「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(176) Vulnerabilities

Two discrete steps marked the only way into his house that was raised abnormally above the ground and I stared dumbfounded at the short yet intimidating flight of stairs as immense uneasiness regenerated itself inside of me.

Undeniably, it was more than doable with telekinesis, but in Laughlin, everyone, including myself, only recognized me as human.

James strode on, rambling on about his sister's dream to become an actress, not noticing I had frozen in the middle of his shoddy pavement until he effortlessly climbed the steps, easily landing himself onto the porch and freely faced around. His expression instantly dropped to ghastly as he realized the problem and he hastily unlocked the doors, mindlessly shoving our groceries inwards before sprinting towards me.

"I'm so terribly sorry, Lynn," James muttered remorsefully as he leaned forward.

"Um, may I?" James sought warily, forming a cradle gesture with his arms as I swallowed whatever that was in my throat to compose myself.

"It doesn't actually look like I have a choice, do I?" I remarked cynically, looking up at him with a distraught gaze that exposed all my bitterness being powerless to even overcome the basic hurdle rising less than two feet tall.

Empathy and condolence rapidly filled up his stunning blue eyes as James peered down at me, unsure of the choice of words he should use at all to console the utterly deflated crippled girl before him and I swept my eyes away from his muted stance that horribly magnified my urge to cry, staring miserably at the nearby grass, attempting to ignore my useless legs in the foreground of my vision.

"Do you know how to?" I murmured faintly but reluctance was perhaps still obviously seeping through my tone.

"I guess so..." James answered, nodding hesitantly.

"Come here," I beckoned softly and James stepped next to my chair to the exact spot my hand had signalled.

Both unambiguously skeptical, our actions were inevitably clumsy and cumbersome as we tried to handle each other appropriately. Gripping my clutch in my right, I nervously looped my left arm over the shoulders of his bent posture and James tentatively surrounded an arm around my back, simultaneously slipping the other under my knees. I subtly nodded, indicating I was ready, and James readily hoisted me into his arms in one dynamic motion.

"Is this alright?" James meticulously checked and I nodded as my heart fervently galloped.

"I promise it'll be better inside," James comforted cheerfully as he smiled in relief.

Briskly strutting across the remaining trail, James held me strongly in his arms that felt strangely safe, yet ironically amplifying all my vulnerabilities. Gritting my teeth as I endured the embarrassing journey, there was an intolerable impression that it took forever before he carefully sat me down onto the couch in his living room.

As James raced to fetch my chair, I slowly removed my coat and examined the contemporary decor within the four walls, noticing how it greatly contrasted my own. Monochromic and minimalistic, the modern furnishings were maintained exceptionally neat and tidy for a young bachelor, with the entire area radiating with an elegant flair of sophistication.

My eyes gradually wandered around the stylish environment, eventually resting upon a photo frame on the side table and I naturally picked up it, studying the picture of James giving presumably his sister a piggyback ride, when the disorder in my leg spontaneously acted up.

I instinctively yelped, intuitively moving my hands to restrain the violent convulsions in my uncontrollable limb, and the released mounted picture mysteriously missed the large rug, crashing conspicuously to the parquet. Immediately, James dashed in and his scurried footsteps terminated only as he parked my chair nearby, cautiously trekking through the glass-littered floor.

"What's wrong, Lynn?" James probed anxiously as he lowered himself to my side, frantically shifting his concerned eyes between my face and my vigorously spasming leg.

"It's... It's a cramp..." I informed breathlessly, struggling wretchedly to tame the severe trembling with my hands.

"Can I deal with it normally?" James enquired and I nodded agonizingly.

Without delay, James sat himself on the coffee table before me, lifting my furiously twitching limb onto his lap and I reclined my back, supporting myself on my hands, as I watched him meticulously pushing on my white chuck, effectively mollifying the excessive muscle contractions in my thigh.

"Are you feeling better?" James prodded as the seizure completely ceased.

"Much, thank you. And I'm really sorry about the mess," I apologized, still panting from the attack.

"No worries," James reassured sincerely as he replaced my leg into its original position.

"But does it hurt? You looked rather distressed," James noted solemnly but I shook my head, mustering a fleeting smile.

"I can't feel my legs, James," I conveyed jokingly, aspiring to conquer my own emotional difficulties and appease his doubts but I failed dreadfully in both, additionally inducing guilt to saturate his face.

"But it does throb my heart and accelerate my breathing. That's what makes me highly uncomfortable but I'm fine now," I affirmed truthfully.

"Why don't we get this cleaned and get that cake underway?" I suggested jovially and thankfully, he smiled, nodding in agreement.

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This has nothing to do with my book but sometimes I just feel like I'm a horrible, bitter, selfish person. Oh well 😣

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed their little interaction. We'll have a Charles' POV to end the week tomorrow. Don't forget to vote/comment for me too! ❤