Chapter 6 (Eyes)

Chapter 6

Scheid's POV

Fifteen minutes ago...

"Professor Fawzi!" one of my co-teachers called out to me as I arrived at our main building.

At first, I thought it was Tara. Thankfully, it wasn't her because I wasn't in the mood to go out or do anything else that she might offer me at this hour. I was too preoccupied thinking about my new student who came in earlier. I had asked her to stay after class because we needed to talk, but she had already left without even saying goodbye or looking at me. I don't demand much, but I had hoped she would at least give me a small gesture of respect as her professor, especially since she's new to my class.

Isn't that how it's supposed to be? Or am I just not used to having a female student who doesn't give me the same attention as my other female students do? Most of them don't want to go home, but she seems so eager to leave.

Plus, it's not just some random chitchat we're going to have. It's also for her benefit, so she can keep up with the lessons. For me, Calculus is a simple subject, but for my students, it's the complete opposite. I'm the only one they can clearly understand, but not what I'm teaching. It's evident every time I give a short quiz. There are still many failing.

I'm about to give another long quiz soon. I want her to get a good grade. I want her to pass. It's not about boasting or being cruel, but I do fail students who don't make an effort to study the subject I'm teaching.

I didn't pay attention to her earlier because I didn't want to interrupt her rush. She needed me, not the other way around. But if that's the case... why am I feeling so irritated?

Since I was busy teaching earlier, I didn't get a good look at her. I occasionally glanced her way, but she was too busy bowing her head and writing whatever it was in her notebook. She didn't seem to be listening as attentively as I had hoped. Maybe that's just what happens when you're used to homeschooling... It's like having your own world...

As I walked down the street, that thought couldn't escape my mind. It's normal for me to be concerned about my student, but it's not normal for me to keep thinking about it all the way home.

So far, she's the only girl I've seen on campus with simple clothes and appearance. Nowadays, that's what I'm drawn to. Things I'm not used to seeing...

The term "OOTD" or "outfit of the day" is popular nowadays. Students at Polaris don't have uniforms, except for their course uniforms, so every day is like a fashion show. Each person has their own style and way of dressing and carrying themselves.

In my classes, most of the girls are very fashionable, which sometimes leads to exposing parts of their bodies that should not be seen. I am used to seeing cleavage, thighs, and other body parts that come with an SPG daily. I want to make it clear that I have no interest in any of my students, regardless of how attractive or seductive they may be.

However, there was something that caught my attention about her besides her oversized t-shirt, denim jeans, and simple appearance. Maybe it was because she looks like a Hollywood actress that my mom idolizes, Brooke Shields, from the 1980s. I know this because our house in Turkey still has posters, pictures, magazines, and CDs of her movies and series, which are displayed in my mom's collection room.

I was really fascinated by this girl because she looks so much like Brooke Shields, whom I had never appreciated before because in my mind, she's now an old actress. I met her once ten years ago in the United States, during a fan meet with my mom. She was already old at that time, but she still looked beautiful, though with the beauty of aging.

Miss Zuluetevo seems to be a younger version of Brooke Shields from a previous generation but in a more boyish or simple way. I don't really know her so I can't judge based on my observations earlier. But what I did realize is how beautiful that actress was in her youth. Now I understand why Mommy has a girl crush on her.

It's just a moment of wonder and realization about life. That in this world, you can have a lookalike or someone who resembles you even if they're not related to you.

"Hey..." I greeted Ma'am Maira, a math teacher who focuses on algebra. She celebrated her thirty-fifth birthday last month at the Mathematics department's main office. So basically, she's like an older sister to me. "Good evening," I added as I saw another teacher from a different department heading towards us.

I approached them and smiled as I got closer.

"Good thing we caught you here, Professor Fawzi... This is Mira, she's been waiting for you since earlier..."

"You're really something," she said with a shy comment to her friend, then chuckled with embarrassment. "Good evening, Sir..." She gave me a wide smile.

"Good evening as well, Ma'am... Why were you looking for me? It's already late. You could have just postponed seeing me. I have morning classes, and I'm often in this building during my breaks or vacant periods... Because... you might have waited for me for a long time earlier..."

Her smile grew wider. My coworkers, who still have a crush on me despite having husbands and boyfriends, are the real reason I'm amused inside. It's just that I find them cute. I didn't think it was possible. It's okay with me though. I often just joke around about their crushes on me.

She sighed in regret. "You're really something. Don't be too respectful towards me. Anyway... I had a class at eight in the Paciata Building, sir, so it's okay. I dismissed myself early to come and see you here..."

