Choices

4. Professor Ted Wyatt shuffled his notes as he surreptitiously took stock of the students who were filing in quietly. The lecture hall would hold 75-100 students though his class list showed only 40 assigned to his class. Most of these kids must come from ranches, he thought, as he noted the sturdy build of both the men and women and their sun-bronzed skin. The women seemed about as broad shouldered as the guys and he just bet they could wrestle a calf to the ground to help with branding. The room was well-lit and seats looked moderately comfortable. He hoped the seats were not so comfortable as to be conducive to nodding off. Most students were filling in the middle rows, some scattering in the back. The first three rows were almost vacant except for a classy looking young woman in the first row. Unlike the other women who wore jeans, she wore a skirt, with the hem riding up and exposing some very nice looking legs. Her scoop-neck orange tee shirt did not hide cleavage. She was smiling at him exposing very even, very white teeth. Now there was one to watch out for. She could be trouble! Heeding her father's advice to let your professor know who you are, after class Kelly approached Professor Wyatt as he shuffled together papers on the lectern. “Professor, I'm Kelly Trent,” she said favoring him with her most dazzling smile. He looked up as though startled and she saw that his eyes were smoky grey. This guy is as gorgeous as rumored, she thought. I may enjoy this class. “Yes, Ms. Trent,” he said in an abstracted manner, “Can I help you with something?” She licked her lips in what she thought was a seductive gesture. “Oh, no, I just wanted you to know who I am and I do look forward to your class.” He nodded as he stuffed papers into his briefcase. “Thank you.” He turned, not wishing to engage Kelly in further conversation. Back in her dorm room, Kelly dropped her books on her bed. Her unmade bed. She saw absolutely no purpose in making a bed when you were just going to get into it and mess it up again. Same thing with clothes. Why hang them up if you were planning to wear them anytime soon, and anyway, they should air out a bit before being hung away. Kelly's clothes were draped over her desk chair. She regarded the other side of the dorm room. Delpha always made her bed--smooth with tidy corners, and hung up her clothes so her half of the room always looked pristine. Even her desk held books and papers neatly arranged and pencils and pens clumped together in a cup. Kelly's adjoining desk looked the victim of a strong windstorm but, as she reasoned, she could still find everything---most of the time. Delpha bounced into the room. “Hey, how did your class go?” “That Professor Wyatt is just as gorgeous as rumored. I'm really going to enjoy attending his class.” Delpha cocked an eyebrow. “I hope you're not getting strange ideas. Remember what sent his predecessor packing.” “Supposedly he was making advances to his female students and promising grade enhancement for special favors,” Kelly said. “Yes, and you can bet this Professor Wyatt is aware of that and will avoid any appearance of impropriety.” “I didn't say I planned to come on to him. I don't even really know if he is married or single.” “Or gay,” Delpha added.