Alexa found herself listening as Ms Peabody had commanded, she had a warmth in her voice and a humour in her tone that held her audience rapt, no matter what the subject matter but the cutting edge science wasn’t the only thing Alexa noticed about Helena’s presentation.  She’d never been so glad to be positioned so close to the front of a lecture.  She took in her dark mahogany hair, wondering how long it would be or if it had a natural wave when she let it down, she pondered her high cheek bones and was captivated by glimpses of her crystal blue eyes whenever she happened to look her way.

When the lecture ended Rachel snapped her out of her reverie.  ‘Quick let’s get in the drinks line’

Alexa followed absentmindedly, watching as Dr Pax cozied up to Helena Peabody, laughing at something she said and touching her arm.  ‘Oh please like he stands a chance’ Alexa muttered.

‘What?’ asked Jayne.

‘Pax, over there with that lecturer Helena Peabody, he’s all over her like a rash.  She’s way out of his league.’

‘He’s probably just trying to get some money out of the Peabody foundation for his new curriculum.’

Alexa just nodded, suddenly frustrated by the queue of students.  ‘Can you just grab me a drink? I’m going to the bathroom.’

Alexa headed into the bathroom and looked and headed into a stall, feeling flushed.  She’d been attracted to a lot of unattainable women in her life and usually just enjoyed it as a harmless crush, happy to entertain the fantasy from afar, it was the best she could get with her closeted lifestyle but Helena Peabody had brought out a real feeling in her she hadn’t felt in a while, desire. Alexa zipped the fly of her jeans and exited the stall, heading to the mirror to reapply her lip gloss.  She heard the door swing open behind her but paid it no attention, she didn’t feel like engaging in conversation.

‘I don’t suppose I could borrow some of that could I?  I seem to have lost mine somewhere’ asked a voice she vaguely recognised.

Alexa instantly blushed as she turned to look into the eyes of Helena Peabody, feeling her cheeks burning.  ‘Sure’ she squeaked out, ‘Take it!’ she held out the pot and Helena took it their fingers touching briefly.