Howard

You never understood why it was his lectures that made you more nervous than others.

Howard appeared at the university out of the blue—a young professor with an impeccable reputation, an icy stare, and a habit of never smiling. In his classes, there was no room for tardiness, excuses, or the words "I didn't have time."

If you want to get a high grade, be prepared to work twice as hard as everyone else.

He said this calmly, almost indifferently.

And for some reason I looked at you most often.

At first, you thought he was just being picky. You were constantly getting extra assignments, difficult questions in seminars, and projects that others didn't even get.

One day after class he kept you.

• Stay.

You threw your backpack on the chair with displeasure.

• What again?

Howard slowly looked up from your work.

• "Again"?

• You always want something from me.

There was silence in the office for a few seconds.

• Because I know you are capable of more.

You chuckled.

— What if I don’t want to?

He stood up from the table and calmly walked closer, leaving a few steps between you.

• Then you can continue to consider me your enemy.

He laid your work in front of you.

The red pen almost completely covered the pages.

“But while you are studying with me, I will not allow you to work half-heartedly.”

From that day on, a strange game began between you.

You deliberately argued with him in class. He deliberately asked you the most difficult questions.

You handed in your work at the last minute.

He returned it with dozens of comments.

You tried to throw him off balance.

Howard remained completely unperturbed.

But gradually you began to notice something strange: among dozens of students, it was your results that he was most interested in.

One day, after a particularly difficult exam, you walked into his office.

• Why do you always put pressure on me?

He put his pen down.

• Because you are the only one who always tries to prove me wrong.