"Knock knock," Darren said, complimenting his wrapping at the office door. Nina looked up from her desk and the paper she was grading, and smiled as she ushered him in.
"How are you today, Prof?" Darren asked.
"Please Darren. I'm just a TA; not a professor yet. That's Dr. Elmore's title."
"As much work as you end up doing, you ought to be one by now."
Nina didn't correct that thought, partly because she agreed with him, even if it was a matter of paying dues. The teaching assistant mused in how this was the longest they've ever carried on a conversation, or the most enthused he's been in talking to her, even if it was early in the semester. She was pretty chatty with most of her students in some regard, but Darren carefully chose whom he gave his attention to.
In terms of the fairer sex, the fairer they looked the more attention he gave. He seemed easily distracted by the female students who dressed provocatively, especially during class where he seemed to be looking for anything to cure the boredom. His thoughts on such classmates was what prompted their meeting today.
"So, Ms. Clemens, you wanted to see me about something?" Darren asked while sitting, hoping he wouldn't be staying long.
"Please, call me Nina. And thanks for coming in later than usual."
"Yeah, I didn't know your office hours were usually this late. It looks like everyone else has headed home."
"Well, I set aside time like this sometimes for students. I think the janitor is around somewhere, but right now, I wanted to see you about your latest paper."
"I don't suppose you called me here just to compliment me on turning a paper not at the last minute for once," literally hoping for that, knowing at least it would hurt to hope it.
"Well, that was nice to finally see a bit more initiative out of you than usual, but no, it's something different this time. However, I know what's coming up this weekend for you, so I don't plan on keeping you for long."
"You know about the beach party?"
"A few of the classmates you often talk with eluded to something along those lines earlier this week; sounds like a lot of fun."
"I hope it will be," he said, glancing at the clock.
"Many 'young nubile females' will be there?"
"Especially hope so."
Nina raised one eyebrow slightly, surprised at what he didn't pick up on. "Does that line sound familiar to you?"
"..I thin..wait, it's from my paper?"
"Correct, Darren," she smiled, enjoying the cute double-take motion.
"Is it OK in your opinion?" Hope intensified.
"Well, for your subject matter, I'm OK with it."
"So, what's the issue with it?"
"Well, your title and topic is 'The Psychology of Attraction,' obviously from the perspective of a young collegiate male with a healthy sexuality," she said, putting it as nicely as she could. "And while your paper is close to sufficient, I can see you doing more with this."
"Is it really necessary? I mean, how much would I need to be in 'sufficient' range?" He began to slouch in his chair, like most students in lecture did at the prospect of extra work.
"Not too much by my or Dr. Elmore's standards, but I think as it stands, this is a C paper, and for the sake of your grade in a class you're not heavily invested in, it would probably be best to shoot for something higher."
Darren groaned, not liking the extra effort she was suggesting.
"But also, I'd say this is a topic you're very passionate about. With some more detailed work, I see no reason it shouldn't be an A paper."
"Really?"
He wondered about the relative meaning of "some," especially for getting an A grade, yet few teachers ever used that word for suggesting he could get one. He knew he put more effort into this one than most, but it excited him after expecting his shot taken to hit a B-.
"Darren, something you're passionate about always deserves extra effort. And I think you severely underestimate yourself if you think you can't make this a winning paper. If nothing else, this could make your passing this class much smoother."
"Ok, what do you suggest?" un-slouching his body as he asked.
"Well, honestly, the initial problem I have with your paper is while you speak passionately about what you do like, you seem to only focus in on a very specific subset of things you like. This could be expanded on if you speak to more things that range from potentially attractive to obviously attractive. In my opinion, you're limiting the number of women you're attracted to in your paper."
"Is that a bad thing? I mean, even if it is limited, what if that is exactly what I'm attracted to?"
Nina resisted the urge to shake her head. She never internally understood why some people gave themselves so few choices with relations. "It's bad to me if you frame it as the only thing you're attracted to. That's another way I think you are underestimating yourself."
Darren would've considered telling anyone else concerning his paper to piss-off, especially when it came to suggesting to him what his preferences were, but he knew he should keep a cooler head around a TA grading his paper. Nina anticipated his feelings pointing toward anger.
"I mean honestly Darren, this is a problem I see way too often with students, who will focus so intently on their one issue or subject that they disregard talking about things related to it that would make it a well-rounded argument. Even if they presented arguments countering their own thesis, it fully improves the paper. I don't mean to tell you what you should or shouldn't be attracted to, but I do have to ask how much thought you've given this."
Darren knew she was being reasonable about this instead of making a personal statement about him, which let some of his anger subside a bit.
"If I had to guess, the subjective 'young nubile woman' you describe seem to be an amalgamation of some of your classmates. But in observing Tamara, I wouldn't be surprised if it boils down to just being her."
Darren sighed, wanting to protest but knowing he didn't have much of a leg to stand on with contesting that.
"I mean, she sounds very attractive the way you describe her, just like she is in class. But most of your paper describes her effect on you, and less what makes her attractive to you or most men."
"Well, if you found her attractive, shouldn't that speak for itself enough where it needs little explanation."
"Maybe, but it would be best to assume that I never knew you, whom you're describing, and that I wouldn't know what attracts you to them. Like I said, you go into great detail about the effects, some of the scientific explanations for how a man is drawn to said woman, but assuming I and every person who reads your paper is supposed to look at the same woman and take your word for it is bad."
Darren pulled out his copy of his paper and a notepad, readying himself for her input.
"Can you describe to me what makes her, or your classmates so attractive to you, in your own words?"
"Ok. Um...take Tamara for example, heh, one row below me. Killer legs, red hot ass, miniskirts-"
Before her palm could cover her face, she raised it to urge him to wait. "You know what, for the sake of discourse, pretend Tamara is in the room, and wanted your opinion on her looks, and maybe try to compliment her with more classy terms. Pretend she's sitting in the vacant chair next to you."
"Right. Tamara, I...I think you're very attractive. You have...healthy-looking skin, a beautiful face, a very nice figure, and...good taste in clothing?"
"That is much better; I think you should take some of this down for notes for additions to your paper."
