The Innocent by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online Page A

class, she was eager to hear what he’d have to say and hoped to have a moment to speak with him alone.  She took a seat at the front of the class as the room quickly filled up.
    The minutes ticked by and soon every seat was taken.  Only Sebastian was missing.
    Serena knew him to be a disciplined professor who was never late to class, and as the minutes continued to tick by, Serena began to worry.  When the door opened once again, she immediately turned her attention to the new arrival, hoping with all her heart to see Sebastian.  She was disappointed.  She quickly recognized the new arrival as her former adviser.
    “Hello, class.”  He set his thin briefcase on the desk.  “I’m Mr. Elkins, Mr. Elroy Elkins, and today…”  He flicked his briefcase open.  “We’ll be dissecting the sonata.”
    “What happened to Mr. Sorensen?” an eager student asked.
    “Oh, yes, right.  I guess I’m an unexpected surprise, aren’t I?”  He pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his brow.  “Well, I do hope I won't be too much of a disappointment.  I’m not a world renowned composer like Sebastian, but I will do my best.”  He pushed his glasses up his nose.
    “But what happened to Mr. Sorensen?  Where is he?” the student persisted.
    “Right.  Right.  Lucky Mr. Sorensen has been asked to give a few classes at the University of Southern California.  I guess he’s in such high demand that he has to stretch himself pretty thin.”
    Serena’s heart sank.  USC?  What could Sebastian possibly be doing at USC?
    “When will he be back?” another student asked.
    Serena dreaded the answer.
    Mr. Elkins fidgeted and looked at the agenda in his briefcase.  “I’m not really sure, but I was asked if my calendar was clear for the next few weeks.”
    The students simultaneously let out a soft groan and Serena blinked a tear away.
    “As it turns out, I am free for the next little while, so… Well, hopefully I’ll grow on you.”
    The class remained silent.
    “I’ll do my best to fill in and teach you everything as Mr. Sorensen would have,” Mr. Elkins went on as he pulled out the day’s lesson.  “So, who can tell me what makes a sonata.”
    The class was decidedly unenthusiastic about the lesson. 
    “I’ll give you a hint… it has…”
    Serena felt sorry for her old advisor, and tried to spark the class to life.  She answered him and in turn asked a few questions to get the ball rolling.  Soon the students got on board and Mr. Elkins was able to give his lackluster lesson.
    Poor Mr. Elkins, Serena thought.  No matter how hard he tried, he just didn’t have the charm and charisma Sebastian had, nor did he have his passion for music.  While Serena tried to concentrate on every word Mr. Elkins said, she found herself repeatedly questioning this strange change of teaching assignments.
    Sebastian had never mentioned the possibility of teaching elsewhere and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d accepted this assignment so far away.  Surely he had the choice to go where he wanted to.  A man with his reputation could have his pick of assignments.
    Was he avoiding her?
    No, he’d specifically asked to see her.  It didn’t make sense.  As the hour passed she reviewed her last encounters with him.  He’d shown his desire for her.  He’d told her how much he longed for her.  And that last, quick text… it had to mean something.
     

 
    Chapter 8
     
     
    By the time class let out, Serena was convinced something was wrong.  Sebastian would never willingly change school, not without talking to her about it. He would never deliberately set out to avoid her. Rushing through the halls with the hundreds of other students, she checked her watch, and wondered if she’d have time to go to USC before Sebastian left for the day.
    She had to see him; had to talk to him.
    Newly invigorated, she pushed through the main door and walked out into the bright afternoon sun, but her plans