(Mr Spencer’s POV)

Finally logged out for the first time in multiple days…damn am I hungry and come on body wake up!!

Crying silently at the inevitableness of being late to my lecture due to my body being completely asleep, I slowly wiggle my toes and fingers to get the cogs turning. They really need to make some sort of nutrient capsule or something to keep people not paralysed and fed.

It’s just like last time…and there’s the warning saying I should log out but it doesn’t do anything beyond that.

Seriously what’s with the lack of failsafe. I could’ve died if I’d stayed a few more days unaware! Though I guess that’d rarely happen.

Swinging my feet off the bed, one step two ste-floor….well time to crawl to the bathroom then.

Jeez, although the headset does slow your body functions to an almost deathlike state...3 real life days is enough for the metabolism to happen ooooouh.

Hmm, if I set up a system I’d be fine with the bathroom problems but food would be my main concern. Would I have to feed myself soup through a drip tube or something? Though with my lifestyle actually needing me to logout once every day I guess this is just food for thought.

Sticking a frozen pizza in the oven, finally walking once again, I jump into an icicle shower giving my body a proper jumpstart.

No more staying in game for too long a period of time, I have a life.

Anywho, let’s see what I’ll be wearing today. Can’t do my usual t-shirt and jeans since I actually have students now. I don’t really like suits and I’ve actually forgotten to wash them since last use soooooo shirt and waistcoat it is, though…nah tie would be over the top. Ahhh how the days of wearing a colour matching trillby went by. That and looking like a stripper when wearing only a waistcoat and no shirt…

I should definitely start properly working out again, man having those vetinarians on call because those swans were sick back in the day was awesome. Wow never noticed the irony of actually having a vetinarian on call back then…what a beautiful memory.

Right, focus, clothe yourself and get some food and then get to work! Look to the future not reminisce the past.

Giving my cheeks a few light slaps, at least I’m not tired so that’s something.

Peeking at the time, oh no.

…

..

.

Turning the oven off, I quickly rush out the door.

*grumble* sorry stomach no time, oh I’m starving!

Power-walking through the high street, because appearances are important (ignoring me eating an entire half-frozen pizza on the go) waving hello to the few early morning merchants, I quickly arrive at the castle, it’s wide oak doors held open by a slightly older man, early thirties I think, wearing almost exactly the same thing as I, dress shoes included, but with a zebra tie tucked neatly in and a white trillby, more zebra patterns ringing the base.

He’s even got a pocket square, damn I’ve been totally showed up…but he does look fantastic with the whole black and white colour scheme, supported by his mild latinoan skin and dark black hair which is slick back behind his ears. May have to do an art lesson on that.

Although this week’s lectures are supposed to be focused on different drawing art styles since I’ve given them a week of fun things and now one week of nitty gritty things. But I have missed almost half the lectures this week already, whoops.

I hope the substitute got something done.

“OY, what are you doing holding that door open for me you misogynistic scum? I am an independent woman and can open the bloody thing myself” I swear that over the top feminist wave died out a few years ago? Well not that I ever experienced it but the internet surely held more than a few stories…

Standing in front of the man with thick arms aggressively held at her side, short blue hair with shaved sides and a less than pleasant look upon her face, is someone who could aptly be named your typical feminazi.

“Excuse me madam but I’m not holding this door open for you” he even tipped his hat.

“Oh then you’re holding it open for another woman? Want to act the gentleman just so you can get in her pants?” that isn’t exactly the point of being a gentleman…

“And I’m sure you treat all men you fancy like an absolute princess” I like this guy already, even with the slight smirk at the end. I’m definitely getting to know him for both verbal and physical art’s sake…plus he seems like a good man.

“No I don’t because I’m a lesbian and fuck all men who think themselves better than women, thinking we need to be taken care of. It’s people like you who make me hate men”

“Women are fragile”

*Slap*

Now that was uncalled for, you can have an argument but don’t get physical. Plus that sounded painful.

“By the sounds of it you’re the more fragile one” She snorts in derision at the man, who is busy rubbing his red cheek.

“As I was saying w-” He catches her hand this time as she goes in for another slap, obviously not wanting to talk. Seriously what happened with just walking away and letting people have their own opinions?

*crack*

And now there’s one screaming heaving woman with a broken wrist, pinned to the floor. I’m not going to be so callous as to say she deserved it but karma?

But still, you don’t go breaking people’s arms out in the open, or at all really. Jesus.

Also I feel really ok with watching this, that’s psychologically worrying…maybe I should find myself a psychologist to chat to.

