pairing: professor!alex turner x student!fem!oc
━━ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄. | 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮.
summary: nina collett is many things. she’s a devoted mother, a loyal friend, a daughter, and a dedicated student. each aspect of her life has challenges and its sacrifices and she is forced to confront these, demanding her constant attention. amidst the whirlwind of responsibilities and emotions, she finds her professor becoming more involved in her life than she expected, adding another layer of turbulence to her already chaotic life. balancing the fine line between professional boundaries and personal feelings was more difficult than she anticipated, all while she was trying to keep her life from unraveling.
warning: this series contains mature scenes, sexual references, character death, vulgar language, mentions of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, age gap (student in her twenties), an excruciating slow-burn (now i’m being dramatic, but you get the picture), other triggering topics, and all the feels (—i’m talking about sweet-teeth rotting fluff that makes you want to evaporate. or soul wrenching angst that feels like a punch in the gut). if any of themes, opinions or content upsets you or makes you uncomfortable, feel free to message me, or simply, do not read it.
𝓜atilda’s giggles echoed across the lawn, her small, wobbly feet landing on the soft grass with a wide grin etched on her freckled face. She babbled loudly, sauntering toward the swings, but just as she sped toward them, she stumbled on her feet. Her lips emitted a small squeal, and her knees hit the ground with a soft thud.
Her face contorted into a grimace, tears welling up in her eyes as she began to cry. Her lip quivered, soft whimpers escaping her as tears traced down her cheeks like a waterfall. She sniffled, placing her tiny hands on the grass to hoist herself up, but a tiny squeak escaped her as she saw the soil covering her hands. “Ma-ma,” Matilda wept, her brown eyes darting across the garden, desperately searching for her mother.
“Tilda,” Nina’s playful tone echoed across the house as she sauntered toward the living room, hoping to find her there, but to no avail. She was nowhere to be found. A frown reached her delicate features, and her eyebrows creased together as anxiety slowly crept in. Matilda would usually return the energy with her beaming smile, but this time, there was nothing.
A faint cry reached her ears from the garden, making her release a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Baby,” she called in a soothing voice, walking toward the patio and stepping outside, the sun gently kissing her face.
The moment Matilda heard her mother’s voice, her crying grew louder. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she could only look up with clenched fists, the sunlight blinding her face. She squinted, hands hiding her crimson cheeks as she let out a frustrated sob.
Nina’s heart cracked in two, watching her daughter on the grass, slightly mud-streaked and a teary mess. She cooed, offering a reassuring smile. “I’m here, darling. What happened?” she comforted, letting her knees hit the grass as she held her daughter’s tiny body closer to hers.
Matilda’s chin trembled, her glossy eyes looking up at her. She whimpered, burying her face in Nina’s neck as she soaked into her mother’s warmth. Nina chuckled softly at how easily her daughter calmed, and she slowly stood, lifting Matilda onto her hip before walking back inside.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, sweet girl. We don’t want you all muddy–” Nina said tenderly, closing the patio door with a soft click. She turned around, still speaking, but then froze, her words dying in her throat. She screamed bloody murder when she saw her parents standing in the living room with grins stretched across their faces. “Surprise!”
Nina’s scream made Matilda startled, and she immediately began to cry in fear, her wails sharp and piercing, searing through her skull and filling every crevice of her brain. Nina winced, and bounced her daughter in her arms, her eyes flickering to her parents, who were rushing toward them with guilty expressions.
“What if I dropped her?” she snapped at them, giving them a pointed look while her other hand pressed against her chest. Their sudden presence nearly gave her a heart attack.
Ebony, her mother, gave Nina an apologetic look before planting a chaste kiss on both of their faces. “I’m so sorry, loves, we were just too excited to see you guys!” she said sheepishly, her eyes softening as they landed on her granddaughter, who was still scowling, her face streaked with tears.
Nina glanced at her daughter, then shot her parents a reproachful look. “You see this face? This is your fault,” she reminded them, her voice both affectionate and exasperated.
Howard, her father, rolled his eyes with a grin. “Yeah, we know. She’s just as dramatic as you….But way cuter.” He deadpanned, his tone softening as he took a step closer to Matilda. Instinctively, she inched closer to him, and Howard gently scooped her up into his arms.
