Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“Oh my god, I wonder what Professor Moore is going to wear today?” giggles Elisa. “Last week, I was dying in my seat when he wore those jeans that hung off his hips just so. Did you see that ass? I mean, I could hardly even hear what he was saying, I was so obsessed with watching his bum.”
My mouth goes dry as I remember. Elisa’s right. Last week, Professor Moore wore faded jeans that hung from his hips perfectly, emphasizing the long, powerful length of his legs, as well as the solid mass of his thighs and ass. Nor were she and I the only ones who noticed. I think all of our fellow female students were open-mouthed with wonder as Professor Moore lectured on and on about Moby Dick. He could have been talking about anything, and we would have eaten it all up because he looked so good.
“It’s wrong to be talking about Professor Moore’s clothes,” I mumble with my head down as we let ourselves into the classroom. “We shouldn’t judge anyone by their appearance. It’s shallow.”
Elisa merely rolls her eyes.
“Please Aria. That’s what moms say after you’ve been picked on at the playground. But in the real world, you know that we’re judged by our looks. Everyone is. Plus, you’re gorgeous, Aria. Guys love your long golden hair and curvy body. Heck, you look like a Playboy model, but with clothes of course.”
I don’t reply because there are other students in the classroom already, and I don’t want them to overhear. But Elisa’s right. I was born under a lucky star, and somehow drew an ace when it came to the looks department. I have long, golden-blonde hair that waves down my back; cornflower blue eyes; and a curvy body that just won’t quit. It’s so lush that I’m embarrassed sometimes because who really wants to look like a Playboy model every day while walking down the sidewalk? I don’t want people to notice me, so usually I wear a baggy sweatshirt and jeans so that I blend in with the general populace.
“You’re gorgeous,” Elisa emphasizes again, plopping down into a chair and indicating that I should take the seat next to her. “And don’t deny it, Aria. Don’t knock what you got,” she quips.
I blush scarlet and slink into the chair next to her.
“Shhh,” I say.
“What?” she asks loudly, reaching into her bag for something. My friend pulls out a small package of chips, and to my horror, opens it with a rip, the cellophane crinkling noisily. Could she be any louder and more obvious? Especially when we’re having this conversation? But like she doesn’t have a care in the world, Elisa pops a chip into her mouth and starts chewing with noisy snaps. It feels like everyone in the classroom is looking at us, and I blush bright red to my hairline.
“Want one?” she asks carelessly, thrusting the bag towards me.
Fortunately, I’m saved because at that moment, the door opens and Professor Moore strides in. All of the air in my lungs goes out in a whoosh because he’s that good-looking. Professor Moore is a recent hire, and likely in his late twenties or early thirties, although there are laugh lines creased around his eyes and mouth. As usual, his thick chestnut hair is brushed off his forehead, revealing strong, proud features and a sensuous yet masculine mouth. The cleft in his chin gives him a rugged look, and yet he’s adorable at the same time too. Today, Professor Moore’s wearing a plaid shirt and those damned jeans that sit on his hips so perfectly. How is it that our instructor looks like a male model? It seems impossible, and yet he’s here, walking and talking like a professor should.
“Hey everyone,” he greets with a dimpled grin before setting his stuff down on the podium. “You guys ready for some lesbian horror fiction?”
My eyes brighten and I sit up slightly because this is one of the things that I love about this class. Professor Moore could have picked just about any book to read, since this is a course on American lit. Yet, he selected a wide and diverse group of novels, including our latest assignment, Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. It’s an interesting selection because the book defies genre: Her Body is horror, erotica, lesbian, queer, and also gothic romance at the same time. It’s also incredibly well-written, and the author appears to be a woman of Latina descent. I love that Professor Moore could have selected a book from the pantheon of established writers, but that instead, he chose this a queer woman of color’s work. Of course, Machado’s debut novel has already won several prizes, but still, I appreciate his inquisitive mind and eclectic taste.
“So did you guys like the first story in the book?” Professor Moore begins, a devilish smile on his face. “The one where the protagonist wears a green ribbon around her neck?”