Chapter 1 Professor Carter

ARIA

"I'm the villain," he said with a smug smile, his eyes moving through the edge of the book in his hand. "And I don't regret it."

The class went silent for a moment.

Even the air in the room felt heavier, like we had all simultaneously forgotten how to breathe.

There he was, standing at the front of the lecture hall, tall and neatly dressed in a black dress shirt, his sleeves were rolled up.

His voice... he had the kind of voice that could easily silence a crowd... low, smooth, and just rough enough to sound dangerous when he wanted to.

But he didn't seem dangerous. Not really.

He seemed... gracious. Like a demi god.

Professor Damon Carter.

The man i was with last night.

He was newly hired after the sad news of our previous literature professor.

He was just a guest lecturer, but the whole class has been talking about just how brilliant professor Carter is.

All I could think of was last night.

"He is sooo sexy" Laura said nudging me.

"He is our professor, take your eyes off him you slut" I teased her, pretending i had just met him for the first time.

He snapped the book shut and leaned against the desk.

"Literature has always been obsessed with heroes" he started, "But me? I'm more interested in the ones we are told to hate" he smiled.

"Why" a male student asked from among the students.

"The flawed ones, the broken ones, the ones who choose the darker path, not because they're evil... " he paused, curving his lips, "... but because the world made them that way."

The way he moved his lips made me remember where those same lips were yesterday... on my...

I shifted slightly in my seat before that thought completed in my head. I forgot about the pen in my hand and the book on my desk.

I'd never been so unsettled by a professor before. Not even the ones who shouted at the top of their voices.

And that was because of what happened between us last night. I was so done for.

He didn't raise his voice. I mean he didn't need to. His confidence alone was top notch.

"Your first assignment is simple," he continued. "Pick a character that's mostly seen as a villain, and defend them. Justify their actions. Make me believe you."

Some part of the class groaned while others wispered in excitement.

I stared at the blank page in front of me, pretending to write something down.

I could feel his eyes scanning the class.

And for a brief second, I swore that i felt his eyes on me.

"Psttt" Laura called out in a low tone "he's staring at you"

"No he's not" I scoffed and my eyes landed on his.

He quickly redirected his gaze and returned to his desk, collected his notes then added,

"Office hours are posted online. If you want to argue about your grades, come prepared."

That gave him a few chuckles from the class.

The bell rang and students started packing up, everywhere was loud again, normal again.

But I stayed still, watching him gather his things.

Was he going to call me to talk about last night?

Something in me was him drawn to him. I wanted to walk up to him, but somewhere deep down, i knew i could never make such mistake.

Laura urged me to pack my things too and I did, then we both headed outside as it was the end of lectures for the day.

We walked past the hallways but i was quiet still.

"Looks like Aria Giovanni is into her literature professor" Laura coed.

"Shut up Laura Williams" I sighed, "And no, i'm not into the professor" i said, trying to keep a neutral face, i didn't tell Laura about last night.

Anyways my name is Aria Giovanni. I'm twenty-one, in my final year at westbridge University, and I've officially survived three years of bad cafeteria food, group projects from hell, and professors who think their class is the center of the universe.

And i've been with my new literature professor... in bed, last night.

The blabbermouth beside me, currently chewing gum and talking with her mouth full, is Laura Williams, my best friend since freshman year. She has the attention span of a squirrel and the energy of five Red Bulls. I love her anyway.

"You think the new prof is hot right?" Laura asked, nudging my elbow.

I didn't answer. Not because i hadn't noticed how sexy he looked, i mean everyone in the class noticed, but because i had seen how sexy he looked... without his shirt on.

"I swear, if Professor Adler gives us another pop quiz, I'm dropping out," Laura huffed dramatically, flipping her long curls over her shoulder as we walked toward the exit gate.

I let out a quiet laugh, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

"You say that every semester" I teased.

"Because I mean it every semester," Laura replied, grinning.

She playfully bumped her hip against mine.

Just then a guy bumped into me, his books flying all over the place.

"Oh my gosh, i'm so sorry" I said as i hurriedly picked up part of his books.

"Thank you" he spoke in an attractive voice that made my head quickly whip up to his face.

Tall. Sharp jawline. Dark hair. And that kind of effortless charm that seemed too dangerous for me.

"I should've been watching where I was going," he added, his lips curling into a small smile.

His gaze didn't leave my face.

"I'm James," he introduced, offering his hand casually.

I blinked, hesitating for a second before placing my hand in his. I was too stunned by how handsome he was.

"Anyway, where are her manners?" Laura said.

"Laura Williams, twenty-one, business major with a minor in drama... obviously. Lover of overpriced coffee, bad boys, and drama I don't have to pay for." She grinned wide, unashamed.

"And this," Laura continued, wrapping an arm around me, "is my far-too-serious best friend... Aria Giovanni."

I gave a polite, almost shy nod.

"Literature major. Last year," she added simply, her voice soft but steady.

"And completely hopeless when it comes to men," Laura teased, making my cheeks pink.

"Laura... "

"I'm just saying," Laura whispered with a playful smirk.

"Aria..." he repeated my name like it was something sweet, "pretty name"

"See you around, Aria," James said smoothly before walking off, leaving a lingering scent.

I just stood there, watching him disappear into the crowd.

Laura leaned close, practically squealing.

"Well, well, well... looks like this semester will get interesting."

I wasn't so sure why my heart was racing.

But somehow, i had a feeling Laura was right.

I was still watching the crowd when my head suddenly went to one of windows in the school building.

Professor Carter stood by the window, glaring at me. Was he jealous?

I doubt that. I'm pretty sure he regrets last night already.

My breath hitched when our gaze met, though i couldn't explain why.

Maybe he was going to make me fail his class, oh God, i am so done for.