Henry Wyatt

[henryxwyatt]

Tutor Me This @ JJ

[henryxwyatt]

Introductory Statistical Analysis. Even the name itself was giving her a headache. It was not like she chose to take this class but she had to if she ever wanted to graduate. Henry was more interested in learning how to make video games, not this. Whatever. She was smart so she would figure it out eventually. At least she was getting a one on one with the cute professor out of the deal. No, she was not blind. She had seen him walking around with his curly hair and suits that made him look older than what he was. And she could tell that it made him feel uncomfortable to wear cardigan sweaters and shit. Before heading to the University Henry stopped at the coffee shop. She was grabbing coffee for herself and Professor Jones and a box of donuts. Probably not necessary but who didn’t like donuts? It would make this tutoring session a lot sweeter.

The campus was a lot quieter at this hour and she was glad. Henry was not exactly a people person. Mainly because she didn’t know how to carry a conversation. And it was not like she made herself approachable with the way she carried herself. Not with how she dressed and her bright green hair. It was like she carried an invisible sign on her head that told everyone to stay the fuck away. She tried her best to carry the two styrofoam cups in her hands and the box of donuts on her forearm. Juggling that and her back pack over her shoulder. What was the class number again? Ugh, she was now running a little late. Why did she have to stop to get treats again? When she finally found the right place she noticed that he was already inside, sitting behind his desk. Probably grading papers or something. She walked in with a smile and placed everything on the flat surface. “Hi, Professor Jones? I’m Henry. I …. uhm … got donuts and a coffee. Black. I didn’t know if you wanted cream and sugar. Is that cool?”

JJ wasn’t surprised at receiving the tutoring request. He’d had enough inquiries at various points in his previous class. The fact that this Henry fellow was asking so early in the coursework meant he was likely trying to understand the material rather than simply pass with mediocre grades. He’d submitted his final thesis and was waiting to hear back from the advisory board. There wouldn’t be a problem as he’d been right on point with all of his own work every step of the way. He would be receiving his doctorate before the term. Pleased with himself, he made it to his office with twenty minutes to spare. He settled himself and pulled up the chapter they were to discuss and his notes. He’d been working on a set of online tutoring program. He pulled up the code and began playing with it. The clock read ten past His door was pushed opened and he looked up to see a young woman with green hair carrying coffee. He was surprised as she put the coffee and a pastry box on the desk. “I’m sorry Miss.. I have a..” He didn’t finish his thought when she introduced herself as Henry.

He blinked at her and looked at her up and down. “Henry?” He swallowed. “You’re Henry? You’re not a boy.” He knew he sounded like an idiot. She very well knew she wasn’t a boy. “I’m sorry.. how rude of me.” He stood up and extended his hand. His palm was sweating a little and he pulled his hand back and wiped it on his jeans. “They get sweaty when I’m nervous..not that I’m nervous right now.. mostly surprised.. I’m sorry.. I thought you were a bloke because of your name. But you’re not.. Never mind.. Jonah Jeremiah Jones. People call me JJ.” He extended his hand again this time a little more confident in it being dry. “I don’t normally drink coffee… I have.. but lots of cream and a lot of sugar.. I should start to drink it.. most professors.. well most people drink it.. But I rather prefer hot chocolate.. But I like donuts.”

There was confusion on his face and she knew the reason why. JJ explained it later on by telling her that she thought she was a guy. Then started to apologize. “Oh no, don’t worry. I get that all the time.” And she did. What else did she expect with a name like Henry. “Name’s actually Henrietta, but I hate it. Makes me sound like an old cat lady, yunno? I mean, I like cats but the name not so much.” She took a deep breath and shook his hand. It was sweaty but she didn’t say anything. Henry didn’t think he would ever be nervous. He was the teacher after all. And she was the one with the stupid crush on him so she had a reason to be nervous. “Nice to meet you JJ. It’s a nice name.” Ugh, she felt so dumb. And it was a bit weird to call him by his nickname when she was so used to calling all her professors by their surname.

“Sorry, I should’ve asked or … I dunno. You don’t have to drink it, it’s fine.” She removed her backpack and placed it on the chair. The classroom seemed a lot bigger without so many students crowding it. She then popped open the box of donuts and reached for one, taking a big bite. “I got an assortment because I was not sure what you liked. And sugar rush helps me concentrate.” Honestly she wasn’t completely lost when it came to this class. She understood the basics and she was sure that if she read the books and the assignments that she would ace it. Henry was very good when it came to learning things. This was more an excuse to get some quality time with hot teacher. But now that she was face to face with him she was not sure what to do and she was feeling incredibly awkward.

“I don’t think Henrietta sounds like an old cat lady at all.” He blurted it out and smiled as she said it was nice to meet him. For a moment, he had to remind himself she was a student. He’d been staring at her. He found her captivating and pretty. Her hair was very green and it suited her. “Thank you.. it’s a family name.. the formal one not the JJ. That’s more because my mates preferred to use informal means of communication.” He shook his head when she apologized. “Don’t be sorry. It’s rather sweet really.. bringing me coffee… and donuts to share. It’s rather very thoughtful. I do appreciate it… and I think I have one of those liquid creamers in my bag.. hold that thought.” He remembered one of his students getting it for him when he’d mentioned liking cream and sugar. It was one of those non-refrigerated things which likely contained more chemicals than he’d like but he didn’t want to offend Henry by not drinking the coffee. “Aha!” He pulled out the small thing triumphantly. “See.. I can drink the coffee.. well some of it..”

He squirted some of the liquid into the coffee and stirred it with his finger seeing no stirrers handy. She took a bite from one donut and got some powdered sugar on the side of her mouth. JJ couldn’t help but smile. “A sugar rush is always fun yes.. I’m sorry.. you have.” He picked up a napkin and wiped away at the powdered stuff on her face. He felt himself blush at the gesture. He pulled back his hand. “I didn’t want you wearing sugar all day.. and once we get into the maths I’m liable to forget to tell you about it.. I get locked on to things.” He blushed deeper as he realized he was talking about his personal life with a student. “Would you like to pull up a chair? We can have a moment of coffee and sugar before we begin.”

Henry was not sure why she was nervous but she was. She didn’t have the best people skills. However, Professor Jones or JJ, was making her feel a bit less awkward. At least he didn’t act like most of the professors around the university. All stuck up and treating her like she was some stupid kid. Not him though. He treated her like she was his equal. He continued to apologize to her but Henry found the whole thing endearing. How he went off on a rant. How nervous he seemed. It was comforting. Henry worried that he would end up being some jerk or act all smooth and confident and make her even more anxious. JJ was friendly and very down to earth. She gave him a smile as he spoke and went around to look for some creamer. Henry was used to just drinking her coffee black. She liked the bitter taste. That was how coffee was meant to be drunk. None of that vanilla or caramel hazelnut bullshit.

“My parents were expecting a. boy. Imagine their surprise.” She took another bite of the donut, getting jelly on her fingers. JJ moved closer with a napkin in hand and wiped the corner of her mouth. “Thanks.” How embarrassing. She felt her cheeks getting pink. Henry took a seat, finishing the treat with one last bite. She wanted another one but she decided to wait a few. “I noticed.” She smiled again, bringing her cup of coffee to her lips. “I mean, it’s not a bad thing. I’m the opposite. Scatter brained. Can’t focus for the life of me. Except when I’m playing games. Do you like video games JJ?” She was talking as. she pulled her chair to take a seat and make herself more comfortable.

“Well.. I think they got the fairer of the two.” She thanked him for wiping at the sugar and he shrugged. He took a seat. Taking a napkin, he chose one of the donuts and took a bite. He wiped at his own mouth and at his beard. The last thing he needed was to wear sugar himself. “You’re scatter brained? How so? Is it many thoughts at once? Or rather jumping from thought to thought? The brain is a fascinating topic. It’s taken me a lifetime to suss out what I can do to make mine work the way I want it to and then again it doesn’t sometimes and I ramble.. much like now. Yes I like video games.” He took another bite of his donut and a sip of his coffee. He kept his eyes on Henry and he was pretty sure the coffee tasted better because she’d brought it. He shook such nonsense out of his thoughts. Reminding himself she was a student. Probably not one who was even close to graduating.

“My mate and I tend to play Call of Duty. I haven’t much of a problem playing others, Win my fair share of the time. But when I play Effy, well.. she had unnatural abilities to win.. at everything. It’s uncanny. Anyway.. I’ve been getting better at strategically besting her. There are other games I play. Both online and at home.” He took another sip of his coffee and wanted to ask her questions. “What is your concentration? For coursework? Do you have siblings? Or are you like the only girl in a house full of boys? I can’t imagine what teasing that would entail. I’m an only child. My parents moved to Italy a little while ago now. I live with my mate from college Cook. I’ve known him forever it seems. I took over my parents’ place.. and I’m talking about myself again. Umm.. I do apologize. Usually I’m much more professional than this. You did come for tutoring and while I do think a bit of candor is essential in connecting with my students, telling you about my living situation is probably out of line.” He blushed once more and could almost hear Effy telling him to grab hold of his package and man up.

“All of the above.” She chuckled, trying to sound less silly. She often times felt that way when meeting someone new. Like how do you even start a conversation and keep it interesting? Most people found her to be either annoying or obnoxious. Her passion for games was not usually shared by other people. And the fact that she couldn’t stick to one topic at a time. “I guess I have too many thoughts in my head, yunno? Like they all come to me all at once and I can’t seem to focus on one.” She took another drink of her coffee and reached for another donut. Henry didn’t believe in dieting and she really didn’t care much for what she was putting in her body. She hated that. Girls who starved themselves just because they wanted to be skin and bone. Not her. She took a bite and smiled at him when he spoke about his gaming experience and how he played with a mate. “No shit!” She stopped when she realized she was talking to a faculty member. “Oops, sorry. I mean, great! I play Call of Duty all the time. I like it. I’m more into old school games though so I visit the arcade a lot. We should go there one day. Oh I’m not asking you out or anything. Just thought it would be fun.”

She swallowed and almost choked on the powdered sugar. “I don’t have friends. Just people I know online.” Henry took another drink, and sighed. For a moment she had forgotten the reason why she was here in the first place. She just wanted to blow the whole thing of and just have a nice chat, but that wasn’t going to happen. There was no way JJ would want to actually be friends with a student. Was there something in the rules about that? “No, I like it. I mean, hearing about your life and stuff. It’s nice. I don’t get to talk to a lot of people. I live with my aunt. But before that I didn’t have a place.” Was she rambling again? “Sorry, you probably don’t care about that stuff. Do - do you want to start the tutoring thing? I - uhm - brought my notes.”