"Oh... Okay. So, what is it that you would like to say? It's already late, and we need to go home," I said.

"That's true. I just wanted to catch you because I'll have a full load tomorrow," she replied.

I nodded my head. "Yes... I understand now."

"Well... Next month is the Department of Biochemistry week... And I am in charge of organizing some of the activities. Unfortunately, one of them is directing the department's pageant... Hay... I wanted to decline because I have a lot on my plate, but I didn't want to let the department down, so I accepted... And now, I'm starting to put together the board of judges for the search for the next Miss Biochemistry... That's why," she said with a smile mixed with a hint of suspense.

I already knew where this was going. It wasn't surprising since I was always asked to be a judge for any pageants here in Polaris, except during our department's week.

"I know this isn't new to you, sir... Can we please have you as one of the judges again?"

I graduated as the valedictorian in both elementary and high school, and I graduated cum laude in two courses I took in college. This is often the reason why other departments always ask me to be a judge for their events. However, my colleagues in the department always tease them that whenever I'm around, the students become more motivated to attend and participate.

Sometimes they even ask me to recommend students from their department to join pageants. For example, in the subjects that I teach, they would ask me who among their students are intelligent. I would then provide them with a list and they would choose some of them to become contestants.

The Department of Biochemistry is highly competitive when it comes to beauty pageants here in Polaris. They have won two consecutive times because their representatives are not only beautiful but also smart. They usually choose those who excel in mathematics because they believe that if you can solve complicated problems, you can also answer complicated questions. This makes sense to me.

"Sure... It's okay with me, Ma'am..."

The two of them appeared, and it seemed like they already knew that I wouldn't have a hard time saying yes. I value them as my coworkers, so my agreement is also my way of helping them.

"And you already know, Sir, our other request?"

I took a deep breath and smiled. The lists of bright students. "Yeah... Sure. I'll send it to your office anytime, Ma'am... But maybe it's better to wait until after the final exams this term, just to be sure..."

As I suggested that, I couldn't help but think about my new student earlier. Is it fair to expect her to prove herself despite arriving late? I blinked at the thought.

But if it's just a matter of appearance, she can fight. But what about her body? I'm not sure about her body shape because of the oversized clothing she wore earlier. I only saw her thin and gorgeous face and skinny arms from a distance. Those are the only visible things.

"Hmmm... I haven't finalized their grades yet since they're not complete... As soon as I finish, I'll send it over..."

"Aw... Thank you so much, Sir..."

The two of them continued to talk, but I just listened to everything. After the conversation ended, I said my goodbyes to them.

I went straight to the billiard area to unwind. Playing billiards was my hobby back when I was in Turkey. Two girls became my siblings later on, and I taught them how to play the game, which influenced them a lot. Even after I left, their love for the game remained. Dana, who came after me, is now even competing in billiards.

I used to have a billiard table in my condo, but I had it removed when I felt that it was getting cramped in there. I also don't have much time to play because of work. So when I found out that there was a billiard hall here at gate one, I started coming here to pass the time occasionally. I often come here at this time because there aren't too many people around.

"Hi, sir! Good evening," the owner greeted me when she saw me.

The students who were hanging around and playing here looked at me and raised their hands and waved when they recognized me.

"Oh, it's Professor Fawzi! Hello, Sir!" they greeted me cheerfully. One of them approached me and handed me the cue stick. I took it after placing my bag on a chair.

"It's already late. Why haven't you gone home yet? Don't you have classes tomorrow?" I asked.

"We're already graduating, Sir. We only have a few subjects left, and they're mostly in the afternoon," one of them replied.

"I see," I nodded.

"Wait for us to set up the game," one of them said. He walked over to the table and gathered the balls in the center.

We played for about half an hour, and I felt the simple game become more exciting and enjoyable. There was no betting or anything, just pure fun.

"Oh, shi—" James cursed, cutting himself off as he realized that I was a professor and not just a friend. His team failed to pocket the ball, so he just laughed out loud in embarrassment.

The score is already tight, but it's delightful to see them still eager to score. My partner Kin, who is also a student like them, and I are leading by ten.

"You're so good, sir! Wow... Are you related to Efren Bata Reyes?" he asked, almost patting me on the back in amazement.

"Shunga... Maybe he's also a Physics teacher! He's probably using some intense formulas," Ross joked from the side, cheering us on. He's biased towards us.

I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. I admit that I can't help but apply what I know to the little things I do, given the number of equations and formulas that are ingrained in my mind. Inside my head, I'm computing the force needed to make the ball go in.

"One more, sir... Let's finish this!" Kin said excitedly and arrogantly.

