Teacher's Pet

Excerpt:
"Back to the grind. The summer break never seems long enough."

"Not long enough? Christ, Jeremy, how much longer than three months do you need?" Kevin laughed, shaking his head.

"I need six! I'm not ready for this. Look at this fricken' schedule. Forty-two credits. I'm dyin' here!"

"Where do you want to sit?" Kevin paused at the doorway.

"Back row, Kevin. Back row. Art history is bound to put me to sleep. What the hell's the prof's name again?"

"Foster." Kevin set his backpack down and unzipped it.

Watching as he pulled out his notebook and a shiny new textbook, Jeremy sat next to him and did the same as the large lecture hall filled with students. "You know anything about him?"

"Not a thing."

"He better be good. I have him for my flippin' sculpture class as well."

"Oh, nice!"

Jeremy glanced curiously over at his roommate's grin. "What?"

"Check out the number in the skimpy halter top, third row, growl!"

Scanning the numerous female forms in brightly colored tops, Jeremy thought he found the correct object of desire. "Nice."

"I got dibs."

"Be my guest. Christ, Kevin, first day and you're already drooling."

"Hey, why waste time? I got my priorities straight. I wonder if she's in the dorm?"

About to reply, Jeremy heard a murmur circulate the room. He paused and looked up to the front of the hall. Professor Foster had just entered and was setting his briefcase on the floor beside the podium. He removed some paperwork from it and looked it over as if refreshing his mind.

"Man, did it get hot in here?" Jeremy ran his hand through his hair.

Kevin shot him a cheesy grin. "Nah, that's just your libido rising with the lovely ladies present."

"Yeah, that must be it. Uh, look, I guess I thought being way back here was a good idea, but I can't really see. You mind if we move up a few rows?"

Grumbling in irritation, Kevin grabbed his paperwork and then the strap of his backpack, nodding for him to go.

Jeremy gathered his things and marched down the stepped aisle to the second row from the front, almost directly in line with the professor.

"Jesus, Jeremy! So close? I don't want the idiot to call on me. I haven't even read the damn book."

"Sorry. I can see and hear better from here." Jeremy set his things down and sat on the wooden seat. "Besides, you can flirt with your little halter top chick better from here."

Taking a quick look across the aisle, Kevin replied, "So I can. All right, I can live with this."

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen..."

Jeremy gazed up at the man as he tried to get the class's attention.

"I realize it's stuffy in here, and there's no air circulating. I'll try not to lull you to sleep as well."

"He's all right," Jeremy whispered as a murmur of laughter circled the room.

"If you don't mind..." Professor Foster took off his denim shirt, revealing a sleeveless t-shirt under it, and draped it over the back of the chair. "There, that's a bit better. Strip if you have the desire, no marks for whether you have the body of a Michelangelo or a Rueben. And for those of you who already know the difference, thanks for reading the damn book!"

Kevin laughed and glanced over at his friend.

Jeremy was mesmerized, a huge smile planted on his face. When he felt a playful nudge, he blinked and then grinned at Kevin, trying to communicate his relief at having a decent teacher.

"Right! Before I darken the room and put you all into a trance with my slides, can someone tell me something about the Renaissance movement in Italy?"

When Jeremy's hand shot up, Kevin gaped at him in surprise.

Trying to get the teacher's attention, Jeremy sighed in disappointment when he chose someone else. As the woman was giving her answer, Jeremy caught Kevin staring at him strangely. Jeremy couldn't help it if he had a permanent smile planted on his face.
* * * *

Professor Peter Foster took a moment to look through his notes during a break. Feeling someone's gaze on him, he glanced up without moving his head and noticed a strikingly handsome young man staring at him, then turn away shyly when their eyes connected. A wry smile touched Peter's lips. He enjoyed the class more when there was one individual to admire. It made the time he spent lecturing much more interesting. And to see this quiet admiration coming from one of his male students for a change intrigued him.
* * * *

Fifty minutes later, Jeremy slid his notes into his book, looking up at Professor Foster as he did.

"I've got to get across campus for my calculus class."

"Huh?" Jeremy tilted his head to Kevin. "Oh, okay. See you later."

"See ya."

