Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Professional Advice

Alexander stepped out of the library while adjusting his collar to look composed and saw Marcus leaning against a nearby pillar with a smug grin "Did you have fun?" said Marcus while laughing under his breath.

"You’re out of your mind man" said Alexander.

"Seriously? Because I just saw a girl and convinced her to come with me which is easy so what’s so special about that?" said Marcus.

Alexander shook his head "You make it look like it’s nothing" said Alexander.

"It is nothing kid because you’re going to be a sensation" said Marcus with a tone turning more serious "It took me months to do this with any natural rhythm but I’ve seen your plays so you can cry or laugh and pretend to fall in love because basically you’re a potential seducer in the making who just needs to lose the fear."

Marcus scanned the hallway while his eyes narrowed for a new target "Want to try again?" said Marcus.

"Screw you because I’m not doing this" said Alexander.

"Fine but when you feel like playing I can give you some lessons" said Marcus while checking his watch "Speaking of lessons it’s time for the next class so what are you doing?"

"I’m going obviously" said Alexander.

Marcus raised an eyebrow "What do you actually want to graduate?" said Marcus.

"Aren’t you still here despite everything?" Alexander shot back.

"I don’t come here to study since I just look for people to fuck because it’s fun" said Marcus.

"Don’t you fuck all the time at work?" said Alexander.

"It’s not as easy as you think because once you start you need to fuck constantly since it’s addictive so I always have someone to blow off steam with" said Marcus.

Alexander let out a sigh with the weight of the day catching up to him "Fine fine I’m going to class because I actually want to graduate" said Alexander. He walked away to leave Marcus in the hallway and took his seat in the classroom while the atmosphere was thick with pity because his classmates looked at him like a man walking toward a firing squad.

Sophie the class delegate approached his desk with a serious expression "The professor said you need to go to her office when classes are over because she wants to talk to you about what happened earlier" said Sophie.

"I understand I’ll be there" said Alexander. Now that the weight of being broke was gone he didn’t look away but let his eyes linger on Sophie because she was beautiful and intelligent. His mind raced back to Marcus’s words about seduction and he decided to build a character for her while staring at the ceiling.

He whispered to himself that Sophie was a perfectionist and an only child who dealt with massive internal pressure so she didn’t need a clown but a kindred spirit who was serious but carried a secret burden. He adjusted his posture to practice a look of tired and dignified resignation while deciding the character would be the Stoic Outsider who was brilliant but exhausted by life.

He took a deep breath and let the mask settle over his face while his eyes went from worried to cold and focused "Alright we have the character so let’s see what happens" said Alexander. As the final bell rang Sophie lingered by the door watching him pack his things with deliberate grace "Are you ready?" said Sophie.

"As ready as I’ll ever be to face the Iron Lady" said Alexander. He slung his bag over his shoulder with eyes carrying that practiced exhaustion while Sophie walked beside him toward the faculty wing "She’s not usually this aggressive unless she sees potential in someone because if she didn’t care she would have just failed you" said Sophie.

Alexander stopped at the door to Professor Vance’s office and gave Sophie a faint weary smile "Thanks for the heads up Sophie I appreciate it" said Alexander. Sophie hesitated while her hand rested on her bag "Good luck Alex and don’t let her get under your skin" said Sophie. She turned and walked away but Alexander noticed her look back over her shoulder one last time before he knocked twice on the heavy oak door.

"Come in" said the sharp cold voice of Professor Vance.

Alexander stepped inside the organized and intimidating office as Isabella Vance sat behind a glass desk without looking up for ten seconds "Take a seat Mr. Alexander" said Professor Vance. Alexander sat down and kept his hands on his knees while he waited.

"You missed a midterm for a class that has a ninety percent failure rate" said Professor Vance while she finally looked up with piercing blue eyes "Tell me Alexander are you arrogant or just exceptionally busy with things that are more important than your future?"

"Neither Professor because I just had a long night" said Alexander.

"A long night" she repeated with a voice dripping with skepticism while leaning forward "Most students give me excuses about sick grandmothers but you’re giving me a long night which is honest though honesty doesn’t pay the bills in the financial sector." She reached into her desk and pulled out a manila folder "I’ve looked at your records because your potential in theater caught my eye since you know how to play a part and hold a room’s attention."

Alexander felt his pulse jump because this didn’t sound like a lecture "I have a private project that requires someone who is smart and capable of acting professional in high-pressure environments" said Professor Vance "If you do this for me I’ll forget about this morning’s incident and give you an A for the midterm but if not well you know where the exit is."

Alexander looked at her as the Stoic Outsider mask slipped for a split second "What kind of project?" said Alexander.