By Wednesday morning, the campus buzzed with nervous energy. The first round of class presentations had everyone whispering in groups, clutching their laptops and note cards like lifelines. Sierra sat at her desk, rereading her slides for what felt like the hundredth time.
"I swear, if I forget my lines again, I'll vanish into thin air," Chloe muttered beside her.
"You'll be fine," Sierra said, smiling softly. "We practiced, remember?"
Tanya grinned. "Yeah, and Sierra basically memorized all of ours too, just in case one of us blanks out."
"Backup plan," Sierra said, shrugging. "Someone has to save us."
Mia laughed quietly, tension easing just a little. But Sierra couldn't shake the flutter of nerves that had built in her chest all morning. This wasn't just any class—this was Professor Blackwood's. And somehow, even though it shouldn't matter what he thought, it did.
The classroom filled quickly, chatter fading as the door opened and Professor Blackwood walked in. He carried his usual calm with him, a quiet authority that made the air still. Setting his folder down on the desk, he glanced at the class.
"Good morning. I trust everyone's ready to present?"
A low murmur of yeses rippled through the room.
"Good," he said. "We'll start alphabetically. Each group will have ten minutes, followed by brief feedback."
When he looked up from his notes, his gaze brushed briefly across Sierra's. Just a second, maybe less—but she felt it, like a small spark in her chest. She quickly looked back down at her laptop screen, pretending to adjust her slides.
Two groups went before them, and Sierra tried to focus on their presentations, but her thoughts drifted. Her palms were slightly damp. She kept repeating her lines silently. When Professor Blackwood finally called, "Group three, you're up," her breath caught.
"Let's do this," Tanya whispered.
Sierra nodded, heart pounding, and stood. The screen flickered as their first slide appeared—a case study on ethical branding in digital media.
Sierra spoke second. When it was her turn, she stepped forward, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Our research focused on how brand image shifts when online authenticity is questioned…"
She gestured lightly toward the chart, explaining trends, examples, and conclusions. Words came easily now—she was in her rhythm. But somewhere between her sentences, she became aware of him watching. Not in a way that made her falter, but in a quiet, focused way that made her want to do better.
When she finished, the room was silent for a heartbeat before soft applause followed. Her group smiled at her.
"Very well done," Professor Blackwood said, his tone even but warmer than usual. "Your analysis was structured and clear. Especially your conclusion on transparency and audience trust."
His gaze lingered on Sierra for a moment. "Good delivery."
"Thank you," she said quickly, cheeks warming.
After class, students began packing up, laughter and chatter filling the air again. Sierra closed her laptop, feeling the last of her tension slip away. She hadn't realized how much she'd wanted his approval until she heard him say those words.
As she was about to leave, his voice stopped her. "Sierra."
She turned, surprised. He was still by the desk, organizing papers. "Yes, Professor?"
He glanced up briefly. "Your presentation was strong. I'd like you to consider joining the research group for my upcoming seminar. You have a sharp analytical style—it could be useful."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Me? Really?"
He gave a small nod. "Yes. I'll send the details later this week."
"That's… wow, thank you. I'd love to," she said, her voice catching slightly from excitement.
He smiled faintly—just a flicker of expression, but it made her heart lift. "Good. Keep that curiosity alive. It suits you."
She left the classroom smiling, barely aware of the chill breeze outside. Tanya caught up to her a few steps later.
"What was that about?" she asked, raising a brow.
"He—he asked me to join a research group," Sierra said, still trying to process it. "Can you believe that?"
Tanya grinned. "You? Of course. You're basically top of the class already."
Sierra laughed, shaking her head. "Still… I can't believe he thought of me."
And as they walked toward the café, she couldn't help but glance back once more toward the classroom window. Professor Blackwood stood inside, talking with another student, but for a fleeting moment, his gaze flicked to where she had been.
He turned back to his papers, but a small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
He knew this would make things more complicated.
But for now, he told himself it was harmless. She was just bright, curious, eager to learn. That was all.
At least, that was what he tried to believe.