“So Impressionism means that whores are no longer whores in paintings?” the boy at the back of the class called out again, and I could feel myself growing annoyed with him.
“Impressionism means that not only did we see a shift in the art that was created, we also saw a shift in the way we saw the world. Art is not just something to admire. It is something to breathe and learn from. It is our history and our future. It is our very essence captured and contained for the world and our ancestors to see.” Xavier’s eyes closed as his words flowed easily like a fine wine down the throat.
“As you can tell, he’s really into art,” Sebastian whispered to me.
“Yeah, he seems to be really into art.” I smiled back at him, noticing now that they did have the same green eyes, though Sebastian’s were open and happy while Xavier’s were closed off and full of distrust.
“Class, today I want you to think about what art means to you, what it has taught you. I want you all to present and talk about your favorite piece of art tomorrow. It doesn’t have to be Impressionist. Tomorrow, I want us all to get to know each other.” He smiled. “And now, you may go. This is the only day you will get to leave early.”
Students jumped up eagerly, and I saw one boy leaving the room before Xavier had even finished talking.
Sebastian packed up his things and looked down at me. “What are you up to now, Lola?”
“I’m probably going to go to the library.” I shrugged. “I’m meeting Anna for lunch so I need to stay around the building.”
“Perhaps we can go and get a coffee?”
“That sounds like it would be very nice.” I nodded at him.
“What would be very nice?” Xavier’s voice was right next to my ear, and I shivered.
“Lola and I are going to go for a coffee,” Sebastian said, answering his brother. “And how are you today, Xavier?”
“Fine.” His tone was clipped. “I’m afraid coffee is out. I need to talk to Lola.”
“About what?” I looked up at him finally, and his green eyes were full of mystery, revealing nothing to me about what he was feeling.
“You inquired about an assistant position?”
“I did?” I shook my head at him in denial. “I think you have the wrong person.”
“The admissions department forwarded me a list of names of students who were interested in becoming assistants to help save on tuition.”
“Oh, yeah.” I bit my lower lip as I remembered. “What about it?”
“I want to talk to you about becoming my assistant. See if you are suitable.”
“Suitable?” I made a face at him, and I saw Sebastian rolling his eyes.
“Yes, suitable.”
“Do you want to interview me or something?”
“Yes.” He stepped back. “I will be waiting.” He walked back to the front of the class, and Sebastian laughed.
“Sorry. He doesn’t really have a way with people.”
“You can say that again.”
“It’s what comes of having everything handed to you.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah,” he laughed. “Though I can’t really talk.”
“I guess you are brothers.” I stood up and grabbed my bag. “I guess I better go before he threatens to fail me already or something.”
“Don’t worry too much. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“If you say so.”
“Trust me. He is very smooth. He wouldn’t get half the women he does if he didn’t know when to pour on the charm.”
“Oh, he has a lot of women?” A surge of disappointment ran through me and I wanted to slap myself.
“It depends what you call a lot.” He laughed heartily. “Let’s just say that our mother is very worried that he will never get married and produce an heir to carry on the family name.”
“Oh.” That’s weird, I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. Who was I to talk about crazy families? Maybe they were from a family or country where it was important to have people carry on their names. Maybe they were still stuck in the olden days? It did seem like they were rich if Sebastian had grown up with masterpieces in his home.
“But I will see you tomorrow, yes? I will save you a seat.”
“You’re not English or French, are you?” I blurted out.
“How did you guess?” His eyes twinkled at me as we walked to the front of the class.
“I think I kind of knew when we met the other night. Your mannerisms and your speech ... There’s just something a bit different.”
“You’re correct, of course. I did go to school here, but I still carry the tint of accent from my country.” I wondered if he remembered telling me that the other night and I cringed at how obvious I was being.
“What is the name of your country?”
“Sebastian, don’t you have things to be getting on with?” Xavier walked up to us and gave his brother a look. “Mother would be disappointed to know that you aren’t concentrating one hundred percent on your studies.”
“I’m just talking to a new friend, Xavier. It’s allowed, you know.”
“Maybe you should think about what is best for your country and not what is best for your bed, dear brother.”
“Xavier!” Sebastian’s voice was outraged, and I felt my heart sink into my stomach. This was it. Xavier was going to tell his brother that he knew me and then Sebastian was going to look at me in distaste.
“Run along, Sebastian. I don’t have all day and I do believe that Lola would like to get this interview out of the way as well.”
“Good luck, Lola. I apologize for my brother. This is his first time as a professor. I think he’s letting it go to his head.”
“That’s okay.” I smiled at him warmly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait.” He smiled at me one last time before glaring at his brother and walking out of the room.
I stood there watching him and didn’t stop staring at the door, even after he had walked through it. I felt my heart rate increasing rapidly as I stood there waiting for Xavier to say something. But he remained as silent as I did. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer and turned to look at him. He was watching me with hawk eyes and pursed lips.
“What’s your problem?” I couldn’t resist saying the words that were in my mind. “You’re such an ass**le. Do you know that?” I glared at him and noticed his lips twitching. “Are you going to answer me or not?”