Chapter 38: Evan's University Life

Harvard University buzzed with energy in November. Halloween and Thanksgiving were just around the corner, wrapping the campus in a festive spirit.

After celebrating Teddy Bell's birthday, Evan Bell, Teddy, and Eden returned to school and quickly became absorbed in their work.

Evan, who had been juggling courses in Psychology, Music, and Journalism, decided to temporarily set them aside to focus on his Architecture graduation project.

Even though Evan had completed graduation projects in Architecture twice before, once for his bachelor's and once for his master's, he wanted to push the boundaries this time.

He'd been mulling over ideas since the summer and had planned to dive into the project after discussing it with his advisor at the start of the semester.

However, due to a whirlwind of other commitments, he only got around to sketching out his ideas in mid-November.

After missing Professor Mueller-Lance's class for two weeks straight, Evan, who was also a teaching assistant, finally made an appearance.

Although he had been diligently preparing and organizing materials for the class each week, his presence was still crucial.

Professor Mueller-Lance's course was notorious for its difficulty, and students often had numerous questions that only a TA like Evan could answer. His absence had left many of them in a bind.

Evan arrived in the classroom 20 minutes early that day and was immediately swarmed by students seeking help. Their questions weren't just academic; they also needed guidance on reference books, assignments, and their final projects.

Mueller-Lance didn't have exams in his course, but a significant project was required at the end of the semester, making it critical for each student. Evan patiently addressed each concern.

Natalie Portman had been away from campus for over two months, busy filming Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. With the long winter break approaching, she knew she needed to return to school to catch up on her studies and prepare for her final assignments.

The difference between self-study and attending lectures was significant, so Natalie took advantage of a one-month break in filming to return to Harvard.

As she walked into the classroom, Natalie noticed a group of students gathered on the left side of the front row, deep in discussion. Though she was curious, Natalie wasn't one to engage in idle gossip. She quietly found a seat.

"Excuse me, do you know who the teaching assistant for this class is?" Natalie asked the student behind her, realizing she needed to borrow class notes and catch up on lesson plans.

"Over there, everyone's asking him questions already," the boy replied, nodding toward the busy corner on the left.

Natalie recognized the figure immediately. After thinking for a moment, she moved closer, but since there were still a few students ahead of her, she chose a seat four or five chairs away.

After the crowd dispersed, Natalie Portman turned her head to the left and saw a profile of a man sorting documents with his head down. She realized it was Evan Bell.

This was the fourth time she had seen him this semester, all within just a few weeks. Last year, she hadn't crossed paths with him once.

To Natalie, It all felt oddly coincidental.

Just as she was about to greet him, a voice from the podium caught her attention. Professor Mueller-Lance had entered the room. Natalie decided to wait, exchanging a friendly smile with Evan before turning her focus to the lecture.

Mueller-Lance, though only fifty, had silver hair and a kind face that made him look older. He was an elegant figure, wearing a gray suit, brown leather shoes, dark green checkered socks, and a tie that matched with dark red and azure blue checks.

Even the frames of his glasses were dark green. His style was sophisticated, rivaling anything you might see on Fifth Avenue in New York.

Students in his social psychology course knew he had a different outfit for every class, each carefully coordinated. He could have easily intimidated even fashion design students with his impeccable taste.

As he began class, Mueller-Lance didn't take attendance but instead casually remarked, "Today in the cafeteria, I noticed something. A student was complaining that the curry was burnt. By the time I left, the line at the Indian food counter had disappeared entirely. It's an interesting phenomenon."

Some students were already seated and listening, while others were still finding their places, so the room was quiet.

After a brief pause, a deep voice from the left side of the classroom broke the silence, "Professor," followed by a couple of coughs before the voice spoke again, clearer this time. "That's herd mentality at work. If that student had praised the curry, the line might've been longer."

It was Evan Bell who had spoken. He knew that Mueller-Lance liked to start classes with a bit of light-hearted banter, often sharing something amusing or thought-provoking from daily life.

Despite Mueller-Lance's strict teaching style, which intimidated many students, Evan was used to engaging with the professor.

"Evan, what would you do in that situation?" Mueller-Lance asked, his eyes showing a hint of satisfaction that someone had responded.

"I'm just like everyone else; I'm not immune to it," Evan replied easily. "If I wasn't interested in curry, it wouldn't matter. But if I was craving it, I'd go over and smell it for myself, then decide."

Mueller-Lance nodded, clearly pleased with Evan's response. "So, why is it that no one ever responds when I tell these stories?"

At this, the class turned their attention to the exchange between Evan and the professor. In American classrooms, students typically respect their professors but don't fear them.

However, in Mueller-Lance's class, students were often hesitant to engage, making his question even more pointed.

"Professor Lance, I think that's a question for those who didn't respond," Evan said with a smile, which caused some students to grumble quietly.

"But if I had to guess, it might be because you're very critical when we do speak up. So, It tends to dampen the enthusiasm."

Evan's smile lingered as he recalled how Mueller-Lance often pointed out numerous flaws in students' presentations or responded impatiently, sometimes even tossing their work aside without a glance, making the students understandably nervous.

But Evan knew the professor well. Mueller-Lance only criticized and gave feedback when he saw potential because he believed students could only improve through constructive criticism.

If he didn't bother to comment, it usually meant he found the work unworthy of discussion.

Mueller-Lance raised an eyebrow at Evan's remark. "I criticized you plenty last semester. But, why aren't you timid?"

"Listening to feedback is how we grow," Evan answered, nodding. "Otherwise, why would I take your class for a second semester? I'll just be looking for trouble!"

A soft laugh rippled through the classroom, and even Mueller-Lance couldn't suppress a faint smile.

The professor didn't press the issue further and moved on to the day's lesson. This social psychology course was heavily reliant on student participation.

Each week, a psychological theory was discussed, and students were expected to present and analyze related social events, followed by group discussions.

It was a self-driven learning model, and despite taking the course for a second time, Evan still found it rewarding.

Natalie Portman paid close attention during the class, immersing herself in the presentations and discussions, which was her main reason for returning to school.

But whenever she glanced at Evan, she found herself increasingly intrigued. She had initially been impressed by his dedication when she saw him studying at the design school, but today, he managed to surprise her again.

Whether he was debating with the professor or engaging with his classmates, Evan was always bold, direct, and sharp—traits she admired as a form of intelligence.

Yet, he remained humble, taking diligent notes and asking questions, regardless of how familiar he was with the material. His focus and dedication were apparent, whether he was dealing with a peer or a professor.

Each time she looked at Evan, a subtle smile played on Natalie's lips. The man she had previously only glimpsed at in the design school was now someone she found fascinating—and perhaps, she realized with a slight smile, someone she was beginning to take a liking to. 

There are two reasons why a class might feel long: lack of interest or a dull teacher. For Natalie, Evan, and the rest of the students in the social psychology course, neither applied.

The class always seemed to fly by. Even those who feared the professor found the lessons engaging and valuable.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Mueller-Lance packed up and left. But many students lingered, once again gathering around Evan, eager to seek advice from the teaching assistant who had earned the professor's trust and respect.