He laughed lightly with her when she said her thought process was all of the above. He understood the concept of too many thoughts and being unable to focus. He smiled as she reached for another donut. He liked that she enjoyed donuts. He laughed loudly when she cursed and then back pedaled. “I wouldn’t want you saying that in class but we can be a bit flexible here.” He took another sip of the coffee. Either he was warming up to it or he was happy with the company. He blushed when she invited him to the arcade. Surprised at her admission that she didn’t have friends, he frowned. “Don’t you talk to the people you play with online? Wouldn’t you consider them friends to some extent? And yes I’d love to go to the arcade with you.. and no not a date. Obviously not given I’m your professor and I’m not supposed to date students.. not if I want to keep my job which I do.. not because I wouldn’t mind it if it were a date.” He mumbled the last bit as he bit into his donut. He’d realized what he’d said and hoped she wasn’t paying attention or taking offense.

JJ couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t talk to more people. Henry was cute and charming. “You live with your aunt? That’s nice. Family is good. Somedays I miss my mum and dad being around.” She mentioned not having a place before and he was about to ask when she mentioned the tutoring. He made a face. “Right.. the tutoring.. umm.. we can start.. umm.. sorry.. I got a bit sidetracked.. I do by the way.. care about that stuff.. or rather I’m enoying this.. it’s nice. I do recall seeing you in the back you know.. it’s the hair.. stands out.. not in a bad way.. striking.. in a good way..” He smiled and took one more sip of the coffee. “You’ll have to tell me where you bought the coffee.. it’s probably the first cup I’ve truly liked… wait.. you play Call of Duty online all the time? Maybe we’ve played each other.”

“Right. We wouldn’t want to give other students the wrong idea. You know how kids like to talk.” She laughed it off, taking another bite. The sugar was getting to her head. JJ continued to talk and she shrugged when he asked if she considered the people she played against to be her friends. Henry never considered that before. It wasn’t like they had any real connection or anything. Just the time the game lasted. “No. I just play them and then they get pissed when they loose. Cause they usually do.” And that had gotten her plenty of enemies. It was hard for her to find someone who wanted to play with her anymore. Particularly at the arcade. Let’s just say she had a nasty reputation. When he said he wouldn’t mind going on a date with her she smiled and felt her cheeks get flustered. “I … I guess I wouldn’t mind it either. But, it wouldn’t be appropriate, right? It’s frowned upon as far as teacher and student relationship go?” Was she overthinking it? Maybe he just said that to be polite.

She needed to get her head in the game. She was here to learn more about the subject he was teaching, not to fail at flirting. Henry was the worst when it came to it. Never knowing what to say or how to say it. So she never tried it out of fear of sounding stupid. She envied the girls who could flirt so damn effortlessly. JJ started to stutter and she couldn’t stop smiling at how cute it was. “This is more fun. I know I’m supposed to learn all of this but I don’t usually get to talk to people … you’re nice.” More coffee and more sugar rush. “Maybe we have! Wouldn’t that me something?” She kept her eyes on him, nervously holding the cup in between her hands.

Henry was confident about her gaming skills and he found it really cute. Shaking his head, he let out a breath. “Even if you beat someone, it’s a game. There’s no reason to get pissed off.. sure you say things.. trash talk during but it’s part of the fun.. there shouldn’t be any real discord over it. Gaming is supposed to be fun.” He blushed deeply when she said she would like to go on a date. His hopes that she’d missed that part were dashed. “There are rules.. which I tend to abide by.. about certain types of fraternization between faculty and students. I know it happens.. a lot. Unfortunately some of my colleagues are less abiding.. but yes.. it would be inappropriate… doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.. as long as we understand that in class I’m much stricter..” He smiled at her. “It is rather fun simply hanging out and talking. And it’s a shame you don’t talk to more people.. you’re nice too.. perhaps you’re simply selective in your associations. It’s not a bad trait to possess. You’re discerning.” JJ gave her a wide smile.

He chuckled when she intimated that perhaps they had played each other online. The was a pink hue to her cheeks that didn’t go entirely unnoticed by him. He was happy that it wasn’t only him blushing. This was definitely not what he had expected the afternoon to be like. He’d expected a bloke with likely questionable habits. Instead, he’d gotten himself donuts, a coffee and conversation with a pretty girl. He chastised himself for thinking like that. His brain was having a minor argument about natural urges and the idea that it was okay to think about but not okay to act on it. As he thought about this, he took one last sip and set his cup aside. “We should probably at least look the coursework over.. Perhaps if we get it out of the way, we can carry on the conversation after. I wouldn’t mind sticking around and chatting a bit. If that’s alright with you.. friendly that is.. not datelike at all.” He met her eyes and he was pretty sure he was in trouble.

“That’s what I keep saying? But some people get really sensitive. Specially when they find out they got their asses kicked by a girl.” She nodded when he mentioned the rules he had to live by if he wanted to keep his job. It was understandable. JJ seemed to be a very good teacher. She did pay attention to his lessons as much as he could but then got distracted with doodling and day dreaming. His words would disappear and she would only see him, moving about the classroom. She had a few drawings of Professor Jones that were not kid friendly. Henry didn’t know what to do with the obvious crush she had for the guy but she knew she would want to die if those drawings ever saw the light of day. She wasn’t surprised that other teachers disobeyed the rules though. She had a few encounters of her own. “I know what you mean. I walked in on …” She was about to say the name but she opted not to. “One of the professors being overly friendly with a student a few days ago. It was very awkward.”

They exchanged smiles before he suggested that they paid attention to the coursework. Henry nodded and sighed. “Alright, where should we start?” Henry placed her cup on the desk and reached for her backpack. She pulled out a book and some pieces of paper with her notes. She noticed a bit late that one of the drawings was stuck in between them and she quickly snatched it, putting it back inside her bag. “Sorry. Uhm - yes I would like that very much. Maybe we could go to the arcade later today if you are up for it. Not date like at all. A-anyway I’m having some trouble with hypothesis testing and interpreting the p-value. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.”

“Doesn’t speak much to their character does it? Gender should have no bearing on your skills.” Henry commented on an overtly friendly encounter she was inadvertently exposed to. He merely shook his head. The amount of shenanigans on the campus was surprising he thought. Then again, his university experience wasn’t exactly true to form. He’d spent too much time in front of a computer. Perhaps there were similar activities at every university. She grabbed her book as he wiped his hands. A drawing popped out of her book and he took it in his hand. “Oh you like to draw..” It was pulled away rapidly and he didn’t finish his thought on the artwork. She agreed that she would like to chat after. It made him smile. “Right.. the hypothesis testing and interpreting the p-value.. it has created confusion before. You’re not the first.” He wanted to reassure her that there were a number of other students who stumbled on the very same topic.

“The hypothesis tests are what you use to validate what you’re… I’m sorry.. was that.. I..” His brain was recalling the drawing and he would almost put money that he was depicted in it. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.. never mind.. where was I? The hypothesis testing.. the p-value helps you figure out how important your results are. The p-value can in fact reject your null hypothesis.. but I’m getting ahead of myself. The null hypothesis is the hypothesis you’re actually testing. If you get a p-value that is between 0 and 1 then you can..” He blinked and met her eyes. “Was that a drawing of me? I probably shouldn’t really pry but I’m curious and there was a similarity and I am the curious kind of person so I’m asking. And if it was me.. what exactly was I doing?”

It really didn’t and Henry had lost all respect for that teacher and the student from being such a slag. “Bet she’s getting all A’s on that course.” She better be if she was putting out like that. It was kind of disgusting in her eyes but some people didn’t care much about that sort of thing. Henry wasn’t exactly a prude, but she was not one to sleep around. Fuck, she couldn’t even flirt right. Her throat tightened when JJ asked if she liked to draw. For a second there she thought he had missed it and now she just wanted a. hole to open up and swallow her. “Uhm, yes. I mean, I’m not that good but I like to doodle sometimes. When I’m bored. Not that your class is boring. I do doodle during but just because I get distracted.” Ugh, she was so dumb sometimes. “Maybe I should listen more instead, yes? I wouldn’t be needing tutoring.” Not that she was complaining because she was having a nice time.

JJ started to explain to her about hypothesis but all she could focus on was his lips moving. They had the cutest shape. Henry nodded in agreement hen he continued to talk. He was good at explaining this and make it a lot easier to understand. “That makes sense.” She was about to ask something else when he interrupted and asked more about the drawing. Now she really wanted to die. “I -” Her eyes went wide and she blinked a few times. “It’s nothing.” It was just a drawing of him giving a lecture naked. How she pictured him naked anyway.

He had chuckled when she mentioned the girl getting A’s. He listened as she said she doodled. He could see the look in her eyes as he asked about the drawing. He tilted his head. She said it was nothing but from what he’d learned about behavior it wasn’t nothing the way she reacted. He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s nothing.. you were rather adamant about putting it away and you’re exhibiting a bit of nerves. If I were to extrapolate a supposition from the apparent evidence I would say that the picture I witnessed briefly is in fact of me.. without much or any clothing.” He cleared his throat. He scrunched his face as he thought. “Henry.. I’m going to ask.. and I’d like a truthful answer. No judgement. You’re not in trouble. But I am rather curious and sometimes when I’m curious it can detract from my focus.”

JJ was surprised that she’d drawn him during class. And naked no less. At first he thought it might be a bit of ridicule, making fun of the teacher and all but there was something that didn’t quite fit into the equation as she was here getting tutoring from him. She’d even brought him coffee and donuts. He didn’t think it was a way of making fun of him. “Point of fact.. doodling during class is not a bad thing. It means that you’re activating a different portion of your brain that is lacking stimulation. Many genius and prodigies were found to doodle. Why did you doodle me? Wait no that sounds wrong.. Why did you draw me? You did draw me I believe. It’s a rather good likeness from what I saw.. well with the exception of the .. anyway.. naked?” His cheeks were bright red now.

He noticed. Holy mother of pearl. Why did this have to happen? Granted she should have been more careful. She should’ve kept all of her doodles inside a safe box. And now he had seen one of them. Was not the worst one but it was still embarrassing. Henry just wanted to leave. Take off running. She wouldn’t cry cause that was not her style but maybe release her frustration at the arcade. She hoped he would drop the subject but instead he started to talk about it and ended up asking why she had made a drawing of him without any clothes on. Should she lie? Tell him she was taking an art class and she had to practice drawing naked people. No that’s was silly and JJ wasn’t an idiot. He probably already knew the reason but just wanted her to come off and say it.

Henry sighed and tried to gather her thoughts. They were all jumbled. “Well … you were never supposed to see that.” She smiled a little but she was still so ashamed of it. “I thought… I mean I still think you are cute.” There it was. Her cheeks glowing red. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t do that. You’re my teacher. Did I offend you?”

JJ could see Henry try to think of a good reason for her drawing. The more she thought, the more he looked at her. Past the hair. He thought the green actually going really well with her eyes. Her eyes which were an ocean blue. He could swear there were hints of aqua in the shade. She said he wasn’t supposed to see it and that she thought he was cute. His smile lit up without restraint. “You think I’m cute?” His smile faltered when she mentioned he was her teacher and asked if she offended him. Before he realized it, his hand took hers and he shook his head. “I’m not offended.. not in the least… I would prefer that I be drawn not naked.. or really not drawn at all..but not cause it’s offensive or because it lacks talent.. cause clearly it doesn’t lack talent. I just don’t think I’m.. confident enough to be drawn.. especially naked.. And I am your teacher.. and you are my student…” He swallowed as he found himself still holding her hand.

