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“I know you don't dare to try poetry. You were the only one this semester who preferred to sign up for a damn term paper instead of a poetry analysis, let alone a poetry submission.”

With a sheepish smile, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

I was really too easy to read for this man. Probably for anyone on this campus who knew me even a little bit.

“Poetry is an art form I deeply respect.”

“Everyone starts small.”

He stepped toward me, stopped a foot away, and lowered his pleasant, deep voice.

“Please.”

I didn't know if it was the way he said it, as if he were leaving the decision up to me, and yet as if it were important to him that I at least tried.

“I can try...”

A smile flitted across his lips, his eyes glinting playfully, and for the first time, he didn't seem like the composed, sensible professor, but rather the way Alice must have seen him. Like a young man driven by his inner visions.

Great. What had I gotten myself into now?

A ringing sounded and we both flinched.

Alarik immediately reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and turned away from me.

“Mr. Copeland!” Madame’s unmistakable voice rang out through the phone, and Alarik sighed and held the phone further away from him. “To my office! Immediately!”

He hung up, sighed again, and it was as if he were Alarik again. Composed, calm, but always a little stressed.

“Bayla,” he said with a searching look and nodded to me. “Thank you...”

Then the smile gradually disappeared from his lips, he turned away, and disappeared through the passageways, across all the courtyards he had led me through.

“You're welcome...” I whispered. “For whatever.”

He couldn't hear me anymore, eventually disappearing completely from my field of vision in the distance.

And me?

I lost myself in the old ruins of Vanderwood for the rest of my lunch break, until I wanted nothing more than to become a part of them.

Chapter 33

Kieran

Enough Is Enough

Christopher Tyng

I took one last look at the naked girl with the chestnut brown hair. She had fallen asleep after I had cum inside her.

All the better.

The last thing I needed right now was a clingy female student who wanted to cuddle with me to get attached to me.

Watching campus drama, sure. Being part of the drama, no thanks.

I closed the door behind me, but didn't get far.