“Tobias.”She finishes for him, standing up. I shift awkwardly on my feet as she rounds the desk until she stops right in front of me, taking her glasses off. Raising her hands to my cheeks, she turns my chin softly to inspect my face as though I’m some sort of statue or artifact.
“Um—” I swallow deeply. “Hi?” A small laugh leaves my lips, startling her back into the present.
“Oh, I’m so sorry for touching you.” She softly laughs, taking a step back. “It’s just—” She looks at Elijah and they share a look between each other, making me feel on the outside of some art secret. “I see it now.” She nods, looking back to me. She chews on the end of her glasses.
“See what?” I smile awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck.
“Why you’re his muse.” She winks cheekily before slipping her glasses back on.
I feel my neck burn as my cheeks grow hot. I look back at Elijah, seeing his face bright and cheery. He mouths, ‘she likes you’, excitedly as he bounces on his toes.
“I try to tell him all the time how beautiful he is. Now maybe he’ll start believing me.” Elijah laughs, slipping his bookbag off his shoulder and onto the desk.
Oh great. Now I’m really blushing.
“Oh jeez. Well…thanks, I guess.” I suddenly don’t know what to do with my hands. I look around the room, trying to focus on anything else as Elijah starts flipping through some papers on her desk.
“Well, you’re both very lucky to have each other.” Flux smiles at us both. “Alright.” She claps her hands together. “I imagine you came to visit Elijah and not work on silly school things.” She waves at us.
Elijah’s eyes widen. “No. I stayed because I wanted to help.”
Hm. That’s weird. I didn’t realize that coming home was an option for him. Did Elijah not want to come home to me?
Flux nods her head. “Alright then. Elijah, how about you grade with me. And Tobias, you good with stapling?” She hands me a stapler.
I nod my head because why not. “Yeah, absolutely.” As long as I’m with Elijah, I’m happy doing whatever.
Elijah gives me an excited wink and pulls up a chair for me to sit beside him.
Within a few hours of work, I found out a lot from Professor Flux. I can see why Elijah looks up to her so much. She’s very poised, classy and knows a shit ton about art.
She speaks about her travels, and I watch the way Elijah’s eyes light up hearing all of the stories.
I’d love to take him away someday. If he’d let me, I’ll take him anywhere he wants to go. God knows I’d love to.
“Great work, you guys. The amount we got done today is amazing.” Flux sighs happily, leaning back in her chair. “Do you two have any plans for after this?”
Elijah shakes his head. “Probably go out to eat dinner and then…”
I feel that familiar pit in my stomach start to stir again. “I’ll have to head home.” I mutter.
Flux nods her head. “Ah. Well…Elijah, did you at least show Tobias the project you’ve been working so hard on?”
Elijah looks away bashfully, biting his lip. It makes me smile seeing him so shy about it.
“Oh, come on. Now I have to.” I pull on his hand, bringing him closer to me.
“No, it’s not done yet.” Elijah shakes his head.
“Mr. Thorne. You better go show your muse what you’re creating or I’ll have to fail you.” Flux winks at him, putting her glasses back on her face.
Elijah blows out a big breath, but takes my hand, pulling me away from the desk. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.” He caves, pulling me out of the class.
“Thanks again, boys. Tobias, it’s been great meeting you!” She calls out, giving us a wave.
“Bye. Same to you—” I yell out before Elijah pulls me through the doors. “Jeez, babe.” I laugh at his urgency. We tumble out into the hallway, laughing at everything and anything as Elijah guides me to the art room.
“She looks a lot meaner than she is. She’s actually pretty nice.” I say, feeling the relief of that meeting.
