Tara Donovan pushed her red colored plastic framed glasses up on her face, picked up her pen and began to jot down notes in Professor Morgan's class. Once again the frumpy dressed geeky girl who would never get noticed sat in the back of the classroom hiding and hoping he wouldn't call on her. She had a crush on him that was apparent according to her best friend Becky who was seated beside her. He was older and more reserved, a man she would feel good with, not the immature jocks that pushed passed her in the hallway, she also knew he would never pay attention to her. She just wasn't pretty enough she thought to herself with malice.

If only he could see beyond those ugly clothes and glasses and for once just see her. Becky poked her with an elbow. "What's with you?" she whispered harshly. "The professor is calling you!"

"Miss Donovan, answer the question please and stop dawdling."

Professor Morgan walked up the few steps in the classroom balcony where the students were seated then glared at Tara from the upper rim of his glasses.

Tara was still fumbling with her books.

"Miss Donovan? Are you here or not?"

"Oh Professor, I'm sorry, I didn't realize..."

"I asked you a question, did you hear me?"

"Tara pressed her hands against her skirt clearly embarrassed in front of the entire class.

"I'm sorry Professor I was writing down your notes and didn't realize you had directed the question towards me."

Professor Morgan grinned in his handsome way making his features seem all the more alluring and attractive. If only she was beautiful enough to attract him or knew how to please him.

 

The bell rang signaling the end of class. Tara got up from her seat, lifted her books in her arms then dropped on the floor spilling all the papers within. Becky stopped to help. "Go on Becky I will catch up."

"Ok I will wait for you by the cafeteria door."

"Here allow me to help you with that." Professor Morgan offered, as the rest of the students trampled passed them; stepping on her papers.

"It's okay, really Professor, I have it." She shyly offered keeping her gaze at the floor as she continued to pick up her books.

"What's with you Miss Donovan, you're an extremely bright woman, you have exceptional grades, you're not in a sorority house partying, you keep your nose clean, and yet in my class you freeze up? Is it because you're having trouble? Is there something I can help you with?"

Tara stood up with her books still looking down at the floor too afraid to look at him. "No, I'm actually fine. I guess maybe I have too many classes at the moment. I will do better tomorrow I promise."

He crooked a finger gently under her chin forcing her to meet his eyes. "I am always here after class if you need me for anything."

Tara walked away as her long skirt dragged against the floor. Her long auburn hair was secured in a ponytail with a clip and hung down the back of her overly bulky sweater. Professor Morgan watched her walk through the students in the corridor until she disappeared around the corner. He thought about all the things he could teach her if she would just open up. That would have to be another time he thought to himself as he walked back into his classroom, another time indeed.