Teach Me ?

3. It's Not Stalking...I Think

Great. A complicated attraction to my TA, a possibly alcoholic boyfriend, and a five page paper. Could life get any more complicated?

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"Maya" Josh exclaims, catching my attention as the class begins filing out of the room. I nod for Riley to continue on without me but she gives me a weary glance causing me to shoot her an annoyed glare that finally convinces her to disappear. "You sure have a smart mouth" Josh comments causing a blush to rise on my cheeks. Dammit. Why did that happen every time he opened his mouth?

"I'm very skilled" I reply dangerously and I get the intended reaction, his lips parting slightly in shock making me bite my lip. I don't know what the hell it was about him that turned me into a boy crazed teenager but it was like I lost control of my body when I was around him.

"I'll take your word for it" he replies with an amused smile. "I just wanted to remind you that the library has some good databases that you can use for your essay" he says, taking me by surprise. Of course it shouldn't surprise me since he's my TA and he's supposed to assist my teacher and his students.

"Thanks for the tip" I smile genuinely. "I should get going. See you later Josh."

"Later Maya" he shouts after me as I start out the door. I almost stop to tell him about last night but I can't, it'll just make things weird and awkward. So, I walk out the door and make my way across campus. I reach into my purse for my phone on my way to the library but I quickly realize that it's not there.

"Dammit" I mutter as I reach the library, pulling the door open and stepping inside. I make my way over to the bank of computers and sit down to start my research.

I don't know how many hours pass but suddenly I'm awoken by someone shaking my shoulder. "Maya" Josh says softly making my eyes flutter open.

"Hm" I hum, looking up at him. "What time is it?" I ask sleepily as I attempt to read the time on the bottom of my computer screen.

"Eight" he replies making my eyes widen. Shit. I had a date with Derek tonight. I guess my lack of sleep last night had caught up with me.

"Nothing is going right today" I mutter in frustration as I sit up and begin throwing all my papers into my bag. "Thank you for waking me up."

"No problem" he shrugs. "I needed the computer" he adds with a teasing smile making me chuckle as I log off.

"Well it's all yours" I reply as I stand up. "I need to get home anyway."

"Hot date?" he asks.

I shrug. "Kinda, is it really still a hot date when you've been with the guy for over a year?" I ask making him chuckle.

"I guess it depends on the relationship" he answers blunty. "But at least you'll be plenty awake."

"Yea" I nod, running my fingers through my hair. "I didn't really sleep last night" I confess as I lean against the wall. "My uh neighbors were kinda loud."

"That sucks" he replies as he takes my seat. "Apartment living can be difficult."

"Um yea I guess" I shrug. "Look I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow" I add before rushing out of the library and starting towards the parking lot.

I climb in my car and rush home and up to my apartment only to find the place empty. I moan in annoyance as I slam the door shut and look around for a note, this time at least I find one hanging on the fridge.

Hope you have a good night. I'll be on our date. Derek

"Of course" I huff as I throw the note onto the counter. I put my stuff down onto the ground and plop down onto my bed. I lay in silence for a while but since I took such a long nap at school I'm not tired in the least so I grab my laptop and decide to surf Facebook.

I happen across a post from Morgan that catches my attention dated from last night right around the time Josh stormed out of the building.

Morgan Matthews

You'd think he's my big brother the way be babies me

I stare at the status for what feels like forever trying to comprehend her meaning. Josh is her brother! How is it possible I've never seen him around? Or maybe I have and I just don't remember but that seems highly unlikely.

I need to stop, this is becoming super cyber stalky. But then again...I click on Morgan's name and it takes me to her profile. I click on her friends and search for Josh and sure enough he appears. I click his name and his profile pops up onto my screen. It's private so there's not much I can get aside from his birthday (Valentine's Day), hometown (Philadelphia), and relationship status (single!).

The fact that he's single shouldn't cause a rush of excitement to run through my body but it does and the guilt that washes over me after the excitement dies off is enough to make me close my laptop. I really did need to stop.

Josh and I have talked a total of three times! Despite any pull I had towards him he's my TA which made him totally off limits and besides, I had a boyfriend...I think.

I wander into the kitchen and fix myself a sandwich before settling into bed and turning on the television to watch This Is Us and once it's over I find myself falling asleep.