As Professor Zimmerman wove his way between the desks of my College Algebra class, handing back the first real test I had taken since I started at the university, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach turning into anxiety, then fear, and finally outright panic. I knew I shouldn’t have partied so hard the night before the exam. Taking that test with a hangover and less than three hours’ sleep was one of the worst decisions I had made in my 18 and a half years, especially considering that I was horrible at math to begin with. If I failed this class, I would lose my scholarship and be sent home, and probably have to get a job somewhere mopping floors or selling french fries for the rest of my life.
I silently crossed my fingers beneath the desk as Professor Zimmerman’s footsteps came to a halt in front of me. I glanced up at his face hopefully, but he just shook his head and handed me my test, an imposing red F stamped in the corner. I stared at the back of his head as he walked away, wondering how the hell I would explain this to my folks.
During the rest of the class, I examined my options. I needed at least a B to keep my scholarship. How could I bring up my grade? I looked again at the score on my test. A 3. I made a 3. My heart sank even lower in my chest as I realized that even if I made an A on the other three tests, I would still finish the semester with a C. My only choice was to approach Professor Zimmerman after class and ask him to allow me to retake the test. But the problem with that was I didn’t know the material in the first place!
I bit my lip and tried not to cry as I watched my teacher work out a problem on the board. He looked so serious and... attractive. The thought surprised me. I had never really considered my teacher as a man before, but looking at the way his muscles moved beneath his shirt and his hair fell lightly across his forehead suddenly made me wish to see him naked.
I shook my head and tried to focus on the problem at hand. Maybe there was some kind of extra credit I could do? I could go to his office as soon as class was over and beg him to have mercy on me. I would even get down on my knees if I had to...
The image of myself on my knees in front of Professor Zimmerman startled me. What was I thinking? I pictured myself slowly unbuckling his belt, and I felt a slight tingling sensation creeping down my body. I shook my head again and scolded myself for even thinking that way. Surely a respected, serious math teacher would never entertain the notion of a sexual encounter with one of his students! I crossed my legs and squeezed them together tightly. But maybe...
I remembered my roommate Beth, who was a year older than I was, explaining to me how she’d made an A in her sociology class. “Piece of cake,” she’d said nonchalantly. “I went down on the guy once. That was all it took, and the little fucker was eating out of my hand. He was so scared I’d scream sexual harassment that he didn’t even make me take the final.”
I bit my lip again and stared at Professor Zimmerman. The longer I looked, the more handsome he became. He was about 35 years old, with dark brown hair and green eyes. He looked like he was in very good shape, and the way his dark grey pants hugged his ass so perfectly almost made me drool. He wasn’t wearing a wedding band. Did that mean he was single?
Even if he were single, would this man compromise his career and his teaching integrity just for one little blow job? Probably not. He seemed so intense as he lectured about imaginary numbers. What exactly would I have to do for an A? If not one blow job, how many? Would I have to have sex with him? What was I willing to go through with? As I watched Professor Zimmerman, I realized my answer: a lot.
When class was dismissed, all the students made a bee-line for the door except for me. I had planned to stay after class to talk with my teacher, but I took a little too long gathering my books together, and by the time I looked back up, he was already gone. His office was just a few doors down from the classroom, and as I walked slowly toward it, I felt my heart beating faster. Was I really about to do this? I stopped just outside the door and took a deep breath. Glancing down, I quickly unbuttoned the next button on my blouse and then knocked quietly on the door before I had a chance to change my mind.
A moment later, I heard his voice louder than I expected it. “Enter,” he said. It sounded more like a command than an invitation. I swallowed hard and pushed the door open.
Professor Zimmerman was seated behind his large oak desk in a straight-backed wooden chair. His cool green eyes were trained on my face as I stood nervously in the doorway, my hand still gripping the handle. We just looked at each other. My throat was suddenly too tight to speak. I realized right away that I had absolutely no idea how to proposition him.
He raised his eyebrow at me, and I looked down at the floor. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I closed my mouth, then opened it again, hoping for better luck the second time. Nothing.
“Yes?” he said. I bit my bottom lip and gave him a pleading look. He just looked at me a while longer, and finally motioned for me to close the door. “Sit,” he said. I sat down in one of the two wooden chairs that faced his desk. The chair squeaked. “Now. What is it that you are here for, Ms. Clearwater?” he asked. I sat there turning red as I tried to think of something to say. He spoke again. “Perhaps you are here regarding your test grade? A 3, if I remember correctly.” His stare never wavered.
“Um,” I said. “Yeah. Yes. I’m here because of my test grade.” I clutched my books tightly in my lap with one hand, while the other came up to play with my necklace. “I was wondering... ah... if there was maybe something... I could do, you know, to fix it.” I lowered my eyes nervously. Would he pick up on the implied meaning of that statement?
“I don’t give retakes,” he said bluntly.
I nodded, and tried again. “I was thinking something more like... extra credit,” I said. “Is there something extra I could maybe do... for you...?” I started to blush and fidget in the hard seat.
He tilted his head to one side as he continued to study me without blinking. “Extra credit,” he repeated. His voice sounded amused. “Did you have something in mind?”
I swallowed as I felt the blush spreading over my cheeks. “I was thinking... I could... well we could... I mean, if you wanted me to, I would... umm...”
“You would what?” he asked. There was definitely a smile in his voice.
“You know...” I said. I twisted my fingers in my lap helplessly.
“Say it,” he said coolly.