Getting to know her professor

Mr Ramirez looks up, alerted by the sound of his office door opening. The lack of knocking and the sound of those loud boots he’s come to learn, he's hardly shocked when it’s Vi that walks in and closes the door behind her.

“Vi.” He says with a tired smile.

“Juaaaaaan.” She sings, putting a coffee on his desk, as she sits across from him. “How are you doing?”

“Come on now.” Mr Ramirez says, yawning as he takes the coffee, bringing it to his lips. “You know the rules with students and first names.”

“Yeah, but you’re more than a teacher to me!”

Mr Ramirez lifts an eyebrow,

“You’re my bestie!”

Mr Ramirez rolls his eyes, chuckling. “Fine, fine. But in private only, I don’t want other students thinking it’s the standard.”

Vi harumphs playfully. “That’s right. For your favourite girl only.”

Juan snorts, scratching at his head he peers at Vi.

Vi has slowly been dressing more comfortably, charming Juan slowly, teasing, subtle flirting. The works. Vi elected this time to hit the gym, walking in with her gym bag, it seemed only natural for her to be wearing a cropped off-the-shoulder tee, a purple sports bra and a pair of grey compression pants.

Juan had watched her, taking an extra second than usual to look at her behind when she bent over to grab her laptop from her bag.

“Wait.” He says as she stands up and sits back down in front of him. “Did I ask you to come today?”

Vi shakes her head, opening her laptop lid. “Nah.”

Juan lifts an eyebrow. “Why are you here then?”

Vi looks up, replying matter-of-factly. “You always stay late on Thursdays. And it’s usually calmer here than the library.”

Vi narrows her eyes, giving him puppy dog eyes she fakely sobs. “Juan, are you saying you don’t want me around?”

Juan chuckles. “I want you around — well… I..” Juan struggles to find the words, Vi works hard to suppress her grin. He sighs, “You can stay, of course. You’re always welcome here.”

Vi looks down, licking her lips victoriously.

They work in silence for a little while, Vi letting the tension settle, not wanting to push him, she takes the opportunity to actually do some work. Juan does the same, researching and writing his own articles.

Vi eventually stretches her arms above her head, her shirt lifting, she opens an eye slightly and she’s disappointed to see that Juan had only looked for a second, before turning back to the monitor in front of him.

She lets her arms fall, not deterred, she and Erik knew that this particular conquest would be a slow burn.

“Juan, how do you stay focused for so long” She asks, trying to get him talking again.

Juan thinks for a moment, tapping a pen against his chin. “Years of experience.”

Vi sticks her tongue out at him. “How about an answer for a hot, smart intelligent woman like me?”

Juan chuckles, he clicks his tongue. “When I was your age, I didn’t have a smartphone. SO that helped. But otherwise, caffeine, balancing studying with things I enjoyed doing.” He holds up his hand and counts on his fingers. “Marathon training. Writing. Gymming. Cooking.” He looks at Vi. “I would always make sure to take a proper break in between long sessions.”

Vi’s eyes sparkle. “How did you have the time? Did you have a girlfriend? Or boyfriend?”

Juan shakes his head. “Nah, no girlfriend. I guess that’s how.” He settles his gaze on Vi. “But if being with him is an activity that relaxes you, then that counts too.”

Vi smiles cheekily, turning away, she puts a hand to her mouth. “Mr Ramirez…” She chastises.

Juan scoffs and laughs. “Alright, alright. You kids and your dirty minds…”He laughs it off.

“Marathon AND gymming?” Vi whistles low. “Young Mr Ramirez sounds like quite the looker.” She grins. “Can I PLEEEEEASE see a photo!!?”

Juan scoffs, louder this time, immediately shaking his head. “No chance.” He laughs. “That’s definitely crossing a line.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t!” Vi pleads.

Juan laughs, running his hand back through his hair.

Vi cuts him off, not wanting to give him the chance to explicitly deny her a future possibility. “But if you did all that, how did you not have a girlfriend?”

Juan sighs. “Honestly, it’s silly,”

“Oh my god, what?”

“I just kind of… Forgot to do that part of college.” He chuckles awkwardly.

“You…” She says slowly. “Forgot?”

Juan shrugs.

“What does that mean??”

Juan chuckles. “I just. Really enjoyed studying. I really enjoyed college, hanging out with my friends, doing all the activities I said before.” He sips the now lukewarm coffee. “By the time I realised I was missing a classic experience, I was graduating.”

Vi pouts, pitying the man. “Do you regret it?”

Juan thinks for a moment, leaning back, he stares off into the corner of the room…

“I… uh, never really thought about it, I just moved on.”

“Well, that’s sad!” Vi sympathises. “Don’t you worry, Juan!” She puffs out her chest proudly, putting her hand over her heart. “I’ll help you get what you missed out on!”