“Women are biologically more fragile, and more sensitive especially to pain. Did you never wonder why more women are ticklish than men? It’s because their body holds more receptors than a mans. Women and men can be the same in personality, wants, needs, ambitions, but when it comes to genetics or their biological purpose in life it’s not something to be debated. A women’s purpose in life is to breed and keep their species going. A man’s purpose is to protect the women, deter any danger to their lives”

“Bullshit” she gets out one last word, her energy all seemingly spent on wailing, and then goes quiet….and she’s unconscious, bleeding out. Oh god.

As the man begins his rant to all the shocked onlookers, I rip my shirt and begin bandaging the women as best as I remember, creating a tourniquet with my belt and stopping bloodflow from the awkwardly bent arm, elbow bone sticking out.

“-Just simple biology. Don’t get me wrong, women can survive by themselves quite happily, thanks to technology but look at animals, they stay true to their biology of protecting their women…well most of them, there are quite a few who don’t but then again for all we know that could be their base biology. What most people get wrong is the fact that there are many many factors beyond simple biology. Take lions for example, the women do all the hunting but that’s not because of biology that’s something to do with their community and what they found worked” He takes his first breath. “Let’s take peoples sexuality since that seems to be very important for you. There is no such thing in biology. Biologically you are straight since it is the only sexuality that will help pass on your genetics and if you truly believe that you are biologically something else then your sexuality is the genetic equivalent of having down syndrome. There is something wrong with your genes”

No response from her…probably because she’s unconscious but uh he doesn’t seem to notice, uhh.

“Let’s look at penguins. Yes there are gay couples who take care of orphaned eggs. But look at it from a biological standpoint, they weren’t born with the idea of looking after someone elses egg. Nevermind the fact that that’s altruistic behavior completely against their genetic disposition, gay couples wont naturally reproduce since it’s impossible, thus they wouldn’t pass on their genes. If you truly believe they are genetically correct, put only gay couples in an environment and watch them die out within one generation. Sexuality is an opinon not a genetic fact. Ah good morning madam” He stops his lecture, letting go of the woman and standing up to re-open the door for phew that is one smexy librarian.

Hello Rienna, gosh have my eyes missed you.

“Causing trouble again I see Samuel”

“Merely opening the eyes of this poor person to the reality of things”

“You really did a number on her” She smirks with her plump, deep velvet lips, adjusting her square spectacles slightly lower on her small nose with one hand while the other gently tucks her long silky black hair behind one almost elvish ear.

“I did? Oh no she’s unconscious!?” He quickly fumbles to call for an ambulance, well

“Tut tut, Samuel there’s only so many disciplinary hearings I can keep you out of” Gah even when she’s telling him off it’s just laced with delicate tension.

“You needn’t worry yourself, myself and a few others bore witness to her both verbal and physical attack on Samuel” I saunter up, making myself known to that beauty.

“Why….hello there. Jack” She almost savours my name, eyes flickering downwards at my still decent figure. Hey I don’t workout often but a good body stays a good body for quite a while if you take care of it. “I do hope you help him since he is a most excellent staff member, although a little prone to trouble as you may see” And prone to you too. I have competition!

“I did mention for you not to worry yourself, he is in safe hands” I take a step closer “although I’m sure he’d much rather be in yours”

“And I suppose he’s not the only one?” She licks her top canine with a slightly open mouth, so cheeky, very unlike our first meeting when she seemed so much more shy.

“Ahem” Time to play shy myself I guess “I…don’t suppose you’ll be free this weekend?”

“Perhaps, it depends on what you plan to do with me” Calm, concentrate Jack, concentrate and not on her gorgeously tight black dress with some really enticing visuals.

“That…is up to your imagination” Oh that sensual grin “But do dress because we may be quite active”

She bites her lower lip ever so slightly “I’ll wear…just…a dress then. Forgive me but I have a lecture now so Saturday?”

“Shall we say eight in the evening?”

“Oh I do hope that’ll give us plenty of time for your…activity”

“Perhaps, it depends which one you’re looking forward to. Now I too have a lecture to attend” Offering my palm she takes it and I give her two semi-slow pecks on her fingers then knuckles.

With a slow sexy wink, she turns around and goes through the doors, long black heels clacking in rhythm to her hips’ swaying.

I definitely lost the battle of being in control there but damn she turned from hot librarian to erotic fantasy librarian. I think I might actually be sexually attracted to someone.

“Tch, you win today” Oh yeah whoops completely forgot I’m not here alone, rather there are more than a few onlookers. “I may have lost the battle but I will win the war for her heart Jack” he’s not bitter, rather quite chivalrous in his manner of declaring his ambitions. I wouldn’t put it past him to throw a glove at me for a duel.

