Higher Education (Calen)

[Dhara]

The noise was almost deafening as the students packed their things, ready to make a break for it. Only Dhara sat still in the sea of chaos, her head still bent over the notebook as she finished up taking her notes. The slide was still on, so she kept writing, even as Calen dismissed the class. She heard his voice and looked up. Catching his eye, she gave a small nod of consent, then went back to what she was writing. By the time she was done, the class was empty and Calen was almost finished gathering his things. She closed her notebook and put it in her bag along with her pen and textbooks.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder as she stood, she made her way out of her seat and down the stairs, waiting for him halfway between the door and his desk. Her fingers were laced together and she looked relax, taking in the sight of him. He moved with a confidence that she hadn't seen before. This was his domain and he was the lord and master of it. He'd proven that, not only in the way he delivered his lecture and presented information, but also in the way he quickly squashed any interruptions. Joe hadn't been the only student to receive a harsh glare and some strong words. Calen didn't tolerate any sort of interruptions unless it was directly related to the material being presented. She wished she had more teachers like that in high school, maybe then she would have finished it. She shrugged off the thought and looked back at him just as he finished packing his things. A smile curled her lips and her head tilted slightly to the right.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" There was a tiny hint of laughter in her voice, though her expression was serious as she looked up at him, waiting for him to speak.

[Calen (DELETED 5969)]

I glanced up when Dhara came over to wait near the door and I slung my bag over my shoulder. I took a final look around the desk and room to make sure nothing was being forgotten. Satisfied that I had the all clear, I moved to her side and offered her a small smile. I didn't mention my need to see her, at first, and just gestured toward the door to the hall. I took slow steps so that she would know to follow me, and I swung open the door for her to go through before me.

Once we were free of the lecture hall, I flipped off the lights and turned to cant my head at her, "Why didn't you tell me that you were going to audit the class?" I asked, far from accusing or upset. I didn't mind that she hadn't told me, and finding her in the seats had been a pleasant enough surprise. If she had mentioned it to me, however, I could have at least gotten her up to speed. The class wasn't that far ahead, granted, but there was still a good bit of information she had missed.

I didn't bother to looked around as I laced my fingers through her own and began our walk to my office. My night was over, finally, and that meant I only had a few loose ends to tie and then I was free to leave. Had she not appeared tonight, I probably would have spent the night in my office catching up on work, as well planning out next week. But, I could push it all aside and do it tomorrow. She was insistent about not keeping me from my work, and I thought it best not to mention it.

My keys tugged free of my pocket as I went about unlocking my office door, once again holding it open for her to enter at her own speed. She had been in the office before, and knew the layout. I, personally, felt the office was my sanctuary, my home away from home. The smell of books and old paper always relaxed me, and it made for concentrating that much easier. "Do you mind waiting for me to finish up, or would you like me to catch up with you later?" I question aloud, raising up an eyebrow to gauge her reaction.

For all I knew, she had plans for the night. Perhaps she even had to work, and if that were the case, the last thing I wanted to do was keep her. She had missed enough of it, lately, and it was hard to fight off the knot of guilt that often formed in the pit of the stomach. I preoccupied her time. When she had any to do the things she loved, I hadn't a clue.

[Dhara]

She was surprised when his hand took hers, but her fingers laced contentedly with his, a small smile on her lips as they walked. She had always been proper and polite when on campus with him. She never wanted to give even the smallest hint of impropriety, but she certainly wouldn't complain that he was holding her hand. And she wasn't going to let go either.

"I wanted to surprise you. I ran across the text book when I was at the bookstore, started reading, and decided to audit the class." She shrugged slightly and smiled up at him as they got to his office. The door opened and she slipped inside, releasing his hand as she did. Her bag landed on the chair before his desk and she wandered about, pausing before one of his bookshelves, she added a small little trinket to his collection of odds and ends. She did it every time she was in his office, but never once mentioned it to him. She didn't want recognition for the small little items, they were simply things she thought he might find interesting. Finally, she made her way back to his desk, curling up in the chair she grinned at him.

"I don't have plans. And I don't mind sitting here staring at you while you finish your work. Provided we aren't here all night, that is."

[Calen (DELETED 5969)]

I watched her as she moved to the shelf. Even though I had never mentioned it to her, I had noticed the various bits and pieces she would add to the collection. When I would notice the new addition I would inspect it, and if it was something unknown to me, I would spent some time researching where it might have come from. Thanks to her help, my collection was growing with each passing week, and I would soon need another shelf. And when she wasn't looking, I smiled and made my way around to my desk.

As I lowered myself down into the chair and began to scan over the papers there, I realized that I might be here longer than she would want to wait. But, if I worked quickly, I could probably finish with enough time to meet her at home for dinner. "And what do you think of the class?" I asked, though it was obvious I was somewhat distracted by the work I was supposed to be doing. My hand flew over the papers as I wrote out comments on papers and homeworks, but I was still with enough mind to listen to her, as well. She was in my office, after all.

I lifted my gaze up to her at her sly comment, shooting her a smirk. She was being cute, and I knew that. There was no way she could be so entertained by watching me work, even if she claimed otherwise. With a sudden thought, I sat up, "I think that German professor is around, if you want to go and visit with him?" I don't want to make you wait here, D." As much as I hated the thought of her going to talk with the man, I knew that someone who spoke her tongue made her happy. I was willing to give that to her while I worked. Anything to keep her busy.

Just then, there was a knock at my door and I looked up to see Joe standing in the doorway. My eyebrows rose, as I had no idea what it was he could be coming for. If I wasn't trying to start something, I would have looked to Dhara to see her own reaction to his appearance. "Can I help you, Joe?" I eventually, asked, gesturing to the open seat next to D's.

[Dhara]

"Ich will nicht in die Deutschlehrer sprechen. Ich möchte dich anstarren und denken falsche gedanken." She said cheekily, knowing he didn't speak a lick of German. It came in handy, those rare times they argued and she wanted to say something unpleasant. She also enjoyed teasing him. She usually said something harmless and left him to figure it out. She even recalled one time she oh so casually asked him where the Easter Eggs were. However, German was a some times harsh language and even the silliest of questions could often sound like the most serious of inquiries.

Her laughter wasn't interrupted by the knock, or even by Calen looking up to address whoever had come. However when he said 'Joe' and motioned the other person in to the room, her laughter died in her throat, ending in a rather embarrassing squeak. She barely managed to avoid sinking down her chair, one tiny hand hidden in her skirt, twisting the black fabric in to a wrinkled mess. She blew out a slow breath and peered from the corner or her eye, refusing to turn her head. She would not look at him. She would not talk to him. And she certainly would not stab him with a pen.

She kept her eyes on Calen, even as Joe sat beside her, then had the nerve to inch his chair as close as he could. As if he didn't get the hint in class. She could act like an adult and just keep herself where she was, or she could be childish and move her chair away. She chose for childish. She really didn't want to be any closer to him than she had to. Suffering through class with him breathing down her neck was enough. Now she had to deal with him in the sanctuary of Calen's office?

She bit back a sigh and half closed her eyes. To be fair, Calen was a professor, and his office was open to his students. Ideally she should excuse herself just in case it was an academic conversation, but instead, she kept to her seat, watching the student from the corner of her eye. Of course, this was after she moved her chair so there was a couple of inches between her and Joe.

translation: I don't want to talk to the German teacher. I want to stare at you and think improper thoughts.