My face burns. Why does it feel so hot, am I sick? I looked down at my hand to see it was tightly wrapped around Jenny’s hand. When did I do that… Why did I do that? We were surrounded by the eyes of many students, too many to count. The only thing clear about the situation we were in was that they loved it, it was like we were some sort of campus celebrities at a fan meet up.

Pull yourself together. You always wanted to be famous, this is your chance to show a little showmanship I thought to myself. I pulled in a deep breath and exhaled. It felt as if my shoulders had been relieved of any weight. I had to think clearly. What would the students want to see, how can I get the crowd to really go wild.

“Just go with it.” I whispered over to Jenny.

Her face immediately erupted with doubt.

“Wait-.” She tried to talk her way out of it but it was already too late.

Within a beat I swept her from her feet and held her in my arms. Her face went pale. I’ll probably get an earful for this but it’s worth it. The students erupted once again.

“You’re the man Professor Sonny!” One student shouted.

“They’re so cute together.” Other students said within the crowd.

Now a cool line. Every guy has to have a cool line when they do something awesome.

“What are you doing?” She whispered with fury.

“Winning the crowd over, don’t steal my spotlight.” I whispered back.

“It’s a beautiful day for love, isn’t it class?” The silence was loud, even Jenny couldn’t hold in a light chuckle. I had brought the crowd to its peak and ruined it with a corny one liner.

“I couldn’t agree with you more, honey.” Jenny snuggled her head against my chest, her hand gently pressed against my cheek.

“Awe.” The crowd echoed. She had stolen their hearts. I’ve got to admit she stole mine as well. I held my breath hoping it would calm my heart rate down, I knew she could feel how fast it was beating.

“If that’s the best you’ve got, then I’ve already won.” She whispered into my ear.

I carried her over to our main stage, front and center of the class. The students have all calmed down and awaited what was next.

“Thanks babe.” She said enthusiastically. Between her and I, it’s easy to see how hard of a pill this is to swallow, but as long as the class couldn’t see it then it didn’t matter. All that mattered was I outdid her.

Typically a student would have their notepad or laptop out during a lecture in order to take notes. It was quite the contrary, not a single student was prepared to learn. They all had their phones out to record us. Were we even professors anymore, was teaching even possible, or would they just walk out as soon as something educational came up.

“Well class, I think the lovely professor Simons should start us off.” I encouraged to the class.

“No, no. My handsome man isn't just all looks, he has a little bit of intelligence as well, I say he starts us off.” She told the class.

“Look how much they admire each other.” One student said.

“So cute.” Another student said.

Jenny and I both gave each other looks hoping we’d get the other to budge and begin to teach the class. Talking about the philosophy of love would make the most sense, but I don’t have a clue what that entails. I’ve always studied a person's purpose in this world, not why two people interact romantically.

“Could anyone tell me why two people fall in love, or why they think two people fall in love.” I asked the class. This should be able to buy me some time to think of something to ramble about that might keep the audience in their seats. The students all looked around puzzled. It’s a tough question, there really is no specific answer I’m expecting to hear from any of them.

“Emotional support?” One young female student asked, unsure of her answer.

“Emotional support, that’s a good reason. Though some people don’t know how to support others emotionally..” Jenny responded while eyeing me down.

“Class, don't forget that we all have different ways of handling emotional situations, and some people get emotional for something as small as putting cream cheese on their bagel when they really wanted avocado.

“Great point professor Sonny. That brings up another excellent topic about relationships. Listening, which some men have a problem doing. Some men that may literally be in this room, right now.

I began to laugh. If this is how she’s going to try and make look bad in front of the students she’s going to have to do a lot better than this.

“Well class, I think sometimes people talk too much. I can’t listen to thirty different topics at once, nor do I want to. Raise your hand if you agree.” I told the class.

Hands started rising up into the air. From where I was standing I could tell all of the hands raised were raised by the male audience.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Anybody else have a good reason why two people fall in love?” Jenny asked.

One student raised his hand. Jenny pointed at him with a welcoming smile.

“I personally think love is more of an excuse for people to find comfort in not being alone.”

“Explain.” Jenny questioned.

“Well. Bills are hard to pay by yourself, but when you have someone else, it makes it a little easier. It’s just easier to have someone else you can depend on rather than having every bit of responsibility on your shoulders..” The student explained.