“You can’t win a battle you can’t fight in”

“Ha. Samuel” He offers a hand, which I take. Damn he’s got some muscles

“Jack”

Done with introductions, I really need to go, like I’ve become late, again because I spent the past few minutes, seconds, I don’t know I was mired in heavy sexual tension between that gorgeous librarian fantasy woman and time just escaped my brain there.

Damn that dress and glasses are just ogh can’t describe it.

Skipping past Samuel as he holds the door open for me, I zoom upstairs, almost tripping on the spirals but luckily my balance is good and of course the rails helped too.

“I HAVE RETURNED” Dramatically waltzing through the trapdoor, I am greeted by the ever so scary looking Krudel and the refreshing smile of Emma. A young beauty that has yet time to mature into something that can rival Rienna, not that I’ll ever feel anything beyond a sort of honor at watching her grow into a beauty. “Sorry I was late, there was a situation downstairs but let us forget that, shall we begin learning from where you last left off” wait where’s Clara?

“Clara isn’t here yet” Krudel obviously notices me peering around.

“Well then she will have to catch up. Tell me what have you learnt about the art styles over history” and I thought we were off to a good start…

“…What is that?” Emma, thank you for being honest and doubling my stress since you’re about 3 days behind now. “Sean only taught us how the world is from a blind man’s view”

...Sean? the substitute I imagine. And he taught them something rather interesting(?) to say the least, I guess these last 3 lectures weren’t completely useless. I may have to do some guest lectures in light of all this…

Anywho onto art styles and all that dull garbage.

…

(Clara’s POV)

“Dad”

“Hey honey, why are you calling so early? Something bad happened?” His tanned face appears on the screen, too close and his eyes fail to look at the camera.

*Sniff*

“Dad”

“Does my darling angel need Pops to come over there and sort out the boy who broke your heart?” His deep voice is as soothing as ever.

“How did you know?” I haven’t even *sniff* told you yet

“My sweet sweet girl, I know you, you’re probably holed up in your room all day laying in the comforts of your rabbits” Dad does know me so well. “So unless there was a freak accident where they all died, the only other thing that’d make you tear up like this is a boy”

“…It sucks, it just sucks” I don’t know why I feel like this, I don’t want to feel like this.

“I know I know. I don’t ever want my little angel getting heart broken but you’re going to have to leave your room someday and find someone you want to spend your life with”

*Sniffle*

“Can I not just become a rabbit lady?” It’ll be better than feeling this crushing feeling in my chest. It’s killing me.

“As long as your happy I’m happy but don’t let this little heartbreak ruin the world for you. He’s just one man of millions”

“But he was different”

“They always are, until they’re not. Don’t spend time in the past, look to the future. From what I can tell he doesn’t love you so don’t spend your love on him” Dad’s always to the point, slightly blunt but I like that, it’s not wish washy and waffly like a certain Mom who tried to console me many a time...

“It’s not that he doesn’t, it’s that he can’t”

“…Is my little angel being a devil and trying to steal a man from another? Seems like I’ve left you alone with Julie for too long”

“No Dad, god no I’m not like her….he is my lecturer”

“…”

“I know…I know but I couldn’t help it, I met him before I knew he was my lecturer and he was just so different, so above everyone’s sex-depraved lives”

“Are you telling me you were skipping out on lectures”

“Dad not the point, but yes” I can’t lie to him, he’s just, he’s my Dad, my one and only.

“So you’re crying over your forbidden love with your lecturer, my, Julie would be proud.” Not the words I was looking for Dad, I don’t want to be anything like Mum and her sexcapades *shiver*.

“Well not only that, I saw him ask someone out for a date and I just freaked, I couldn’t go to his lecture, I mean look at me I’m a mess. How could I go there like this”

“My little darling, all I can do is offer to fly over there to give you the best hug I can, I’m hating to say this but the only one who can help you now is…your mother”

“Dad……i’ll be fine. I love you”

“I love you too my little angel, now go face hell”

“Heh *sniff*, ok” I give my screen a last hug before disconnecting.

Although my eyes are tearing up, I feel a lot better, like a weight’s somewhat been lifted off my chest. I really needed to talk to someone about this…though I didn’t tell him about the night I had with him because I don’t think Dad needs to know about that just yet. He would probably come fly over here if he knew that part…

AAAAAGGGHH I CAN’T BELIEVE I FELL IN LOVE WITH MY LECTURER! I’m such a stupid stupid girl, I even slept with him. God I slept with my lecturer!

Worst thing is, I still remember it, I can still feel his muscular arms wrapping around me, his tongue…oh. DAMMIT WHY?

