When I was a wily undergrand–the salad days of my capricious youth–I once took a class from a teacher with the same name as a popular softdrink.

I developed a crush on this drinkable prof. I carefully planned out my outfits each week so that my cutest, most attractive clothing landed on our class days.

I chewed on the stem of my tortoiseshell eyeglasses thoughtfully, made crinkled facial expressions while he talked. The key: I rarely spoke in class. I hoped this enhanced my air of mystery.

And then one day, running into my prof on campus, I said something harmlessly flirtatious and charming (also rehearsed). Picture me sitting outside a campus building in autumn, chunky scarf wrapped haphazardly around my neck, the smell of burning leaves in the air–my head tossed back in a laugh, a freeze frame. Careless afternoon.

And then he flirted back.

Oh Lord, I didn’t even know what to do.

It was exciting and scary at the same time. I wondered if I would be able to get an A in the course (it was, also, the most difficult college course I ever took), and yes, if I would get an A in…other things. I continued my flirtation, but more carefully.

In the end, I met a boy closer to my age and foolishly began dating him instead. I never did let my teacher down easily–I just sort of vanished the way students do…into the administrative ether.

My question is, though–as teachers, have you ever been Hot For Student?

Don’t use your real name for protection. Or tell me about a “friend” of yours who was Hot For Student once.