The lecture hall slowly emptied as students gathered their books and bags.
Chairs scraped softly against the floor while conversations filled the air. Marcus stretched beside Jason, groaning dramatically.
"Great. First class of the semester and my brain already hurts."
Jason chuckled faintly, stuffing his notebook into his backpack. "You're just lazy."
"Excuse me," Marcus said, offended. "That man talks like every sentence is a philosophical attack." Jason glanced toward the front of the classroom.
Professor Tobias Menzies was still standing beside his desk, organizing a stack of papers with quiet precision.
Marcus followed Jason's gaze and shuddered. "That guy seriously scares me," he muttered.
Jason snorted. "He's just a professor."
Marcus leaned closer, lowering his voice. "No. He's the type who could stare at you and make you confess crimes you didn't commit." Jason laughed.
But before he could reply, a calm voice echoed through the room."Mr. Williams."
Jason froze.
Marcus slowly turned his head toward him.
"…Did he just call your name?" Marcus whispered. Jason looked up.
Professor Tobias was watching him from the front of the classroom. The last few students were leaving, but Tobias's gaze remained fixed on Jason with quite intensity.
Jason cleared his throat and stood up. "Yes?"
Marcus immediately grabbed his backpack. "Good luck," he whispered dramatically before escaping the room.
Traitor.
Jason walked down the aisle toward the professor's desk, trying to ignore the strange awareness building in his chest.
Up close, Tobias looked exactly as he had at the wedding. Dangerously calm.
Jason stopped a few feet away. "You called me?"
Tobias regarded him silently for a moment. "You did not contribute to today's discussion."
Jason blinked. "That's why you called me?"
Tobias tilted his head slightly. "Yes."
Jason crossed his arms loosely. "Well… you didn't ask me anything."
For a moment, Tobias said calmly, "Most students volunteer their opinions."
Jason shrugged. "Most students looked terrified to speak."
A faint pause.
Tobias asked, "And you are not?"
Jason met his gaze without hesitation. "No."
Silence settled between them. Making Jason uncomfortable. It felt like something unspoken hovered just beneath the surface.
Tobias leaned slightly against the edge of his desk. "Very well," he said. "Then answer something now."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
"Yes." Tobias picked up the novel they had discussed during the lecture and placed it on the desk.
"In your opinion," he said calmly, "why does the protagonist refuse to forgive his brother?" Jason glanced at the book and shrugged. "Because he's stubborn."
Tobias watched him. "That is a simplistic answer."
Jason grinned slightly. "Fine. Because forgiveness doesn't erase betrayal." That seemed to catch Tobias's attention.
Jason leaned casually against a nearby desk as he continued. "Everyone thinks forgiveness magically fixes everything. But sometimes it just makes people feel better about what they did."
Tobias's eyes sharpened slightly. "Explain."
Jason shrugged again.
"If someone betrays you, forgiving them doesn't change what happened. It just means you're choosing to move forward." He paused. "But that doesn't mean you trust them again."
The room fell quiet. Jason suddenly realized something strange. The professor wasn't criticizing him. He was… really listening.
After a moment, Tobias spoke again. "That interpretation was not mentioned in class."
Jason smirked. "Well, you didn't ask."
"You are confident," Tobias observed.
Jason shrugged. "I just say what I think." Tobias was silent again.
His gaze moved across Jason's face slowly, like he was memorizing every detail. Jason felt an unexpected heat crawl up his neck. This man stared too much.
Finally Tobias spoke again. "You are aware that this course is difficult."
Jason nodded. "So I've heard."
"Many students fail."
Jason shrugged again. "I guess I'll just try not to."
Then Tobias said again, "Confidence without preparation often leads to disappointment."
Jason met his gaze steadily. "Good thing I'm prepared then."
"You may go, Mr. Williams."
Jason hesitated. That was it?
He turned and started walking toward the door. But just before he reached it, Tobias spoke again. "Jason."
Jason turned back. Hearing his first name from Tobias's voice felt… strange.
Tobias's expression remained calm, but his eyes were focused intently on him.
"Yes?" Jason asked.
"You should speak more in class."
Jason raised an eyebrow."Why?"
Tobias answered without hesitation. "Because I do like you." Jason stared at him for a second.
Then he laughed softly. "Well, Professor… maybe you're not as scary as everyone thinks."
For the first time since Jason had met him, Tobias's lips curved ever so slightly. And for some reason, that tiny expression made his heart beat a little faster.
He turned and left the classroom, but as he stepped into the hallway, he had the strange feeling that Tobias Menzies was still watching him. Jason suspected this wouldn't be the last time the professor called his name.