Lena lowered her eyes briefly.
Then spoke again.
"I know this isn't the right time."
I didn't disagree.
"I know you're injured."
True.
"I know I'm your professor."
Very true.
"And I know this situation is strange."
Extremely true.
A small laugh escaped her.
A nervous one.
"Actually, strange is probably an understatement."
That was the most reasonable thing either of us had said in the last ten minutes.
For the first time since asking the question, Lena looked away.
Just slightly.
As if finally realizing the magnitude of what she'd done.
"I wasn't planning to say it."
"I figured."
"I really wasn't."
"I believe you."
"I was supposed to think about it first."
"...Professor."
"I know."
Her face immediately turned red again.
The room fell quiet.
Then—
Unexpectedly—
Lena laughed.
A small laugh.
Soft.
Embarrassed.
When I looked at her, she was smiling while covering part of her face.
"I must look pathetic."
"You don't."
"You don't have to comfort me."
