The Learning Curve - Jim Hopper x Reader

ii. Lecture

"I am the chapter advisor of our chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa," he grinned widely, gesturing his hands to create the symbol of his brotherhood. "IFC is having a barbecue tomorrow in the residential quad. I better see all of you men at our booth. I promise I'm not biased in the least."

Holly forced herself to stifle yet another chuckle, silently cursing herself for reacting to him in such a childlike way. He was incredibly energetic, enthusiasm dropping from him as he spoke about Greek involvement on campus. She tilted her head, her vibrant red lips parting slightly as he continued to speak with vigor.

"I did a few tours in Iraq, so I know a little something about the war. You'll definitely get something out of this class, even if it's just random stories about my asshole comrades."

The classed laughed lightly in response, the awkward mood of the room shifting at his relaxed use of vocabulary. He smiled in victory, having won the student over in a record-breaking five minutes. He shoved his fists into his pockets, walking over to the left side of the room before gesturing to the first student in the row.

"I think I'll have you guys go around the room and introduce yourselves," he continued. "I can't promise to remember all of your names. My memory is, in fact, quite shit when it comes to names and titles, but...we can try."

One by one, the class awkwardly introduced themselves. Hopper's eyes slowly made their way to Holly's row, his eyes shifting to her figure every once and a while as she listened enthusiastically to the other students' introductions before it fell onto her.

"Well, I'm Holly," she smiled, waving awkwardly to the room.

"Hey there, Holly," Hopper smiled, a small smile plastered on his face as he repeated her name, something he had yet to do with any student before her.

Holly stuttered over her words, goosebumps tickling her flesh at the intensity of his gaze as it fell onto her. She tugged her bottom lip in between her teeth, a sort of tick she had developed in previous years to cope with anxiety-provoking situations.

"I'm a freshman from Austin...currently an undecided major," she smiled, looking back at Hopper with wide eyes.

Hopper nodded his head knowingly, his eyes shifting to her lips before Steve spoke up behind her, breaking the intense exchange between the student and professor.

"What's up, my name is Steve. Sophomore business major," he grinned tightly, clear annoyance present in his voice at having to conduct this song and dance for the third time this morning.

Hopper slowly pulled his gaze away from Holly to smile politely at her friend. She released a breath she wasn't away she was holding in, her mouth growing incredibly dry from the thick air between the two of them.

Did anyone else see that? she thought to herself. Am I just making this up in my head?

After that exchange, Holly found it increasingly difficult to pay attention to any other word spoken by anyone, including the words spoken by the object of her desires. She certainly hadn't expected for things to be this difficult.

Wait, what was it that they were beginning with? Was it the Civil War or World War I?

No matter how hard she tried, Holly couldn't recall any of the material being taught; she only remembered the thoughts that crowded her brain...thoughts that involved what a certain professor would look like as he hovered over her, his eyes bearing into hers as he-

The class laughed sharply at a joke Hopper told, his eyes looking towards Holly for validation. His face fell when he realized that she didn't laugh, but, to her credit, she would have if she wasn't imagining what it would feel like for him to be railing her on top of his desk.