Chapter Three: Tobias POV

Tobias POV

I had to leave class early, I had to go pick Julia up from the hospital and get back in time for my next class which is in two hours.

I made my way to the campus parking lot, entering my car and driving off to the hospital. Getting there, I quickly make my way to the front desk.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to see Julian Reyes.' I greeted the nurse.

"Afternoon, may I know your relationship with her?" She asked back with a polite smile.

"Of course, I'm her elder brother."

"Alright then, please sign here." She gave me a pen and a book where I am to sign.

"Thank you, please, what is her room number?"

" Number 67, just by the left over there." She replied and pointed the direction out for me.

I nodded my head and walked in the direction. Knocking briefly before entering the room.

"Oh wow, look who finally showed up." Julian said with sarcasm.

"You aren't sick Julian, just doing your monthly check up." I said, giving her a small smile and sitting on the bed beside her.

"So, you will stay with me when I am sick?" She asked still with sarcasm.

"Enough with the sarcasm Julian, now get up and let's go. I have a class in about an hour."

"Fine. But you are taking me out for ice cream on Saturday." She grinned happily.

Julian is my younger sister and she is 23 but she doesn't even act her age. She acts like a child whenever I'm around.

"Fine, whatever. Let's just go." I replied to her, helping her carry her bag.

"Yes." She fist bumped the air, jumping excitedly.

We left the hospital and I drove her to her house, making sure she eats something before leaving her.

Getting back to the school, I checked my time and realized I'm five minutes late for my class. I quickly go to my office to grab some of the things I might need for the lecture and go to the lecture room.

"Sorry, I'm late for class. Let's get started." I said. Few of the students were murmuring among themselves while some were keeping their phone away.

I stay still for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts and shift back into my teaching mode. "Open to page 102, let's pick up from where we stopped last class."

They quickly stop murmuring and bring out their textbooks, only the sound of turning pages could be heard in the now quiet class.

"Now can someone read from the second paragraph to the fourth." None of them raised their hand and I knew why, they were scared.

I picked one of them to answer anyway. "Mr Rivet, read for us will you."

"O... Of course Sir." He said while stuttering and lowering his head. He read the paragraph and I explained what it meant and some other things.

When it was time for the class to end, I decided to give them a project to do also.

"I want you all to do something for me. When you get home, I want you all to read the Romeo and Juliet story."

"And write an essay on what you have learnt from their story." I finished.

Romeo and Juliet. Reminds me of Fabian's answer to my question in the previous class. And before I realize it I'm already thinking about how pretty he looks with his ocean eyes and blond hair.

I always feel like raking my hands through his hair every time I see him. My thoughts were cut short by a student.

"Dr. Reyes." She called out.

Focus Tobias, you are here to teach not fantasize about a student. And after what happened at my previous place of work, I shouldn’t be thinking about Fabian at all.

"Yes, you have a question for me?" I finally answered back, blocking all thoughts concerning him.

"Yes Sir, I want to know the deadline for the essay."

"The essay is to be submitted on Monday by 1 PM. And class is over." I declared and nearly all the students are already heading for the door.

I cleared my desk and grabbed my brief case, heading to my office to grade more papers.

While grading the papers I suddenly remembered something I had written in Fabian's script to meet me in my office later in the day.

Shit, I need to calm myself down before he gets here, which should be long now since he should have finished with his class by now.

Knock knock, I heard a soft knock on my door. I guess it's time.

"Come in," I called out.

He came inside looking down at his hands not meeting my eyes, "you asked to see me Sir."

"Yes, I did. Take a seat Mr Fernandez." I gestured to the chair opposite me.

"From your last poem I could tell you were holding something back." I said, trying to keep my tone from coming out too cold.

"You have got the tone and everything else right except, you don't let yourself feel it in the writing. Your poem lacks emotions." I continued.

"I thought academic writings weren't supposed to be emotional." He whispered gently, I almost didn't hear it.

"That is the mistake most students make. Emotions doesn't fight intellect. It makes the writing more unique."

I leaned back in my chair, keeping my eyes on him. "Your major is literature, right?"

"Yes, Sir."

"And you are on scholarship."

He looked up at me nervously. "Yes, how did you know?"

I smiled a little to myself. "I know everything about my students. And I also know you seem distracted in my class."

"I asked other professors about you, none mentioned anything about you getting distracted so I'm wondering why my class."

He lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry DR. Reyes, I promise to do better."

"Actions speak louder than words Fabian." I said softly.

He looked up into my eyes, wanting to say something but nothing came out.

I stared at his lips for a minute before looking back to meet his eyes and he is still staring at me.

I looked away first, not wanting to do something I might regret later. "All I'm saying is pour more emotions into your writing and also stop getting distracted."

"Failing my course can cost you your scholarship." That seems to snap him out of whatever he was thinking.

"I'm sorry sir, I will do better and keep my scholarship." he said almost immediately.

"Good. Let me know if you need any extra lessons."

"Thank you so much sir, I will let you know if I ever need one."

"You can go now."

He stood up and left. I watched him till he closed the door and kept staring at the door for more than Five minutes after he left.

I can't think straight right now, I need something to distract me. Ohh right Julian. I picked up my phone calling Julian.

She picked up on the second ring. "I just wanted to take a nap." Came her slightly sleepy voice.

"Sorry, what about we go get ice cream now ?" I asked her, hoping she would say yes.

"Lucky for you, I want some ice cream right now. So yes." She replied back.

"Alright, I will pick you up in half an hour."

"Okay." She yawned out and I ended the call. Clearing my table and grabbing my car keys and brief case to go pick up Julian.