Forbidden Love

Drool-worthy

I hurry across the campus of my brand new college, Tulane. I'd never been to Louisiana before, but already loved the shaded sidewalks and historic buildings. My scuffed up Nikes are splattered in mud from my morning run and my hair is still up in a messy ponytail. My running shorts are a neon green and I deeply regret wearing them, judging by all the cute outfits I see around the quad. I self-consciously tug down my black tank top and adjust the straps on my backpack.

I don't want to admit it, but I'm hopelessly lost. The old stone buildings all look identical and frankly, I was never one to pay attention to detail. Luckily, the sky was a frantically bright blue and plenty of people were lazily strewn around the dappled lawns. I could very easily ask somebody for directions, but that would mean compromising my pride... and that was something I'd never do. My pride meant everything to me.

So instead I continue to search aimlessly for the history building. When I finally find the room I burst through the doors. I realized that I was ten minutes late, but it was too late to turn back. The second the door swings open I freeze. Every eye in the room turns towards me and the professor stops talking. I mentally groan I'm the stupidest person alive.

I turn my gaze downwards and stride quickly into the nearest seat, which is in the first row. The condescending stares of every single person in the room burn into my back. So I focus on straightening my books and papers, busying myself despite the insistent gaze of all the classes participants.

The class continues, led by a deep, rough voice, but I don't dare to look up for fear of his scrutiny. My mind whirs, thinking of what a disaster I am already. I can't even get to class on time, much less survive college. Maybe I should just quit school now and go back home... but that would mean defeat. Not to mention the fact that my parents won't allow me back even if I try. My reputation in Spain was far from the reserved freshman I'm trying to be. I won't be going back to Madrid unless I can prove my worth.

In Madrid, everything had been different. School had never been much of a concern to me then, I was too high to care for things like my homework. My only concern back in Spain was where to get my next fix. But now that I'm in the States, attending an unfamiliar school in an unfamiliar place, I've found a sort of wake up call, I want to do better for myself now. I want to grow up and learn from my mistakes. What better way than to pursue a future for myself?

My eyes refocus on the notebook in front of me.

I open up to the first page, writing the date and jotting down a couple notes on what I heard. My fingers gripped the mechanical pencil hard. My heart thudded as I heard the professor's gravelly voice again over my thoughts and I almost dared a peek at him. But thought it would be better to just focus back in on my work, I mean, what good could staring at some guy do? None at all. Now, what good could taking notes do? It would mean digesting information which meant knowing what I needed to. Which meant acing tests and assignments. Which meant graduating with my degree in business. Which meant getting an amazing job as a CEO.

Yet, the professor's voice came rushing back into my head. The soft timbre of his every word, like another beat of my heart or another breath out of my lungs. I melted right there in my seat.

If his looks were as enticing as his voice, then I'd be head-over-heels no doubt. I'd be drooling in no time, kissing the ground he walked on and that wouldn't be any good for my well-being would it? Didn't I know by now that beautiful people were always the most dangerous? I shook my head, ridding myself of thoughts of drool-worthy History professors.

"In 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison and in 1994 he was elected the first leader of a democratic South Africa. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to end racial segregation in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was one of the most admired political leaders of the Twentieth and Twenty-First century.

"There are so many role models in the past to look up to, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Leonardo Da Vinci and Paul McCartney. And most of their proudest moments were in your lifetime. Well, Paul McCartney and Margaret Thatcher at least.

"Anyways, I'd like each of you to choose someone from the past. It could be anyone, but you must write an essay on their life and what inspired them to do what they did. Especially focus on how they could inspire YOU to bring change to the current world. I expect no less than six pages with 12 point font, remember that. No double spacing, I like to make you work and lastly, don't choose anyone born after 1990."

The professor said all of this while the entire class began to pack up. The allotted two and a half hours had ended and people had places to be.

I checked my schedule to see the class I had next. Managing. Not until 1:30, which gave me roughly three hours to explore the campus. I grinned, first things first, find my managing class.

I gathered my papers up and stuffed them into my backpack, ready to embark on my Tulane Campus tour. I stood, sliding the backpack onto my shoulder. But before I could leave I heard a husky voice say something from directly in front of me, "You were late."

"Yeah," I said breathlessly, looking up. My gaze lands on the professor and I'm not disappointed to say the least. He was drool-worthy alright. I could almost feel the saliva dripping down my chin.

"You alright?" He asks, causing me to bring my eyes up to his face.

That's when our eyes met and I felt something undecipherable rush through my body. Whatever it was was good though, like melted chocolate settling on the tip of my tongue. I smiled, "Better than ever."