Thread: The Professor With the Thorn in His Side (PassTheHatchet & dearestdarling)

Good morning university students and faculty! I hope I'm the first to welcome you all back for what will surely be a wonderful spring semester. As we trudge on into a new term, many of you on the homestretch to graduation while just as many look forward to finally tucking your first year of college under your belts, I must once again suggest a quick perusal of your handbooks. I anticipate that most have likely been misplaced or discarded by now, so I have attached to this email a few sections we should all be familiar with. Please reacquaint yourselves with our university's substance abuse, parking, and cultural sensitivity guidelines. Also, a friendly reminder to keep all facultystudent relationships strictly academic and professional. Please direct any questions or concerns to your Resident Advisors, and remember, my door is always open. Best, Dr. Peter Clark, Dean of Students Go Eagles! Hypocrite. The first word of the morning from Adam Blunt was quietly laughed into the stillness of his office as he clapped his laptop's screen closed. He couldn't help but wonder if the dean's friendly reminder email was his way of passively suggesting he stuck to the rules he was such a stickler for. Not 12 hours ago, Adam had passed a coed with disheveled hair tiptoeing away from Dr. Clark's office, guilt smearing a deep blush across her cheeks. He had come to return a borrowed book, and had to ignore the two wine-stained glasses on the desk. Shall I just drop this on the floor with the rest? he had thought with a quick glance at the papers and pens scattered near one end of the desk. ---------- Adam was still inwardly scoffing as he watched students fill the lecture hall. As if he needed reminding to keep his hands off, he thought to himself as he noted how many still wore their frumpy pajama bottoms while others barely wore anything at all. Not interested. His last lecture of the day would begin in seconds. Adam leaned back with his fingers curved over the edge of his desk behind him and waited patiently for the seats to be filled, deep blues scanning the faces staring back at him. Some of them were familiar. One in particular was more memorable than the rest, but not just because he happened to find it prettier than the others though he would never admit it. Last semester she had nearly driven him to burst into a rambling rant that might have included things like, Come to my class, sit, listen, discuss, and leave. Ask questions when you must, but remember that you're here to learn from me, not the other way around. At 35 he was among the university's youngest professors, but it was quickly learned by his students that he took his work very seriously. He acted as professional as he looked tall with a commanding presence, broad-shouldered and sharply dressed. His dirty blonde hair had a slight wave that always kept it from looking perfectly in order. Most days he wouldn't even loosen his tie until he stepped back through the door of his own home. Today was no different. The red knot held its place beneath the pale blue collar of his shirt. Adam rolled his shoulders to straighten his twill blazer, then cleared his throat. Welcome! His sonorous voice finally hushed the low din in the room as he turned on his heel to tap a projector to life. Today would just be the course outline and expectations, but he was already looking forward to getting home and shifting back to his usual casual self.