“Thank you for thinking I’m cute. I wish you weren’t my student. Oh bobbins that doesn’t sound right.. What I mean.. is … umm if you weren’t my student, and I met you outside of class.. I think I’d rather fancy figuring out a way to ask you on a non-friend date..” He knew he was blushing and not being smooth at all. He could almost hear Cook and Effy laughing and shaking heads at his approach. He did fancy Henry. She was vibrant. He remembered seeing her briefly during a class exodus but he was mobbed by students asking questions about the syllabus and distracted. “But as it stands, it’s highly inappropriate.. not to mention possibly unethical.. for me to date a student.. albeit you are an adult at least and capable of deciding whom you should see socially.. but still..” He was frowning trying to think of the rules and if there was a way around it.

He was staring at her. Oh God, why was he staring at her? Maybe he had seen more of the drawing than she thought and now he was thinking she was some type of pervert. Henry felt her throat grow tighter and her hands starting to sweat. Should she go? Was she making him feel uncomfortable? Honestly socializing shouldn’t be this hard. When he broke the silence and asked if she thought he was cute she smiled. Then his hand was taking a hold of her sweaty one and she almost fainted. When he spoke she got calmer. What was that about this guy? He had such a calming and gentle nature. It was something she had never experienced with another person before. He said he would rather not be drawn at all and she nodded. “Of course. Not naked or … at all. You saw the nakedness huh? I mean, of course you did.” Her mouth was dry now. “An invasion of your private parts .. I mean, your privacy.” Henry was certain she was red all over.

Thank you for thinking I’m cute. I wish you weren’t my student. That comment made her day. It was not like he meant anything by it but it made her smile regardless. But then he went on to say that if he had met her outside of class he would have asked her on an actual date. “I’ve never been asked on a date before.” The smile was still there. Wasn’t there for long though. JJ brought back the fact that he was in fact her teacher and that seeing her outside the university would be highly inappropriate. People talked. Even if they were seen hanging out as friends it would look bad for the both of them. And JJ would get the worst of it. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. I … I really like you.” She felt her face getting hot again. “Can I confess something?” She waited for him to give her the okay and then giggled. “I don’t need tutoring. I’m a pretty good student.”

JJ was surprised that Henry had never been asked out before. She was certainly cute and adorable. He couldn’t see why no one had approached her. Maybe she moved around a lot or had overprotective parents. It could be a thousand things but he was dumbfounded. Even as inappropriate as this was, he didn’t want to let go of her hand. His thumb casually caressed the back of it. “You have soft hands.” He blurted out and then blinked. “I don’t want to get in trouble. It’s never been something I aspired to even if my mates prided themselves on raising holy terror wherever they went.” She mentioned that she really liked him and he smiled. Then she asked if she could confess. He merely nodded at her to continue. When she said she didn’t need tutoring, he was puzzled.

“If you’re a pretty good student and don’t need tutoring, why… oh.. Oh!” It would have been amusing for anyone watching. The look on his face went from confusion to enlightenment to sheer delight and embarrassment. “You really like me… like like me..” He continued touching her hand and looked at the notes. He pushed them aside. “If you don’t need tutoring, we shouldn’t waste our time.” He realized that sounded harsh. “I mean.. here.. we shouldn’t waste our time here.. we should go.. umm.. arcade.. No harm in hanging out…” He smiled. “We can have some fun.. I’ve nothing planned and would rather enjoy your company.. if you don’t mind.. I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you.. I mean I’m not forcing you.. you can say no.. Do you want to say no?” He held his breath and hoped she didn’t want to say no. He wanted to spend time with her and get to know her better.

His hand was still touching her own, fingers gently brushing hers. It was so relaxing that Henry felt like she could doze off into a nice heavy slumber. She couldn’t keep her cheeks from turning scarlet red and she silently wished she could pull some confidence from somewhere. He was being really cool about everything though. The drawing would have freaked someone out. He looked that she had never been asked on a date and she smiled. Henry didn’t give that dating vibe. He said she had soft hands and how he didn’t want to her in any trouble. Henry didn’t want for him either. No point losing his job for the likes of her.

Then he asked why she had asked to. E tutored if she didn’t need it. Henry paused and waited the few seconds it took for him to get it. Could he be more adorable at this point? She blushed again. “Yes. I like you. Is that wrong? It is isn’t it?” She but her lip when he said they shouldn’t waste time here and that they could go to the arcade. Her brow raised. “Are you sure? I mean I’d live to but-maybe you could wear a disguise.” Of course she was joking but he pictured him wearing a heavy raincoat and a hat with glasses. “I do like you though. You’re … cute. How come you don’t have a girlfriend?”

He smiled. “No.. It’s not wrong.. I don’t think it’s wrong.. I mean I am in a position of authority which is primarily the reasoning behind the general code of conduct..” He paused. “I’m very flattered…” Henry looked to be having doubts about going to the arcade but it wasn’t because she didn’t want to. Her regard for his welfare was touching. “I’m not a priest you know.. I am allowed to interact with students and other adults.” He smiled wide. His fingers still tracing the back of her hand and he knew he was being far too forward for a friendly kind of situation. His mind was calculating what the odds would be if indeed he asked her out in a more social capacity, possibly a romantic one. He knew of many professors who ended up dating students and sometimes marrying them. He blinked at that thought and how farfetched it seemed in light of their recent introductions but at the same time if it applied to others before him then why not him? For a brief moment, he pictured Effy, arms crossed in front of her, rolling her eyes and giving him the look that meant he was overthinking. She’d be right.

“I don’t need a costume to go out with you.” He took a moment not retracting how he phrased it and then addressed her other question while his cheeks tended to her comment about him being cute. “I would say that it is a rather large assumption that I do not have one. However given that I do prescribe to slightly higher moral code than some of my peers it would be a good assumption that since I am still touching your hand and asking you to abscond with me to the arcade that I am not committed to another female. I have had dates.. and a girlfriend before.. lately I have been a bit more.. open to.. you probably don’t need to hear about that before our first date..” He closed his mouth with a snap. He realized he’d used the d-word and contemplated if he did in fact mean it. When he knew he did he nodded.

I mean he had a point. Henry wished that he wasn’t her teacher or that she wasn’t taking this stupid class. Maybe it wasn’t too late to drop out of it. Henry didn’t want to seem like a quitter though because she wasn’t. Was his hand still touching hers? Yes it was. And the butterflies in her stomach were starting to feel like a hurricane. He said he was flattered and Henry was happy to hear that. It could have gone completely different. He could have been offended by the drawing or taken advantage of the fact that she had a crush on him. JJ didn’t seem like that type of person. On the contrary, he was possibly the sweetest guy Henry had come across with. “Not a priest. I know you are allowed, just - depends on the situation right? I mean, you wouldn’t want to be seen too close with someone. A student I mean.” JJ seemed to be alright with the idea of hanging out and she was more than happy to do it. “I-if you’re sure. We can go hang out. Play a few games. I could kick your a - uhm - behind on some game.”

When he said he didn’t need a costume she felt a little embarrassed from bringing it up. Of course she had been kidding but still she felt silly for even suggesting it. Then he said she was assuming he didn’t have a girlfriend. Did he? He couldn’t. Not because he wasn’t attractive because she obviously found him pleasing to her eyes. “I don’t know. Wish full thinking.” She laughed and then felt her heart sink when he said the d word. Date? “First date?” Her eyes were big as they looked at him and beaming. Her smile was wider too but she didn’t want to seem too eager.

“I don’t mind being seen too close.” He answered her comment directly. He laughed when she said behind instead of arse. “I have no doubt that you have game but I’m not slouch.” He wondered if they really had played against each other online. The probabilities wouldn’t be astronomical though they would be up there given the number of players worldwide. She was blushing a little and he thought she looked perfect. While he was generally drawn to women a lot more forward than he normally was this was a nice turn of events. She was as shy as he could be and blushed with as much ease it seemed. And her eyes were magnificent. She said it was wishful thinking on her behalf that he didn’t have a girlfriend. He liked that. When she acknowledged his mention of a first date, she smiled brilliantly. It made JJ’s stomach do a happy somersault to see that smile particularly because he was fairly certain he caused it.

“Yes.. umm first date.. that is.. if you wouldn’t be opposed.. I know that the ethical implications are still present and otherwise unresolved but I think that us being both adults and rather well aware in our faculties have expressed mutual interest and physical attraction towards one another.. not that that is the crux of the reason I am asking you out.. it isn’t. It certainly plays a part but not the defining part. I’m rambling again.. um.. what I was saying is that.. I think we can be mature enough to separate dating or romantic social engagements from our collegiate connection. Wouldn’t you agree? I’m hoping you agree otherwise I’m making a fool of myself asking.” He blinked at her and realized he wasn’t sure he actually asked her out. “Would you like to go on a date with me Henry?”

Well he was really full of surprises. For a moment she thought he was going to be really stiff and not really find her interesting. Why would he? Sure she was smart and some might think she was funny, but she her awkwardness made her come off as clumsy and idiotic. Henry remembered the first guy she actually liked and how she couldn’t even talk to him without stuttering. She was older and more confident now but it was still a work in progress. “You don’t?” She laughed as she thought about the fun they were going to have at the arcade. “Oh, are you trying to challenge me then?” Another bright smile that reached her eyes. And then he said it again. That this would be a first date. Her first date, period. What was the protocol? She really had no idea what to do from here. “Of course not. I mean, I don’t want you to be in trouble but we can be careful. Not like I expect you to kiss me or - I mean, you can if you want but its okay if you don’t.” 

She sighed again, wanting to hide her face somewhere so he could not see just how red she was getting. Henry did fantasize about it sometimes. Wondered how soft his lips were and the type of kisser he was. She had read about the different types in a magazine. That some were more passionate than others. Some were shy and some were really wet. She kissed someone once when she was 12 but it was a simple peck on the lips and it had been a dare. Now she was overthinking it. What type of kisser was she. Not the sloppy kind she hoped. She was nervous. So nervous that she almost kissed JJ asking her out officially. “Yes!” Ok she sounded way too excited then. Bring it down a notch. “I mean, yes. I would very much like to go on a date with you JJ.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“I think I am in fact challenging you.” He laughed at the thought. Even if Henry beat him, he wouldn’t mind one bit. The way her eyes shone when he mentioned them going to the arcade would be worth a little ego bruising. Not that he had much of an ego. He really got the feeling that she was even more socially isolated than he’d ever been. He didn’t think that would do at all. When the word kiss came up, he smiled and blushed. “Now you’re teasing me.” She was blushing herself and he thought it was exceedingly adorable that he’d made her blush. He would need to tell Effy about this. For once, the blushing wasn’t one sided. She shouted her affirmation to going out with him and he jumped then laughed. “I must say that could very well be the first time anyone has ever been that boisterous in their response.” He stood up and grabbed his laptop bag. With the movement he had to let go of her hand. He realized how warm she had been to the touch and hoped his hand hadn’t been making her too warm. Or too sweaty. “I think we should be off then.”

