A flurry of emotion swarms his head. Disappointment, desperation, agony, wonder, and relief. Roman thinks it’s for the best as he leans all the way back, combing his fingers through his hair.
But still. A small part of him wishes she had.And then what?They’d catch up? Go for drinks? He’d attempt to cook her somethingoutlandishand end up burning it from nerves. She’d applaud his efforts with a gentle touch to his wrist. They’d order pizza instead. He’d figure out what her favorite toppings are—she seemed like an unconventional kind of person, and he wascompletelyokay with that. He’d finally touch her. Kiss her. Maybe, quite possibly, have sex with her. Make up for lost time and missed opportunities. Quench this curiosity that had been brewing inside him for the past few weeks.
His body reacts before his mind does, and his fingers are in the air. Her eyes sweep over to him, trailing over his face, and?—
There. That’s what he wanted.
For her lips to part slightly and her eyes to widen momentarily before she remembers to school her features. For space and time to stand still as they converse with their eyes. For everything to fade into white noise as they try to make sense of this moment. Of each other.
For it to just be the two of them.
Roman lowers his hand, clearing his throat. “So, you’ll be here the whole semester then?”
She nods, unblinking. “That’s … yes. The whole semester,” she says through a stutter.
“And what about after?” He asks, his knee bouncing.
Her eyebrows gather as she clasps her hands together. “After?”
He nods, rubbing his fingers across his lips. “When it’s over? What then?”
She takes a shaky breath. “Hopefully I’m a wildly famous statistician.” She says it jokingly, a slight twitch in her lips, but her look says something else entirely.
He nods, sinking back into his seat, not completely satisfied with her answer, still watching when she breaks eye contact, stilllingering when Jackson starts the lecture, still wondering how this could have happened.
It’s not until the girl next to him starts shoving her notebook and pens away that he realizes the lecture has ended. He looks down at his laptop, and a blank document blinks back. He’s left with a single thought as he watches Jahlani gesture toward something while she converses with Professor Jackson.
Fuck.
CHAPTER 9
YOU, AGAIN
JAHLANI
Discussion Board Post Introduction Module
Directions: Please reply to this discussion board and one other peer by the end of the first week. Introduce yourself. This assignment will verify your status as a student for financial aid. Delay of disbursement may happen if you fail to complete this assignment by the end of the add/drop week.
Student: Anthony L.
Hi, I’m Anthony. I’m taking this class again because I failed last semester. Is anyone able to tutor me?
Student: Roman H.
Roman here. I’m looking forward to passing this semester with the help of Professor Jackson and Jahlani.
Student: Mali T.
Hello everyone! I am Mali Thomas. I am a double major in political science and statistics. Don’t ask me why I picked those two. Trust me, I have questioned my decision every day. May the odds be ever in your favor. XO
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The lamp on his desk glows as Jahlani and Professor Jackson sit in silence, working to finish grading students’ discussion board posts. He checks his watch before standing from his seat.
“I’m leaving,” he says, moving to shrug his plaid blazer on. “Make sure those grades are in and that the door is locked before you leave.”
“I’ll take care of it—” she starts, but he’s already gone before she can finish her sentence. “Have a good night, Jahlani. Oh, thanks. You too, Professor Jackson,” she mutters bitterly.
