First Class

The beginning of the first semester was going well, in Niamh O Cadhain's opinion at least. She was a casual professor, wearing a camo green shirt and baggy leggings, the pockets of which she kept slipping her hands into while she talked. Being that it was only the first day, she was just giving them a brief summary of the course. Although she didn't look much older than her students, she claimed to be 23, and that she had simply graduated at a younger age than most. She was cute, somewhat short, with most of her weight focused around her hips, yet her arms were toned. Only a slight brush of a tan dusted her otherwise porcelain skin farmer's tan style, and the freckles on her face were darker than usual, indicating she had previously been somewhere, and not specifically for pleasure. Her face was bright and cheerful, but the most observant students might notice her old eyes. Despite finishing the course summery as quick as she could, for she did not wish to bore them too much, it was apparent to all her excitement for the subject and being able to teach it to people.

Arthur Caldwell would agree, it was starting off rather well, most anthropology professors were stuffy old dudes who tried to be cool by cursing occasionally. But she was quite a change of pace, passionate, young, energetic. He couldn't help but soak up some of that energy himself despite the two hours of sleep he'd alloted himself the night before. Brushing a few strands of strawberry blonde hair from his eyes he couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face, it almost felt like he was looking at an old friend...curious.

She had only the hint of an Irish accent, and her eyes roamed the hall without stopping at anyone in particular. She glanced at movement unconsciously, at a guy brushing hair from his face. She did a slight double take, her words tumbling from her mouth before dying altogether. She forced her eyes away, forced herself to continue speaking. It can't be.

A slight blush reached his sun tanned skin as he saw this, was there something wrong? She seemed surprised to see him, he'd be so embarrassed if he knew her and had just forgotten! And her voice did seem intrinsically familiar, the hint of irish in her voice bringing up an almost instinctual feeling of warmth in him he couldn't trully explain. Yet if he had to he'd describe it like a warm soft flush spreading through his entire body, like a warm fur blanket in the cold, or the pleasant heat of a fireplace. Realizing he'd been staring at her a little too long his eyes snapped back to his paper, only to realize he'd taken rather few notes so far....Oh God he was being one of those students, the type that ogles the hot young teacher...He felt gross.

As did Niamh. She could not pursue him now... he's her student. Although the ages were legal, it was morally incorrect. She had waited a lifetime for him to come back again, but she may now have to wait longer... but she will try to protect him of course.

For Arthur simply tried to stay quiet and avoid attention, feeling childish for the near instant crush he'd developed on the beautiful Irish woman standing before the class.

Her summary of the course ended soon enough. She utterly avoided looking at the side of the room Arthur was at. Forcing a cheerful smile, and doing an excellent job of it, before asking, "Any questions?"

Ok all he had to do was keep quiet and listen to any questions from the other students...easy. But then he felt his hand slowly raise without his consent and words began to flow from his lips as though by instinct " You said that you've been on a number of dogs throughout your (with all due respect) short career , any we'd recognize ?"

(dogs?)

She turned to him, and wished he had stayed quiet. Her eyes met his and she was quiet for a short time. Her face was unreadable, but it looked difficult for her to remain impassive. "Perhaps not one you have heard of, but some of the more recent discoveries were an Aztec temple dedicated to Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatlin, and a new Dead Sea Scroll cave."

Arthur's eyes widened at the mention of the second "That's...incredible." He replied simply, a look of shock on his face at the two rather groundbreaking answers. There simply was nothing else to say about it.

A gentle smile rose to her lips. "Indeed." She wished to tell him no more of the projects she was working on, that she believed to have found the location of an ancient celtic artefact. But she bit her tongue, and instead turned away. "Any others?"

The same hand rose up again "This is gonna sound weird but....have I met you before?"

Someone snickered behind him. Niamh bit her lip. "No. No you haven't."

An embarrassed flush forced it's way onto his face despite his silent protest, coloring his tanned and freckled cheeks a deep red as he heard the snickers. It was accompanied by a certain sting of pain stabbed in his chest as he heard those words like what a child felt when told off. As though his very soul was disagreeing for a reason he couldn't explain.

It was all a bit confusing, why did he care so much about her saying that? Why had his eyes been stuck on her since the class started? Why did he feel so earnestly that he knew or had known her? But the memories that would prove it were like fog in his fingers. Taking in a slight inhale he forced suppressed these random crazy feelings, the flush clearing out quickly. However on the outside he simply nodded and leaned back into his chair, the only indication a certain sadness that took over his grey green eyes

He was her student, it would be inappropriate. These were the words that revolved around her head, words she suspected would not leave her alone for the remainder of his life time. Or, at least, until he graduated. She wondered what name he had now. How his personality differed. His new likes, new dislikes. Wondered how exactly he will be next killed. "What is your name?"

His eyes widened for a second as he heard the question but he quicly answered "Arthur
.Arthur Caldwell."

She inclined her head, "Thank you, Arthur," She said and returned to her desk.

Arthur replied with a smile and a nod and, feeling a strange satisfaction in her thanks , decided to get back to filling out the forms the class had been given. (skip to end of class?)

As the students filtered out the door, Niamh could not help but steal glances at a certain someone. She could not believe her luck - or lack thereof. What cruel gods are laughing at her now, seeing her love so close yet unable to reach them.

As Arthur made his way to the door at the back of the procession , he felt a pair of grey green eyes on him. As if on instinct he turned to meet her gaze with his, a strawberry blonde brow raised in questioning fashion.

She very quickly lowered her gaze and pretended to busy herself with some papers.

Arthur couldn't help but quietly chuckle at the rather unsubtle ploy, though it was accompanied by a wave of red flushing to his face. Had she been ogling him?

Niamh gathered some things up and left the classroom, loosing a breath when she did so.

It's not as though he could blame her on it, he'd taken his fair share of stares at the professor, something he wasn't proud of because it made him feel like a hormonal idiot. It did however make him feel slightly better that at the very least she was staring back..even if he wasn't sure why. The feelings stirring inside him, they craved...and this made him feel very petty and childish and weird to admit (even to himself), her attention.

So of course, being a reasonable sensible young adult, He did the only thing he could realistically do despite the feelings. he made his way out of the building called and Uber,went home and did not..repeat did not ask if she wanted to go get some coffee. Yes that's what he wasn't going to do, he had to study and she was his teacher and that would be way too forward of him.....So he could feel a lump form in his throat when he turned a corner and saw it had led him right to the lobby where she was sitting. "Dammit!" He muttered under his breath, quickly he attempted to turn away and leave before she noticed him, but his legs would only keep moving him forward. His heart pounded in his chest as he found himself moving on a course straight for her, his mind racing. Why was his body rebelling under him?! Had he been an unjust ruler? He'd tried to give it proper nutrition and good exercise, so why now was it hurtling him towards this path? This path of a creeper student who wouldn't leave his teacher alone?