Genevieve Smith finished her TA duties by handing back graded papers to the physiology students as they left class. It was 4:43 pm on Friday and she was excited to head back to her dorm for much needed rest and relaxation.
That was, until she saw the Department Chairman come in and inform her Professor of a last minute crisis. Genevieve did her best to eavesdrop without being obvious. Before her curious ears could tune in, the Chairman rushed off into the busy hallway. Her Professor was left looking slightly miffed.
"Can I help with anything?" Genevieve asked when class officially ended and all the students had departed.
Professor Heredia sighed softly. "Looks like I'll be sticking around a bit longer."
"Really, why? What was that all about?"
"Apparently the faculty member who was supposed to give a speech for tonight's Couple's Dance had to cancel at the last minute. Now I'm required to 'volunteer,' which means I have to attend."
Genevieve was surprised. "They couldn't find anyone else? I thought lots of teachers were going to the dance."
"I got the feeling that since Board members will be there, the school intends to highlight the diversity in their faculty. So they dragged me into the mix. It's something I've become accustomed to."
"Jeez. Does that tick you off?"
"Not at all," the Professor replied light-heartedly. "I love representing the Hispanic community. Just not on a Friday evening after teaching my most difficult class of the semester."
Genevieve was of the same mind. They both needed a break and wanted to get the weekend started. Neither of them were the type of women who were interested in a romantic dance at school.
Nonetheless, she loved this Professor (having taken two of her courses during previous semesters) and was receiving credit for being a TA. Always a loyal student, Genevieve was determined to lend support, even though she was exhausted.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Genevieve offered. "I don't know, maybe I can help prepare your remarks. You don't want to look like that guy who tried to wing the Graduation speech last year. He seemed... nevermind."
Her voice cackled a bit as she held back laughter. The Professor shared the same sentiment with a chuckle of her own.
"I'd hate to ruin your Friday, though."
"Nonsense," Genevieve replied with zeal. "I can stick around a while longer if you need me."
"Do you have plans?"
"Not until 7. So I can stay a while, then go back to the dorm and get ready to go out with my sorority sisters."
The Professor smiled, "You're a lifesaver, Geni. I'm not very good at coming up with these sorts of speeches. Normally, I'm the one who likes being romanced. I've never spoken about it publicly though. It's a bit embarrassing."
"Well, first thing's first, Professor. You need to look the part. It's a dance and everyone will be dressed formally. Do you have another outfit? Or are you going to wear... no offense...
that
?"
Genevieve looked over the teacher's attire. As usual, Professor Heredia was dressed casually, as many teaching professionals are in this day and age. The outfit reflected her middle-age status, making her look like a sexy Latina librarian. A long, thin wool jacket was draped over a loose t-shirt. Jeans and hippie style clogs completed the ensemble.
"No offense taken. And no, I'm not going to wear this."
Genevieve was curious. "Then?"
"Ah, my little apprentice, one day you'll have learned all my secrets," the teacher said humorously. "A career woman must always have a backup plan when it comes to wardrobe. That's lesson number one for the evening. If you stick with me, you'll learn a lot."
"I like the sound of that," Genevieve smiled.
"Excellent. I need to be prepared and arrive at the auditorium by 6 to schmooze with the Board. Help me carry these books and let's go to my office."
***
It was 5:01 when they reached the teacher's office and closed the door. After putting down the course work, Genevieve couldn't wait to see what the teacher had in mind.
"Check the closet for me, please," the Professor said. "There's a garment bag with a dress inside. Open it. There are also shoes in a box on the floor. Excuse me while I make a few texts to accommodate my new evening arrangements."
Professor Heredia whipped out her smartphone and fired away a series of texts.
Meanwhile, Genevieve went to the closet, which she had never opened before. She had assumed it was filled with cobwebs and books.
As expected, when she opened the door she saw a lot of junk. But Genevieve also spied the garment bag. She grabbed it along with a Nordstrom shoe box on the floor.
After neatly laying the bag on a table, she put the shoebox underneath. Then she unzipped the bag and removed the dress. It was a typical "little black dress" with a rounded neckline and short sleeves. The skirt looked fitted, but had a bit of a flounce at the bottom. Genevieve guessed it would end just above the Professor's knees. It was neither revealing, nor conservative, and appeared perfect for this occasion.
"Like it?" the Professor asked, putting her phone on the table.
"I think you're the only professor on campus who keeps a sexy dress in her office closet. Seriously."
Professor Heredia laughed. "Things move quickly at this university. That's lesson number two. Be ready for last minute changes."
"This school is so lucky to have you."
"Thanks. Now that I've revealed my fashion secrets, any ideas for a speech? I'm supposed to talk for ten minutes about love and romance."
Genevieve grabbed a nearby pen and notepad. "Luckily, I was in the debate club back in high school. So I know how to come up with sharp responses on the spot and under pressure."
"How interesting. Were you any good?"
"Well, I was on the lower end of the spectrum. But still, those are skills you never lose. Here, how about this?"
Genevieve put pen to paper and jotted down several words. After a brief pause, she wrote out a couple of sentences. Before long, it seemed as though she had written a few paragraphs.
She read it aloud, making Professor Heredia cringe a bit in the process.
"I like your style and wording," the Professor said diplomatically. "But this is a dance for couples, not a sex convention. I must say, however, you could have a successful career writing erotic literature, should you ever decide to pursue that avenue."
Genevieve blushed and turned the page on the notepad, hoping to forget her highly sensual words.
"This is harder than I thought."
The Professor nodded and checked the time. "It's 5:09. Mind if I get dressed while we brainstorm?"