I leaned forward after finding another open shot, but I still had to calculate the angles to make sure it would go in smoothly.

"Okay... This is the last game, alright? After this, let's head home. The owner will also be closing up soon."

"Yes, sir..." they all agreed in unison, completely focused on my next move and strategy.

I leaned down on the left side of the billiard table. One ball was followed by another ball, and the goal was to make it into the pocket at the end. But for some reason, my eyes wandered past the target and landed on a woman standing in the distance. Were her eyes fixed on the ball? I couldn't tell, but I recognized her...

"Oh... It's her, Brooke Shields in today's generation," I realized in my mind.

What was she doing there? I lost my focus, feeling like it was just her and me left in this place. How can I finish what I started if I feel like she's staring at me from over there?

Until I didn't realize her staring at my face and her sudden stumble in her place. Her eyes widened and she walked away quickly as soon as she snapped out of it upon catching me looking at her.

I just let out a chuckle and shook my head weirdly. I am questioning myself, what is the big deal again?

Out of nowhere, that girl appeared on the dark side of the road. The one I crave to talk to.

I first followed her with my gaze before hitting the cue ball. As usual, I lost focus and missed the shot. It didn't bother me much because I was already imprisoned by the thoughts of that girl. It's already late, yet she hasn't gone home yet. It's funny that she was actually the first one to leave the classroom earlier.

Another amusing and strange thing I do after our easy game is to take the road to the main gate, even though the road to my condo is closer to gate one. This path is my weakness when it comes to girls passing by. It's a dark and deserted area during this hour, and only a few people pass by. There's something difficult to bear inside of me, probably because I know that's where that student of mine is heading. If I didn't know that she was new to the school and was homeschooled, I probably would have ignored her.

"I'm heading home so I'll pass by there anyway. I prepared a cigarette while walking towards it. I was already at the curved part of the road when I saw a woman sitting on one of the benches by the main gate. She was at the far end, so you can really see her right away as you approach.

Maybe this is the reason why fate led me here. I didn't intend to raise my arm and check the time on my wrist, but I did anyway. It was fifteen minutes before ten in the evening, but this student was still there. She was very patient, just sitting and staring ahead, but after a while, her eyes seemed to get drowsy. What's happening to this woman?

I would have just passed her by if I had seen that she was wide awake, but because of what I noticed, I couldn't leave. I couldn't help feeling annoyed with a tinge of worry when she followed her long blink with another. I have two younger sisters, so maybe it's difficult for me to ignore this stranger who happens to be my student.

"Woo!" I blew out a breath before walking towards her."

From the main gate to the end of the wall, there are rows of benches lined up in front of it. After Miss Zuluetevo's seat, there is a small pathway leading to the University, still part of the main gate. Beside it is another long and straight wall. That's where I positioned myself as I gathered enough courage to approach my student.

When I saw her head slightly drop, I couldn't hold back any longer. I only realized that there was something different about her from a closer look... Even in pitch darkness, her long, thick brows and eyelashes are evident. I can't help but groan in irritation as I gaze down at her pointy nose and then down at her seductive lips. I am annoyed with what I am doing. It's better to feel irritated than to feel something I shouldn't towards this woman.

"It's already late... Why are you still here?" I finally asked.

Her face slowly revealed a slightly surprised expression. "Professor Fawzi..."

To avoid prolonging my gaze on her face, I busied myself with searching for my lighter in my pocket and chuckled as I remembered that I didn't have it with me. It was in my bag.

She addresses me... It made her even more different to me. There's just something about her that I can't name even if she's right in front of me. I am not biased or whatever but... her simple beauty is more evident up close.

"One cigarette reduces life by eleven minutes..."

Does she think I don't know that? I can even compute the number of phenols, nicotine, and naphthalene I get from every stick of cigarette, you know.

"Didn't I say we'll talk after class earlier?" I retorted.

I should be the one lecturing her, not the other way around.

She pursed her lips; her throat bobbed as she swallowed.

"So as not to waste time, do you want me to talk to you now? While you're still here..." I said formally while observing her secretly.

"Really, Scheids, at this hour?" my mind rattled. Whatever I lose, it's already here.

I don't even know why I'm still determined to talk to her, whether she agrees or not.

"O-Okay, sir..."

I smirked and stuffed the cigarette back into my pocket. I approached her and when I was in front of her, I asked, "First of all, Miss Zuluetevo, why are you like that... every time... you look into my eyes?" I asked her calmly without being afraid. "I don't know if you are scared or challenged..."

She's the only girl who stares at me which can make me insecure about myself. Because I know... I know that her eyes are saying something...

End of Scheids' POV