He wiped his hand on his jeans and extended her arm out to for her to take but then had a moment of doubt. “Would that be too awkward or perhaps revealing if I had you take my arm? It’s probably rather formal or old-fashioned come to think of it. But my hand is sweaty. And I’m probably very warm.. and don’t want to make you warm.. or get my sweat on your hand.” For a split second he thought of other ways to get sweaty and cleared his throat. “I have a car. I don’t know if you took the bus or you live nearby and walked.. but I can drive us there and return you to your vehicle if you have one or home after unless.. maybe we have such fun that we extend it to dinner but I can’t think that far ahead or I’ll start getting locked on and we’ll never make the arcade.”

[henryxwyatt]

He admitted to be challenging her and it made her nervous for some reason. She wasn’t going to let him win or anything but at the same time she didn’t want him to feel too bad about losing. Was he a sore loser? Henry doubted it. He commented about her reaction and quick response and she laughed, biting her lower lip in the process. “Sorry, I got too excited. Like I said, no one has asked me out on a date before.” JJ mentioned he had dated in the past and she wondered how many girls he had been with. If he had any expectations about their first date. A kiss? Made her anxious. But anything more than that scared her senseless. She had never been naked in front of another person. Ok, maybe she was thinking too far ahead. Stop it. Sometimes she wished she could put her head to rest just for a little while. Thoughts and images pouring in like water running from a faucet. 

“I like warm. Warm is nice.” She wasn’t going to comment on the sweaty part but her mind was wondering again. Henry sighed and got to her feet. He let go of her hand and it suddenly felt really cold. “I like how your mind works too. The locked on thing. It’s - interesting. I mean, it happens to me too sometimes.” They made it out into the hallway, walking side by side. There were a few students but only a few glanced in their direction. It wasn’t as if they were holding hands or anything so Henry paid no attention. “We can take your car. Or we can walk. I walked here. I live two blocks away. Or is it three blocks …. It’s at walking distance.” She cleared her throat, pulling the bag over her shoulder as it started to slip. “The arcade is a bit far though so maybe we should just take your car. I’m babbling, sorry. I just - I’m excited.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“Well we should mark this on a calendar. I know I’m going to.” He smiled as they walked. She had said she liked warm and took his arm. Her admittance to finding it interesting how his mind got locked on and that hers did on occasion was incredibly comforting to him. He wouldn’t have to explain himself then if it happened. And she wouldn’t think him too odd. She mentioned taking his car and living nearby. JJ had heard the babbling but didn’t really think of it as such. To him it was simply Henry talking animatedly. “You’re not babbling. It made perfect sense. And we can take my car.” The weather was nice and the way the afternoon sun hit her eyes was breathtaking he thought. They made it to his car. He opened the door for her and waited until she was seated to close the door.

He slipped in behind the wheel and mentioned she needed to wear her seatbelt then apologized as she’d already put it on. “Is there one arcade you fancy more than another?” He asked before turning on the car and the radio coming on. He’d forgotten to turn down the volume and jumped at the sudden music in the car. He reached for the knob and turned it off. “Sorry sorry sorry.. I.. I like music.. different kinds.. all kinds really.. but I like it loud.. when driving.. like really loud.. as you can tell.. and I’m not used to having company in the car.. I forgot how loud it was.” He blushed and met her eyes. “You’re really pretty.” He blinked. “Bobbins… That was bold.. very forward.. not that it isn’t true.. because it is.. but it should wait until after you’ve beaten me.. at the game.. or I’ve beaten you.. which is a possibility.. I’m going to stop talking now.“

[henryxwyatt]

There were a few arcades she enjoyed but a lot of them already knew who she was. Henry had a reputation for scamming other people for their money. Or at least that’s what they called it cause there was no way a girl like her could be that good. Made he mad. She followed JJ to his car and jumped in. Never been in a lad’s car before. At least not the front seat. Now that she thought about it her life was pretty boring. No real adventures other than the ones she played. Her aunts told her constantly that she would never get to enjoy life as long as she kept her head inside those games. But they were fun and she was very good at it.

“There’s one I haven’t been banned from just yet.” When he turned the car on and the music blasted she jumped in her seat. Henry didn’t recognize the song but it had a few dirty words that made her laugh. JJ apologized for the loud volume and explained that he liked to listen to his music this way. Her ears were ringing. “No worries. I like loud music. It’s the best way to hear it in my opinion.” She didn’t want him to be embarrassed about it so she pumped up the volume a little. “I don’t know this song though.” He said she was pretty and she couldn’t stop smiling. She probably looked like a fool. “So are you. I mean cute… handsome.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“You’ve actually been banned?” He looked over at her and couldn’t imagine how that was possible. Even Cook hadn’t ever been banned from an arcade. Then again he’d never spent all that much time in them when he realized that they served neither alcohol nor contained a lot of girls. He wondered what Cook would think of Henry then knew he wouldn’t be introducing them for a while. He wanted Henry to not get scared off. He smiled when she turned the volume up a bit. He couldn’t come up with the name of the song as he was mystified by her smile. It was literally ear to ear and dazzling. She called him cute then handsome. He laughed. “While I appreciate the handsome comment, I’m sure the word cute works. I’ve been told I’m cute before. When I was younger I wanted to be handsome.. dashing even. But I’ve realized that cute works.” He was driving along towards the arcade she mentioned.

He bit his lip and thought about something. “So.. um.. if this is a real date.. and it should be.. cause I’d like it to be and you did say yes.. then it shouldn’t simply be the arcade. There should be a meal. Dinner perhaps.. after the arcade. My treat of course.. because after all I am asking you out.. asked you out.. not that I’m sexist. Women are rather more than capable of supporting themselves or paying for the date.. but I like being a little old fashioned.. I like opening doors.. and firmly believe that if I ask you out then it’s my treat. I should also maybe get you flowers.. well for at least the second date.. if there is a second date.. I’m hoping so but getting ahead of myself there as we haven’t finished the first one.” He took a breath and found a parking spot a few buildings down from the actual arcade. “What kind of food do you like?”

[henryxwyatt]

He had such a way to make her smile non stop. The sweetness and the trust he inspired. Henry was not very trusting around people because they always ended up disappointing her one way or another. But JJ was different. As a matter of fact he was starting to seem too good to be true. Henry started to wonder if he had an angle or something. If this was a joke he was playing on one of his students. She tried not to think about all the negative what ifs and concentrate on what she had in front of her. “Yes I have. I’m a rebel.” Not exactly but it sounded funny in her head, “It’s embarrassing, really.” She didnt want to get too into it because she didnt want him to think she was a bad person. Someone who scammed people for money. What if he thought she was doing that to him? “Handsome is different than just cute though. I mean they are both good things but - not everyone who is cute is actually good looking. At least, I don’t think. You’re both. That okay to say, right?”

They were driving towards the arcade and JJ started to tell her that since this was a real date that there needed to be food involved. “Is that the protocol?” She laughed but immediately felt silly. “I’d like a second date but you dont have to get me any flowers. How about more donuts? Or - or something sweet. Like candy. Flowers are nice but I don’t it when they start dying.” She cleared her throat and brushed her hair from her face. “I love all kinds of food. The greasier the better. I’m actually surprised that I’m not over 21 stones by now. What about you? Do you like burgers? There is a burger joint right next to the arcade. They also sell shakes and other things.” They found a parking spot and she watched as JJ stepped out of the car. She remembered what he said about how he liked to be old fashioned and open doors so she waited for him to do so for her. 

[the-normal-musketeer]

“I’m on a date with a rebel.. I like it.” He smiled at her and thought Henry was lovely. She said he was both handsome and cute, making a very good argument at the distinction between the two. “It is ok to say that yes.” He found it intriguing that she was almost as shy as he could be. That the way she seemed to process thoughts was similarly complex or at the very least slightly overwhelming. “More donuts instead of flowers? I think I can manage that.” She talked about the flowers dying and he realized that she cared about nature. JJ thought that was another good character trait. She spoke about liking all food. He continued to smile as he listened to her voice. He swallowed as he kept noticing how much he was enjoying her company. “Burgers are fantastic. So are shakes.. so I guess we know how we are dining after the arcade.” He turned off the vehicle and stepped out. Walking over to her side of the vehicle, he reached for the door handle and opened her door. “This way mademoiselle.”

He offered his hand to help her out of the car. She probably didn’t need it but he was feeling very gallant. Even if she’d admitted to liking him, he wanted her to actually like him outside of classes. He wasn’t all that different really but he wanted her to relax and be at ease. He didn’t want her thinking of him as a professor. It was surprising him how bold he was feeling. Not bold like he did with the post lady. That was a fluke. This was different. He wanted this date with Henry. Her hand was in his again and he was grateful his hand was no longer as sweaty. It was still very warm and he found his cheeks alternating between flushed and not. “So what game will it be? Zombie assault or some other shoot out? Or do we go old school.. They have a bunch at this arcade if I remember correctly. It has been a while.. since I got my set at home I tend to do a lot more online.”

[henryxwyatt]

Henry did not consider herself the typical girly girl but sometimes she wanted to be. She wanted to experience romance and all those cheesy things she saw in the movies. She looked at JJ and wondered if she would have the chance to do that with him. If he was interested in her for more than just this date. He had mentioned a second one but she was not sure if he would want that after spending some time with her and actually getting to know her. Henry was not all that interesting in her opinion. She hoped that he wasn’t going to change his mind later. “Yeah, we should work out an appetite first.” Not like they were actually working out at all. Was that a stupid thing to say? She brushed it off. JJ had opened the door for her and she was still giggling. “How charming,” She added, trying to ignore the desire to kiss him all of the sudden. That thought made her cheeks turn red again. Good thing that he didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he just was not going to give it much attention. Henry was glad.

They walked inside the arcade and they were welcomed by the loud noises coming from the machines and the people around. Was not too crowded but it was still busy for a week day. JJ asked what she wanted to play and she allowed her eyes to scan the place. She had been here a few times before but she wasn’t all that sure of what they had available. “I think they have a few classics in the back. “We can do some space Invaders. Or if you want two player they have Street Fighter 2.” They made they way to the back and she was like a fat kid in a candy store. So many games here. Pac Man, Tron, Rampage, Double Dragon. “Holy shit they have Asteroids!” She grabbed JJ’s hand and pulled him towards the game. “I used to play this so much as a kid that my hand actually cramped once”

[henryxwyatt]

Tutor Me This @ JJ

[henryxwyatt]

Introductory Statistical Analysis. Even the name itself was giving her a headache. It was not like she chose to take this class but she had to if she ever wanted to graduate. Henry was more interested in learning how to make video games, not this. Whatever. She was smart so she would figure it out eventually. At least she was getting a one on one with the cute professor out of the deal. No, she was not blind. She had seen him walking around with his curly hair and suits that made him look older than what he was. And she could tell that it made him feel uncomfortable to wear cardigan sweaters and shit. Before heading to the University Henry stopped at the coffee shop. She was grabbing coffee for herself and Professor Jones and a box of donuts. Probably not necessary but who didn’t like donuts? It would make this tutoring session a lot sweeter.

