Why did you choose me?

You have never seen your professor at a loss for words before and decide maybe you need to switch topics for a moment.

"I'm curious, Professor... We haven't interacted that much; how come you asked me to do this?"

Clark seems relieved to switch gears. "Well, I wouldn't depend on just anyone, of course. I originally asked Mr. Barrett to pick Mark up. He knows Mark from St. Fidelus, after all. He wasn't able to do it, but strongly recommended you."

"Mr. Barrett?" you ask, trying to place the name. Clark seems surprised at the reaction and said, "I'm surprised you don't remember him. He spoke so highly of you -- how you helped him move into his apartment when he started here this year...."

A light goes on in your head. He's talking about Connor -- that hot, young guy who just started working in the Dean's office! Yeah, you definitely helped him! You carried a few boxes of his belongings into his apartment and started to unpack them, until Connor started to pack you. The two of you spent about three days in that apartment, rolling around, naked, amidst half-opened packing boxes. You were stil finding styrofoam packing peanuts in the strangest places a week later.

You remember Connor talking about coming here for his first post-college job and how different it was from the very strict school from which he had just graduated. If you remember correctly, that place was a virtual prison -- they kept the students under such tight controls that they couldn't get away with anything. You didn't know if Connor truly had a thing for guys or if he simply had gone so long without any kind of sex that he was **** for anything he could find.

You turn away from your erotic memory of your time with Connor -- or Mr. Barrett, you should probably call him now -- and refocus on Professor Clark.

"Mark has lived a rather sheltered life," Professor Clark explains. "We homeschooled him until graduation, and now he is attending this private, all-male college, St. Fidelus. Since Mr. Barrett is a proud member of that family, I put a lot of trust in his endorsement of you, that you will keep Mark out of trouble until I get back in town. Mark isn't like the guys here at this school. He hasn't been exposed to the things that we thought would lend themselves toward distracting him from his education, and just one case of bad judgment now on his part could undo years of discipline and structure."

Suddenly it all makes sense. You remember how much Connor hated that place and how **** he was to actually experience life. If he was friends with Mark, then he must know that Mark is eager to break free from all the rules, too. That's why he gave your name to Clark. You make a mental note to drop by Connor's and thank him for his vote of confidence. Maybe you will bring some plastic wrap, packing tape, and string, and suggest that the two of you play Post Office for a few hours. Connor can wrap you up and then send his special delivery into your PO box.

You refocus on the professor. "You can count on me, Sir. Mark is in good hands!" You glance again at his picture and think that your hands aren't the only thing Mark can have -- assuming he leans that way, that is.

"So I just want you to understand, Bryan, that I'm putting a lot of trust in you to pick up Mark and get him home without any problems," Professor Clark continued, driving home the point he was trying to make. "You can certainly turn down this request without any hard feelings from me, but I need to impress on you in the strongest terms that if you go against my wishes in this, I will be MOST displeased, and you will pay the consequences."

You gulp, realizing that Connor may not have done you a favor, after all. As much as you would love to give Mark a taste of freedom -- and of anything else you have -- it might not be worth having one of your professors squash your academic balls as a result.

You murmur a quick, "Not a problem," and head out the door.

---------------------/

As you wait in the terminal for Mark's arrival, you consider again the importance of Professor Clark's instructions. As hot as Mark's picture is, you make up your mind that you are not going to try anything. It's just not worth it. Besides… there's absolutely no indication that he has anything for guys, anyway.

You are curious, though, to see just how straight-laced this guy turns out to be. In your experience, guys who grow up under such rigid parental rules either end up being totally clueless about the world, or they rebel big time, looking for any opportunity to pull free from the chains. You wonder just which of those personalities Mark will prove to be.

You look up and see Mark arrive from the jetwalk. You gulp. He is even hotter in person than his picture suggested. You approach him, extending your hand and introducing yourself. Mark grabs your hand with a firm grip and gives you a friendly smile. Each of you grab a bag and head to the car.

As you drive from the airport, the two of you hit it off easily, talking about school and life in general. Abruptly he asks, "Hey, how well do you know Connor Barrett?"

Oh oh. What do you say?