Waiting for him to leave, watching Kevin climb the stairs on one of the aisles, Jeremy noticed a stream of young pretty women lined up to ask the professor questions. Moving slowly, sliding his textbook into the pouch of his pack, Jeremy peered up sheepishly and wished he was brave enough to get in that line. Slinging his backpack on, he exhaled a deep sigh and turned one last time to look at Professor Foster before he left. As if there were some wired connection between them, Jeremy inhaled sharply when those deep green eyes locked onto his like a missile hitting its target. Almost disregarding the sweet smile under them, Jeremy felt his insides ignite like a fireball. "Oh, God..." he breathed, and wondered if Professor Foster could read his lurid mind.
* * * *

Distracted by the incessant questions from the female students who weren't paying attention during the class, Peter inhaled deeply to relax and then noticed that same lovely young male staring at him again. In pleasure, he smiled his most charming smile and was very delighted with that blush in response. After a nudge from one of the girls, his attention was brought back once more to the mundane queries. Politely, Peter nodded and tried to appear interested, but he felt compelled to look beyond the young woman to that light set of blue eyes trying to catch his. Peter was trying to communicate to this young man that he could approach him. That it was all right. Looking over the line of females, Peter knew it would appear slightly out of ordinary for one lone male to stand there with the group of women. Sighing tiredly, he did his best to be patient as the long line of giggling, flirting girls seemed to wind on forever.
* * * *

Petite halter-top girl tapped the professor's arm to get his attention back. Politely, Professor Foster nodded and seemed to be contemplating her query.

Jeremy twisted away and made the walk up the aisle, looking back only once missing that brilliant masculine gaze again. When he exited the hall, he pulled out his schedule to see where the next class was located, then read it over quickly to refresh his mind on when his sculpture class was. Friday. A whole three days to go. After shoving it back into his notebook, he sighed and made his way across campus to his next class.
* * * *

Dumping his load of books on the floor, Jeremy closed the door behind him and checked the time. Scuffing his feet to the bedroom, he was surprised to see Kevin sprawled out on the top of the covers, sound asleep. Though he tried to be quiet as he entered, Kevin began coming to life and peered back at him through narrow eyes. "What the fuck time is it?"

"Seven."

"You at study hall?"

"Yeah, I wanted to get the shit done before I got back here. I knew I'd crash, just like you are."

Groaning in agony, Kevin rolled over and rubbed his face, running his hand through his short hair. "I hate getting back into a routine after having the summer off. I used to sleep till ten or eleven, man. Now? Oh ... I swear I'm always tired."

"You get your work done?"

"Most of it."

Jeremy sat on his own bed and kicked off his shoes.

"You read the art history assignment?" Kevin asked.

"I did. You want the notes?"

"I wouldn't mind."

"Okay." Jeremy checked his wallet for cash. "Pizza? Or go out to the Hub?"

"No Hub tonight. I'll just get drunk. Order a pizza."

"Meat special?"

"Yeah. There's a ten in my wallet if you need it."

Jeremy nodded and found an old menu on the nightstand between their single beds. He picked up the phone and dialed. "What do you think of Professor Foster ... Hello? Yeah, I'd like to order a pizza to be delivered."

Kevin crawled out of bed, dragging his feet to the bathroom.

Jeremy watched the door close, turning his attention back to the phone, he asked, "How much? Okay. Half hour? Cool." He hung up, staring at the dirty clothing that stuck out partway from under Kevin's disheveled bed. Even with the window wide open and a slight breeze coming in, it felt warm and muggy in the small room. The mirror on the closet door reflected his slouching posture, his khaki shorts and white polo shirt. He heard the toilet flush. Sitting up straighter, Jeremy pushed his hand back through his hair and studied his features in the mirror. His eyes misted over as his taboo thoughts about his teacher distracted him. Long muscular arms and rounded deltoids, hair, thick and dark, high cheekbones, long legs and a wonderful bulge right where...

"You order the pizza? I'm starved."

"Hmm? Yeah. About a half hour."

"Where are those notes?"

Jeremy stood and found his books by the door where he'd dropped them. Removing his notebook from the pile, he handed it over.

"Cool. I'll just copy them." Kevin sat down at a desk and removed his own notebook from his backpack, then turned on the tiny lamp and flipped pages.

Walking closer to stand behind him, Jeremy said, "Uh, it's mostly on the Italian painters. You know. I bet it'd be nice to go to Italy and see them in person, like he did. They were his own damn slides. You have to admire that. Most teachers just get them from some record file and have no idea what they are."

