Chapter 9 - Definitely not a date!

Joanna returned home late – more exactly the next day. Apart from being extremely tired and worn out, she was annoyed with herself. Not because she and Mina had accepted the invitation from Macaroy Sherman to come with him to his hotel room, but because she couldn't remember anything from the moment they got into the car.

She had no fear that something terrible, she couldn't live with, had happened. But she feared not knowing. When you were kept in the dark, away from knowledge, you could be taken advantage of. Joanna feared being passed by in her career, she hated not knowing, what others knew. Furthermore, it would be incredibly embarrassing going to Mina for information about the previous evening and night.

But for now, she would focus on getting a few hours of sleep and then preparing for the study session with George Petersen.

Three hours passed with sleeping before Joanna decided to get out of bed and prepare. She took a bath, changed her clothes into a comfortable yet cute lace tank-top and blue jeans, brushed her hair and put it into a doughnut. A quick cleaning later (vacuuming, making the bed, folding a few shirts and pants), Joanna gathered her computer, books, and study gear and put it out on her kitchen table. All there was left to do, was wait for George to arrive.

Joanna opened her computer and logged on to the university website to see what chapters, project, and tasks she had ahead. It was an overwhelming amount. Joanna took a deep breath and started to divide the tasks into smaller parts. When she was done and ready to begin her first math task, the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" Joanna stood up slowly, pulled a bit in her tank-top and jeans to make them sit perfectly, collected herself and walked over to open the door.

George greeted her with his stunning smile. He had a classy computer bag hanging over his shoulder and was wearing a short brown jacket, shirt with plaid patterned pants. A bold choice, Joanna thought and applauded him for his courage.

"Joanna." George nodded his head. "Lovely building you live in."

Joanna rolled her eyes and stood aside to invite him inside. "Very funny. I know the building is quite boring, but I'm very satisfied with my apartment."

George stepped inside, took his shoes and jacket off and looked around the room. "Hmm, interesting."

"Interesting?" Joanna crossed her arms. "What do you mean 'interesting'?"

"I just didn't imagine your apartment would look like this." George walked out of the entrance and into the kitchen. "Very clean," he commented and nodded approvingly.

What were all these comments on her apartment supposed to mean, Joanna wondered. Did he judge people primarily based on the space they lived in? "I like to keep my surroundings clear, simple, and clean."

"So you don't like clutter?"

"No. It stresses me." Joanna started to speak in short clear sentences to stop this talk about her apartment. "Should we get started?"

George spun around with a smile, "I will be happy to. Are you overwhelmed yet?"

Joanna dropped down in her chair. "Yes!" She sighed. "I'm so ready to get to work but… It's difficult to know where to begin and how long each task should take."

"Let's get started then," George put his bag on a chair and pulled his laptop out. "I have a few projects of my own – and of course, I can assist you with the course I instructor myself." George sat down right beside Joanna, so close that she could smell the scent of his laundry powder. "So why don't you get started with those tasks. There is an assignment for the end of next week."

"I will."

George and Joanna worked for a couple of hours before taking a coffee break. The weather had cleared up from a clouded sky to only strikes of cirrus clouds across it.

"I need to stretch my legs," George proclaimed and stood up. "Do you want to take a walk? You live in a beautiful area."

Joanna considered it for a moment before nodding and putting her laptop in sleep mode. "Alright. A fifteen-minute walk is said to improve your mood and refresh the brain."

They put on their shoes and jackets and went outside.

"The coast is not far away, is it?" George asked as he looked around this unfamiliar neighborhood.

"I wouldn't say so." Joanna calculated the average time it would take to get there by bike and converted it into walking time. "No, we can easily walk there."

They reached the coast and Joanna took off her shoes to walk barefooted in the sand.

"Hmm?" George made a sound as he observed this act.

Joanna giggled nervously, "what? Should I keep them on and get sand in every corner of them. Besides their heal is too high to walk in the sand." She rolled her eyes because she figured she should have worn some different shoes.

"No no. I understand. Let me carry them for you." George reached out and took the shoes out of her hands without waiting for an answer.

They chattered for a while about the different courses in their educations and the best way to study.

"So, why did you pick me for a study partner?" George asked.

"Why do you ask? Am I not allowed to have a personal relationship with my instructor?" Joanna teased him and lifted her eyebrows daringly at him.

George grinned. "As long as I don't favor you, I don't see why not."

"In what way could you favor me?" Joanna shook her head and laughed.

"By approving your reports too easily." George looked at Joanna out of the corner of his eye. "Or giving you more attention than the other students." He stopped walking and turned towards Joanna.

"Aren't you already giving me more attention by being here now?" Joanna asked and stopped to face him as well.

"Perhaps." George moved closer to her. "What about we keep this to ourselves then?" he suggested and winked.

"Keep what to ourselves? You said, there was nothing wrong with this." Joanna smiled her comfortably wicked smile.

"Just to be on the safe side." George leaned closer. "And who knows where this relationship will go if other people meddle in it." His hand cupped her cheek and brought her face closer to his. "I would like to keep this to ourselves."

*Beeb-Beeb* Joanna's phone interrupted the moment, but George didn't let go of her.

"Let's not be distracted. We would want to keep focus, won't we?"