Nina shook her head with a sigh, turning to her mother, who was looking at Howard and Matilda with a tender smile. “I thought you guys weren’t supposed to be back for three more days?” Nina asked, raising an eyebrow, her gaze questioning as she tilted her head, a frown forming.
Ebony smiled and walked over to her husband, still cradling Matilda in his arms. “We decided to cut our vacation short. And honestly, you two are way more fun to hang out with than the Calverts,” she replied, her face twisting into an expression of distaste as she gently stroked Matilda’s hair, planting a small kiss on her head.
Nina crossed her arms, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Let me guess,” she said, a smirk creeping up her lips. “Lillian talked about Tom again? About how he’s studying medicine and becoming the best doctor ever?” She raised her eyebrows, watching her parents visibly cringe, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Every. God. Damn. Time.” Howard said, shaking his head dramatically. “I wanted to pull my hair out!” He chuckled, rocking side to side, making Matilda rest her head on his neck, contentedly glued to his side. “Like, we get it. Your son is becoming a doctor. I’m waiting for the day he diagnoses someone with a mysterious condition because he didn’t actually read their chart,” he added, mimicking Ebony’s disgusted face, his voice laced in a mock-serious tone.
“Or worse—he forgets to wash his hands,” Ebony chimed in with a wicked grin. A laugh escaped her, and the sound of her infectious amusement made Howard and Nina join in her joke. Nina laughed hard and she leaned forward, nearly toppling over, struggling to keep herself steady. “Oh my God!”
“Or—Googling under the table when he has to do surgery for the first time.” Howard followed up, gasping between a fit of giggles. “Ebony, take Tilda away from me—I can’t–” he clutched his stomach with his other hand as Ebony scooped Matilda into her arms, watching him join Nina on the floor, who was sprawled across the carpet, still laughing like a child.
“Oh, lord, we are going to burn in hell.” Howard’s laughter tapered off, his chuckles lingering between each inhale. He turned to his daughter, who was hiding her face in his chest, her shoulders vibrating from the wild laughter.
Nina sniffled, shifting her body so that she was lying on her back, her head still resting on her father’s stomach. She wiped her eyes with a small giggle, then sighed deeply, as if the humor had finally sunk in. “That was so funny,” she murmured with a smile, the laughter still lingering inside her eyes.
“So, back to reality. Nina, darling, you’re in desperate need of grocery shopping.” Ebony called from across the room, face showing disbelief as she checked her fridge. “Yeah, you’re out of…almost everything!”
Nina groaned, closing her eyes. “I know. Tilda and I were planning on going shopping before you guys came,” she replied, lips curving upwards as her father gently stroked her hair, his hand weaving the tangles. It was a habit Howard had when she was a child, and she nestled into his embrace, comforted by the familiar gesture.
She slowly stood up, running a hand through her hair as a yawn escaped from her lips. She walked toward the duo in the kitchen, watching Matilda giggle at her grandmother’s antics.
Nina smiled tenderly at her daughter, “We need to run some errands, right, Tilda?” she cooed at her, tickling her side and making her burst into a fit of giggles—the sound that always warmed her heart. “Can you watch her for a second? I’m going to change,” she asked her mother, giving her a pleading look.
Ebony nodded, bouncing Matilda in her arms. “Of course,” she replied with a grin, eyes softening as she gazed down at the little girl. She tilted her head to the side, fingers gently tracing down Matilda’s cheek as she hummed. “What do you think Tilda’s thinking about?” She asked, still watching the baby with a fond smile.
Nina puckered her lips, shrugging as she caressed Mathilda’s head. “I don’t know,” She sighed softly, watching her daughter’s fingers fiddle with her grandmother’s, her wide, curious eyes darting between the two of them.
Ebony chuckled, leaning closer to prep small kisses on Matilda’s tiny fingers. “She’s probably thinking about grandma,” she said, a wide grin spreading across her face before she started singing a silly melody—one that Nina used to hate as a child—and still does.
“Granny’s gonna take care of you when mommy is gone,” she chirped, causing Nina to whirl her head toward her with wide eyes, her face painted in disbelief.