The campus was a lot quieter at this hour and she was glad. Henry was not exactly a people person. Mainly because she didn’t know how to carry a conversation. And it was not like she made herself approachable with the way she carried herself. Not with how she dressed and her bright green hair. It was like she carried an invisible sign on her head that told everyone to stay the fuck away. She tried her best to carry the two styrofoam cups in her hands and the box of donuts on her forearm. Juggling that and her back pack over her shoulder. What was the class number again? Ugh, she was now running a little late. Why did she have to stop to get treats again? When she finally found the right place she noticed that he was already inside, sitting behind his desk. Probably grading papers or something. She walked in with a smile and placed everything on the flat surface. “Hi, Professor Jones? I’m Henry. I …. uhm … got donuts and a coffee. Black. I didn’t know if you wanted cream and sugar. Is that cool?”

JJ wasn’t surprised at receiving the tutoring request. He’d had enough inquiries at various points in his previous class. The fact that this Henry fellow was asking so early in the coursework meant he was likely trying to understand the material rather than simply pass with mediocre grades. He’d submitted his final thesis and was waiting to hear back from the advisory board. There wouldn’t be a problem as he’d been right on point with all of his own work every step of the way. He would be receiving his doctorate before the term. Pleased with himself, he made it to his office with twenty minutes to spare. He settled himself and pulled up the chapter they were to discuss and his notes. He’d been working on a set of online tutoring program. He pulled up the code and began playing with it. The clock read ten past His door was pushed opened and he looked up to see a young woman with green hair carrying coffee. He was surprised as she put the coffee and a pastry box on the desk. “I’m sorry Miss.. I have a..” He didn’t finish his thought when she introduced herself as Henry.

He blinked at her and looked at her up and down. “Henry?” He swallowed. “You’re Henry? You’re not a boy.” He knew he sounded like an idiot. She very well knew she wasn’t a boy. “I’m sorry.. how rude of me.” He stood up and extended his hand. His palm was sweating a little and he pulled his hand back and wiped it on his jeans. “They get sweaty when I’m nervous..not that I’m nervous right now.. mostly surprised.. I’m sorry.. I thought you were a bloke because of your name. But you’re not.. Never mind.. Jonah Jeremiah Jones. People call me JJ.” He extended his hand again this time a little more confident in it being dry. “I don’t normally drink coffee… I have.. but lots of cream and a lot of sugar.. I should start to drink it.. most professors.. well most people drink it.. But I rather prefer hot chocolate.. But I like donuts.”

There was confusion on his face and she knew the reason why. JJ explained it later on by telling her that she thought she was a guy. Then started to apologize. “Oh no, don’t worry. I get that all the time.” And she did. What else did she expect with a name like Henry. “Name’s actually Henrietta, but I hate it. Makes me sound like an old cat lady, yunno? I mean, I like cats but the name not so much.” She took a deep breath and shook his hand. It was sweaty but she didn’t say anything. Henry didn’t think he would ever be nervous. He was the teacher after all. And she was the one with the stupid crush on him so she had a reason to be nervous. “Nice to meet you JJ. It’s a nice name.” Ugh, she felt so dumb. And it was a bit weird to call him by his nickname when she was so used to calling all her professors by their surname.

“Sorry, I should’ve asked or … I dunno. You don’t have to drink it, it’s fine.” She removed her backpack and placed it on the chair. The classroom seemed a lot bigger without so many students crowding it. She then popped open the box of donuts and reached for one, taking a big bite. “I got an assortment because I was not sure what you liked. And sugar rush helps me concentrate.” Honestly she wasn’t completely lost when it came to this class. She understood the basics and she was sure that if she read the books and the assignments that she would ace it. Henry was very good when it came to learning things. This was more an excuse to get some quality time with hot teacher. But now that she was face to face with him she was not sure what to do and she was feeling incredibly awkward.

“I don’t think Henrietta sounds like an old cat lady at all.” He blurted it out and smiled as she said it was nice to meet him. For a moment, he had to remind himself she was a student. He’d been staring at her. He found her captivating and pretty. Her hair was very green and it suited her. “Thank you.. it’s a family name.. the formal one not the JJ. That’s more because my mates preferred to use informal means of communication.” He shook his head when she apologized. “Don’t be sorry. It’s rather sweet really.. bringing me coffee… and donuts to share. It’s rather very thoughtful. I do appreciate it… and I think I have one of those liquid creamers in my bag.. hold that thought.” He remembered one of his students getting it for him when he’d mentioned liking cream and sugar. It was one of those non-refrigerated things which likely contained more chemicals than he’d like but he didn’t want to offend Henry by not drinking the coffee. “Aha!” He pulled out the small thing triumphantly. “See.. I can drink the coffee.. well some of it..”

He squirted some of the liquid into the coffee and stirred it with his finger seeing no stirrers handy. She took a bite from one donut and got some powdered sugar on the side of her mouth. JJ couldn’t help but smile. “A sugar rush is always fun yes.. I’m sorry.. you have.” He picked up a napkin and wiped away at the powdered stuff on her face. He felt himself blush at the gesture. He pulled back his hand. “I didn’t want you wearing sugar all day.. and once we get into the maths I’m liable to forget to tell you about it.. I get locked on to things.” He blushed deeper as he realized he was talking about his personal life with a student. “Would you like to pull up a chair? We can have a moment of coffee and sugar before we begin.”

Henry was not sure why she was nervous but she was. She didn’t have the best people skills. However, Professor Jones or JJ, was making her feel a bit less awkward. At least he didn’t act like most of the professors around the university. All stuck up and treating her like she was some stupid kid. Not him though. He treated her like she was his equal. He continued to apologize to her but Henry found the whole thing endearing. How he went off on a rant. How nervous he seemed. It was comforting. Henry worried that he would end up being some jerk or act all smooth and confident and make her even more anxious. JJ was friendly and very down to earth. She gave him a smile as he spoke and went around to look for some creamer. Henry was used to just drinking her coffee black. She liked the bitter taste. That was how coffee was meant to be drunk. None of that vanilla or caramel hazelnut bullshit.

“My parents were expecting a. boy. Imagine their surprise.” She took another bite of the donut, getting jelly on her fingers. JJ moved closer with a napkin in hand and wiped the corner of her mouth. “Thanks.” How embarrassing. She felt her cheeks getting pink. Henry took a seat, finishing the treat with one last bite. She wanted another one but she decided to wait a few. “I noticed.” She smiled again, bringing her cup of coffee to her lips. “I mean, it’s not a bad thing. I’m the opposite. Scatter brained. Can’t focus for the life of me. Except when I’m playing games. Do you like video games JJ?” She was talking as. she pulled her chair to take a seat and make herself more comfortable.

“Well.. I think they got the fairer of the two.” She thanked him for wiping at the sugar and he shrugged. He took a seat. Taking a napkin, he chose one of the donuts and took a bite. He wiped at his own mouth and at his beard. The last thing he needed was to wear sugar himself. “You’re scatter brained? How so? Is it many thoughts at once? Or rather jumping from thought to thought? The brain is a fascinating topic. It’s taken me a lifetime to suss out what I can do to make mine work the way I want it to and then again it doesn’t sometimes and I ramble.. much like now. Yes I like video games.” He took another bite of his donut and a sip of his coffee. He kept his eyes on Henry and he was pretty sure the coffee tasted better because she’d brought it. He shook such nonsense out of his thoughts. Reminding himself she was a student. Probably not one who was even close to graduating.

“My mate and I tend to play Call of Duty. I haven’t much of a problem playing others, Win my fair share of the time. But when I play Effy, well.. she had unnatural abilities to win.. at everything. It’s uncanny. Anyway.. I’ve been getting better at strategically besting her. There are other games I play. Both online and at home.” He took another sip of his coffee and wanted to ask her questions. “What is your concentration? For coursework? Do you have siblings? Or are you like the only girl in a house full of boys? I can’t imagine what teasing that would entail. I’m an only child. My parents moved to Italy a little while ago now. I live with my mate from college Cook. I’ve known him forever it seems. I took over my parents’ place.. and I’m talking about myself again. Umm.. I do apologize. Usually I’m much more professional than this. You did come for tutoring and while I do think a bit of candor is essential in connecting with my students, telling you about my living situation is probably out of line.” He blushed once more and could almost hear Effy telling him to grab hold of his package and man up.

“All of the above.” She chuckled, trying to sound less silly. She often times felt that way when meeting someone new. Like how do you even start a conversation and keep it interesting? Most people found her to be either annoying or obnoxious. Her passion for games was not usually shared by other people. And the fact that she couldn’t stick to one topic at a time. “I guess I have too many thoughts in my head, yunno? Like they all come to me all at once and I can’t seem to focus on one.” She took another drink of her coffee and reached for another donut. Henry didn’t believe in dieting and she really didn’t care much for what she was putting in her body. She hated that. Girls who starved themselves just because they wanted to be skin and bone. Not her. She took a bite and smiled at him when he spoke about his gaming experience and how he played with a mate. “No shit!” She stopped when she realized she was talking to a faculty member. “Oops, sorry. I mean, great! I play Call of Duty all the time. I like it. I’m more into old school games though so I visit the arcade a lot. We should go there one day. Oh I’m not asking you out or anything. Just thought it would be fun.”

She swallowed and almost choked on the powdered sugar. “I don’t have friends. Just people I know online.” Henry took another drink, and sighed. For a moment she had forgotten the reason why she was here in the first place. She just wanted to blow the whole thing of and just have a nice chat, but that wasn’t going to happen. There was no way JJ would want to actually be friends with a student. Was there something in the rules about that? “No, I like it. I mean, hearing about your life and stuff. It’s nice. I don’t get to talk to a lot of people. I live with my aunt. But before that I didn’t have a place.” Was she rambling again? “Sorry, you probably don’t care about that stuff. Do - do you want to start the tutoring thing? I - uhm - brought my notes.”

