Chapter 12

12

TANNER

Professor Fan scribbles some words on the chalkboard, then turns around. “And that’s why the cafeteria serves a variety of foods,” he announces. He’s a slim, mild-mannered dude, donning a cape and a white half-mask on his face. He’s chattier than every other ghost I’ve met, but he’s charming and intelligent. This whole semester I’ve generally enjoyed his class as he’s taught us about how monsters live. This week, however, I can barely pay attention to the lecture. That’s fine since the quizzes in this class are simple.

What’s not fine is Kovi dodging my texts. I know he wants me, and I want him, too. I need to see where our connection leads, even if it crashes and burns. He’s so thoughtful and sweet, and thinking about his visit to my childhood home gives me shivers, but in a good way. I want him to give us a shot.

I have half-a-mind to beg Seth to let me barge into their suite, but I have just a smidge more pride than that.

“There are so many diverse food groups and sources of energy in the monster community. What’s enjoyable for one monster won’t be for another. Though I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a good sarcophacappuccino.” The class murmurs with laughter. I haven’t seen Professor Fan order anything at Mummy Mocha, and frankly, I didn’t think a phantom like him could eat. But he’s also occasionally solid, unlike the library ghosts. Every monster species’ rules are different it seems.

“Who can give me an example of a nontraditional monster source of energy?” Professor Fan looks out at us and points to someone behind me.

“Incubi require like…human energy, right?”

“What kind?” Professor Fan says in an encouraging tone.

The handsome, bookish dude scratches his arm and looks up. “Like sexual energy?”

“Yes, right on the money. What was your name?”

“Penn,” he says.

“Great work, Penn. And yes, incubi do require that specific form of energy. But keep in mind, sexual rules of consent still apply.” He points the chalk at us, and the crowd hums in interest.

To my left, fellow human, Owen, raises his hand. Shonda sits between us, and she turns and gives me a smirk. This guy with his constant questions.

After the professor points to him, he lowers his hand. “Professor Fan, on the topic of feeding, do you know how many gallons of blood a vampire needs to drink a day?”

“I think you should go ask one. Make some friends.” There’s another bout of laughter as he walks back to the board. When he drops his chalk for what seems like the twentieth time, he huffs. Then, he turns back around. “This is a good place to stop. See you all next week. Make sure to read the assigned chapters.”

He barely gets the words out when the folks in class start to gather their belongings. Before I can join them, Shonda gives me a pointed look. “What?”

“You should ask Professor Fan.”

“About what?”

She turns around, and it’s clear that Owen and the others are out of earshot. “About Kovi.”

My eyebrows furrow. “You want me to ask him if my crush likes me back?” Shonda and I may have had a gossip session or two at Mummy Mocha after hours. Human friends are a great escape from the drama of cute monster boys, and Owen isn’t as much fun to talk to as her.

“No, numbskull.” She lowers her voice. “Ask him if shifting uncontrollably is, like, common. Or if there’s a cure or whatever.”

I turn to see Professor Fan clean off the chalkboard, then drop the eraser. He is a wise dude, the kind of person I forget is a ghost. Maybe Shonda’s right—perhaps the perfect resource has been in front of me at lecture this whole time. It beats sitting around and having a hard-on for a monster who won’t talk to you.

“Maybe. Um, I’ll see you next class,” I whisper.

“Good luck!” She puts up her crossed fingers in delight. Then, she and the rest of class are gone while I walk to the front desk.

“Professor Fan, can I talk to you? I have a personal question.”

“Oh, certainly.” He claps his hands and chalk dust floats right through him. He points to the wooden chair, and I sit down. “What’s on your mind, uh, you?”

I snicker. “It’s Tanner.”

“How can I help you, Tanner?”

He seems so friendly and disarming despite the bizarre white mask covering half his face. I bite my lip and look around. “Um, I have this…friend. He’s a monster that goes here.”

“Glad you’re making monster friends.”

We exchange smiles. “Right. Well, he keeps accidentally shifting into his monster form. I wanted to know if I could help him somehow.”

He sighs and moves closer to me. “Ah, involuntary shifting. There is so much research to be done.”

That doesn’t sound promising. “Really?”

“It’s kind of like how humans learn to hold in their bladder. It’s difficult in your youth, but many require training for months, even years.”

“Years?!” I yelp, and Professor Fan startles. “I mean…” I clear my throat. “I don’t see it happening to everyone else.”

“It occurs frequently in younger monsters. But by the time puberty rolls around, most shifters have it down pat.”

I nod. “Ah.”

“Unless of course, they’re in moments of stress.”

“Stress?”

“Yes. Anxiety, fear, hell, even intense arousal can affect shifting.”

“Arousal?!” I squeak.

Professor Fan gets up and wipes part of the chalkboard he missed. “Love can be scary. Your friend may need to stay away from stressful situations.” He turns around and grins. “Unless, of course, he chooses to stay in his monster form for longer periods of time.”

I nod and mull over Professor Fan’s words. It’s possible that Kovi is scared, but of what, I’m not sure. Of hurting me? Of catching feelings for me? All of the above?

“I have to go, Tanner. We in the staff have multiple meetings this week, and I’m the only ghost who has a mind of my own. And Halloween is in a month, which is a big deal for monsters. You know, closer to the blood moon, the shifters—”

I bolt up and nod. “Thank you, Professor.” I don’t even listen to what he says as I all but dash out of the lecture hall. Kovi’s afraid of something. I’m afraid of tree monsters, too. But I’d face my fears if it meant giving us a fighting shot. What we have growing between us—seeds of attraction that started over a decade ago—may be worth confronting what scares us the most.