“What? It’s true…” Ebony frowned, oblivious to the way her words had made Nina’s face fall into a pout. “When you put it like that, it makes it sound like I’m going to die,” Nina said, her voice carrying a slight edge.
Ebony shot Nina a look, shaking her head, “God forbid, honey.” Nina heard her father say, who was still lounging comfortably on the floor, fiddling with a toy, which made both Nina and Ebony chuckle. “Looks like we’ve got two children in this house now.”
“Oh, really? Is that so?” Nina cooed, listening to Mathilda’s endless chirping as she pushed the stroller down the bakery aisle. She chuckled fondly, glancing down at her daughter before shifting her attention to the shelves. Her eyes trailed to the gluten-free section, and she hummed thoughtfully, lips pursed as she strode over and grabbed some crackers and cookies.
Nina glanced at her phone, narrowing her eyes at her mother’s absurdly long shopping list. With a quiet groan, she mumbled incoherently under her breath, one hand on the stroller as she scanned the aisles, searching for the frozen food section. Peeking down at Matilda, she found her sound asleep, her small chest rising and falling in a peaceful slumber. Nina hummed softly, a gentle smile touching her lips.
Her eyes flickered across the massive grocery store, her eyes taking in the endless rows of food and customers wandering mindlessly through the aisles. She slipped her phone in her pocket, gripped the stroller with both hands, and made her way toward the frozen food section. She was searching for frozen berries when her eyes suddenly stopped on a familiar figure a few feet away. A back she shamefully knew too well.
Nina’s breath hitched, her pulse roaring in her throat. How does she know it’s him, you may ask? Maybe it was the leather jacket—always worn in winter, despite his students constantly fussing about it. Or those damn bell-bottom blue jeans that hugged his figure like water. Perhaps it was his perfectly tousled hair, which never seemed to have a bad day, always impossibly soft and effortless. But most of all, it was that chain necklace–the one wrapped delicately around his neck, the one that made every girl feral, including her. “It’s just a necklace,” the guys in class would say, only to be met with the most indignant stares from the girls in the front row.
“Fuck,” she whispered under her breath, gripping the stroller tighter until her knuckles turned white. She watched as he turned around, and her eyes widened. Without thinking, she picked up her pace, ducking her head, letting her hair shield her face as she did a power-walk past him.
A tremor of nerves pulsed through her, reaching her ears. She felt heat flood her skin, and she slowly turned around, plastering a breathy smile. “M-Mr. Turner? Hi. W-What are you doing there?” she blurted, cursing herself immediately.
Alex’s lips twitched upwards, amusement flickering in his gaze. “Grocery shopping.”
Right. Of course. What a stupid question. She thought. Nina nodded quickly, biting her lip as she looked anywhere but at him.
Alex’s gaze shifted, his brows lifting slightly before landing on the stroller. "Is she yours?"
Nina followed his gaze, her heart furiously stammering against her ribs. “N-No—fuck, I mean, yes. Yes, uh–she’s mine.” Her lips curled into a tight smile, but she had a hard time reading his expression.
Alex’s mouth opened slightly, as if trying to process what had just come out of her mouth. His gaze flickered between her and Matilda, his brows knitting together, creasing his forehead. He felt something tighten in his chest—a prickle he wasn’t sure how to name as he pictured her husband or a significant other waiting for her at home. The thought unsettled him more than it should have. He exhaled in a quiet, shaky breath, unnoticed by Nina. Finally, he managed a small smile. “Oh, I–I didn’t know you have a daughter.”
Guilt etched inside her chest, feeling her emotions bubbling beneath the surface. She grimaced, biting her lip before speaking. “Well, it’s not really something that comes up, and we—we don’t really—”
Alex nodded quickly, cutting her off. “Y-Yes, of course, I understand—”
Before either of them could say another word, Matilda stirred, her soft whimpers quickly turning into quiet cries. Their conversation halted, both of them instantly turning toward the stroller.
Nina whirled her head to Matilda, her heart clenching at her cries. She shifted her focus away from her professor, stepping forward, widening the stroller’s window to see her baby girl stirring, her face scrunched up as she fussed for her mother. “Oh, sweet girl. Are you awake?” Nina cooed, her voice turning soft and melodic as she unbuckled Matilda and lifted her into her arms.