He laughed lightly with her when she said her thought process was all of the above. He understood the concept of too many thoughts and being unable to focus. He smiled as she reached for another donut. He liked that she enjoyed donuts. He laughed loudly when she cursed and then back pedaled. “I wouldn’t want you saying that in class but we can be a bit flexible here.” He took another sip of the coffee. Either he was warming up to it or he was happy with the company. He blushed when she invited him to the arcade. Surprised at her admission that she didn’t have friends, he frowned. “Don’t you talk to the people you play with online? Wouldn’t you consider them friends to some extent? And yes I’d love to go to the arcade with you.. and no not a date. Obviously not given I’m your professor and I’m not supposed to date students.. not if I want to keep my job which I do.. not because I wouldn’t mind it if it were a date.” He mumbled the last bit as he bit into his donut. He’d realized what he’d said and hoped she wasn’t paying attention or taking offense.

JJ couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t talk to more people. Henry was cute and charming. “You live with your aunt? That’s nice. Family is good. Somedays I miss my mum and dad being around.” She mentioned not having a place before and he was about to ask when she mentioned the tutoring. He made a face. “Right.. the tutoring.. umm.. we can start.. umm.. sorry.. I got a bit sidetracked.. I do by the way.. care about that stuff.. or rather I’m enoying this.. it’s nice. I do recall seeing you in the back you know.. it’s the hair.. stands out.. not in a bad way.. striking.. in a good way..” He smiled and took one more sip of the coffee. “You’ll have to tell me where you bought the coffee.. it’s probably the first cup I’ve truly liked… wait.. you play Call of Duty online all the time? Maybe we’ve played each other.”

“Right. We wouldn’t want to give other students the wrong idea. You know how kids like to talk.” She laughed it off, taking another bite. The sugar was getting to her head. JJ continued to talk and she shrugged when he asked if she considered the people she played against to be her friends. Henry never considered that before. It wasn’t like they had any real connection or anything. Just the time the game lasted. “No. I just play them and then they get pissed when they loose. Cause they usually do.” And that had gotten her plenty of enemies. It was hard for her to find someone who wanted to play with her anymore. Particularly at the arcade. Let’s just say she had a nasty reputation. When he said he wouldn’t mind going on a date with her she smiled and felt her cheeks get flustered. “I … I guess I wouldn’t mind it either. But, it wouldn’t be appropriate, right? It’s frowned upon as far as teacher and student relationship go?” Was she overthinking it? Maybe he just said that to be polite.

She needed to get her head in the game. She was here to learn more about the subject he was teaching, not to fail at flirting. Henry was the worst when it came to it. Never knowing what to say or how to say it. So she never tried it out of fear of sounding stupid. She envied the girls who could flirt so damn effortlessly. JJ started to stutter and she couldn’t stop smiling at how cute it was. “This is more fun. I know I’m supposed to learn all of this but I don’t usually get to talk to people … you’re nice.” More coffee and more sugar rush. “Maybe we have! Wouldn’t that me something?” She kept her eyes on him, nervously holding the cup in between her hands.

Henry was confident about her gaming skills and he found it really cute. Shaking his head, he let out a breath. “Even if you beat someone, it’s a game. There’s no reason to get pissed off.. sure you say things.. trash talk during but it’s part of the fun.. there shouldn’t be any real discord over it. Gaming is supposed to be fun.” He blushed deeply when she said she would like to go on a date. His hopes that she’d missed that part were dashed. “There are rules.. which I tend to abide by.. about certain types of fraternization between faculty and students. I know it happens.. a lot. Unfortunately some of my colleagues are less abiding.. but yes.. it would be inappropriate… doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.. as long as we understand that in class I’m much stricter..” He smiled at her. “It is rather fun simply hanging out and talking. And it’s a shame you don’t talk to more people.. you’re nice too.. perhaps you’re simply selective in your associations. It’s not a bad trait to possess. You’re discerning.” JJ gave her a wide smile.

He chuckled when she intimated that perhaps they had played each other online. The was a pink hue to her cheeks that didn’t go entirely unnoticed by him. He was happy that it wasn’t only him blushing. This was definitely not what he had expected the afternoon to be like. He’d expected a bloke with likely questionable habits. Instead, he’d gotten himself donuts, a coffee and conversation with a pretty girl. He chastised himself for thinking like that. His brain was having a minor argument about natural urges and the idea that it was okay to think about but not okay to act on it. As he thought about this, he took one last sip and set his cup aside. “We should probably at least look the coursework over.. Perhaps if we get it out of the way, we can carry on the conversation after. I wouldn’t mind sticking around and chatting a bit. If that’s alright with you.. friendly that is.. not datelike at all.” He met her eyes and he was pretty sure he was in trouble.

“That’s what I keep saying? But some people get really sensitive. Specially when they find out they got their asses kicked by a girl.” She nodded when he mentioned the rules he had to live by if he wanted to keep his job. It was understandable. JJ seemed to be a very good teacher. She did pay attention to his lessons as much as he could but then got distracted with doodling and day dreaming. His words would disappear and she would only see him, moving about the classroom. She had a few drawings of Professor Jones that were not kid friendly. Henry didn’t know what to do with the obvious crush she had for the guy but she knew she would want to die if those drawings ever saw the light of day. She wasn’t surprised that other teachers disobeyed the rules though. She had a few encounters of her own. “I know what you mean. I walked in on …” She was about to say the name but she opted not to. “One of the professors being overly friendly with a student a few days ago. It was very awkward.”

They exchanged smiles before he suggested that they paid attention to the coursework. Henry nodded and sighed. “Alright, where should we start?” Henry placed her cup on the desk and reached for her backpack. She pulled out a book and some pieces of paper with her notes. She noticed a bit late that one of the drawings was stuck in between them and she quickly snatched it, putting it back inside her bag. “Sorry. Uhm - yes I would like that very much. Maybe we could go to the arcade later today if you are up for it. Not date like at all. A-anyway I’m having some trouble with hypothesis testing and interpreting the p-value. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.”

“Doesn’t speak much to their character does it? Gender should have no bearing on your skills.” Henry commented on an overtly friendly encounter she was inadvertently exposed to. He merely shook his head. The amount of shenanigans on the campus was surprising he thought. Then again, his university experience wasn’t exactly true to form. He’d spent too much time in front of a computer. Perhaps there were similar activities at every university. She grabbed her book as he wiped his hands. A drawing popped out of her book and he took it in his hand. “Oh you like to draw..” It was pulled away rapidly and he didn’t finish his thought on the artwork. She agreed that she would like to chat after. It made him smile. “Right.. the hypothesis testing and interpreting the p-value.. it has created confusion before. You’re not the first.” He wanted to reassure her that there were a number of other students who stumbled on the very same topic.

“The hypothesis tests are what you use to validate what you’re… I’m sorry.. was that.. I..” His brain was recalling the drawing and he would almost put money that he was depicted in it. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.. never mind.. where was I? The hypothesis testing.. the p-value helps you figure out how important your results are. The p-value can in fact reject your null hypothesis.. but I’m getting ahead of myself. The null hypothesis is the hypothesis you’re actually testing. If you get a p-value that is between 0 and 1 then you can..” He blinked and met her eyes. “Was that a drawing of me? I probably shouldn’t really pry but I’m curious and there was a similarity and I am the curious kind of person so I’m asking. And if it was me.. what exactly was I doing?”

It really didn’t and Henry had lost all respect for that teacher and the student from being such a slag. “Bet she’s getting all A’s on that course.” She better be if she was putting out like that. It was kind of disgusting in her eyes but some people didn’t care much about that sort of thing. Henry wasn’t exactly a prude, but she was not one to sleep around. Fuck, she couldn’t even flirt right. Her throat tightened when JJ asked if she liked to draw. For a second there she thought he had missed it and now she just wanted a. hole to open up and swallow her. “Uhm, yes. I mean, I’m not that good but I like to doodle sometimes. When I’m bored. Not that your class is boring. I do doodle during but just because I get distracted.” Ugh, she was so dumb sometimes. “Maybe I should listen more instead, yes? I wouldn’t be needing tutoring.” Not that she was complaining because she was having a nice time.

JJ started to explain to her about hypothesis but all she could focus on was his lips moving. They had the cutest shape. Henry nodded in agreement hen he continued to talk. He was good at explaining this and make it a lot easier to understand. “That makes sense.” She was about to ask something else when he interrupted and asked more about the drawing. Now she really wanted to die. “I -” Her eyes went wide and she blinked a few times. “It’s nothing.” It was just a drawing of him giving a lecture naked. How she pictured him naked anyway.

He had chuckled when she mentioned the girl getting A’s. He listened as she said she doodled. He could see the look in her eyes as he asked about the drawing. He tilted his head. She said it was nothing but from what he’d learned about behavior it wasn’t nothing the way she reacted. He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s nothing.. you were rather adamant about putting it away and you’re exhibiting a bit of nerves. If I were to extrapolate a supposition from the apparent evidence I would say that the picture I witnessed briefly is in fact of me.. without much or any clothing.” He cleared his throat. He scrunched his face as he thought. “Henry.. I’m going to ask.. and I’d like a truthful answer. No judgement. You’re not in trouble. But I am rather curious and sometimes when I’m curious it can detract from my focus.”

JJ was surprised that she’d drawn him during class. And naked no less. At first he thought it might be a bit of ridicule, making fun of the teacher and all but there was something that didn’t quite fit into the equation as she was here getting tutoring from him. She’d even brought him coffee and donuts. He didn’t think it was a way of making fun of him. “Point of fact.. doodling during class is not a bad thing. It means that you’re activating a different portion of your brain that is lacking stimulation. Many genius and prodigies were found to doodle. Why did you doodle me? Wait no that sounds wrong.. Why did you draw me? You did draw me I believe. It’s a rather good likeness from what I saw.. well with the exception of the .. anyway.. naked?” His cheeks were bright red now.

He noticed. Holy mother of pearl. Why did this have to happen? Granted she should have been more careful. She should’ve kept all of her doodles inside a safe box. And now he had seen one of them. Was not the worst one but it was still embarrassing. Henry just wanted to leave. Take off running. She wouldn’t cry cause that was not her style but maybe release her frustration at the arcade. She hoped he would drop the subject but instead he started to talk about it and ended up asking why she had made a drawing of him without any clothes on. Should she lie? Tell him she was taking an art class and she had to practice drawing naked people. No that’s was silly and JJ wasn’t an idiot. He probably already knew the reason but just wanted her to come off and say it.

Henry sighed and tried to gather her thoughts. They were all jumbled. “Well … you were never supposed to see that.” She smiled a little but she was still so ashamed of it. “I thought… I mean I still think you are cute.” There it was. Her cheeks glowing red. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t do that. You’re my teacher. Did I offend you?”

JJ could see Henry try to think of a good reason for her drawing. The more she thought, the more he looked at her. Past the hair. He thought the green actually going really well with her eyes. Her eyes which were an ocean blue. He could swear there were hints of aqua in the shade. She said he wasn’t supposed to see it and that she thought he was cute. His smile lit up without restraint. “You think I’m cute?” His smile faltered when she mentioned he was her teacher and asked if she offended him. Before he realized it, his hand took hers and he shook his head. “I’m not offended.. not in the least… I would prefer that I be drawn not naked.. or really not drawn at all..but not cause it’s offensive or because it lacks talent.. cause clearly it doesn’t lack talent. I just don’t think I’m.. confident enough to be drawn.. especially naked.. And I am your teacher.. and you are my student…” He swallowed as he found himself still holding her hand.

