking the seat during the exam." He tilted his head back a bit, with his hand on his nape.
"So, you do have a conscience." I smirked, placed my thinks on the desk, confidently sat on the seat he reserved for me.
"Of course I do, by the way I'm Leon McMillan. You?" He offered his hand, I reached out to it with a smile.
"Nyx Blake."
"Nice meeting you Miss Blake."
"Just call me Nyx, Miss Blake is too formal."
"Okay Nyx, then just call me Leon."
"But how did you know we're on the same class?"
"I saw your name on the exam paper, when I checked the school' sectioning lists, I found your name on the same class as mine ." He sat on the seat right next to me. We chatted for a bit before the professor came. We clicked right away, we exchanged numbers, and we became friends.
The days at school was filled with anticipations, new friends, new journeys, and new interactions. Leon and I got closer. We spent most of our time together. He witnessed how I can easily mingle with me fellow classmates. I'm more comfortable mingling with the guys than the girls. Samantha was an exception, coz she sees me for who I am, and she doesn't talk and act like a princess. We went to the library to do our research. I am comfortable being around him. Not romantically, but just as a friend. My heart, still carried a bit of love for Nathan.
"Hey Nyx." He whispered, leaning his face closer.
"Yeah?" I whispered back.
"What are suppose to do again?"
"Research on future technologies, that can elevate ones life. That's our topic."
"Okay, thanks." He started his own research while I did mine. We're so focused what we're doing that break time flew just as fast. The school bell rang, we looked at each other in a panic, grabbed our things and rushed out of the library. The both of us laughed as we ran towards our next class. We arrived just on time, the professor was behind us.
"Glad you made it before me." He smiled. A familiar voice. I looked back to confirm. He was the professor who watched over our examination. I was wondering where he was hiding, for I never saw him since the first day of school.
"Professor, you go in first." Leon stepped back, letting the professor walk first. I also stepped back, gave way for him to enter the classroom. Leon noticed how I stared at him and nudged me.
"Hey, what's up with that?" I annoyingly raised a brow as I look his way.
"You're drooling, staring at the professor like that." He teasingly said, pushing me to get inside. We sat down, and got seated.
"Since everyone's seated, let me Introduce myself. I'm Nico Stratfford. You're professor in philosophy. I just got back from a conference, that's why Professor Agnes, took over my classes. Feel free to ask me anything, if you have any questions regarding my teaching." He introduced himself, such husky, manly, and a hint of authority can be heard in his voice.
"Nico Stratfford huh." I muttered. I kept my smile hidden under the book. But Leon saw it. The class was in session, Professor Nico's teaching was very understandable. If someone didn't understand a certain topic, he would repeat it until that students gets it. He's patient, thoughtful, and dedicated. I saw how much effort he's putting, to make sure his students can understand his class. That same day, as I was heading home. I saw him outside of the campus. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but, the way to the bus was just ahead. There he was, standing next to a woman. She's about the same age as Professor Nico. Not so tall, white skinned, blond hair, she's a bit beautiful too. Since I'm always with Samantha before, my standards of beauty were always compared to her. That means, Samantha's still number one on my list of the prettiest face. The woman leaned her head on his shoulder, as they walk hand in hand.
"Oh, maybe his wife?" I told myself. I waited for them to walk away. But to no avail. They're waiting for the bus too. I saw, not too far away, the bus heading for the bus stop. "Shoot!" I ran my way to the bus stop, pretending to be surprised to see him.
"Oh, Hi professor!" catching my breath, from running.
"Nyx right?"
"Yes Professor. Your taking the bus home?" trying to sound naturally as possible.
"Oh no----" he looked at the woman beside him. "By the way this is my wife Kayla. She just dropped by, before going to a conference. Since I can't take her there due to some circumstances, she'll be the one taking the bus."
"Hi, I'm Nyx, the Professor have such a lovely wife." I greeted her smiling.
"Are you also taking the bus?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm on my way home."
"Let's go together then." She clinged to me, like I'm her daughter or something.
"That's great, you won't be lonely in that bus ride hon." He replied.
"Right? This ride won't be lonely." I felt like she meant something else from what she said. But I paid it no mind. We took the bus together, but before going in, she kissed Professor Nico, and bid him goodbye. Peofessor waited for the bus to drive away before going back to school.
The professor's wife Kayla, just stayed silent the entire bus ride. She was sitting in front of me. When I saw my stop, I stood up beforehand and was about to bid my goodbye. But I accidentally saw her phone screen, and there, I don't think the message came from the professor. Since it said. "See you in a bit baby, we'll have the entire week for ourselves." I was shocked by what I saw. I looked away, took deep breaths and bid her goodbye.
