Chapter Two
It was September. I had spent the last month of the summer reading all of the Spanish literature I could. I was dreadfully excited for classes to start. The first day of classes was finally here and I made sure that I got to mine early so I could get a seat close to the front. But not too close; I learned freshman year that if you sit in the front, everyone makes fun of you and calls you the teacher’s pet and even though I wanted to be, I didn’t want other people to know that. Shannon was in the class too, so it would be great. As I was talking to her, he walked in. He was just as beautiful as I had remembered. Professor Osane-Profe. Tall and lean with dark hair and a gorgeous smile that was just a little bit crooked, but to me-perfect. My memories flooded back into my head. I kept talking to Shannon in fear that he had forgotten me and too embarrassed to take the chance and talk to him. I mean, we had only met that one time and even though it was a life changing moment for me, it wasn’t for him-I’m sure. Shannon grabbed my arm and groaned, "Lili, I don't wanna be here! It's too early. And I know he's gonna give us homework, day one…for sure." I laughed at her, but keeping a sideways glance on Profe. I was still scared-scared that he wouldn't recognize me, remember me at all; that I was just a figment of his past, while he was in my dreams every night.
But, he walked over with his warm smile, “Hi Liliana. Hi Shannon!” "Hi," I muttered as my heart leapt. I was so excited that he had remembered me and I knew my face was a strawberry color. He sat and talked to us for a few minutes while the rest of the students shuffled in. I don’t even remember what he was saying to us because my mind was drifting around somewhere along with my heart. "Welcome class," he started. "I am going to speak in English for the first five minutes, while seeing who's here. After that though," he looked around, "Spanish only." I heard groans from all around me, and smiled to myself. "Gotta practice speaking Spanish," I checked off in my head. "So this class is about Spanish Literature. We will discuss different periods of time in Latin America and how they affected the authors that lived there. Liliana and Shannon have had some firsthand experience spending time with me down in South America, and I hope that in the future more students will take on that experience." He smiled and looked at me and Shannon. While he spoke of our experience, I almost felt like a celebrity-he talked about our time in South America and all of the things we had done learning about the culture. Not that anyone else really cared, but I was elated in the fact that we had a history even if it was as simple as having a few cups of coffee together and walking around the city. Class flew by and I was sad that I had to leave, but at least I got to see him, and would get to see him later.
Since my elective class in the afternoon was cancelled for the first week, I had some time after lunch, so I went to visit my college advisor, Professor Christensen. She was the sweetest woman in the world and gave me a huge hug when I walked into her office. "Liliana, how have you been?" she asked me kindly. "I've been alright. Just excited to start the year here. I kind of missed school," I blushed because it wasn't school that I missed, but him. We got talking for awhile and she continued to congratulate me for my previous superb semester. I explained to her that I had gotten a lot of inspiration and enthusiasm from my trip to South America, and just as I was telling her about my experience, there was a knock on her door. She motioned me to open it, nodding her head in the direction of the door, and when I did, I stood there face to face with him. He smiled at me and then, "Livvy," he said, in regards to my advisor. "Professor," she greeted him. "Just popping my head in to say hello. Haven't seen you since last year!" "Yes, I know. I miss my hallway neighbor," she laughed. "Okay, be right back, just gonna drop something off on my desk across the hall." He popped his head back out and opened the door to his office. My advisor and I continued to talk, while I desperately hung on to the chance that he would stop back in before he left. My wish was granted. "Back," he exclaimed, and sat down in the chair next to me. "Osane," my advisor said. "This is Liliana Taylor. She is one of my best students here." "I can believe it," he looked at me. "I met her in South America. Didn't she tell you?" "You did, why didn't you say so Liliana?" I blushed from my shyness. "Yeah, uh last year." I managed to say. We continued to talk about my South American trip for a few minutes and I was very happy to be spending some time with them both. If my advisor liked him, then I had more reassurance, apart from my heart, telling me he was a great person. After a few minutes he looked up at the clock. "Ahhh, ladies, excuse me. I have to grab my stuff and head to my next class." "Adios," my advisor said. "I…uh, Profe?" He looked at me. "Um, I have class with you now." He smiled, "Well, how 'bout a cup of coffee first, then we will go to class." I grinned a large and goofy grin, but I was happy. My insides flipped as I got up and went to leave with him. I said goodbye to my advisor and we left together.
We walked towards the café on campus and got our coffees. Once again, he paid for it, like that time in South America, which made me blush all over again. After we picked up our coffee, we sat outside on a bench in front of the building our class was in and we talked some more about South America. "I had such a great time there last time. It was amazing," I could barely control myself when talking about it. I expressed to him that I badly wanted to go back. He beamed, "Well, Ms. Traveler, there is another program that this school offers during the summer. It's a month long instead of two weeks so you get to experience more than last time. What do you think?" I was ecstatic. "Where do I sign up?" I practically shouted. "Maybe I can help you spread the word and try to get other students to go. Y'know promote the program as much as possible." He just looked at me and smiled, "Liliana, you truly are exceptional, like Christensen says. Let's meet up and talk about it more during the week. Sound good?" Getting another chance to spend time with him? Of course I’d be there.
The second class went by like a daze. I took my notes and paid attention, but really all I could think about was that I would get to spend a lot of time with him now. After class was over, we talked a bit more and he told me that maybe over the weekend we could get together and talk about his program, “unless I was too busy partying with the rest of the school.” I knew that the "Nicetomeetcha Party" was coming up soon and I was supposed to go with Shannon, but maybe if I told her I had to do something for school, she’d understand. "Weekends are really my best bet, that way I'm not too distracted with work or anything. Is that okay with you?" "Works for me," he said. "Okay, where should we meet? There's the library, uh…" I didn't know where to mention. What would be safe ground, but he didn't seem too bothered. "My house is nearby. Let's meet there. I'll cook something…well maybe not good, but I'll cook," he laughed. "Uh, well I don't have a car or anything. Can I take the bus?" "The bus? I'll drive you; it's really not too far." "Oh, uh. No it's okay I don't want to cause too much trouble. I'll get a ride there, but can you drive me back here?" "That's fine and then we can eat, drink, talk, and discuss everything together." “Together,” I loved that word and I was so excited for our plans that I almost forgot to say goodbye to him as I headed back to my dorm. "Oh, uh…chau!" I said as I was walking away. He laughed, and repeated my farewell. When I left my head was spinning, similarly to that first time I spent with him. Too bad it was only a Monday.
Everyday we would talk before and after his classes. And sometimes during lunch I’d eat with him in his office. We’d talk about anything and everything. We even talked about his family that he’d leave half of every year to teach at the school. He’d tell me about how much he missed them-the wife and kids-and would show me pictures of his son, Tomas and his baby girl, Camilla. In all honesty, it’d make me a bit jealous to think of him with someone else, but I couldn’t tell him that. And then I’d think that maybe he just liked having me around because he was lonely, and that hurt. But, then again, at least he wanted me around, and not someone else.