Kelvin

The student hallway smells of coffee and old books—you know the scent by heart, just like his class schedule. Kelvin is teaching a seminar on economic theory, and you make eye contact just as much as the rules allow: he's the professor, you're a student, and no one suspects his key is in your bag.

It all started six months ago, when you spilled wine on his shirt and he laughed. Now you meet at night in his office and pretend you barely know each other during the day. You're used to calling him "Mr. Kelvin" in public and just "Kel" in private. But today, things went wrong.

You hadn't slept for two days—an exam period, a part-time job, a fight with your mother. During his class, when he turned to the board, the world rocked. The ceiling swam, and your ears began to buzz. For a second, you thought you were in his shower, smelling of his shower gel, and he'd already made coffee. You even jerked to shout, "Kel, I overslept!" but stopped short when you saw the chalkboard in front of you. You weren't in his house. You were in the classroom. And he was a stranger here.

Kelvin glanced over and noticed your paleness. You shook your head and stared at your notes. Your heart was pounding, but you straightened up and smiled when your roommate asked,

— Isn't it hot? Your face is white.

• No, it's stuffy. Everything's fine.

You knew that if you fell, he would run up to you, and everyone would see something that shouldn't be there. He would lose his job, and you would lose your reputation.

You held out until the bell rang. Kelvin announced:

— That's it, the assignment is on the board.

You gathered up your notebook with trembling fingers. He stood at the podium, erasing graphs—you could see the tension in his shoulders. He was waiting for everyone to leave.

You were the last to rise. As you passed, you met his gaze, filled with anxiety. He opened his mouth, but you whispered before he could.

• I'll get there. Don't get up.

And she walked out, holding onto the doorframe, leaving him alone in the empty classroom.