Mathilda buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, her muffled cries sending a crack into her heart as she rocked her gently, whispering, “It’s okay, darling. Mommy’s here.” But in the process, her hip knocked over a counter, sending a stack of canned fermented fruit tumbling to the floor. The loud clatter made heat crawl up her neck as she cursed.
With a sigh, she bent down to pick them up, Matilda still in her arms, her cries intensifying. Without thinking, she looked up at Alex. “Can you hold her for a second?” She didn’t wait for a response before carefully passing Matilda into his arms. He hesitated, stammering, but instinctively adjusted his grip, securing the small girl against his chest.
Matilda’s cries slowed down almost instantly, causing Alex to blink with surprise. He looked down at her as she sniffled and clutched onto his shirt. A small chuckle emitted from his lips, his heart swelling at the way she nuzzled into him. “Hello there,” he murmured, rocking her gently. His lips curved upwards into a soft smile, something unfamiliar stirring inside him. “You’re here with your mommy, huh? Running some errands?”
“You’re so cute. Yes, you are.” Alex murmured, his voice gentle with affection. He let out a quiet chuckle as Matilda responded with a tiny coo, her lips forming into a sleepy smile.
Nina, still bent down picking up cans, had barely registered what she had just done. But when she turned back, realization hit her. Her movement paused, gaze softening as she watched the two. The way Alex held Matilda—so gentle, so effortlessly–it made something deep in her chest ache. She smiled, slowly standing up, watching him interact with her daughter, who seemed to itch a small giggle from Matilda’s lips.
Alex looked up, meeting her eyes before glancing back at Matilda. His smile was warm. “She looks just like you,” he said, stepping closer to hand Matilda back.
Matilda let out a sleepy murmur, her tiny fingers gripping Nina’s sweater as she settled against her. Nina pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek, her voice a quiet hum. "Yeah, I hear that a lot."
A comfortable silence stretched between them. Their eyes met again, something unspoken lingering in the air before Alex cleared his throat.
"So—uh, I’m heading to the park after this, actually. And I was wondering if you might fancy a walk?" He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.
Nina blinked, caught off guard. She felt a warm feeling settle into her chest, and she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She smiled, sheepishly nodding. “I’d love to.”
The pair strolled leisurely through the park, their steps unhurried, lost in a meandering conversation about whatever came to mind. Alex cradled Mathilda in his arms, while Nina pushed the stroller along the green path, her knuckles white as snow as she struggled not to get caught staring. She told herself it was nothing—just the novelty of seeing someone else hold her daughter—but deep down, the sight of Alex holding Mathilda so effortlessly, like she was his own, sent a tremor through her chest.
The way his large, calloused hands supported her tiny body, one hand resting securely on her head while the other traced slow, soothing circles down her back—it was almost too easy, too natural. Mathilda babbled happily in his arms, her small fingers occasionally reaching for his shirt, and when Nina caught the soft smile curving on his lips, warmth pooled deep in her stomach.
She forced herself to look away, fixing her gaze ahead as they neared the playground. The ache in her feet gave her an excuse to refocus. Parking the stroller beside a nearby bench, she sank down onto the wooden seat with a quiet sigh. Alex followed, still holding Mathilda, whose delighted giggles filled the air.
Nina turned to him, eyes softening. "She's practically glued to you now. That rarely happens," she murmured, a small, contented smile tugging at her lips.
Alex hummed, amusement dancing across his handsome features, looking down at the little girl in his arms. Her wide, adoring eyes looked up at him like he had hung the stars in the sky. “What can I say? I have that effect on people,” he quipped, throwing her a wink.
A slow heat crept up Nina’s neck, her skin prickling at the playful glint in his gaze. "Yeah... you do," she muttered under her breath, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Alex’s head tilted, his lips twitching upwards. "What was that?"
Nina stiffened, feeling her heart palpitate. Fuck. Clearing her throat, she quickly averted her gaze to Mathilda, who was smiling up at her mother. "Nothing," she said, waving it off as if the moment hadn't happened.