Not a bad answer if I’m being honest, this kid might actually be here for philosophy. I can always appreciate a student that gets my brain working. Jenny and I continued to speak about different ideas on why two people fall in love. We could see the students were engaged. Time continued to tick away until the class had finally ended. The students hurried out, excited to continue on with their day while Jenny and I sat on the edge of the

Jenny and I sat down on the edge of the mainstage, a spacious gap was kept between us. We both sighed in sync with one another. Funny enough the acting we did today was harder than the teaching. Jenny pulled out one of Choco Choco bars she had bought from the store the night before. She softly unwrapped it and snapped off a piece. She held it out in front of my face while avoiding any eye contact. I gently grabbed it from her and popped it in my mouth. I never could understand how she loved these, the chocolate’s always bitter and hard to bite down on. I guess that’s just another thing on the list of all the reasons Jenny and I hate each other.

“Does that mean you’re sorry.” I asked jokingly.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Think of it as a dog getting his treat from his master for doing a good job at something.” She explained.

“So, you admit I did a good job today?”

“If you didn’t I wouldn’t have given you that chocolate.”

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“Yes?” She wondered.

“Why do you like those chocolates so much? They're pretty gross, and they’re hard to chew.”

Jenny shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s because you’re supposed to suck on them, not bite them.”

She popped a piece in her mouth, I could tell she wasn’t chewing. She was moving it around her mouth getting as much of the flavor as she could.

“Why are they bitter then?”

“It’s dark chocolate, they have milk chocolate ones if you’re still twelve.”

“What’s wrong with eating something you actually enjoy?”

“I do enjoy these.”

“I don’t.”

“That’s why I never would share any with you.”

“Why now?”

“I thought maybe for a second you grew up.”

I laughed so hard that snot started to come out of my nose. If I had a favorite insult, that was the one. Being told to grow up. A statement with a double edged sword. For most people our childhood is the best part of our lives yet we’re forced to move on so quickly from it. I am grown, yet people don’t look at me like that.

Dean Morrison entered the room swiftly. I couldn’t tell if he was upset or excited, or just in a hurry.

“Shit.” Jenny whispered to herself.

The dean sat down in one of the study chairs across from us. A smile crept up on his face, his cheeks rising with a certain kind of joy.

“I didn’t know you two were dating.” He said with a giddy chip in his voice.

“We’re not!” Jenny and I both quickly yelled at the same time.

The dean pulled a photo out of his pocket. He flipped the photo around and showed us the same exact photo from the convenience store last night. Jenny and I knew what this meant. We’d lose our jobs for engaging in a workplace relationship.

“Does this mean we’re fired?” Jenny hesitantly asked.

The dean gave a slight, “Are you shitting me” kind of chuckle.

“You two are loved by the entire campus, if I fired you, the board would have me pack my bags with the two of you.” The dean shared.

Jenny and I were both relieved. This was good, in fact this was better than good, it was amazing. This meant we’d get our own classes back and Jenny and I would be free of each other once more. It was a miracle in disguise.

“So does this mean we get to teach our own classes again?” I asked with an excited attitude.

“No way.

“Why not? We brought in numbers.” Jenny argued.

“The students love you both, not one of you individually. They think they’re spectating the beginning of a romcom. If we were to split you up, it would be like the two of you breaking up, and then you’re back to horrible numbers. The dean explained.

“But we’re not actually in love. Matter of fact we despise each other. I urged to him.

Jenny nodded up and down like her head was a basketball being dribbled down the court. The dean stood up from the chair with his arms folded in a calm and careless demeanor.

“That doesn’t matter. As long as they believe you two are in love, they’ll come back.” The dean said.

“Are we professors or the university's new form of entertainment?” Jenny asked.

“You guys can still teach like regular professors. Just add a little spice to the lectures, something that keeps the students engaged. Hate each other, or love each other is up to the two of you.”

The dean walked out of the room leaving Jenny and I by ourselves once again. That fading string I can feel tied to Jenny and I seems to keep tying us closer and closer together, making a last ditch effort to keep us attached. It’s trying its best but I know sooner or later it will be cut and our hearts will be free from one another. Our lives will continue down separate roads. Roads we should have taken long ago.

Jenny grabbed her black leather purse and slung it around her shoulder. She pulled out a hair tie and pulled her back into a ponytail. Some girls look good with a ponytail, some look better with their hair down, but I’ll give it to her, she sure can do both and look beautif-... Good I mean. She looks good.

She walked past me paying no attention as she made her way to the exit. I still sat there on the edge of the stage. I sat there watching her open the door. The sun's bright light beamed into the room and for a split second I could see it, I actually saw it. A hair thin silver string connected to the both of us. The door closed as she left the room and the sun's brightness made its exit with her. The string was gone… I think that’s what it was. Maybe it was just a glare or part of a reflection. Maybe it was time I go get my eyes checked.