"Thank you for taking care of my little boy," Professor Peterson patted my my shoulder with her hand rather awkwardly due to our height gap.

Her usual 5'8 of height in campus went down to 5'4 as she's not wearing any heels right now.

"And I don't mean because you got paid to do so," she added before I could reply. "Aaron had a fun day. It's not usual to see him so excited about something, so thank you."

"He's a great kid. Really smart."

My comment solicited a warm smile. "He is. I sometimes wonder where he got it from. Neither his dad or I are that smart."

"I disagree," I blurted out suddenly. Earning a chuckle from her while a blush on my cheeks for me. "I...I just, i mean, you're a great professor and an intelligent person. Being your student for more than a month now is enough evidence to prove my point."

She chuckled heartily, making my chest feel warm with the way her eyes crinkle and the sweet sound of her laughter. "You flatter me, Aiden."

"J-Just telling the truth, Miss."

"Didn't I make it clear to call me by my name?" She teased, eyebrow raised in a playful manner.

"I-sorry," I touched my nape nervously.

"I'm kidding," Professor Peterson says noticing my whole face probably red already. "You're too easy to tease."

"Feel free to call me whatever you're comfortable with."

I just nodded, too stupefied to say anything else.

The warm feeling in my chest still hasn't gone, seemingly getting worse by the seconds of being in the mere presence of my favorite professor's personal space, which I realized just now.

I'm in her house. Professor Peterson's house. My Anatomy and Physiology professor's house.

And I'm still here, even after dinner, for some reason.

Why am I still here?

"Did you enjoy the dinner?" She asked, turning her dark brown eyes to me.

"I did, you're a really good cook," It was true. It almost beat my mama and mom's cooking, and those two are queens when it comes to the kitchen.

"Is that your opinion or you're just saying that after Aaron bragged about my cooking for the whole dinner?" A teasing smile accompanied the question.

I widened my eyes. "I swear, it's good. Perfect even. The best paella I've ever had." I rushed out before embarrassment came.

Though the laugh that Professor Peterson emitted satisfied me and it made me think how it was worth the embarrassment if it makes her laugh like that. The way her white and straight teeth is shown, the edges of her dark brown eyes crinkling and the beautiful sounds being produced.

Her laughter brought an involuntary smile from my lips.

"You have a beautiful laugh, Miss," I blurted out.

My comment made her stop, beautiful sound ended, eyes slightly widening before looking away from me all too fast. Her posture went from relaxed to fidgety and that made me frown. Did I say something wrong?

"Thank you, Aiden. You're sweet," Professor Peterson said after a few seconds of agonizing silence.

I smiled, happy as I thought I might have said something weird or wrong that made her uncomfortable. I didn't want to make her feel like that. Although I don't think a simple compliment about her laugh is weird.

Is it?

"I should get going now, Professor," I stood up after a few seconds of silence between us. She then silently guided me outside the house and to the gates.

"Do you have a ride?" She asked upon noticing that there aren't any vehicles parked around. Or an unfamiliar one that would indicate it's mine.

I shook my head. "I'll be commuting."

"It's late, Aiden. And it's not safe for you to go on your own. Come on, I'll give you a ride," she moved to go back inside but I stopped her.

"It's okay, Professor, I'm good."

"What? Nonsense, come on now."

"No need, Miss, really," I sent her a grateful smile. "Commuting is not new to me and I can handle myself, besides, you must be tired already. You should just rest."

After a few minutes of arguing, she finally let me go and agreed with a defeated sigh, telling me to take care and give her a text as to let her know I got home safe. I felt a warmth in my chest upon receiving such kindness and worry from her. It feels nice to have someone worry about me aside from my family and now new found friends.

That night, I slept comfortably and with a smile on my face.

"I think I almost died," Julius exaggerated, cuddling to Lexie after we finished three of our examinations for the day. Tomorrow being the last day that includes Professor Peterson's course subject.

"Almost? Bitch, I died," Zoey slumped down on the picnic blanket. "You're talking to my ghost."

"Of course, these two can't relate. How does it feel being smart?" Julius turned to look at Lexie and I. The former rolling her eyes and continuing on stroking his hair.

"I studied for a week," I shrugged, not accepting the compliment. Because I really did study for a week and fried my brain.

"Sure," Zoey said, not believing me.

Our afternoon were spent still studying for the exams. Julius and Zoey reviewing together while Lexie and I did ours separately, not used to having distractions and study better alone.

I woke up the next day with a headache for the lack of proper sleep these past few days. We didn't have time for breakfast and ran to our respective rooms, Julius and I panting once we reached the first examination.

When lunch time came, we barely ate any, focused on taking a short nap and scanning our notes.

Walking like dead zombies despite it being only the preliminary examination, Julius and I slumped down our seats as Professor Peterson stood with the papers on her hands.

Once everyone arrived, Professor Peterson handed the papers to each of us along with a note that says 'Good luck' with our names and a smiley face. I smiled at the effort, looking up at her, to my delight, our eyes met, I then sent an appreciative smile her way.

The note, for some reason, gave me a boost of energy. Although my heart was still beating fast, hands sweaty and body overall feeling cold, I managed to finish the exam with 10 minutes to spare and confident that I did good. Julius, despite always saying he had a hard time, manages to finish fast and excell. He was waiting for me outside.

I passed my paper with a shy smile. Professor Peterson's eyes went down to the end of the front page where I wrote a 'Thank you' to her.

"How was it?" She asked.

"I think I did good," I answered, shrugging. "I hope I did."

Chuckling, she responded. "I'm sure you did, Aiden. You're an excellent student."

"That's because you're an excellent Professor," I complimented back before my eyes widened at the sudden confidence.

I must be sleep and food deprived.

"Thank you," She beamed at me. "I'm glad my teaching isn't a total waste."

Although I knew she was just joking, I didn't like what she said, so I frowned. My expression earned a chuckle from her.

"Go on now, Aiden. You look like you need sleep," She teased, lightly pushing me towards the door.

I smiled, waving a little, "Take care, Miss."

Once I set foot outside the classroom, Julius wasted no time in pulling me close and cheering that hell week finally ended. I laughed along with him as we fetched Lexie and Zoey.

"You know what we need?" Julius rubbed his chin.

"What?" Zoey raised a brow.

"Alcohol," he firmly stated. "We need to get wasted."

Upon hearing the word, my stomach clenched painfully and memories of my father came wandering back. The times he would get home drunk, yelling at us and throwing his beer bottle carelessly. He started drinking when he found out I was intersex, but it got worse when he got fired from his job a month later, couldn't find another one, and then my Lolo, his father, died of cancer as we couldn't afford to pay for his treatment any longer from his lack of job and mama's income wasn't enough.

I hated alcohol ever since.

"I-I don't think I can join," I murmured quietly. "I don't drink."

"Really?" Julius' eyes widened. "You don't wanna try?" I shook my head. "That's okay, we can drink and you can just have juice or something."

"I don't want to be a killjoy though."

"What? Nonsense," Julius placed his arm around me. "No one's going to force you to drink here. It's about the company."

"I barely drink too," Lexie reassured me. "These two," pointing at Julius and Zoe, "Are the ones who would die without alcohol."

"Uhm, bullshit," Zoey butted in. "Alcohol is like water to you, you bitch."

"We don't like liars, babe," Julius added, shaking his head.

"I changed!"

A breath of relief, I smiled at them gratefully, chuckling as they continued to bicker. Julius and Zoey teasing Lexie.