Her heart swelled as she watched Mathilda grip Alex’s hand tightly, comfortably nestled in his lap. The sight sent a pang through her chest—causing a tremor of emotions to bubble through the surface, threatening to spill over, but she swallowed them down, pressing the suppressed emotions down the deepest parts of her heart.
Mathilda blabbered, making Nina return her energy with a soft smile. “Oh, is that so? You like your new friend?” she cooed, her hand creeping up her tiny body, erupting small giggles from Mathilda.
Alex chuckled, feeling both of her hands curling his shirt into a fist as she beamed like the sun. His smile faltered for a second, hesitating over a question he had wanted to ask, looming over his head. His fingers absently smoothed over Mathilda’s back, his eyes trailing down Nina’s hands. She wasn’t wearing a ring. From their conversations, she had never mentioned anyone, and he didn’t want to pry—but curiosity gnawed at him, nagging every itch of his brain. The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
"I hope I’m not overstepping...I–uh, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Your husband is probably waiting," he said, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Nina with a look she couldn’t seem to decipher.
Nina blinked, almost startled. "Oh—no, no, please. You’re fine.” A numbness settled in her body, her mind refusing to let the suppressed emotions break free. She sucked in a sharp breath, feeling a dark cloud placing itself on her chest. “He’s—uh…not in the picture,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but he heard her nonetheless.
Alex felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, his brows lifted slightly as he studied her expression, as if piecing something together. “Divorced?”
Nina’s lips parted, but for a moment, nothing came out. Her chest was hollowed as if she had been punched. Then, with a small, almost hesitant breath, she gave him a tight-lipped smile. “A widow, actually,” she admitted, feeling a pang of regret shooting through her for revealing too much. He was just a professor after all, right?
Alex froze. The playful ease in his posture vanished, his body going unnaturally still. He wasn’t sure if he had even blinked. Shit. His breath suddenly hitched, his pulse suddenly too loud inside his ears. He felt the air between them shift, thickening with something heavy, something unspoken. His mouth parted slightly, and for the first time in a long time, he found himself grasping for the right thing to say.
"I—" His voice faltered. He exhaled sharply, eyes painted with deep sympathy. "Nina, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pried too much. Please, forgive me," he apologized, his voice soft but thick with regret. Alex’s eyes were wide, brows furiously furrowed as if he could physically pull his words back. His lips pressed into a thin line, the rawness of what he had been saying squeezing his lungs. He felt he had opened a wound, and it made him feel exposed, feeling he had invaded too much.
Nina gave a soft smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She could practically hear the gears in his head turning, and she brought a hand over his shoulder, letting her hand linger. “It’s alright, really. You didn’t know.”
Then there was a silence. Not the comfortable kind. A silence that felt like a knife was being heated over a fire.
“May I ask what happened?” You’re an idiot. He thought.
Nina’s mind went astray, like an old film reel—replaying scenes that was glued to her brain. The scenes she deeply wanted to forget. The grief washed over her without warning, drowning her, making her let out a deep exhale. She smiled down at Mathilda, who was blubbering to Alex, gripping his hand. Then her smile faltered. Then the prickling ache spread through her—squeezing her lungs, making her heart feel heavy. “A car accident,” she lamented, looking at him with all the hurt she couldn’t say, scoffing with a shake of her head. “God…It’s my fault.”
Alex looked at her, frown deepening. “Why do you say that?”
Nina nibbled on her bottom lip, guilt flickering behind her tear-glossed eyes. She brought a hand over her face. “I asked him to run a stupid errand for me in the middle of a heavy storm. If it wasn’t for a stupid pregnancy craving, he would still be alive,” She said in a small voice, jaw clutched so hard as she was trying not to let her emotions get the best of her.
Alex looked at her, sympathy bleeding through every flicker of his gaze. He brought his hand up, fingers rubbing together—hesitating about his next actions. He slowly covered his hand with hers, gripping it with a tight yet gentle grip. “That’s not your fault, Nina. You didn’t know.”
Nina’s mouth tightened, trapping a sob that wanted to escape. She looked down at his hand, which was comfortably running small circles around her skin. She was blinded by her grief and almost missed it—the gentle, steady pressure of his hand, grounding her in a storm she couldn’t escape. She nodded, finally meeting his tender gaze. “But I did,” she whispered, eyes darting back to her daughter, who had her head nestled into her professor’s chest, eyes almost fluttering shut.
