His Favorite Student

The sharp screech of a latte machine was the only thing Leah Morgan trusted to keep her awake on the first day of her final year. She tightened her grip on her paper cup as she navigated the campus walkway, dodging wide-eyed freshmen and the occasional professor who didn't believe in watching where they were going.

"Tell me again why we didn't just drop out and become travel bloggers?" she muttered to her best friend, Ava, who walked beside her in sunglasses and a cynical expression.

"Because you're too smart, and I'm too broke," Ava replied.

Leah smirked, "fair"

They approached the towering redbrick building of the English Department. Leah took a deep breath and blew the air out of her face.

"Do you know who's supervising your thesis yet?" Ava asked.

"Dr. Greene, I think. I had him last semester, super chill, old, forgets his own deadlines. It was perfect."

"I hope I have him this semester, you can have one of the other groggy professors but I heard rumors that he's retiring"

"God, I hope not. I already planned my procrastination schedule around him."

They climbed the stone steps, entered the hallway, and made their way into the seminar room where upper-level English students were gathering. The atmosphere buzzed with groggy ambition and the scent of coffee breath. Leah found a seat near the back, ready to zone out.

The classroom door closed and the room shifted. A man in a dark charcoal button-down shirt and black slacks walked in. Not old. Not Dr. Greene. He looked young. Maybe mid-thirties or older. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms and a discreet watch. His dark hair was swept back neatly with strands falling across the sides of his face, and he set his leather briefcase down on the desk. The room was quiet, too still.

"I'm Dr. Jullian and I'll be handling your thesis and seminars for the semester. And yes, Mr Greene is retiring". His voice was smooth and cold.

Julian began walking down the aisle as he handed out printed syllabi. "This isn't a place for half-effort projects or recycled ideas. If you intend to do just that, I suggest you drop the course now."

A few students exchanged awkward glances. Leah just raised a brow.

"Any questions?" he asked as he returned to the front of the room.

Leah raised her hand slowly, a smug smile curling on her lips.

"Yes, Miss-?"

"Morgan. Leah Morgan," she said. "Just curious, uhm do you prefer originality, or obedience?"

The room went silent.

Julian looked directly at her. His face remained unreadable, but a faint crease formed between his brows. Not annoyance but amusement.

He tilted his head slightly. "Both, ideally. But if forced to choose, it will be originality with discipline. A concept I suspect you might find difficult."

A few students chuckled. Leah had a smug smile as she leaned in her chair and took a slow sip of her latte.

Leah stood in line at the department office, checking the list of thesis supervisor assignments on the bulletin board. As students cleared out, her eyes found her name.

Morgan, Leah: Assigned to Dr. Julian West.

She stared for a second, blinking. "You've got to be kidding me."

Leah tapped the edge of her notebook impatiently as she waited outside his office.

"Room 214," she mumbled. "Should come with a hazard warning."

A fellow student walked out of the office and she saw it as her cue to go in.

When the door opened, she was surprised to find him alone. No clutter. No framed diplomas. Just a pristine office, organized books, and the professor sitting behind his desk like a villain.

He gestured to the chair opposite him without a word.

Leah stepped in, resisting the urge to fidget. "Professor."

"Miss Morgan." His voice was calm, measured. "Close the door, please."

She closed the door as her heart was thudding slightly. There was a tension in the air she couldn't name.

"Your submission?" he asked.

She handed him a single printed page. "It's a draft. Not perfect."

"Of course not," he said, scanning it. "You turned it in."

She blinked.

"I'll admit," he continued, "your topic has potential. But potential isn't enough. I need consistency. You have a reputation in the department."

"I do?" she asked, lifting a brow.

"You're bright, and engaging but undisciplined. Easily distracted."

"And you got all that from one sarcastic comment?"

"No," he said, finally looking up. "I got that from your last three essays. I reviewed them before today."

Leah's throat tightened. He had looked her up. Prepared. She didn't know whether to be impressed or irritated.

"I'm not interested in babysitting talent," Julian said. "I'm interested in sharpening it. If that's not something you can handle, I suggest you request a different advisor."

"I can handle it," she said quickly.

Their eyes locked.

The silence between them stretched. Then Julian looked back at her paper. "Good. I'll expect your outline next Tuesday. You may go."

She stood slowly, heat rising under her skin, but not from shame. She hated being challenged but for some reason, she liked this challenge.

She turned to leave.

"Oh, and Miss Morgan?" he called out as she reached the door.

She turned halfway. "Yes?"

He didn't look up from his notes this time.

"Do try to avoid provoking me in front of the others."

She smiled.

"No promises."