"Pri..." Alex bit his lip before starting again. "Professor Prince?" The hand on his shoulder was thin with sharp fingers. Who else?
He straightened and set his jaw, shaking his head. "I... lost my appetite, is all." He tugged the strap of his bag higher on his shoulder, hoping the angry red of his cheeks had faded since he'd left the table, but likely not.
"Enjoyed your class this week," he added. Change of subject, good.