"Yeah, and his stories were hilarious. I was laughing my ass off the whole time."

"You don't believe he did most of that, do you?"

Kevin looked up from his writing and shrugged. "Why not? He looks like a bit of a radical. You know, the long hair and shit."

"Oh, come on ... skinny dipping in the Trevi Fountain? He'd have been arrested!"

Kevin chuckled, continuing to write.

Smiling to himself at that image, Jeremy shook his head and whispered, "Yeah, he probably did it. How old you think he is?"

"I don't know. Early thirties? Why?"

"Just curious."

"Here, you didn't write much." Kevin handed Jeremy the notebook.

"No, it was mostly pictures of paintings and not much text."

"I suppose I should look at the chapter. I bet we have a pop quiz." Kevin shut the lamp and closed his notebook.

At a knock on their door, Jeremy smiled. "Pizza?"

"I hope so!"

They found some money and headed to the door. When Kevin opened it, Jeremy heard him shout, "Rocky, my man!"

"Wassup, bro? You coming to the Hub tonight? Hey, Jeremy."

"Hey, Rocky." Jeremy smiled at him, then noticed a bright white diamond sparkling from his caramel-colored earlobe. "You guys getting together tonight?"

"Yeah, a group of us were going ... just stopped by to see if you'd join in."

"Just ordered pizza, man." Kevin leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest.

"So? Come after pizza. We'll be there all night."

"All right, man, I'll be there."

"Cool!" Rocco grabbed Kevin's hand and shook it. "What about you, bro?"

"Maybe. I'm exhausted. I thought I may just hit the sack early."

"Oh, come on, Jeremy! Come for once!"

Jeremy succumbed to his brilliant inviting grin. "All right."

"See ya there. Don't let me down!"

Jeremy smiled and watched Rocco walk down the hall. As Rocco pushed through the stairway doors, the pizza boy passed him on his way in.

"Oh! Great!" Jeremy took out his wallet.

"You order a pepperoni special?" the boy asked.

"We did. Here, keep the change." Kevin took the pizza box as Jeremy handed him money.

"Thanks, man!"

They sniffed hungrily at the pie, shut the door, dropping down on the floor, quickly opening the lid.

"Could use some brews to wash it down with." Kevin shoved a piece into his mouth.

"Fuck, it's hot!" Jeremy blew on it, nibbling it gingerly. "Christ, I should just sleep after this. I really don't want to go out."

"So? Sleep."

"I told Rocco I'd be there."

Kevin shrugged, chewing and swallowing quickly. "I'll tell them you're a pussy."

"Shut the fuck up," Jeremy laughed, shoving him.

Kevin smiled knowingly at him, then gnawed at the crust like a starving mongrel.
* * * *

"Jezzuz! Is the gang all here or what?" Jeremy looked over Kevin's shoulder as the large group of males waved at them from a back table.

"First day of class blues," Kevin replied, making his way over and high-fiving the circle of boys.

"Get another pitcher!" Freddie shouted, "The service in here sucks tonight."

"Well, it's packed." Jeremy found a very rushed looking waitress and felt sorry for her.

"Go order it yourself!" Tim yelled, waving for him to hurry.

Jeremy caught Kevin's irritated expression. He whispered to Kevin, "I'll go, you sit down."

"Thanks. I'll get the next one."

In the dim overcrowded pub, Jeremy made his way to the counter. When he caught a man's attention he shouted, "A pitcher of beer." He received a nod, and counted out a few singles to set on the bar.

When he spun around to look at the gathering of friends, he found them all leaning over the table to share some joke, laughing and making faces at one another. Someone brushed his side. Jeremy twisted around to a slender blonde.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey."

"I'm Kelly."

"Hi, Kelly. I'm Jeremy."

"You got a girlfriend?"

"No..." he whispered shyly.

"Oh?"

The pitcher was set on the counter. Jeremy gave the man the cash and waved him off to keep the change.

"Want to sit with us?" Kelly asked, nodding to a table with five women staring at him.

"Uh, I'm with them," Jeremy replied, nodding to the loud obnoxious group.

"Oh, too bad. If you get tired of them, you can always join us, Jeremy."

"Thanks, Kelly. But, I don't think so."

"Too bad. We just voted you best looking boy in the room."

"What?" he laughed.