“Thank you for thinking I’m cute. I wish you weren’t my student. Oh bobbins that doesn’t sound right.. What I mean.. is … umm if you weren’t my student, and I met you outside of class.. I think I’d rather fancy figuring out a way to ask you on a non-friend date..” He knew he was blushing and not being smooth at all. He could almost hear Cook and Effy laughing and shaking heads at his approach. He did fancy Henry. She was vibrant. He remembered seeing her briefly during a class exodus but he was mobbed by students asking questions about the syllabus and distracted. “But as it stands, it’s highly inappropriate.. not to mention possibly unethical.. for me to date a student.. albeit you are an adult at least and capable of deciding whom you should see socially.. but still..” He was frowning trying to think of the rules and if there was a way around it.

He was staring at her. Oh God, why was he staring at her? Maybe he had seen more of the drawing than she thought and now he was thinking she was some type of pervert. Henry felt her throat grow tighter and her hands starting to sweat. Should she go? Was she making him feel uncomfortable? Honestly socializing shouldn’t be this hard. When he broke the silence and asked if she thought he was cute she smiled. Then his hand was taking a hold of her sweaty one and she almost fainted. When he spoke she got calmer. What was that about this guy? He had such a calming and gentle nature. It was something she had never experienced with another person before. He said he would rather not be drawn at all and she nodded. “Of course. Not naked or … at all. You saw the nakedness huh? I mean, of course you did.” Her mouth was dry now. “An invasion of your private parts .. I mean, your privacy.” Henry was certain she was red all over.

Thank you for thinking I’m cute. I wish you weren’t my student. That comment made her day. It was not like he meant anything by it but it made her smile regardless. But then he went on to say that if he had met her outside of class he would have asked her on an actual date. “I’ve never been asked on a date before.” The smile was still there. Wasn’t there for long though. JJ brought back the fact that he was in fact her teacher and that seeing her outside the university would be highly inappropriate. People talked. Even if they were seen hanging out as friends it would look bad for the both of them. And JJ would get the worst of it. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. I … I really like you.” She felt her face getting hot again. “Can I confess something?” She waited for him to give her the okay and then giggled. “I don’t need tutoring. I’m a pretty good student.”

JJ was surprised that Henry had never been asked out before. She was certainly cute and adorable. He couldn’t see why no one had approached her. Maybe she moved around a lot or had overprotective parents. It could be a thousand things but he was dumbfounded. Even as inappropriate as this was, he didn’t want to let go of her hand. His thumb casually caressed the back of it. “You have soft hands.” He blurted out and then blinked. “I don’t want to get in trouble. It’s never been something I aspired to even if my mates prided themselves on raising holy terror wherever they went.” She mentioned that she really liked him and he smiled. Then she asked if she could confess. He merely nodded at her to continue. When she said she didn’t need tutoring, he was puzzled.

“If you’re a pretty good student and don’t need tutoring, why… oh.. Oh!” It would have been amusing for anyone watching. The look on his face went from confusion to enlightenment to sheer delight and embarrassment. “You really like me… like like me..” He continued touching her hand and looked at the notes. He pushed them aside. “If you don’t need tutoring, we shouldn’t waste our time.” He realized that sounded harsh. “I mean.. here.. we shouldn’t waste our time here.. we should go.. umm.. arcade.. No harm in hanging out…” He smiled. “We can have some fun.. I’ve nothing planned and would rather enjoy your company.. if you don’t mind.. I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you.. I mean I’m not forcing you.. you can say no.. Do you want to say no?” He held his breath and hoped she didn’t want to say no. He wanted to spend time with her and get to know her better.

His hand was still touching her own, fingers gently brushing hers. It was so relaxing that Henry felt like she could doze off into a nice heavy slumber. She couldn’t keep her cheeks from turning scarlet red and she silently wished she could pull some confidence from somewhere. He was being really cool about everything though. The drawing would have freaked someone out. He looked that she had never been asked on a date and she smiled. Henry didn’t give that dating vibe. He said she had soft hands and how he didn’t want to her in any trouble. Henry didn’t want for him either. No point losing his job for the likes of her.

Then he asked why she had asked to. E tutored if she didn’t need it. Henry paused and waited the few seconds it took for him to get it. Could he be more adorable at this point? She blushed again. “Yes. I like you. Is that wrong? It is isn’t it?” She but her lip when he said they shouldn’t waste time here and that they could go to the arcade. Her brow raised. “Are you sure? I mean I’d live to but-maybe you could wear a disguise.” Of course she was joking but he pictured him wearing a heavy raincoat and a hat with glasses. “I do like you though. You’re … cute. How come you don’t have a girlfriend?”

He smiled. “No.. It’s not wrong.. I don’t think it’s wrong.. I mean I am in a position of authority which is primarily the reasoning behind the general code of conduct..” He paused. “I’m very flattered…” Henry looked to be having doubts about going to the arcade but it wasn’t because she didn’t want to. Her regard for his welfare was touching. “I’m not a priest you know.. I am allowed to interact with students and other adults.” He smiled wide. His fingers still tracing the back of her hand and he knew he was being far too forward for a friendly kind of situation. His mind was calculating what the odds would be if indeed he asked her out in a more social capacity, possibly a romantic one. He knew of many professors who ended up dating students and sometimes marrying them. He blinked at that thought and how farfetched it seemed in light of their recent introductions but at the same time if it applied to others before him then why not him? For a brief moment, he pictured Effy, arms crossed in front of her, rolling her eyes and giving him the look that meant he was overthinking. She’d be right.

“I don’t need a costume to go out with you.” He took a moment not retracting how he phrased it and then addressed her other question while his cheeks tended to her comment about him being cute. “I would say that it is a rather large assumption that I do not have one. However given that I do prescribe to slightly higher moral code than some of my peers it would be a good assumption that since I am still touching your hand and asking you to abscond with me to the arcade that I am not committed to another female. I have had dates.. and a girlfriend before.. lately I have been a bit more.. open to.. you probably don’t need to hear about that before our first date..” He closed his mouth with a snap. He realized he’d used the d-word and contemplated if he did in fact mean it. When he knew he did he nodded.

I mean he had a point. Henry wished that he wasn’t her teacher or that she wasn’t taking this stupid class. Maybe it wasn’t too late to drop out of it. Henry didn’t want to seem like a quitter though because she wasn’t. Was his hand still touching hers? Yes it was. And the butterflies in her stomach were starting to feel like a hurricane. He said he was flattered and Henry was happy to hear that. It could have gone completely different. He could have been offended by the drawing or taken advantage of the fact that she had a crush on him. JJ didn’t seem like that type of person. On the contrary, he was possibly the sweetest guy Henry had come across with. “Not a priest. I know you are allowed, just - depends on the situation right? I mean, you wouldn’t want to be seen too close with someone. A student I mean.” JJ seemed to be alright with the idea of hanging out and she was more than happy to do it. “I-if you’re sure. We can go hang out. Play a few games. I could kick your a - uhm - behind on some game.”

When he said he didn’t need a costume she felt a little embarrassed from bringing it up. Of course she had been kidding but still she felt silly for even suggesting it. Then he said she was assuming he didn’t have a girlfriend. Did he? He couldn’t. Not because he wasn’t attractive because she obviously found him pleasing to her eyes. “I don’t know. Wish full thinking.” She laughed and then felt her heart sink when he said the d word. Date? “First date?” Her eyes were big as they looked at him and beaming. Her smile was wider too but she didn’t want to seem too eager.

“I don’t mind being seen too close.” He answered her comment directly. He laughed when she said behind instead of arse. “I have no doubt that you have game but I’m not slouch.” He wondered if they really had played against each other online. The probabilities wouldn’t be astronomical though they would be up there given the number of players worldwide. She was blushing a little and he thought she looked perfect. While he was generally drawn to women a lot more forward than he normally was this was a nice turn of events. She was as shy as he could be and blushed with as much ease it seemed. And her eyes were magnificent. She said it was wishful thinking on her behalf that he didn’t have a girlfriend. He liked that. When she acknowledged his mention of a first date, she smiled brilliantly. It made JJ’s stomach do a happy somersault to see that smile particularly because he was fairly certain he caused it.

“Yes.. umm first date.. that is.. if you wouldn’t be opposed.. I know that the ethical implications are still present and otherwise unresolved but I think that us being both adults and rather well aware in our faculties have expressed mutual interest and physical attraction towards one another.. not that that is the crux of the reason I am asking you out.. it isn’t. It certainly plays a part but not the defining part. I’m rambling again.. um.. what I was saying is that.. I think we can be mature enough to separate dating or romantic social engagements from our collegiate connection. Wouldn’t you agree? I’m hoping you agree otherwise I’m making a fool of myself asking.” He blinked at her and realized he wasn’t sure he actually asked her out. “Would you like to go on a date with me Henry?”

Well he was really full of surprises. For a moment she thought he was going to be really stiff and not really find her interesting. Why would he? Sure she was smart and some might think she was funny, but she her awkwardness made her come off as clumsy and idiotic. Henry remembered the first guy she actually liked and how she couldn’t even talk to him without stuttering. She was older and more confident now but it was still a work in progress. “You don’t?” She laughed as she thought about the fun they were going to have at the arcade. “Oh, are you trying to challenge me then?” Another bright smile that reached her eyes. And then he said it again. That this would be a first date. Her first date, period. What was the protocol? She really had no idea what to do from here. “Of course not. I mean, I don’t want you to be in trouble but we can be careful. Not like I expect you to kiss me or - I mean, you can if you want but its okay if you don’t.” 

She sighed again, wanting to hide her face somewhere so he could not see just how red she was getting. Henry did fantasize about it sometimes. Wondered how soft his lips were and the type of kisser he was. She had read about the different types in a magazine. That some were more passionate than others. Some were shy and some were really wet. She kissed someone once when she was 12 but it was a simple peck on the lips and it had been a dare. Now she was overthinking it. What type of kisser was she. Not the sloppy kind she hoped. She was nervous. So nervous that she almost kissed JJ asking her out officially. “Yes!” Ok she sounded way too excited then. Bring it down a notch. “I mean, yes. I would very much like to go on a date with you JJ.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“I think I am in fact challenging you.” He laughed at the thought. Even if Henry beat him, he wouldn’t mind one bit. The way her eyes shone when he mentioned them going to the arcade would be worth a little ego bruising. Not that he had much of an ego. He really got the feeling that she was even more socially isolated than he’d ever been. He didn’t think that would do at all. When the word kiss came up, he smiled and blushed. “Now you’re teasing me.” She was blushing herself and he thought it was exceedingly adorable that he’d made her blush. He would need to tell Effy about this. For once, the blushing wasn’t one sided. She shouted her affirmation to going out with him and he jumped then laughed. “I must say that could very well be the first time anyone has ever been that boisterous in their response.” He stood up and grabbed his laptop bag. With the movement he had to let go of her hand. He realized how warm she had been to the touch and hoped his hand hadn’t been making her too warm. Or too sweaty. “I think we should be off then.”

