Professor F novel Chapter 55

August rolled her eyes and sighed, trying to calm her nerves. "Can we get started? I can only give you an hour today since I'll be starting my shift at four."

His lips twisted into a smile. "I see you don't want to talk about it." He crossed his arms on the table and leaned closer. "Hmm. I don't think you're single. It's impossible for a face like that to not have a boyfriend."

"Can you stop? Or I'd cancel your tutoring—"

"Lavender white mocha and 2-day cold brewed coffee for Pierre!" The barista called out on the claim counter.

"Oops! That's us!" He slides out of the couch and walked towards the claim counter and she can't deny the fact that Pierre attracts anyone's attention.

Just like Flynn. But this guy's too accommodating.

He walks confidently with his bad-boyish image and the people inside the coffee shop would look at him, almost gawking.

He's walking back to their table when a blonde girl wearing a short denim skirt, white crop top and white rubber shoes approached him and gave him a piece of paper. She saw how Pierre flashed his gorgeous smile and took the piece of paper in his hand while she blushed in her seat, witnessing how he flirts with the girl.

The guy is a charmer!

The girl seemed satisfied when Pierre handed her a piece of flyer from his back pocket. The girl went back to her seat and was grinning as she looked at the flyer.

She pretended to read on her own books until he gets back and placed the tray of drinks on their table. "Sorry for the delay. Here's your lavender white mocha. That's my sister's favorite, by the way."

She didn't know they have that kind of drink available to serve. She just cleans table so she's not really familiar with the drinks their baristas make.

She said thanks to him and took a sip from the cup, curious of Gail's favorite coffee's taste. And she must admit Gail's taste is pretty good.

"Are we just gonna start without knowing each other first?"

"I already know the information I need." She explained.

"You wouldn't even ask why I'm asking for your help on those subjects?"

"Because you're bad in Math?"

"Geez! That's starting to hurt my feelings. I'm not stupid or something—"

"Just sleepy then?" She interrupted.

He smiled widely. "Besides that, I wanna master the art of of patterns."

She nodded. "I know. Math is patterns. Music is also patterns made in sound."

Pierre was amazed as he looked at her. "Cool! You know that?"

"Of course."

"Do you love music?"

"Of course."

"Can you give me a different answer other than Of course? Like say something about yourself why you love music."

"Look—" She placed her hand in front of Pierre. "I'm here to tutor and we—" She points at him and herself alternately. "We are not doing this. You're paying me for the hour and we're not wasting our time knowing each other—"

"I'd pay for the additional hours." He winked.

She blushed and sips on her cup of coffee while looking away. She cleared her throat to calm her nerves. She can't help remembering Flynn with his accent!

"Besides, you don't even have the books we'll use for the review yet."

"We have ebooks!"

"I don't like digital stuff. Makes me sleepy." He complained. "I'd rather have something that I can hold." He shows his fingers, she noticed the small plasters on his calloused fingers. She wondered what music he plays. She was quietly looking at his hands, observing.

Guitar? That's the best explanation for his callouses and also, his look fits the one who plays guitar in a band.

Since she's starting to get curious and he's being persistent, she asked to confirm. "What instrument do you play?"

He looked unprepared for that question and suddenly
looked uncomfortable to talk about it. "Well, I play a little of anything. Guitar. Drums—"

"Really? A little?" She raised her left eyebrow as she stared at his calloused fingers.

He closed his fists, as if starting to feel shy about something. "Well, I practice with my band after school, sometimes perform with them in Friday nights and with other bands as support. Thus, these fingers." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

That's done it. She knows he's not telling her something about himself. And like she'd always do, she respects that privacy he wanted.

She nodded as she started to search for lessons she can discuss with him on her mobile phone.

He sips on his cup and cleared his throat. "You want to come watch?" He asked as he puts a flyer on the table.

She picked it up and saw that it's for the Fall Fest for amateur bands in Seattle with a famous band being the special event held in West Park. She then saw the date and it's on a third Friday night of September.

"We're playing before the main band." He points the name of his band. "And that's us."

ALIVE

She nodded. "I'm pretty busy I can't say yes."

"Well, you can keep that flyer." He smiled. "Just in case you change your mind."

"I can't change my schedule." She sighed. "I don't think we can start with your lessons today. I'll have to borrow the books first if you don't want to use ebooks."

He ignored what she said. "Are you working after this?"

She nodded.

"Let's just enjoy our coffee then. I'll leave once you start your shift."

She kept quiet and suddenly felt weird, she looked up and realized people are staring at them, even the staff from the counter, especially Gail.

She felt awkward. This cafe isn't really gonna work as a venue for tutoring. Does it look like we're dating? Is she upset—wait—she likes Flynn—is she thinking I'm dating her brother and cheating on Flynn?

"Hey, I was thinking—"

She stands up from her seat. "I'm heading inside the staff area and will prepare for work since we can't start today."

"But your coffee—" He holds her arm.

She felt awkward and moved her hand away gently. He noticed that she awkwardly glances around and at the counter—at Gail. He looked around and the people staring at them pretended like they were busy with something else. He nodded and smiled. "Relax. My sister knows you're my tutor—not someone else aaaaannndd—" He meant to prolong the last word before speaking again. "—I don't have a girlfriend so no need to worry about us being seen in public, to-ge-ther."

Her eyes widened in shock. How can a hot guy like him not have a girlfriend?

Her face must have that kind of question that he started talking again. "I like dating. But not commitments." He yawned and looked bored with the topic. "I assume your boyfriend knows you're tutoring guys, too. And that he understands." He rests his cheek on his palm.

The door chimes echoed and the staff greeting the person coming in came after. And a little buzz from few people started. She looked at the person and her heart pounded so loud.

“F—Flynn."