Find My Professor Novels & Stories

That was the thing about Lila, she always knew when to push and when to let it go. We were barely in our seats when the whispering started. "Apparently the new professor for Contemporary Lit is some kind of big deal," the girl in front of us was saying to her friend, leaning in like it was classified information, "like published, well connected, the whole thing." Lila leaned over to me. "A hot professor would make this semester significantly more bearable." I smiled despite myself and looked down at my notebook and that was when the door opened. I heard Lila go quiet first.

With that thought in mind, I set off to find the professor. "Doctor Miles!" He called out as I walked down the passage. "Professor, I've been looking for you." I laughed and walked over to him. The professor had been my mentor since my university days. He had guided me through some of the most difficult moments of my education and career, always believing in me even when I doubted myself. I knew he would be happy for my success, but a part of me also knew he would be sad to hear that I wanted to resign.

The real reason I was here had nothing to do with academic help. My heart pounded hard against my ribs as I stopped in front of Professor Kelvin’s office door. The small plaque read “Dr. Ethan Kelvin – Literature & Cultural Studies.” I’d stared at that name all semester, imagining what those strong hands could do if they ever touched me instead of just grading papers.

I didn't want to add him, but the professor simply grabbed my phone, opened my Instagram profile page, and showed it to the camera. "Professor, I already have her on Instagram." A deep, familiar voice spoke. "You two know each other?" The professor held out the phone in front of me, and when I saw the person on the other end, I laughed. It was Colin. He was on the other side of the screen, smiling as he looked at me. "Yep, that's Colin." "Good girl. Study hard, and I'll be back soon. I'll treat you to something nice." Colin's smile was gentle and full of affection for me, as always.

I tossed my keys into the bowl by the door and headed straight to my room, dropping my bag onto the floor. I opened my laptop. Searched his name. I avoided social media apps first. Instead, I typed in variations of it. Ezra Philips. Professor Ezra Philips. College poetry department. Faculty list. Past lecturers. Anything. Most of the results were dead ends or outdated web pages. Some led to news articles about poetry readings or school events, but none of them had any personal information. There were no public profiles, no links to anything recent. I scrolled until my eyes hurt. Then I found it.

Coach came over to talk to me, but I was too consumed by my own embarrassment to listen. ... As I made my way down the hallway, I collided with Kol. "V! What's your next class and who's your professor?" he asked. I fumble for my phone and pull up my schedule. "Precalculus with..." I pause, scanning the professor's name, and raise an eyebrow. "Um, it says 'Unfulfilled'," I tell Kol, handing him my phone to confirm. "Oh, I know him. Room 318, right?" Kol asks, and I nod. "My friend's got him for third period. Says he's real laid-back. Hands out Sudoku puzzles and lets everyone use their phones and AirPods during class," Kol explains.

"Why are you awake at this hour?" I paused. Should I tell him? No. I wasn't ready to tell him on what I'd found. Not yet. "I couldn't sleep," I said instead, crossing my arms. "Now answer my question... why are you here?" Xavier exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "That's no way to speak to your professor." "Well I'm sorry... I just can't get over the fact that as a professor you don't even actually teach... you just spar with people you think you can overpower." I said, a hint of anger and frustration in my voice.

I've already missed some classes, but classes could wait; I needed to discover the truth. I reached his office and knocked, anticipating a response, but there was only silence. “Was he in a lecture at the moment?” Damn, waiting wasn't an option. Besides, he shouldn't have a class just yet, right? To confirm, I decided to go to Professor Martin, an unattractive old man who has been hitting on me since my freshman days, It sickened me to ask him about Professor Henri’s whereabouts, but I would rather him than any other Professors, to avoid unnecessary questions. And I didn’t want them to see me in this state.

Mia reminded me gently. “A professor who’s going to be mine,” I corrected her. “I just need a better strategy.” I grabbed my laptop and opened I*******m, typing his name into the search bar. It took a few tries—apparently there were multiple Dr. Romans in the world—but finally I found him. @professorromans. Private account. Only 847 followers. Of course he would be private. Of course he would be selective. Even his social media had standards. I sent a follow request and then, because I was impatient, I started scrolling through the few public photos visible on his profile.

The pile of student projects on my desk was still on the desk. Being a lecturer was far more stressful than I thought. Then, out of nowhere, Nick came to mind. He could help me with this. I didn't hesitate before picking up my phone and sending him a message. Me: Mind coming to my office? I walked to the vending machine and got myself a cup of coffee when my phone buzzed. I checked the message and stared at the message for a moment. Nick: Why? The female professor isn’t there for you anymore? I typed back without wasting time.