“Hello, Honey it’s odd for you to call me what’s g-”

“I FUCKED MY LECTURER”

“............I see, good job” “MOM THAT’S NOT WHAT I WANT YOU TO SAY” “Alright alright, calm down, I know what it’s like, but tell me, is he hot?” “Aaargh I knew I shouldn’t have called you!”

“Honey, don’t get mad, Mommy is just proud that you’ve made your first step in enjoying men”

“I LOVE him Mom, what do I do?”

“Honey, strong words, love isn’t really the word you’re looking for. And besides, apart from him being your lecturer what else do you know about this man?” stop talking to me in such a condescending way.

“What does that matter?”

“Because if you don’t know who they are how can you love them”

“I don’t know, I just get this feeling, this aagh it’s killing me. Everytime I remember him”

“Naked?” “Mother no!...but yes”

“So you desire him, and well he is your first time so that’s obvious. Just sit and listen. The person you first have sex with, you will end up falling in love with, why? Because they make you feel good like no one else ever has before, obviously. If you really think you love him, go on a date with him”

“But he’s my lecturer”

“And? When I first met your father he was my boss, didn’t stop me for a second” That’s because you’re not the best person Mom.

“And he’s going on a date with another hot lecturer”

“Do you know when and where his date is?”

“8pm on Saturday, he said something active”

“Hmm…so not a meal. Is there a bowling alley in town?”

“I don’t know”

“Google it, if there is chances are he’ll take her there”

“Why?”

“Because bowling as a first date is a good choice. Allows you to talk to the person, while doing an activity which can be made sensual if he teaches her how to bowl. And as he readjusts your hips his hand will linger while his hot breath tickles instructions into your ears.”

“Mom, stop with the description, I don’t need that”

“Just giving you a few tips on what situation you should throw yourself into. If that man is going on a date with another woman, get your own date and make him jealous”

“But why, what will that do?”

“Ah honey, men want what they cannot have, and you just have to show him how much he wants your forbidden self” She giggles on the other side of the phone, almost gleeful. “Now let’s begin with finding a suitably hot guy to set you up with.”

…

“Derek”

“Hello my lovely little mascot, what may be the occasion for your lovely voice to call me?” Joking as always.

“We’re going on a date, Saturday 8pm, Rolling Alley”

“Oh…er yeah totally sounds good. Want me to pick you up on my sweet ride?” He actually said yes, that’s strange I thought I would’ve had to explain to him that I need a friend to go on a fake date with.

“Sure”

“It’s a date” He laughs happily as he disconnects.

Cool, now I’ll be able to show up Jack…wait why am I doing this, he’s my lecturer!!

Aaaah I just just don’t know anymore. Chopper come here, I need cuddles.

*sniff sniff*

…

*Knock Knock*

“Go away” I groggily answer, half-dreaming while cuddling with my cute bunnies.

“Sounds like you’ve stopped crying” The voice is quite high-pitched, but I don’t recognize them.

“…”

“I’ve got choc-chip mint ice-cream” …I suddenly got very hungry “And love actually on dvd”

…

..

.

Getting out of the bed, rubbing my puffy eyes, I head to the door, opening it up with a rather strange surprise.

The person holding said icecream and a laptop with ten things I hate about you loaded up, is none other than my downstairs neighbour…Karen?

She’s a small woman, almost as short as me with a petite body, almost squirrel-like face, yet a few small laughlines and her bunned auburn hair give off the more mature vibe of her actual age.

“Hello neighbour, since I heard you crying, I thought you needed a girls day in” She gives me a beaming smile, her high-pitched voice cutting through the air. Doesn’t even mention the fact that I probably look like I’m straight out a horror film with my hair everywhere and whatever makeup I’ve got streaked down my puffy face.

But I don’t know you, and er I don’t really want company…we never really talked once I moved in…like ever.

“Don’t give me the I don’t want company look, come on, we’ll watch a movie, eat some ice-cream and you’ll be right as rain” …haah fine, only because it’s love actually

Taking off the latch, I leave the door open and let her come inside, to which she does, quite energetically.

“Why are you being nice? You don’t even know me” I sit on the bed, scooping up my bunnies onto my lap.

“Girls gotta stick together, plus the walls are thin so I could hear everything” She wiggles her eyebrows

…

..

.

Ah…ahh AHHHH.

“Oh look at you go all red, what a cutsie! Yeah I heard…everything” *wink*

“Fuck off” I seethe towards her, but she just giggles and drops down next to me, placing ice-cream and laptop on me, barring me from an escape.

She’s already got the lid open with a spoon, dammit.

Angrily spooning the first bit of mint choc-chip in my mouth oh, maybe I do need this.

“So…your lecturer eh”

“Fguh ogg”