"Yeah, we did. Interested now?"

"No!" He was very flattered, smiling at her.

"Okay, but if you want some casual sex, let us know."

As she wiggled back to the table, his mouth was hanging open in surprise. A chorus of giggles followed as she filled her girlfriends in on their conversation. Blushing red to the ears from the comment, Jeremy brought the pitcher back to the group, finding the men watching him as he approached.

"What'd she say?" Kevin asked as Jeremy handed him the pitcher.

"Nothing." Jeremy found a clean glass on the table held it out for Kevin to pour for him.

"Come on, man!" Rocco, shouted, "She's hot! What did she ask you?"

"She ask you out?" Tim shouted.

"No!" Jeremy avoided their eyes and sipped his beer.

The group of men stared at the table of ladies curiously.

"Make a move, man!" Rocco nudged Jeremy. "Happy first day screw!"

"You go." Jeremy nudged him back. "She told me she thought you were the best looking guy in the room."

"Me?" Rocco pointed to his chest.

"Yeah. So, go and introduce yourself."

"You're not just saying that so you'll embarrass me, Jer. I mean, did she really say that, man?"

Jeremy looked up at Rocco's expectant expression. "No, sorry, Rocky, I'm just teasing you. But, they are horny, so go and give it your best shot."

"Are you daring me?" Rocco's brown eyes lit up impishly.

A chorus of hooting began to encourage Rocco's deed.

"Yeah, I dare ya." Jeremy held out his hand.

Rocco took it and shook it, finished his beer with a gulp, then ran both his hands over his closely cropped afro. "I'm there." He stood up, tucked in his shirt, and strutted over to the women like a gamecock.

They all stared at him in awe. When he was invited to sit with them, Rocco peered back, gave a discreet thumbs-up, and became absorbed in the girl's conversation.

"Never dare Rocky," Tim said, "he always takes it."

"He's a charmer. They'll eat him up," Jeremy smiled as he spoke.

When the other men became engrossed in a conversation, Kevin leaned on Jeremy's shoulder, asking, "What did she really say?"

"Nothin'. Look, I'm just going to down this one, and go. I promised myself I wouldn't get drunk every night."

"All right. I'm only going to stay for another hour or so too. I'm tired of falling asleep in class."

"You want me to wait for you?"

"Nah, I might get lucky." He laughed and turned around to see Rocco receiving a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Hey, isn't that the chick from art history class? The one with the halter top?"

Jeremy twisted around to get a better look at her. "Oh, that's where I recognized her from. Her name is Kelly. Why don't you go and introduce yourself."

"Kelly? She told you her name?"

"Yeah. Just now. At the bar."

"Then she likes you, man, not me."

"She doesn't like me. Will you go and sit with her?"

"No, I can't, man."

"I dare you."

Kevin met his eyes instantly. "Don't dare me."

"I dare you."

"Fuck you, West!"

Jeremy smiled wickedly. "Screw you, Moore."

Hearing the word 'dare', Tim leaned closer. "What's it this time?"

"This chicken won't go and talk to the object of his desire," Jeremy said, grinning.

"He dared ya, man." Tim nodded at the seriousness of the situation.

Lifting his beer, sucking it down to the bottom, Kevin slammed the empty glass on the table and stood, walking over to the group of giggling females. When he did, Jeremy noticed Kelly leaning back, looking past Kevin and right at him. Jeremy averted his eyes, setting his glass down. "Okay. One beer. I'm out of here, boys. I need my beauty sleep."

"No. Going already?" Freddie whined. "One more."

"Nah, I'm really beat." Jeremy stood, pushing in his chair, nodding goodbye to them. As Jeremy passed the table of women, Rocco shouted to him, "Hey, Jeremy! Going to bed so soon?"

Avoiding all the curious feminine glances, Jeremy nodded. "Need my beauty sleep."

"Is that your secret?" one of the women replied.

"See! They're hot for ya, Jeremy!" Rocco made room at the table for him.

Jeremy noticed Kelly ogling him and felt badly for Kevin. "Goodnight, ladies."

With a plethora of pleading going on behind his back, Jeremy sighed unhappily and found his way out of the pub. The stars were glowing in the dark velvety sky. Cast iron lamps lit his way to the dorm. Several drunken howls and guffaws carried on the still night air. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he lost himself in thought, and wished life didn't have to be so complicated.