He wiped his hand on his jeans and extended her arm out to for her to take but then had a moment of doubt. “Would that be too awkward or perhaps revealing if I had you take my arm? It’s probably rather formal or old-fashioned come to think of it. But my hand is sweaty. And I’m probably very warm.. and don’t want to make you warm.. or get my sweat on your hand.” For a split second he thought of other ways to get sweaty and cleared his throat. “I have a car. I don’t know if you took the bus or you live nearby and walked.. but I can drive us there and return you to your vehicle if you have one or home after unless.. maybe we have such fun that we extend it to dinner but I can’t think that far ahead or I’ll start getting locked on and we’ll never make the arcade.”

[henryxwyatt]

He admitted to be challenging her and it made her nervous for some reason. She wasn’t going to let him win or anything but at the same time she didn’t want him to feel too bad about losing. Was he a sore loser? Henry doubted it. He commented about her reaction and quick response and she laughed, biting her lower lip in the process. “Sorry, I got too excited. Like I said, no one has asked me out on a date before.” JJ mentioned he had dated in the past and she wondered how many girls he had been with. If he had any expectations about their first date. A kiss? Made her anxious. But anything more than that scared her senseless. She had never been naked in front of another person. Ok, maybe she was thinking too far ahead. Stop it. Sometimes she wished she could put her head to rest just for a little while. Thoughts and images pouring in like water running from a faucet. 

“I like warm. Warm is nice.” She wasn’t going to comment on the sweaty part but her mind was wondering again. Henry sighed and got to her feet. He let go of her hand and it suddenly felt really cold. “I like how your mind works too. The locked on thing. It’s - interesting. I mean, it happens to me too sometimes.” They made it out into the hallway, walking side by side. There were a few students but only a few glanced in their direction. It wasn’t as if they were holding hands or anything so Henry paid no attention. “We can take your car. Or we can walk. I walked here. I live two blocks away. Or is it three blocks …. It’s at walking distance.” She cleared her throat, pulling the bag over her shoulder as it started to slip. “The arcade is a bit far though so maybe we should just take your car. I’m babbling, sorry. I just - I’m excited.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“Well we should mark this on a calendar. I know I’m going to.” He smiled as they walked. She had said she liked warm and took his arm. Her admittance to finding it interesting how his mind got locked on and that hers did on occasion was incredibly comforting to him. He wouldn’t have to explain himself then if it happened. And she wouldn’t think him too odd. She mentioned taking his car and living nearby. JJ had heard the babbling but didn’t really think of it as such. To him it was simply Henry talking animatedly. “You’re not babbling. It made perfect sense. And we can take my car.” The weather was nice and the way the afternoon sun hit her eyes was breathtaking he thought. They made it to his car. He opened the door for her and waited until she was seated to close the door.

He slipped in behind the wheel and mentioned she needed to wear her seatbelt then apologized as she’d already put it on. “Is there one arcade you fancy more than another?” He asked before turning on the car and the radio coming on. He’d forgotten to turn down the volume and jumped at the sudden music in the car. He reached for the knob and turned it off. “Sorry sorry sorry.. I.. I like music.. different kinds.. all kinds really.. but I like it loud.. when driving.. like really loud.. as you can tell.. and I’m not used to having company in the car.. I forgot how loud it was.” He blushed and met her eyes. “You’re really pretty.” He blinked. “Bobbins… That was bold.. very forward.. not that it isn’t true.. because it is.. but it should wait until after you’ve beaten me.. at the game.. or I’ve beaten you.. which is a possibility.. I’m going to stop talking now.“

[henryxwyatt]

There were a few arcades she enjoyed but a lot of them already knew who she was. Henry had a reputation for scamming other people for their money. Or at least that’s what they called it cause there was no way a girl like her could be that good. Made he mad. She followed JJ to his car and jumped in. Never been in a lad’s car before. At least not the front seat. Now that she thought about it her life was pretty boring. No real adventures other than the ones she played. Her aunts told her constantly that she would never get to enjoy life as long as she kept her head inside those games. But they were fun and she was very good at it.

“There’s one I haven’t been banned from just yet.” When he turned the car on and the music blasted she jumped in her seat. Henry didn’t recognize the song but it had a few dirty words that made her laugh. JJ apologized for the loud volume and explained that he liked to listen to his music this way. Her ears were ringing. “No worries. I like loud music. It’s the best way to hear it in my opinion.” She didn’t want him to be embarrassed about it so she pumped up the volume a little. “I don’t know this song though.” He said she was pretty and she couldn’t stop smiling. She probably looked like a fool. “So are you. I mean cute… handsome.”

[the-normal-musketeer]

“You’ve actually been banned?” He looked over at her and couldn’t imagine how that was possible. Even Cook hadn’t ever been banned from an arcade. Then again he’d never spent all that much time in them when he realized that they served neither alcohol nor contained a lot of girls. He wondered what Cook would think of Henry then knew he wouldn’t be introducing them for a while. He wanted Henry to not get scared off. He smiled when she turned the volume up a bit. He couldn’t come up with the name of the song as he was mystified by her smile. It was literally ear to ear and dazzling. She called him cute then handsome. He laughed. “While I appreciate the handsome comment, I’m sure the word cute works. I’ve been told I’m cute before. When I was younger I wanted to be handsome.. dashing even. But I’ve realized that cute works.” He was driving along towards the arcade she mentioned.

He bit his lip and thought about something. “So.. um.. if this is a real date.. and it should be.. cause I’d like it to be and you did say yes.. then it shouldn’t simply be the arcade. There should be a meal. Dinner perhaps.. after the arcade. My treat of course.. because after all I am asking you out.. asked you out.. not that I’m sexist. Women are rather more than capable of supporting themselves or paying for the date.. but I like being a little old fashioned.. I like opening doors.. and firmly believe that if I ask you out then it’s my treat. I should also maybe get you flowers.. well for at least the second date.. if there is a second date.. I’m hoping so but getting ahead of myself there as we haven’t finished the first one.” He took a breath and found a parking spot a few buildings down from the actual arcade. “What kind of food do you like?”

[henryxwyatt]

He had such a way to make her smile non stop. The sweetness and the trust he inspired. Henry was not very trusting around people because they always ended up disappointing her one way or another. But JJ was different. As a matter of fact he was starting to seem too good to be true. Henry started to wonder if he had an angle or something. If this was a joke he was playing on one of his students. She tried not to think about all the negative what ifs and concentrate on what she had in front of her. “Yes I have. I’m a rebel.” Not exactly but it sounded funny in her head, “It’s embarrassing, really.” She didnt want to get too into it because she didnt want him to think she was a bad person. Someone who scammed people for money. What if he thought she was doing that to him? “Handsome is different than just cute though. I mean they are both good things but - not everyone who is cute is actually good looking. At least, I don’t think. You’re both. That okay to say, right?”

They were driving towards the arcade and JJ started to tell her that since this was a real date that there needed to be food involved. “Is that the protocol?” She laughed but immediately felt silly. “I’d like a second date but you dont have to get me any flowers. How about more donuts? Or - or something sweet. Like candy. Flowers are nice but I don’t it when they start dying.” She cleared her throat and brushed her hair from her face. “I love all kinds of food. The greasier the better. I’m actually surprised that I’m not over 21 stones by now. What about you? Do you like burgers? There is a burger joint right next to the arcade. They also sell shakes and other things.” They found a parking spot and she watched as JJ stepped out of the car. She remembered what he said about how he liked to be old fashioned and open doors so she waited for him to do so for her. 

[arutai]

[henryxwyatt]

Text @ Prof. Jones

Henry: professor jones? is this the right number?

JJ: Yes. This is the correct number. Who is this and how may I assist you?

Henry: oh cool! ok. i'm henry. im taking your introductory statistical analysis class and im a bit lost. someone mentioned that u give tutoring?

JJ: Hello Henry. Yes, I do offer tutoring. However if you're attending my class, I offer one free session to see if it's only a matter of miscommunication.

Henry: i am. i sit on the far back so maybe that has something to do with it. thats great. when are you free?

JJ: It's a pretty big class. My apologies if I don't place you in my mind. I'll be on campus this afternoon. Can you stop by my office say about 3?

Henry: oh no its okay. its not like a stand out or anything. 3 works for me. do i need to bring anything with me?

JJ: Your notes and questions. I have a copy of the text at the office so we can use that. So I will see you at 3 then.

Henry: see you at 3 o'clock sharp!

[henryxwyatt]

Intro/Personal

Henry was a serious retro gamer. The graphics on her Atari may not look like much anymore, but those old games were compelling. And they didn't over-invest in the backstory: here's a princess, rescue her. Aliens are attacking, blow them up. Simple, and it put the emphasis squarely on speed and skills. If she wanted an epic, he'd watch the LotR trilogy. Did not mean she didn’t pop in a new video game here and there but the classics were her favorite.  She had managed to figure out a way to make money by playing online. Got a few suckers to bet some serious cash against her and ended up kicking their asses left and right. Her online? Tempest. Like a violent and windy storm. She also spent some quality time at the local arcade, hustling people for their cash. It was getting harder though. When she first started her rounds here she pretended to be terrible at it. Let them win one round and fool them into betting everything they had, even their underwear. Now most people knew she was good and thought twice before getting into betting war with her. And yet, there were other hardcore gamers who view her as a challenge and paid real cash to prove themselves. See if they could beat the mighty Tempest. They never did, but not for lack of trying. Henry just ripped off the benefits of their stubbornness and injured egos.

To her video games were a challenge. And she always took on a challenge. But lately she wasn't even breaking a sweat. “You’re fucking cheating!” She acted offended, then simply blew a pink bubble from the chewing gum and then popped it. “Don’t be a sore loser. You lost, now pay up.” Her thick German accent usually made it hard for people to understand what she was saying and she didn’t make it easier when she spoke too fast. The guy in front of her was frustrated, breathing heavily. Even the vein on his forehead looked like it was about ready to pop. Finally after huffing and puffing for a few moments he reached for his wallet and slapped a couple of bills over the arcade game. “Here you go … bitch.” She gave him a smile back as her hand took the cash and started to count it. “Hey! You’re short asshole. Learn how to count!” He was long gone and she was frustrated and angry at herself for not counting the money sooner. Henry sighed, burying the cash inside her pocket and lifting her backpack off the floor. Enough hustling for today. She had to get back to work anyway. And it wasn’t like she really cared much about her job because really … who wanted to wear this stupid pink shirt and serve coffee and greasy burgers all day long? Bristol was okay though. Was not a big city but it was starting to grow on her. At least this time she had a roof over her head and a good meal at the end of the day.