We love the story of Lolita (a horror novel, misread as a romance) and the student-teacher affair in My Tutor (1983) because they tap into the fantasy of accelerated adulthood. As teenagers, we feel trapped in our bodies and our homes. A teacher who looks at us "as an adult" offers a fantasy of escape.

In any professional setting, disagreements or close friendships can arise. Managing these effectively is key to long-term success.

It started with yard work. My dad told me to go help her with the gutters. "She's alone now," he said, not unkindly. "Be useful."