“You okay there, Viv? You seem a little… distracted."

Vivienne’s freckled, pixie-like features, already unusually flushed, went bright red at the question, and for what seemed like the hundredth time that afternoon, she shifted and twisted her legs, dark blue eyes glancing anxiously at her two best friends. “N-n-n-no, I’m fine!” she squeaked unconvincingly. “W-w-w-what makes you say t-t-that?”

“Beyond the fact that you’re stammering more than usual?” Laura remarked dryly. It was a cold winter’s day on campus, the wall of dark clouds to the east pregnant with the promise of yet another snowstorm, and all three women were dressed in heavy coats and boots to protect them from the chill. As ever, Laura was the most fashionable of their number, her mischievous face framed by a raised hood lined with faux fur, the fit of the garment flattering her already distinctly feminine dimensions. “You seem completely incapable of standing still, and for one of the best students in the class, you were really unfocused.”

“Are you feeling sick?” Soyeon asked with genuine concern, stripping off a glove to press her bare hand against Vivienne’s forehead. “It doesn’t seem like you have a fever,” expressed the Korean international student, still frowning. “Maybe we should bring you to the doctor’s office, just in case.”

“I’m fine, r-really!” protested the redhead. “J-j-just didn’t get enough sleep last night, that’s all.”

At that statement, Laura gave a cheeky grin. “Oh, I see how it is.”

“See how what is?” Soyeon asked in puzzlement.

Laura rolled her eyes. “Our dear Ms. Vivienne is suffering a condition known as ‘utterly besotted with a guy.’ All the symptoms are present; endless blushing, embarrassed stammering, longing, wistful looks and an air of ever-present distraction. See it often enough whenever you start thinking about William.” A blush crossed Soyeon’s alabaster features, and Laura laughed. “Nothing like the thought of a hunky man in your bed to distract you, right, Viv?”

“R-r-right,” Vivienne demurred, blush deepening yet further. Laura was not entirely wrong, for she had become quite infatuated with her boyfriend Derek. Two months ago, he had found her bound and gagged inside her dorm room, part of Laura’s ploy to help break the ice between the two, and it had succeeded beyond all expectations, her long-hidden desire for the theatre student wholly and passionately reciprocated. For two months they’d been lovers, and those had been the happiest of Vivienne’s life, so yes, she had to admit he had become something of a distraction. Amid important lectures, her thoughts kept drifting to the feel of his strong arms around her; when writing essays and lab reports, the memory of sweet words and hot breath against her skin made her lose her focus; and in the weak winter’s daylight, she couldn’t help but fantasize about the pleasures that came with each night. She was drunk on him, obsessed with him, mad for him, for Derek was everything she’d ever wanted in a man: kind, passionate, patient, generous, supportive, respectful, handsome, honourable…

And hidden from all but Vivienne, privately very, very kinky. Indeed, his initial outrage seeing her bound and gagged that night was only because he truly thought someone had tied her up against her will. He’d happily accepted her explanation of Laura’s actions, and once the redhead expressed an interest in experimenting further, Derek was most willing to oblige her.

Hence the source of the day’s current distraction.

Well-hidden beneath her grey cargo pants and the layers of winter garments, the gift he’d given her before she left in the morning randomly sprang to life once more, surging against her most sensitive areas, and Vivienne once again waged the epic battle to keep from betraying her pleasure. Again, it pulsed away, teasing and taunting and provoking more squirming from the bespectacled redhead. “You should take the rest of the day off, Vivienne,” Soyeon urged her. “I’ll tell Professor Albert that you’re feeling sick so you don’t get in trouble. I will share my notes too, so you don’t miss anything.”

It was a sincere offer, typical of the friendly and compassionate international student, but before Vivienne could come up with a gracious denial, another buzzing sounded, this one loud enough for the other two women to hear, and she gratefully took the opportunity to escape. “Sorry, have to take this!” she shouted, taking her cellphone from her pocket and darting around the corner of the Science Complex to leave Laura and Soyeon rather confused in her wake. Desperately, she glanced about for a quiet place to answer the call, and as if to hasten those efforts came the strongest vibration yet, reverberating so powerfully that she nearly staggered from the force. “Come on…”

A small alcove where the supports of the Science Complex jutted outwards offered some small refuge, and Vivienne darted out of sight, shaking hands finally accepting the call. “H-h-h-hello?”

“Hey there, love. How are you doing?” Derek’s cheerful voice sounded in answer.

Another pulse sent Vivienne slumping back, a moan of pleasure escaping past pouty red lips. “You’re a bastard.”

“You’re a bastard, what?” her boyfriend chided mockingly.

Blush deepening, Vivienne took a moment to ensure she was alone before answering. “You’re a bastard, Master,” she expressed, still shocked that she’d ever found the courage to take that step with him. For all she loved Derek, she had no desire to sacrifice her ambitions or subordinate her will to him, while he had no interest in micromanaging her life either. That said, there was something thrilling in letting him take control every so often… “This is a major distraction, you know that, right?” The pulses were coming stronger and harder now, sending the redhead’s free hand to her thighs. “Oooh…”

“That’s the general idea, love. What’s your colour?”

“Green, Master,” Vivienne hissed, refusing to give in to the challenge.

“Now remember, you have to last until I get back tonight. The rehearsal ends at 6:00. Or was it 8:00?”

“I hate you so much, Master.”

“I love you too.” This was Derek speaking now, not the persona he’d adopted for their kinky games, and Vivienne felt her thigh quiver from someone other than the vibrator’s ministrations. “You have a good day, love. Let me know if anything comes up, okay?”

“Of course,” promised the redhead. The call ended, and she offered a wistful sigh, leaning her head back against the wall. What a guy. He was undoubtedly a distraction to her studies, but one whom she increasingly could not live without. Besides, she had no intentions of failing, and knew when to--

Oh, no! The time! Vivienne glanced back down at her phone, blanched at the ominous digits, then made for the other side of the campus as fast as the buzzing vibrator would permit, cursing herself all the way. Guess I really do have to work at handling distractions!