Diorama

© Sweet Kisses™

~*~

Nick waited for the students in his music class to exit the lecture theatre before approaching his professor. He didn't know why he had run out on his professor. He just didn't feel comfortable, and his normal reaction to whenever he felt that way was to run for the door. He had always used that as a coping mechanism, running away. In the past, that had worked.

It was time that he stopped running. He was in college now, not kindergarten and it was time to start facing his problems and fears properly like an adult. He'd come to that realization after a long period of thought. He wanted to be more out-going and confident with himself and his life, like his room-mates. He decided to use them as a learning tool.

This was also his first necessary step toward properly combating his problems and adult-hood.

Nick took a deep breath, approaching his professor who was busy filing through papers. "Can I talk to you...for a moment, Professor Richardson?"

Kevin turned around. He crossed his arms. "You've got my attention."

"Well...I, uh...just wanted to apologize for last week, for running out of the room and...everything," Nick said softly. "I really am sorry for it, when you were only trying to help."

Kevin nodded and took off his glasses. He narrowed his green eyes. "I must say, Nickolas, I wasn't impressed with your exit. I don't normally use my time to personally assist students. Having said that, what happened?"

Nick shrugged helplessly. "I'm shy. No-one but my high school music teacher and parents really know that I can sing. It's something I need to get over, but I just can't help it." There was silence for several moments and Nick lowered his head. "I apologize again for wasting your time," he added and turned to walk out of the room.

"Nickolas," Kevin called. When Nick turned around, he added, "I understand what you're talking about. I can help, but only if you'll take it seriously in future because I'd like to continue working with you. I meant what I said about you being talented, and you are. You have to realize that before you can 'get over' whatever it is that's holding you back. Understand?"

"I understand," Nick replied. "I promise it'll never happen again."

Kevin took a few steps closer to Nick. "So if we were to meet again, you can guarantee that another episode like last week won't occur again?"

"I want to try to be..." Nick struggle for the right word. He frowned. "Less shy?"

Kevin chuckled. "You want to be more extroverted. Okay, good. That's a start." He paused for a moment, and studied Nick's face. He really was cute. "Got classes on Friday?"

"Just in the afternoon."

"Same room, same time. Okay with you?"

Nick nodded, somewhat dumbfounded by his professor's eyes and how they twinkled with mischief. He was almost like a 'deer in headlights'. "Uh...umm...well..."

Kevin leaned closer to his student and stared directly into his eyes. "Is it okay for you, or not?" he asked in a low, soft voice.

"Great!" Nick exclaimed and took a giant step back from his professor. "Great, yes. See you then."

Nick then ran out of the room, once again leaving the professor staring after him. However, this time it was in amusement and intrigue.

~**~

Brian was walking Catherine back to her dorm after an enjoyable dinner together. Catherine had announced after going for coffee that day in the library that she knew a wonderful restaurant that she had never shared with anyone. The appeal of 'Little India', according to Catherine, was that no-one that she knew normally went there. It was like her own little place to escape from the hassles of college life and she really wanted to share that with Brian.

When Catherine had told Brian of this, he felt very flattered and he knew instantly that there was some attraction between them that was beyond surface appearance. She was so radically different from any other girl her knew, and more mature. Firstly, she had picked him up. She was just that comfortable with herself to bypass normal 'courting' procedures. At least that he knew of. They talked about absolutely everything and found common ground in each other's lives.

She looked gorgeous that night, too. Brian had noticed that instantly. Even just wearing simple black made her stand-out. Brian found himself quickly becoming attracted to her, something that he had never felt before in his life.

Catherine stopped at her door and smiled. "Thank you for coming all the way over here. You didn't have to."

Brian shrugged. "Oh, well..."

"I had a good time tonight. I really did."

"Oh, good!" Brian was pleased. "I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed tonight and that I'd really like to do this again some time soon."

Catherine giggled. "Oh, I agree. How about tomorrow night?"

Brian laughed. "Woah. You get straight to the point, huh?"

"Why bother with pleasantries? That's how I feel, anyway."

Brian nodded. As he did, he felt a giddy feeling circling around his stomach. He really liked this girl. "Tomorrow night. This time, my choice. Seven okay for you?"

Catherine smiled brightly. "Perfect. Looking forward to it already." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against Brian's cheek. "See you tomorrow," she said in a soft voice.

Brian stared after Catherine as she closed the door behind her in amazement. No doubt about it, he was hooked already. Line and sinker.

~***~

Alex sauntered into Howie and Nick's room without knocking and threw himself down on their small couch. "That's it! I've had it!" he exclaimed, covering his eyes with his hand.

Howie, who was sitting at a small dining table that was used more for studying, glanced up from his textbooks. "You know, Alex, I just love these little visits we've been having lately. Particularly when you don't knock and I'm trying to study. I just love it."

Alex nodded. "No probs. You've got to help me! I've got to finish a paper that's due tomorrow. But I also have a date with Anna and I have to work."

"You got a job?" Howie inquired, swinging around in his chair. "That's the first I heard about this. What is it? Where?"

Alex swore inwardly at himself and tried to cover his outburst quick. "Oh, just in a bar. Nothing out of the ordinary."

Howie laughed. "Alex, I think you're forgetting your age. Care to change your story?"

"So I forged some documents!" Alex yelled, clearly agitated. "What should I do?"

Nick then immediately walked in, books in hand. "Hey."

Alex sat up and smiled. "Nicky! How's music going? And Professor Richardson?"

Nick placed his books on the floor and sat down. "Uh...just fine."

"Is he giving you a hard time yet?"

Nick shook his head. "No, I've had nothing to do with him."

"Oh, man!" Alex laughed. "I swear, some guy down the hall said - "

"Alex!" Howie interrupted. "I have a solution. Cancel the date, do the paper."

Alex jumped up and ran for the door. "Thanks, bud!"

"How about showing me those forged documents sometime?" Howie called out.

"Whatever," Alex grumbled and slammed the door.

~****~

Alex took his friend's advice, but he didn't follow through. That same night, he cancelled his date with Anna but he didn't finish his paper. He thought earning some more money as a 'personal assistant' would be better. He didn't exactly want to do the job, but he had no choice. He needed the money to get himself through the semester and maybe the year.

The more money Alex could earn, he figured, the better off he'd be financially. That was his reasoning behind the whole deal. However, if he knew what he was dealing with, maybe he wouldn't have accepted...

Alex tightened his jacket against him and stepped out on the sidewalk. He began to walk. The only comforting thought that Alex had was that it was late and dark and hopefully no-one would be around to catch him in the act.

He glanced around and he saw up ahead someone waiting in front of a closed bar, smoking a cigarette. He began to walk faster. He pulled a small package out of his jacket as he came closer to the man wearing a long trench coat and hat. Quickly, the package was exchanged for money. Alex put the money in his jacket pocket and kept on walking, the man walked in the other direction.

Alex felt his heart pounding and his breathing stagnant. "Shit," he whispered.

"Nice work, Alex."

Alex spun around to see his boss, only known to him as 'Red'. "Jesus, you scared the hell out of me!"

Red chuckled. "Where's the cash?"

Alex handed over the money. "What was in the package, anyhow?"

"Never you mind," Red drawled, counting the money. He then handed over a small portion of it to his protégé. "Your cut.

"Thanks."

"We'll be in touch soon, Alex. Don't go too far," Red advised, tipping his hat and walking off.

Alex counted the money in his hand. It was a decent amount. He felt relief for having it, but incredibly guilty for earning it. Still, who had to know?

~*****~