"This is my stop. Take care." I just said briefly. She just smiled and looked on her phone screen again. I got home with such a shocking piece of news. I hurried to my room and called Samantha. We have regular communication, she always told me about her relationship with Nathan. Their fights, their dates, everything. Even the most sensitive detail. That's how deep her trust in me. So i dialed her number and spilled the tea. We then shared our thoughts, whether Kayla was cheating on the professor. We had that talk till evening. Since we couldn't make time hanging out together. We made up for it during our calls.
The next day, at school, I felt uncomfortable looking at the professor. Knowing his wife might be somewhere other than the conference. Leon noticed me fidgeting the entire time, during professor's class.
"Nyx, what's up?" Leon leaned forward which caught me off guard.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking of something."
"You keep on shaking your foot, it's bothering."
"Then don't look." I just gave him a side eye.
"Just wanted to know what's going on."
"Leon, let's go to the cafeteria later. I'll tell you something."
"Okay, be sure to tell me what's up. Alright?" I nodded.
It was lunchtime, Leon and I went to the cafeteria, we grabbed our food and looked for a table with less students. We sat facing each other, and ate our food. We first finished eating before our little "tea time".
"So what happened? What made you restless?" Leon devoured his food, so eager for me to spill the tea.
"Here's the thing------" I told him how I met the professor and his wife on the bus station.
"And? What did you saw?" I saw just how interested he was on the topic.
"I saw a message on her screen. It wasn't intentional at all."
"What did it say? What was the message?"
"It says something like See you in a bit baby, and that they'll have the whole week for themselves."
"No way!"
"Yes way!"
"His wife was cheating on him? That professor being cheated on?" Even Leon couldn't believe it. That such handsome man got cheated on.
"Shhh---- your voice idiot." I covered his mouth with my hand. He gestured that he's zipping his mouth shut, so I out my hand down.
"This is really shocking. That's why you were so restless. Knowing this while the man involved doesn't know a thing."
"True, I can't look him in the eye." After being too engaged by the topic, we're interrupted by the bell.
"Lunch is over, let's head back to class." Lean lead the way, and I followed right behind him.
A week has passed, I wondered whether his wife got back already. I met him on my way to the library. I greeted him, but I was ignored. I could see from his reaction, that something happened. I knew then, it must be related to his wife. I didn't bother him, and just went inside the library. I pity the professor. I was thinking of informing him about what I saw. But it's also not right for me to interfere. It's their marital problem. Just when I decided not to get involved. I was caught in between the problem itself.
I was invited by Samantha to hang out. Since we never had time to catch up, I agreed. She also informed me that Nathan would be coming. It's on a weekend. I said I'll ask my brother about it and will go if he allows it. So I talked to Xavier, he was strongly against it at first, but later on said yes when I told him I no longer have feelings for Nathan. He also told me that, he'll be taking me to our meeting place. I agreed, I also informed Samantha about it.
The weekend came, Xavier took me to the mall. When we got there, Nathan and Samantha was already there waiting. She waved at me and I waved back. I only greeted Nathan out of respect. My brother, called out Nathan, and they had a brief talk. I guessed, my brother warned him. He then left and told me to call him if anything happens.
At the mall, we ate ar a new restaurant, Samantha offered to treat me there, so I said yes. Who would reject free food?. We also shopped a bit. I bought something I needed for school while Samantha bought a shirt for Nathan. Nathan also bought a dress for her. He also offered to buy me something, but I declined. He respected my decision and didn't force me. We spent all afternoon at the mall, the Nathan suggested we eat dinner before going home. I agreed, but I informed my brother first. He just told me to call him, when I'm ready to go home. We entered a sushi shop. It's my first time eating there, so it's hard for me to choose something. Samantha picked everything she thinks i might like. And true to our friendship, everything was delicious. Our meal got interrupted by a woman's voice. It seems like she was stopping a man from beating another man. We got curioused and checked it out. To my surprise, Professor Nico was very furious. His fists ready to hit the man again. Kayla stopped him, and begged him to stop. The security, got in between,
"That's my professor at school."
"The one you talked about before, that his wife might be cheating?"
"She really did cheat, given the situation."
The professor was escorted out imof the restaurant, followed by his wife and her lover. The restaurant called for the police and the three were taken to the nearest station. Me, witnessing all of it, I wondered how this will unfold before me. The very problem that I avoided, dragged me into it.