One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 75

Audrey

he first day huck f

1 slumped into my seat in the cafeteria, letting out a tired sigh as rubbed my eyes. It was only the first day back from spring break, and it had been utterly exhausting-and to make matters worse, it was only lunchtime.

Tina plopped down across from me, her tray clattering against the table as she settled in. "You look like you've been through the wringer," she said with an amused snort, pushing an unruly red curl out of her eyes. "How's the new professor?"

I groaned and rubbed my temples. "Awful so far. Professor Stevens is old, stuffy, and a complete stickler for the rules. Her lectures are long and boring, and I swear she's trying to kill her students with work." "That bad, huh?" Tina winced sympathetically as she took a bite of her chicken salad sandwich.

guess

"Oh, you have no idea," I replied, stabbing at my salad with more force than what was really necessary. "It's only the first day back from spring break, and she already assigned a ten-page paper-and get this: it's due by the end of the week. And who gets to grade all of them?"

Tina's eyes widened over the rim of her glass of orange juice. "Ouch," she muttered, shaking her head. That's rough. I thought the first day back from spring break was supposed to ease us back in, not throw us into the deep end."

I nodded as I took a bite of my own lunch. "Tell me about it, Edwin never would have..." My voice trailed off miserably at the mention of his name, and Tina shot me an amused glance from across the table. "Go on, she said coyly.

1 shook my head and nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "It's nothing, really. I just preferred TAing for Edwin,

that's all

"I bet you did," Tina smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Professor Stevens doesn't seem like your type."

I felt my cheeks flush and quickly changed the subject, clearing my throat. "Well, at least there are some good things to look forward to. Did you hear about Linda?"

"No, what happened?"

I couldn't help but smirk a bit at the thought. "After her stunt with cutting up my clothes, her parents finally decided to temporarily pull her out of school," I said, unable to keep the hint of satisfaction out of my voice no matter how hard I tried. "She won't be back for the remainder of the semester."

her cup with mine. "Hey, that's some good news, at least. Maybe we'll

fashion show had been cleared up, the chatter around campus had blissfully moved on to other things-like who was taking who to the spring

year being our senior year, I'll finally get to start

disbelief. "Only you would be excited about more work, Audrey. You do realize we have, like, six whole months before we even

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Chapter 75

to be perfect, so I figure a head start can't hurt. I've already sent out some cold emails to potential mentors

rolled her eyes, but her tone was affectionate. "Just don't forget about the equinox

wasn't planning on

eyes widened. "Audrey Thatcher, if you

teased. "Of course I'm going. You're going to

that we would be each other's dates the spring equinox masquerade, which was at the end of

and mask. It was an event to look forward to every year, with live music, amazing food, and even

be about?" Tina asked around a mouthful

trends over the past century. You know, how human

actually pretty interesting, Tina admitted. "But also like a

with a nod. "But I think it'll be worth it. I'm that

01

Friday afternoon, I was ready to collapse, but ! had at least one more thing to look

with a new email notification. I groaned softly, expecting

when I saw who it was really from: one of the potential mentors I had reached out to earlier that week. Mr. Black, the owner of Black Textiles, which was one of the

him my resume and proposal on Monday, and now he wanted to set up an interview to discuss my project ideas. "Yes!" I gasped excitedly without thinking, which

work for me next week. Mr. Black's assistant replied within a matter of

at noon sound?

shut with excitement. The sound echoed through the vaulted ceilings of the library, and the librarian, growing frustrated by my enthusiasm, placed her

before gathering my things and rushing out Only once I was safely out in the hallway did I finally allow myself to let