Always There For You

Eliza sat perfectly upright at her desk, her back straight, hands folded neatly as the soft hum of conversation died down in the lecture hall. There were still a few stragglers coming in, but even with five minutes, it was just a few. Eliza Matthews was only an associate professor, and even though she had given up the silly notion of ever continuing a futile pursuit of academia, she still ran her lectures with the discipline of one of those tenured dinosaurs that filled the profession. It was like her doctoral thesis advisor had told her, students were like ravenous wolves, they would pounce at any show of weakness. Eliza never showed weakness.

Master Joey, however was different. It was her job to be supportive and encouraging. Eliza wondered if that's why making him the focus of her life had been such a dream come true. Finally she could drop her guard. She didn't think of him as a wolf. Not that she would mind if he devoured her.

Eliza's mouth twitched, before she suppressed the grin which the thought of Master Joey's mouth on her elicited.

The truth was, though, that in order to best support Master Joey, to help him grow, she had to teach him discipline. Mistress Madison too. They had to understand the importance of hierarchy, the importance of her role in serving them. After all, in only a few days Master Joey had gone from having no women in his life, to six. Who knew how many it would be in a week, or a year, or a decade? Master Joey had to accept the place fate had placed him in. He had to accept that she was put on this earth for him, and the responsibility that entailed.

Checking her smart-watch, Eliza saw that it was time to begin her lecture. She no longer had any interest in teaching these students about the Umayyad conquest, or the Renaissance, or medieval siege warfare. It all seemed so trivial compared to Master Joey. But it was her job. She had agreed to finish her contract until the end of the spring semester. There were a hundred other hopeful post-docs who would love to take her position on tenure track and SPU. Let them squabble over it. She had Joey Granger.

So she got up from her desk, and started the slide show for today's lecture, just like any other normal day. A hundred faces bathed in the glow of the light from their laptop screens sat in front of her taking notes. Some appeared to be absorbing the material, but not many. There was a time that would have infuriated Eliza. What did she care now, though? Most of these students were only taking her course as a requirement. They would retain only what they needed for the final. How had she not seen how futile it had all been? Part of her mourned all the time she had spent, going about her life, not even knowing Joey Granger existed. It seemed like a waste.

And yet it wasn't.

Because all that time, every decision she had made had led her to Master Joey. To Mistress Madison and Mistress Aynsley. To Indira, and Donna, and Bianca.

As if summoned by her thoughts Eliza felt her smart watch thrum on her wrist, the screen illuminating to show a new text. There were only two people in her contacts whose messages would appear mid-class. Her heart raced. She had already gotten one text from Master Joey today. While he hadn't reciprocated her love, she didn't mind. He would, in time. His message was already the highlight of her day, she eagerly peered at her watch to see what he might send her next.

A twinge of disappointment stung Eliza as she saw it was Mistress Madison. Not that she didn't love Mistress Madison too, it's just that she wasn't the focus of Eliza's world. She wasn't her Master Joey. Glancing at her watch she saw the message:

Madison 12:29 PM: OMG!!! Joey asked me and Aynsley on a date tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need your help getting ready. LMK when you're done with classes and get your hot ass over to the South Point Mall! Now!!

Eliza was eager to find out the details, but that wasn't her first thought. Her first thought was 'Finally.' Not only had Master Joey finally asked his girlfriends out, an important step on the course to manhood, but Mistress Madison was finally feeling comfortable enough with her to start giving her orders. Eliza felt more secure knowing the head of their sisterhood was taking her duties seriously. Eliza hoped that it wouldn't take long for Mistress Madison to join Master Joey in ordering her life in far more detail, but that was still to come. This was progress.

"Sorry class." Eliza said, trying to keep her voice level, even if a touch of smugness still came through. "But it seems I have a personal emergency that needs taking care of. Class is dismissed and office hours are cancelled for the day. I will be making my presentation available online, as well as the assigned reading for the day."

Eliza hardly noticed the confused muttering as she strode from the podium and gathered her things. There were some raised hands, and some all-to-eager students packing their things but Eliza didn't give them a second glance as she put on her leather jacket, and left the room behind her.

Only once she was a good ways down the hall did she let herself relax, as she took out her phone to text Mistress Madison.

Eliza 12:32PM: Understood, mistress. I am en route now.

Eliza was quickly lost in the bustle of the quad, and made it to her car easily. There may be a few complaints from the department heads, but what would they do, fire her. She chuckled to herself as she buckled herself in. It was so wonderful to be free of all of that pointless ambition. Not that she had gotten rid of her ambitions. Far from it. If anything they had only grown since she met Master Joey.

It was so clear now. Why waste her time stretching herself thin between hundreds of students, teaching none, reaching none, when she could focus all her attention on a single person. One glorious student, whom she would mold, and encourage. To become successful. To become a man.

Her watch chimed again.

It was Master Joey.

Joey 12:36 PM: _I need u tonight 4 date with the girlfriends. Sending a link to the outfit I want u 2 wear. But at my house at 9PM._

Ooooh. She loved what he had picked for her. Even if he still wrote texts link a juvenile.

That didn't matter to her as much anymore. Master Joey was well on his way to accepting his role. The way he was so direct. So eager to use her. Both Eliza's Master and her Mistress needed_ _her.

And it felt so good to be needed.