Chapter 3

I could feel Elise staring at me, she was right. I couldn't keep my big mouth shut.

"It can mean being a bundle of atoms, molecules, just different biological building blocks creating a human. It can also mean to live...breathe and think because of a higher power creating us and bringing us to life." I made sure to look him in the eyes as much as I could, I didn't want him to think I was embarrassed to speak up. I couldn't give him that satisfaction if he was trying to pick on me.

"That's an interesting set of opinions, two of the many there are, but what's yours Ms. Noelle? Do you side with one or the other?"

I was tapping my pen against my thigh rhythmically as I listened to him speak my name—my name. Wait, how the hell had he known my name? We hadn't introduced ourselves to him and my name wasn't written anywhere in the classroom. He might have had the class roster, but we had around sixty students in the lecture hall and he just magically knew mine?

I stopped tapping my pen. I felt a little off, but he did ask me something and it was unlike me to not put in my own opinion out there.

"A mixture of both perhaps? I think of it as a literal bigger picture. There are puzzle pieces meant to be put together. Science, spirituality, and creation all coincide. I don't understand why we as humans can just assume we know it's either-or. That's my opinion." By the time I was done talking I could see his eyes dilate. Had I just ticked him off?

"Very interesting—" his eyes were focused on me and then he looked at the rest of the class, "—did you all hear that? That was a wonderfully stated answer. Don't allow modern-day beliefs to limit your answers. There can be multiple answers, and multiple blends of thoughts."

I felt myself sink back in my seat and realized, again, that Elise was right. Here I went again, calling attention to myself.

"I'm going to let you guys write down your own true thoughts on this question. If you can write one full page in the next couple minutes," he looked down at me again, refusing to walk back to his desk, "I'll cut class short today. Sound good?"

It was as if you could hear nothing but paper in the classroom. Everyone was giddy to get out early, pen and paper were being put to the test, and the offer to cut class short had just won over every student in the class, except me. I was still confused as to how he knew my name and why he gave me such a strange look. I decided to let it slide and I started writing down exactly what I had just said to him, but a little more thoroughly. I didn't mind going into detail, I did enjoy this subject in general. I only minded the person teaching it.

"Girl, guess I win huh?" Elise whispered in my ear.

"Yeah yeah, I know. I can't help it okay?" I sighed when I noticed the majority of the class was gone because they had already turned in their paper. He had allowed everyone to just leave. There were four people left, two of them being Elise and myself.

"I'm just waiting for you. So cut your novel short there and go hand in your paper already."

I rolled my eyes at her and sipped hard at my coffee. Though almost done, the ice in it still had just enough flavor to offer and to remind me to stay awake. The hangover was lingering and my body was not feeling balanced. I was definitely dehydrated, sleepy, and in much head pain. I agreed to Elise's advice and cut my paper short. "Fine let's go." I packed up my belongings except for the sheet of paper I was to turn in, and made my way towards Professor Wyatt's desk.

"I'm surprised you wrote anything. Your answer was already what I was looking for." He tapped his pen on his desk, leaning back in his chair, eyes glued to mine.

I shrugged. "You didn't say not to write anything...so I still did what was asked."

He smirked.

I set the page down and started towards the door along with Elise. She seemed uncomfortable too, there was something about this guy that just rubbed me the wrong way. He just seemed like he was an asshole.

"Well, you ladies have a good one. I'll see you Wednesday." He sat up in his chair and organized his pile of papers.

"You too Professor Wyatt." Elise lingered on.

I simply nodded and hooked onto Elise's arm, pushing her out the door.

"Dude relax. Why are you so nervous?"

A couple of steps into the hallway and I turned her towards me angrily. "Nervous? I'm not nervous, I'm irritated. He's such a prick."

Her eyes lit up with a giggle. "You just think he's cute so you're getting flustered."

I shook my head so hard I could feel the base of my neck cracking. "NO. I admit he's attractive," I paused not wanting to truly admit how attractive he was with his deep hazel eyes, tousled brown hair, and the slightly open button-down, "but that's not why I'm like this. He just rubbed me the wrong way."

"Can't blame the guy, you can tell you're hungover."

I softly punched her arm. "Thanks!" I said sarcastically.

"Shit, I forgot I have to go see my advisor. I'll just go now since we ended early. What time are you done with classes? Think you have time for lunch?" She was eager for lunch and eager that now she had that seniority to basically do whatever she wanted.

"I wish. My only break is during your next two classes. After that I'm stuck in labs for the rest of the afternoon well into the evening. I won't be out till 8pm." I sighed heavily, thinking about how long this Monday would be was already draining enough, especially considering I had no class after my morning one.

"Well, at least finish your coffee. I'll see you at home later then okay?" Elise waved goodbye at me as she ran towards the admissions building. I waved back and made my way to the commons area, hoping to sit and sip at my coffee in peace until my hangover was finally soothed. There was a strange ache in my chest as I thought about my encounter in class. There was a strange sensation of dejavú and something else that I couldn’t put my finger on. Something resembling...fear?

I was now in one of the computer lounges and it was incredibly cool compared to the heat outside. Even some of the people that were studying, were wrapped up in a sweater to keep comfortable. My body still felt like it was burning so I didn't mind the cold. I slipped into one of the booths that were empty and leaned on the table. I wanted to read something, maybe play a game or so, but honestly, my body craved sleep. I caved and placed my head on my arms on top of the table and closed my eyes. I lied to myself and told myself I would simply rest my eyes. Me closing my eyes was the comfort I needed.

My eyes fluttered open to the sound of a loud clink. The lounge, which I miraculously remembered I was in, was dim. My heart began to race with fear of having slept through the day. I dug into my pocket for my phone, when I took a glimpse at the time, it was already 4pm. My heart raced even harder. The lounge had just closed, they were supposed to close early today for a staff meeting. I stood as quick as I possibly could and held my backpack tight. Walking towards the door, I could hear an echo in my steps. Actually, the best word to describe it wasn't echo, it sounded like someone else's steps trying to match my own.

Of course at something so ridiculous, I shook my head and ignored it. Once I reached the door and saw it was open, I exhaled. I was fine. I was simply late to my lab, not locked in the lounge until the staff meeting and dying of embarrassment.

After running up five flights of stairs to get to my labs, I swore to myself to wait as long as needed for the elevator. I was an active person, but a run up stairs that were as steep as those, was unbearable. My calves were sore and my forehead was already damp with sweat. I tried to even out my breathing before walking into the classroom, which was already full with students. Luckily, a couple of glances around showed me there was no professor in class yet.

Thank god, I won't be marked late on my first day.