Thread: hindsight is always twenty-twenty [loki & angelicxdream]

Maria Elizabeth Harding was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend a four-day long literary conference. English Literature had been her minor at Columbia since she first decided to attend two years ago. By no means, was English Literature her expertise, but it was an honour because it wasn't her expertise. She was here to learn something she might not have otherwise. Besides, attendance for this particular conference was very limited and she was proud, excited, and anxious to see her Professor, Professor Grey. He was young, beautiful, and handsome in a weird, quirky kind of way. She had just finished his course in the spring, and she was quite excited to see him again, this time off-campus. She was sure she was just another female student who had fallen under his spell. It wasn't hard. He was charming, witty, and had a fine English accent to boot. What was there not to like? Fortunately, she didn't have much competition here. Grinning, she watched as people pushed past others to shake his hand, thank him, ask him questions as he finished his lecture. She would have joined but she knew it was near to impossible to get a private moment with him -here-. She would have to create her own moment with him. Turning around, she exited through a door, and leaned against the wall for a moment, surveying her surroundings. Having finished with top marks not only in his class, but in all of her classes, she felt accomplished, and good about herself. Money not wasted. She was beautiful, intelligent, and sweet. She would be a perfect match for Professor Grey. Blushing, should she think about him in this way? No, probably not. But she had, more than she cared to admit. These feelings hit home when she had checked in at the hotel, knowing that he was somewhere in this building wanted to make her squeeze herself with newfound glee. She wanted to talk to him about his lecture, and on his dissertation that she had read countless times before for light reading. And maybe, maybe he'd even consent to a coffee date. She beamed at herself, what a fantastic plan! She didn't have to wait long, before Mr. English Accent himself came out of the door. What would it be like to launch herself in those arms? Hm... she let her mind wander off. Striding purposefully toward him, she let out a big smile, Professor Grey? I don't suppose you remember me, but I took your class last spring at Columbia University, Maria Harding? She stood in front of him, and stretched her hand out to shake his. Her brown eyes lit up like Christmas when she saw him, twinkling under the fluorescent lights. The hallway was mainly deserted, I loved your lecture. If you have free time now, I'd love to have coffee with you. She grinned from ear to ear, You must be thirsty after a forty-five minute lecture. Or if you prefer we can go out to dinner. It's almost seven PM. You must be starving. It's my treat. She touched his arm lightly, I had dinner at this adorable Italian eatery the other day. You must try it. Maria had dark brown hair, that ran down her shoulders in soft, romantic waves. Today, she was wearing a cutesy school girl pink bow, that pushed her bangs back. Normally, her hair would be straightened. Standing at 54, she was much shorter than Professor Grey. She had a small, slender body. To his lecture, she dressed to impress. Wearing a smart, tailored white blouse tucked into a navy pleated skirt, she hoped she looked as smart as she thought she did. Above anything, she hoped Professor Grey would accept her dinner offer. She removed her hand, and waited for his response. This was his last lecture of the conference, he wouldn't be speaking again. Did some of the other professors invite him out to dinner? Was he busy? She hoped not. This was at a conference, away from home, she hoped that the environment would be at her advantage. He wasn't her professor anymore, they weren't at Columbia University, maybe she could make him forget that she was just his student. Instead, she hoped he looked at her like she was a smart, beautiful, sexy young woman. She was so nervous, she hoped he would say something soon. The silence was killing her.