Alex gave her a small smile, squeezing her hand before letting go—God, he hated that he had to let go, “And that’s on him. He wanted to do it for you. There’s nothing that you could’ve done, love.” he comforted, the term of endearment slipping out from his mouth before his brain caught it.
Nina scoffed, her lips emitting a dry chuckle, “Try saying that to my mother-in-law.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I’m even telling you this–” Alex interupts her and reassures her with a smile, rocking his lap as Mathilda looked at the pair back and forth. “You didn’t scare me off, if that’s what you’re worried about.” he said in a warm tone, making Nina’s lips curve upwards.
Nina turned to him, shifting her seat. “And you? Are you married?”
Alex’s smile faltered, a frown etched onto his handsome features. “Divorced, actually.” he said in a voice barely above a whisper, but Nina heard him nonetheless.
Nina’s jaw tensed for a second before she swallowed hard, face morphing into a deep scowl. “I’m sorry.” Alex brushed it off with gentle chuckle, caressing Mathilda’s hair as he looked down at her. “It’s actually quite a relief, really. We didn’t really have time for each other.”
The words hung in the air as a silence stretched between them, putting an end to the conversation. Nina looked back to her daughter, softly smiling as she saw Mathilda comfortably nestled into his arms, eyes fluttering and gripping his finger with a tight grip. A heavy feeling settled into her chest at the sight—the way his calloused hands gently ran down her small back, holding her like she was his own, and she couldn’t tell if she was sad or felt a deep yearning for something she couldn’t have, at least not yet.
A quiet conversation flowed effortlessly, like the wind, as Alex and Nina strolled through her neighborhood, a place that seemed to exist in its own world. It was a serene, undisturbed area, untouched by the noise of London. Alex insisted on walking her home, and despite her protests, he quickly won her over when he requested to push Mathilda’s stroller. She didn’t refuse, and somehow, that became his excuse to stay a little longer.
The pair reached Nina's house, slowly sauntering toward the porch. She turned back to him, gaze softening with a tint of gratitude. “Thank you for walking us home.” she thanked him, her cheeks slightly flushed as she felt his gaze already fixed on her.
Alex’s gaze lingered longer than it should, as if taking every detail of her expression. His heart skipped a beat, feeling warmth spreading across his face. A small, knowing smile rested on his delicate features. “Of course. Someone had to make sure you got home safe, right?” he said, his voice laced with slight playfulness.
Nina’s stomach fluttered. She ducked her head slightly, letting out a quiet hum, eyes averting away from him toward her daughter, who was sleeping soundly inside her stroller. “I guess you did,” she murmured, inching closer to the stroller to take Mathilda into her arms.
Mathilda stirred in her sleep, but relaxed once she was cuddled into her mother’s arms. “Okay,” she whispered, gently rubbing her daughter’s back before looking at Alex. She glanced back at the stroller, sheepishly looking at him. He read her look right away and pushed the stroller up the steps of the front porch.
“There we go.” He muttered under his breath, crouching to grab the groceries from the stroller basket. He placed them carefully beside the door, then straightened up to face her—but did a double take when he noticed a figure in the window just beside the door.
An amused smile reached his lips, turning to look at Nina. “Is that your mom by the window?”
“What?” Nina breathed out, spinning around to look. A flush crept up her neck as she registered the figure in the window, heat prickling her skin.
Both of them turned to the window—only to spot a very familiar figure peeking through the window. It was Nina’s mother, Ebony, wearing the most ridiculous grin, like a kid caught sneaking cookies. The second she realized they’d seen her, her eyes widened in panic and she yanked the curtains shut.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Ignore my mom….She’s noisy enough to make a career out of it.” She said, groaning as she buried her face into Mathilda’s hair. “She’s a professional eavesdropper.” she muffled into her hair before moving her gaze to him, her cheeks tinted with a dust of pink.
Alex chuckled, a gleam dancing inside his eyes as he watched her visibly cringe at her mother’s antics. “It’s quite alright. Your mom’s just doing her part to keep the neighborhood gossip flowing.” he joked, his lips emitting another small laugh, putting his hands inside his pockets.
