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Chapter 13

Author: Aster Parks
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-04 22:00:36

Nikki and Thorn spent the next two hours in his office, going through the stacks of research documents scattered throughout his messy office.

              “Ugh. I’m so tired of reading…” Nikki complained as she sat on the floor surrounded by stacks of papers.

              “I hope I did not cause you to burn out before class.” Thorn laughed lightly as he looked at her from his desk. He was reviewing his current research notes for the project he was finishing for Moonward Physics.

              “Is it time for class?” She asked as she stretched.

              “Almost.” He sighed as he closed his notebook and grabbed his satchel. “Did you find a good place to stop?” He asked as he stood up.

              “Yeah…” Nikki nodded as she went to get up. Thorn walked over to her and offered his hand. “Thank you.” She smiled as she took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet.

              “Come along, dear,” Thorn said as she grabbed her satchel. He held his office door open for her.

              “Such a gentleman.” She teased him as she walked out of his office.

              “Only for you.” He teased back. Nikki laughed lightly before heading to the classroom. Thorn took a moment to watch her walk away from him.

He wondered what frame was hidden under the oversized hoodie and baggy sweatpants she seemed to favor. She looked proportionate to him, and her heart-shaped face hinted at her possessing a curvy figure. Thorn clicked his tongue as he tried to redirect his thoughts. He turned away from Nikki, then locked up his office before heading into the classroom after her. Nikki was waiting for him by his desk, looking over the small pile of documents sitting on the desk.

“What is this?” She asked him. Thorn walked over to stand beside her, the two of them standing behind the desk.

“Hm?” He reached out to take the documents from her, his hand grazing against her gently as he did. Thorn was momentarily distracted by the sensation. “Oh, um.” He cleared his throat as he read over the first page.

“Ugh.” He scowled when he saw it was a request not to drop a student. “Seems like that Madison girl was able to get my decision to drop her revoked.” He sighed.

“Her dad has fat pockets,” Nikki commented, not surprised. She frowned. “She’s in this class.”

“Are you worried?” Thorn asked as he put his hand gently on her back. Nikki stiffened at the sudden contact but did not pull away when she realized he was trying to comfort her.

“Was my history with her that obvious last class?” She asked with an annoyed smile.

“Her rude behavior towards you made it obvious, darling.” He told her.

“Well…she was my high school bully,” Nikki revealed. “She used my past as a way to torment me all of high school, as well as the fact that my mother was just a lowly maid.” She sighed.

“I won’t let her disrespect you here, my dear,” Thorn assured her as he rubbed her back gently.

“Thanks, professor.” Nikki smiled softly. “It’s nice to have someone in my corner for once.” She told him.

              “No one is more deserving of support than you.” He replied. Nikki smiled but stepped away from him when she heard the other students in the hallway.

              “I’m going to sit down, " she nodded. Thorn reluctantly let her go, watching as she went to her seat. He then turned his attention back to the paperwork left on his desk.

              “Tsk.” He frowned as he read over it once more. Delwood ordered him to keep Madison in class at her father's request. “I won’t let those bastards hear the end of this.” Thorn prepared to teach his class, glancing up at Nikki as she relaxed. He was pleased to have started the day by spending so much time with her, and now she was in his first class of the day.

              “I suppose I shouldn’t let this spoil my mood…” He said as he put the documents away in his satchel. “…it’s a great day after all.” He looked up at Nikki, meeting her gaze. She smiled at him in response. Thorn smirked as she gave him her full attention. “Yes. A great day.” He mumbled as class began.

              The class flew by without incident. Thorn gave Nikki tasks throughout the class, showing off that she was his apprentice, and Kendall fumed the entire time.

              “Class is dismissed,” Thorn announced. “Miss Crowman, with me.” He ordered. Nikki quickly packed her schoolbooks and threw her satchel over her shoulder before running to his desk.

              “I have a class right after this one, professor.” She reminded him.

              “Ah, yes.” He huffed. “So, I can’t steal you away, even for a moment?” He teased her.

              “Afraid not.” She scowled at him. Thorn wanted to keep her longer but knew he had to let her get to class.

              “All right. I’ll see you later, darling.” He nodded. Nikki blushed slightly as he called her darling before the other students, then nodded at him. Thorn chuckled as she darted out of the room, heading for her next class. Several students who had been watching the exchange stared at the professor, dumbfounded by his flirtatiousness with Nikki. He scowled at them.

              “Can I help you?” He hissed.

              “Uh, no! Sorry, sir.” They quickly left the classroom, not wanting to incur the wrath of the most feared professor on campus by accident.

              “Ha…” Thorn sighed as he prepared for his next class. His mood was already turning sour now that Nikki was gone.

              “Professor Thorn.” He looked up from his desk when Kendall called out to him. He frowned at her, annoyed by her lingering presence in his classroom. He noted that all the other students had already left.

              “Come to make threats now that the other students are gone?” Thorn scoffed.

              “Tsk. No.” Kendall frowned. She then sighed. “I’ve just come to warn you to stay away from that freak.” She said, feigning concern.

              “I am afraid I have no idea who you are referring to.” He said calmly as he returned to the coursework he was preparing for his next class. Thorn did know who she was talking about, so when she gave him a name, he was not surprised.

              “Nikki Crowman,” Kendall stated. He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes at her.

              “Miss Crowman has been selected and approved for the apprenticeship program I oversee,” Thorn told her calmly. “She has given neither me nor the university any cause for concern-“

              “She’s the daughter of a lowly maid who capitalizes on the pity others have for her!” Kendall shouted. Thorn looked up at her with an icy gaze.

              “What pity should I have for Miss Crowman?” He asked in a tone full of disdain. He was doing his best to keep his anger in check, but his icy facade was on the verge of slipping.

              “Well, because of the Crowman case,” Kendall said as if it was apparent.

              “If you are referring to a local case, then I am afraid I must disappoint you.” Thorn sighed. “I have only lived in Moonward Bay for six years, and I have no care for any news that does not involve the university or Moonward Physics.” He told a half-truth.

              “Wait, so you don’t know about the Crowman case?” She asked in confusion.

              “I do not,” Thorn told her. Kendall frowned.

              “Then why did you offer her the apprenticeship position?” she asked angrily.

              “Because she received the Exemplary Student scholarship.” He answered. “I had to offer it to her before any other professors could snatch her up, you see. Having such a student in my apprenticeship program boosts its reputation.” He explained. “It is hard to fill the apprenticeship positions since most students either don’t qualify or aren’t interested in it.”

              “Oh…” Kendall continued to frown. Thorn could tell that his answers were not what she had been expecting. And he was not exactly lying to her about anything. He was omitting the fact that he offered Nikki the apprenticeship because he liked her.

              “Now, I hope this stops your mistreatment of Miss Crowman in my class,” Thorn stated. “Even if your father convinced the dean to override my decision to drop you, I could ensure you fail this class entirely.” He threatened.

              “Tsk.” Kendall frowned at him. “Whatever. She’s just the daughter of the help; she won’t last long in a school as prestigious as this one.” She scoffed as she left the classroom. Thorn rolled his eyes at her comment once she left the room. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in irritation as he tried to quell the anger inside him after that exchange.

              “Ugh, I need to give Nikki some kind of reward for dealing with that cunt for all of high school.” He stated. “I can barely stand four minutes, and she managed to survive four years.” He sighed. Thorn thought about what to get Nikki, and he realized he did not yet know what she liked. He tapped his fingers on his desk in irritation; he would need to spend more time with her to figure out what gifts he could spoil her with.

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