Professor F

Chapter 8: Cold Shoulder

With her eyes wide in shock, she glanced at Flynn. She didn’t expect he would be talking to her

casually in public. She smiled slightly as she continued to clean the table.

Did he really just call me by my first name?

“G—Good morning, Professor.”

“Do you work full time here?” He continued to ask her.

“Oh, no. Just part time." She answered shortly.

"And if the school year starts?"

“I'll still work here. Part time."

He looked surprised and was about to ask her something when Gail approached them, smiling and

bringing his order. "Venti triple tall, two-pump Caramel Brulée Latte for Professor Ferguson."

He nodded and took the cup. "Thanks."

"Enjoy your coffee." She whispered and left him with Gail who looked glad that she left.

She overheard his conversation with Gail, talking about the first time he'll stay at the shop to drink his

coffee.

"Yeah. I’m early for my first class." Flynn answered in his usual formal tone. The smile he had talking to

August disappeared.

She was busy throwing used tissues and plastic straws on the bin when Pam approached and asked

her. "You know Professor?"

"What? Uh, yeah—sort of. He's or—he'll be my professor in my major." She tried her best not to

mention that they're also neighbors.

"Whew! Good luck. I heard rumors about him being called Professor F." She whispered to her.

"Because of the students getting an F mark."

She laughed nervously. "Rumors aren't always true, right?"

"You have a point. Looks like Gail is finally getting her chance to make her advances at him not that he

decides to take a table. It’s obvious how much she likes the guy."

She looked at them and a hint of jealousy pained her heart, realizing his fans club must be a real thing!

"I think almost every girl in campus are head over heels with him.” August whispered as they both

watch Gail still talking to Flynn.

"No. Count me out.” Pam points herself.

"Not your taste?"

"You know that thing about me being out of his league. He's too hot and handsome. I think he'd give

me more headache than happiness." Pam exaggerated. “I mean, with all the girls admiring him, you

know.”

Good for you. She thought smiled at Pam. ”Either that or you probably like someone else already." She

only meant to tease her, not realizing she'd hit the nail in the head!

Pam’s eyes widened and blushed like a rotten tomato! "W—What?"

"Oh! Who is it?" August excitedly asked Pam, whispering. "Is it someone I know?"

Pam giggled and grinned as her gaze went over to Henry who is busy organizing the items on their novelbin

fridge.

Henry then looked over them. ”Pam? Can you come over and help me here for a moment?" And there

she caught her expression changed! She looked excited that Henry called her and asked for her help.

"The manager?" Her eyes gleamed.

"Shh. It's a secret, okay?" She said while smiling at her.

"My mouth is sealed." She promised.

She saw Gail walking back to the counter, looking pleased having that conversation with Flynn. She

went back to work, cleaning tables. Her shift is almost over and she noticed that Flynn is still sitting

there. Henry just came out from the back and checked on them.

"Your shift's almost over! Good job on your first day! We'll see you tomorrow!"

She nodded as she walked out of the coffee shop, trying her best not to look at Flynn but he waved his

hand goodbye as she walked towards the door. She blushed and smiled shyly.

And she can't help glancing at Gail, she's glaring at her.

Maybe I should talk to him tonight about that?

••••••

Three weeks later...

The plan to talk to Flynn never materialized. August ended up ignoring her hot neighbor by giving him a

cold shoulder despite his warm greeting and eventually not seeing him anymore.

She feels bad about it but she has to avoid conflict by closing all the opportunities of talking to him or

even seeing him, both at the apartment and in campus. She just thinks it’s better than people talk about

them.

She made sure she didn't have to leave the house at night and only leave during his usual class hours

where he won't be around much especially at the coffee shop. She had asked Henry to put her earlier

than her usual start of the shift. He managed to arrange that for her, that after she went for a run, she'd

just take a shower and work.

On weekends, she managed not to bump into him on any time of the day. It seemed like fate is on her

side. And Flynn is being cooperative, too. It's funny how she managed not to see him despite their

world being too small.

But on that ordinary morning at the coffee shop, Flynn was wearing his running outfit and AirPods, all

sweaty after going for a run. He walked inside the coffee shop.

He looked so damn hot!

She panicked and accidentally spilled the remaining coffee from a cup as she was cleaning. "Sorry."

She apologized to the people who got distracted with the incident.

Henry went over to help her out. "You okay?"

"Y—yeah." She forced a smile.

I was just not expecting my hot neighbor-professor is dropping by to get his coffee this morning! He

used to get up a little late in the morning and have his coffee out in the balcony! I've been avoiding him!

I was good at it and here he is! Showing his handsome, hot and sweaty look at my workplace! Damn it!

She managed to clean up the table with Henry before she went to clean other tables. She was cleaning

a corner table when a familiar scent filled her sense of smell.

"Are you avoiding me?" That familiar voice asked with a serious tone.