self-conscious as I take the floor to present my research.
“Having read a large number of romance novels from both the classic and contemporary categories, I can tell you that the common theme through the years falls into obtaining the unobtainable. Humans have an obsession with trying to get what we can’t have. One of my personal favorites, Jane Eyre, followed the story of a young girl who led a sad existence. Her youth was far from enjoyable and she escaped into her own thoughts. When she met Edward Rochester, she was completely disarmed. Not only was he her employer, he was also considerably older than she. We love stories like that, the stories that make us take a look at our surroundings and hope for more. Newer trends like those found in the Fifty Shades series show us the same concept; the main characters couldn’t be more different and both views the other as completely unobtainable,” I pause and smile briefly at CeCe before continuing.
“When love seems impossible, we want it that much more. When characters are flawed, we want to see them find complete understanding in another person. When we recognize a piece of ourselves in a character, we develop very strong feelings regarding their success or failure,” I take a deep breath before moving forward, my eyes find Isaac’s for a brief moment before I take the plunge, “One of the other common themes we find in romance novels is the idea that intense attraction cannot be ignored. When characters have a connection, we want to see them defy the odds and fight for their relationship to work. A secret rendezvous or ill-fated romance leaves us filled with hope that anything is possible if you want it enough.”
A smattering of applause tells me I didn’t suck as much as I thought I did. I can practically feel Isaac’s burning gaze on me as I make my way to my seat.
CeCe leans over to me as I sit, “Holy shit, Liv. Are you trying to get him back now or what?”
I throw her an annoyed look and turn my attention to the next speaker. Isaac keeps looking at me. I can’t fully read his expression but I recognize the hesitant wonder present in his eyes. I knew I should have left the whole anything-can-happen and defying-the-odds crap out of my presentation. Of course I knew it would make Isaac think I was talking about him and if I’m being honest with myself, I was. I look at him again and catch him staring at me. I have to look away quickly to avoid the thoughts that are threatening to invade my mind.
When class is finished I try to leave as quickly as possible, but Isaac stops me before I can reach the door.
“Miss Hanover, I need to discuss your research with you,” he says to distract the class from any ulterior motives they may sense are present.
I nervously hang back and wait until the room is clear. CeCe looks back at me wistfully before giving me a sympathetic shrug. Once everyone has left, Isaac motions for me to join him in his office just off the lecture hall.
“That was a very interesting assessment you shared,” Isaac says as he takes a seat behind his desk.
“Thanks. It’s what I found from my research.”
“I have a question to ask you, but I don’t really know if it’s my business to be asking.”
I raise an eyebrow, where could this be going?
“Are you dating anyone?”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but that was not it, “No. Why do you ask?”
He blushes and clears his throat, “I just wasn’t sure if you’d moved on.”
“No, Isaac, I haven’t. And I really don’t feel like picking at a scab that’s still healing.”
“I completely understand. I’ve not been seeing anyone either, in case you were wondering.”
I had been wondering, but I didn’t want to admit it to him, “I don’t want you to think that you can’t start dating. If you meet someone, you shouldn’t let me hold you back.”
“I was going to tell you the
“Having read a large number of romance novels from both the classic and contemporary categories, I can tell you that the common theme through the years falls into obtaining the unobtainable. Humans have an obsession with trying to get what we can’t have. One of my personal favorites, Jane Eyre, followed the story of a young girl who led a sad existence. Her youth was far from enjoyable and she escaped into her own thoughts. When she met Edward Rochester, she was completely disarmed. Not only was he her employer, he was also considerably older than she. We love stories like that, the stories that make us take a look at our surroundings and hope for more. Newer trends like those found in the Fifty Shades series show us the same concept; the main characters couldn’t be more different and both views the other as completely unobtainable,” I pause and smile briefly at CeCe before continuing.
“When love seems impossible, we want it that much more. When characters are flawed, we want to see them find complete understanding in another person. When we recognize a piece of ourselves in a character, we develop very strong feelings regarding their success or failure,” I take a deep breath before moving forward, my eyes find Isaac’s for a brief moment before I take the plunge, “One of the other common themes we find in romance novels is the idea that intense attraction cannot be ignored. When characters have a connection, we want to see them defy the odds and fight for their relationship to work. A secret rendezvous or ill-fated romance leaves us filled with hope that anything is possible if you want it enough.”
A smattering of applause tells me I didn’t suck as much as I thought I did. I can practically feel Isaac’s burning gaze on me as I make my way to my seat.
CeCe leans over to me as I sit, “Holy shit, Liv. Are you trying to get him back now or what?”
I throw her an annoyed look and turn my attention to the next speaker. Isaac keeps looking at me. I can’t fully read his expression but I recognize the hesitant wonder present in his eyes. I knew I should have left the whole anything-can-happen and defying-the-odds crap out of my presentation. Of course I knew it would make Isaac think I was talking about him and if I’m being honest with myself, I was. I look at him again and catch him staring at me. I have to look away quickly to avoid the thoughts that are threatening to invade my mind.
When class is finished I try to leave as quickly as possible, but Isaac stops me before I can reach the door.
“Miss Hanover, I need to discuss your research with you,” he says to distract the class from any ulterior motives they may sense are present.
I nervously hang back and wait until the room is clear. CeCe looks back at me wistfully before giving me a sympathetic shrug. Once everyone has left, Isaac motions for me to join him in his office just off the lecture hall.
“That was a very interesting assessment you shared,” Isaac says as he takes a seat behind his desk.
“Thanks. It’s what I found from my research.”
“I have a question to ask you, but I don’t really know if it’s my business to be asking.”
I raise an eyebrow, where could this be going?
“Are you dating anyone?”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but that was not it, “No. Why do you ask?”
He blushes and clears his throat, “I just wasn’t sure if you’d moved on.”
“No, Isaac, I haven’t. And I really don’t feel like picking at a scab that’s still healing.”
“I completely understand. I’ve not been seeing anyone either, in case you were wondering.”
I had been wondering, but I didn’t want to admit it to him, “I don’t want you to think that you can’t start dating. If you meet someone, you shouldn’t let me hold you back.”
“I was going to tell you the
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