The Good Student Read Online Free PDF

her teacher and nothing more.
    ****
    “What are you doing up?” asked Kaya when she dragged herself into the house at midnight.
    “Shhh. This is a good movie.” All the lights were off, only the soft glow from the television illuminating the room. Cynthia’s eyes were fixated on the screen. By the sound of the background music, it was a thriller at an intense scene.
    Kaya dropped her bags on the floor in the foyer and slipped off her jacket. Her shoulders ached from standing up, kneading donut dough for the past eight hours. The only thing she wanted to do was jump in the shower and then dive into bed for the night. As she made her way up the wooden staircase, Cynthia called for her.
    “I’m hitting the shower.”
    “Come sit with me. I hate being all alone.”
    “Where’s everyone else?” Two other roommates lived in Cynthia’s home. She'd transformed it into a rooming house when her uncle died a few years back. He'd raised her from childhood and left everything to her in his will. The man had been stinking rich. One good thing about Cynthia, you’d never know she owned a penny more than you. A down to earth friend that Kaya wouldn’t trade for anything.
    “Block party.”
    “You didn’t go?”
    She stretched her arms over her head. “Nope. Didn’t feel like it tonight. Maybe on a Friday, not a Tuesday. I’d be dead on my feet in the morning.”
    “Hey. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Kaya couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up forever. Even if Cynthia thought she was a sick puppy for desiring her teacher in an unholy way, she had to let it all out.
    “Of course. Come sit with me. Popcorn?” Cynthia held out the blue plastic bowl, but Kaya shook her head and sat down on top the mess of flannel throws.
    “It’s about Mr. Taylor.”
    “Oh my God. Now what? You didn’t do anything stupid, did you?”
    “Cynthia. I’m serious.”
    “Okay. Go ahead.” Cynthia shifted her body into Kaya’s direction and hit mute on the television. “I’m all ears.”
    “I know he’s older, and I know he’s my teacher, so you don’t have to remind me.” She took a deep breath. “I like him, but I need to know if he’s married before I take anything further.”
    “He’s not married. Happy?”
    “I thought you didn’t know.”
    “I didn’t think you were serious. Mr. Taylor divorced about two years ago. It was all over the university. I think they even wanted to fire him for bringing an unwholesome image to the school.”
    “So what happened?”
    “The hype died down and things carried on as normal. His ex-wife is a professor at another university.” How could Kaya compete with a woman that had the brains and degrees to match Mr. Taylor? Kaya was just his student. He probably thought of her as inferior or just some stupid kid passing through one of his many classes.
    Kaya stared at the television absently. Her mind raced with possibilities. If Mr. Taylor didn’t have a wife, then all bets were off. She could turn up the heat starting tomorrow and not feel any guilt about it. On the other hand, for a single man, he sure didn’t show any interest in her whatsoever.
    “I know that look,” said Cynthia.
    Kaya’s brow pulled together. “What look?”
    “You’re hatching some evil, twisted plan.”
    She smirked. “Maybe.”
    “I won’t help you. Mr. Taylor is a geezer.”
    “Are you blind? The guy’s hot as hell. Besides, I’ve had it with men my age. None of them can commit, and they have nothing in their heads besides sex. Mr. Taylor actually has a brain. In fact, his intelligence turns me on as much as his looks.”
“La la la.” Cynthia plugged her ears.
    Kaya pulled one of her arms down. “Just find out his name for me, okay. Pretty please.”
    “Fine! Now shut-up and watch the movie.”
    ****
    The next day, Cynthia grabbed Kaya’s sleeve just before she entered philosophy class. “Hey. I found out his name for you.”
    “Shhh. What is it?” asked Kaya, pulling her friend tight