Words can’t really describe the crush I had on Professor Duncan.Peter!I should call him Peter.
I like calling him Professor Duncan better, though.
The entire department wanted to bang Professor Duncan. When the theater kids got together and partied, the conversationalwaysturned to Professor Duncan’s broad shoulders and ginger beard. He looks rugged, like he should be chopping wood in a flannel or something, but can wax poetic aboutMother Courage and Her Childrenfor an hour.
Truth be told, I didn’t give a shit about absurdist theater. I just wanted to look at him for a full semester, but he made me love it. I’ve actually sought out productions of Ionesco's plays to audition for because it’s a joy to act in them. His brand of absurdist gets so off-the-wall hilarious, I would have never discovered that I'd if it weren't for Professor Duncan.
I should tell him that.
I hadn’t really thought about the couple’s shots, to be completely honest. I was so hellbent on getting free headshots that I didn’t even imagine what the rest of the shoot would be like, but now I’m excited.
Like…really excited.
The three of us walk along a winding path. It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing, but it’s just warm enough not to need a jacket. The sun is hot, baking the leaves and fallen apples, and a cloyingly sweet smell permeates the air.
“Let’s go over there,” Sadie suggests. “There’s a little bit of shade—if we shoot in the sun, you’ll squint.”
We follow her to a large tree surrounded by a bed of rust-colored leaves. Peter and I stand side by side, and it feels like I should say something.
“So! What plays are they doing this fall?” I ask.
Peter looks at me wide-eyed, then shakes his head. “Oh! Um… Oh! They’re doing something really interesting. It’s a Sarah Kane play calledPhaedra’s Love.”
“Oh! You covered Kane in class!”
Peter’s eyes light up, a shocked expression washing over his face. “I’m shocked you remembered. It was such a small part of the class.”
“It was when you delved into shock theater. It was only one class, but you piqued my interest. I read4.48 Psychosisafterward and loved it.”
Peter stops in his tracks, his head falling to the side. “You read a Kane play after that class?”
I nod, and he continues, “I actually did my dissertation on Kane. I examined howCleansedtied in stories from the Holocaust to—”
Peter stops abruptly, his cheeks turning bright red. “Sorry. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about her work and how it relates to the freaking Holocaust.” His nervous laugh makes my heart flutter. This man is equal parts hot, brilliant, and shy.
“No, I’d love to hear about it! Maybe I could read you—”Sadie makes a satisfied sound, “This is gorgeous. Dylan, how about you sit right here in front of this tree? Your blue sweater will really pop with the orange leaves as a background.”
“Sorry. Gotta get these headshots. But I’d love to hear more.”
Peter nods, rubbing the back of his head. “Sure, sure. Sounds…that…sure!”
I have to bite my lip. He’s trying so hard not to be awkward.
This is why I was so obsessed with him.
CHAPTER 05: PETER
Deep breaths, Peter.
Just because he read a Kane play after your class doesn’t mean a thing; he’s just a very dedicated student.
I should have asked him how things have been going post-graduation. The department was always a bit too theoretical for the actors in the cohort. We should have a class on the business of acting or something. Not that I’d be able to teach it. I love theater, but I’d never be able to act in a play.
I’ll stick to the dramaturgy, thank you.
Dylan, on the other hand, always had chops. He was absolutely fabulous asPriorinAngels in America: Millennium Approaches.
He made me cry—so much depth to his performance. And he couldn’t have been more than 20 at the time.
