Chapter-1

With a loud thumping heart, she pushed open the gate. For five minutes she had been holding tight onto the handle, contemplating whether to enter or not. And finally, she realized what other choice does she have? On the first day of her postgraduate course and the first lab class, can she even dream about missing it? Never!

Cecily Osborn was never an academic genius, and she knew that. But despite how much she wanted to cross that line and be the best, mediocrity was her thing. And she hated it. She had tried it all, hard work, smart work even consistent and willful work but nothing seemed to bring things in her favor. And when a person fails again and again there is a birth of self-doubt and anxiety. Cecily was always extra-aware of all happening around her and somehow, she stumbled with nervousness when the attention was on her. And that was one reason she liked to be early for every class. What other way is there to avoid people looking at you? But today despite all her efforts, she was on time and there were people already sitting inside, waiting to see what new faces will enter the lab today.

The first days are usually tough. Cecily finally gulped on her nervous self and with her head bowed she perfectly covered her face with her hair. She entered the class and not to her surprise the squeaking of the door made people look at her. She could feel the eyes on her but she didn't look at a single face and quickly made her way to the first bench. Keeping her bag down she finally saw a middle-aged man, smiling at her. She recognized him as her professor and smiled back.

"Hello! How are you?", he greeted warmly.

"Uh...Hello professor! I am good, how are you?", Cecily replied with a little nervous tone. She was not used to such nice greetings from professors.

"I am great! Such nice weather to start a new lab class! And oh, please just call me Ali!", he said. And Cecily just nodded with a smile.

"Also, if you are a new student go to that bench and get a picture clicked for the PG student board and collect your manual and lab coat.", he said pointing towards the bench right next to hers. She nodded and stood there writing her details on a white paper. It was like getting a picture clicked in jail!

"Hey Cecily!", a voice caught her attention. It was Ariana her one and only friend in this course. They had met during the orientation and opted for the same lab group. Cecily was finally glad to see a familiar face.

"Ari! I was about to call you. You are late!", Cecily smiled and hugged her.

"Ahh! No, I am right on time! For me all classes start 10 minutes after the official time.", she replied and both of them laughed. Cecily helped Ari get her lab coat and manual and they finally sat down as the professor waited for other students to get settled as well.

While Ari was busy trying to read through the manual Cecily finally looked around the lab and realized how different everything here is. The labs were well equipped, students were sitting comfortably and there was enough space for everyone, unlike the labs back in her home country where she did her bachelors. She absentmindedly looked around and saw how all the things were organized and how there were some high-tech boards and machines she had never even heard of before. The students were almost done getting the pictures clicked, when she heard the door open again but she didn't look back.

"I am so sorry Ali! I know I am late but at least I didn't miss the introduction.", a very confident voice grabbed her attention. But she still didn't look back. She sat straight and her ears were all perked up to hear the voice again.

"Ah! I thought you might miss it though!", professor replied with a laugh.

"Never!", he said and Cecily saw him walk by her. Every step he took screamed confidence. He was wearing a lab coat, that had the name of the department and Cecily could see the blue string of the ID card coming out of his jeans pocket. He didn't look at anyone and sat on the chair right next to the professor. His lab coat was unbuttoned and he was wearing a blue sweater with black jeans. His hair was perfectly in place and his eyes were focused on the computer screen in front of him. He was wearing spectacles with black frame and a mask. Cecily wanted to see his face; she was intrigued but Covid protocols kept her away from this desire. He finally looked up from the screen and Cecily could tell he is not someone to mess with. His emotionless yet deep eyes were observing the room. He was literally scanning the whole lab and even behind that mask Cecily could tell he had a straight face. Finally, the eyes met and Cecily didn't look away. He didn't stop even for a second and looked at other students. He must be used to students staring at him.

"Okay guys! Welcome to the first day of your lab! I am professor Allis Stanley and you all can call me Ali! This is Mitchell or Mitch my teaching assistant. Your assessment will be done by both of us and we will always be here to answer your questions and keep a close eye on your conduct.", Ali finally started the class while Mitchell just sat there looking closely at all the students.

"We will start with the protocols mentioned on page 1 and we have an 8-hour long lab today, so after the first portion we will have a break. You guys will be working in groups of 2 for this course and I assume you guys have already paired up, so start working!", Ali said and soon the quiet lab was full of murmurs and students moving around grabbing equipment and other materials.

Cecily was busy reading the manual while Ari went to get all the stuff they needed. She went through the protocol and the complex instructions finally made sense when she read it the second time.

"Hey! How are we going?", Cecily heard Mitch as he pulled the manual from font of her to see what she was reading. She was mute. She looked at him as he saw that she was on page 2.

"I guess you are going fine!", he answered his own question and looked at her.

"Uhm..yeah. Just reading the instructions.", she replied looking at the manual.

"Alright! I am right here if you need any help.", he said and she felt like he did smile at her but with the mask on she cannot be sure.

"Oh! Also, what is your name?", he asked pointing towards the paper in his hand. As a TA he also has to take the attendance.

"I am Cecily.", she replied.

"And your partner?", he asked while writing down her name.

"Ariana."

"And which group are you guys?", Mitch asked.

"Group 14.", she replied with a light nod as she saw him write the details.

"Thank you-Cecily!", he replied and this time Cecily was sure he smiled. And because of the stupid mask she could only imagine how his smile would be.

"What did he need?", Ari asked as she kept all the stuff on the table.

"Nothing, he was just asking about the group member's names and group number.", Cecily replied and she started to set the tubes in the order in which they were required.

"He seems really rude and grumpy.", Ari said as she saw him go from bench to bench taking the same details from others.

"Does he? I found him pretty attractive,", Cecily said as she picked up the micropipette.

"What? You do?", Ari asked with a sly smile and Cecily nodded still focused on the pipette.

"What about your boyfriend? Is he attractive?", Ari asked flipping through the manual.

"I am single. I don't have a boyfriend.", Cecily replied with an embarrassed laugh.

"Seriously! Then we are definitely getting this one for you!", Ari said looking back at him and then her friend.

"No please! I would rather focus on this course and plus he most probably has a girlfriend.", Cecily said and took the manual from Ari.

"And you focus here now!", Cecily said as they started their lab work.

"At least he is not married!", Ari said and they both looked at each other for a second and then burst out laughing.