Chapter 1: Introduction
Ethan sat at his station in the class room. He hated Finals week. he became a professor to teach not be a guard in some sick combination of a classroom and a concentration camp.
Of course, that's what finals did to you. Make you a crazy person. No matter what anyone said, Ethan always thought that some of the best moments in life could be found in the classroom. Something about the energy of young minds opening up to the stories you told, the ideas you planted which grew into a better understanding of the world. Or so they said. Despite his reservations, Ethan loved his job. Still he was rather glad finals were almost over.
He watched the students out of the class as they finished what would most likely be their last final of the semester. He looked over the class at the few remaining students. some he had gotten to know personally some less so but the one that constantly drew his eye was Jennifer. She was a bright student and seemed to be eager to learn and while students like her were the reason he taught what really captured his attention was the view he had from his desk.
her skirt was short and from where he sat he couldn't help but see right up it. he was by no means a pervert but physical intimacy between he and his wife had always been a bit infrequent and is didn't help that she seemed to constantly be hiking it up.
Dr. Thompson furrowed his brow. he had heard of something like this. I stood and walked to the side of the classroom where he could get a side view of what he had suspected. he pretended to look away but kept Jennifer in his peripheral and sure enough she hiked up her skirt looked down than immediately wrote her next answer. Ethan sighed and sat back at his desk. there was no need to make a seen he would wait until as many students as possible had left before he would confront her. as the allotted testing time elapsed she brought her test to him and gave him a wink.
"Jennifer, I need to speak with you." he said.
she looked around, noting that she was almost the last student in the classroom.
"Sure thing, Dr. Thompson." she said cheerfully.
"It's about your test."
Jennifer's smile faltered a little.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"I think you know what you did." he said quietly.
her eyes widened, then narrowed.
"This isn't easy for me, you have been one of my favorite students this semester, but I can't over look what I saw. you have notes written on your leg don't you?" he added.
Jennifer looked at her leg, then back at him, her cheeks flushed. "I-I can explain." she stuttered.
Ethan leaned back in his chair and put his arms behind his head, trying to look less intimidating. "I'm listening."
Jennifer took a deep breath and fidgeted with her hands. "I didn't have time to study for the test. I had to work last night and I didn't finish until late, and I had to be at work again early this morning.
I didn't want to fail the test, so I made the decision to risk it and bring my notes with me. I know it was wrong, but I just couldn't bear the thought of failing."
Dr. Thompson studied her for a moment before responding. "Jennifer, did you consider the consequences? instead of failing a test you could be expelled. I don't want that for you. It was a big risk and for what? maybe only getting a B?"
"I'm sorry, it was stupid. I just thought it was the only solution. besides I figured the only way I would get caught was if...someone was looking up my skirt..."
Jennifer trailed off, the last word hanging in the air between them.
Ethan felt a flutter in his chest. He had been caught, there was no denying it now. He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. "Listen, Jennifer. I'm not going to report you. I understand that sometimes things like this happen. But we need to come up with a solution that benefits both of us."
Jennifer looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Really?
You won't tell anyone?" Jennifer asked, a look of relief spreading across her face.
"I won't, but you have to make it right," Ethan said. "I'll give you a chance to retake the test, but this time I want you to do it without any cheating. And I'm going to need your help in return."
"My help?" Jennifer asked, furrowing her brow.
"Yes. I need help with some personal research. I've been having an issue with another professor here at the college and I think you may be able to offer some helpful input on the situation. I'm afraid I may be too close to the situation to see it clearly. kind of a situation where you can't see the forest for the trees thing.
I'm hoping you can offer an outside perspective since you're a neutral party. In exchange, I'll let you take the test over and we can discuss your solution to my problem.
Jennifer hesitated for a moment, then nods. "Alright, I'll help you with the research. When should we meet?"
"How about now? it's shouldn't take more than an hour," Dr. Thompson said.
As Jennifer left the classroom, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was somehow a turning point in both their lives.