Nina let out a soft laugh, “Honestly, she has no boundaries. Wait until she tells everyone in the neighborhood.”
Alex smirked, “Guess we’ll have to start wearing disguises next time we talk.” he said, giving her a playful look, and it was enough to make Nina’s heart skip a beat. Her cheek warmed and she found herself giggling like a schoolgirl. The sound escaped her before she could stop it, and she could feel his gaze linger longer than necessarily.
Nina quickly glanced down at Mathilda, rocking her back and forth in an attempt to ground herself, before finally meeting his gaze again. “Thank you for today, Mr. Turner." she said, her voice just a little softer than before.
Alex’s expression shifted instantly, his eyebrows raising in mock disapproval. “Mr. Turner?” He gave her a playful, almost exaggerated look, as if she’d just committed a heinous crime.
“Please, enough with the formalities, Nina. We’re not in the classroom. Call me Alex.” he told her with a deep chuckle, leaning in slightly.
Nina’s heart stuttered inside her chest, and before she could stop herself, her cheeks flushed crimson red. Her eyes widened, and her breath was caught in her throat. Oh God, did I say that, again? She thought.
She cleared her throat, giving him a sheepish smile. “Uh—right….M-Mr—I mean—Alex.”
Ebony remained glued to the window, eyes narrowed as she watched her daughter with the man she didn’t recognize. Her fingers gripped the curtains tightly, a goofy grin spreading across her face as she peeked a little more, careful not to get caught again. But then, from behind her, Howard, appeared, arms crossed and inching closer like a silent shadow. “What are you doing?”
Ebony jumped, letting out a startled gasp as she quickly pulled the curtain shut, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. “Howie! Shh!” she whispered, looking over her shoulder, eyes wide with a mix of surprise and guilt. She straightened up, as if trying to hide what she just did, but her grin couldn’t be wiped away.
Howard stood still for a moment, staring at her. His gaze shifted to the window as he peered through the curtains, eyes narrowing with suspicion. A flicker of his protective instinct kicked in. “Who’s that?” he asked, voice hardened slightly as he tried to make out the man that was standing in front of their daughter.
Ebony couldn’t hide her excitement, practically bouncing on her heels. “That’s what I’m wondering about!” she exclaimed, her voice high with excitement. Before Howard could speak again, she quickly sushed him, her finger pressed to his lips. “Wait, she’s coming inside now!” she added, practically dashing toward the door.
Howard rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief, but a small smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he followed, hot on her heel.
Nina entered the house, the warmth of home immediately welcoming her with a comforting embrace. She felt the familiar weight of Mathilda’s arms, but her smile faltered as soon as her eyes landed on her parents standing near the staircase, clearly waiting for her. “What?” she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and annoyance.
Ebony’s eyes sparked, her grin stretching as she pounced, bombarding her with questions. “Who was that handsome young man?” she asked her, voice far too enthusiastic. “Are you seeing him?”
Nina almost choked on air, heat flushing her face, creeping up her neck as her eyes widened in disbelief. “Yes, three days a week,” she sputtered, voice barely escaping her throat. She scowled at her mom. “He’s my professor.”
“Are you seeing your professor?” Ebony asked with a smirk, teasing as she arched an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the drama of the moment.
Nina groaned inwardly, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration bubbling up through the surface. “No–No, that’s not what I meant, Mom. Really?" she said, her voice high with exasperation.
Howard, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up, his voice mixing of mock innocence and good-natured sarcasm. “I didn’t know you were this wild, honey.” He paused, rubbing his chin as if in deep thought. “Or wait, yeah…you got it from me.”
Nina shot her father a glare, but couldn’t help a faint of a smile curve at her lips. “He was just walking me home.” she explained, trying to keep the situation as casual as possible.
Howard raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Okay. Sure, sweetheart.” he nodded, a smirk forming his face.
Nina grumbled, leaving her parents by the staircase and walking toward the kitchen with Mathilda in her arms. She had her mother trailing behind her, practically glowing with curiosity.
Ebony’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “So, is he single? Does he live closeby? What’s his name?” she asked, firing off one question after another, her grin widening with each word.
“Come one, Nina! You can’t leave me hanging like this. I need to know more!”
