“This assignment is intended to show me that you are prepared for this class. That you know enough of the basics from your previous class and learning to not drown in the information we are going to take on this semester.” Professor Lange bellowed from the front of the classroom.
Nyah glanced down at the paper she had been handed, outlining the project. It seemed almost too complicated in its simplicity.
Professor Lange did not stop his monologue. “I have put up a list by each of the doors so that you can go look to see who your partner will be for this assignment on your way out. And since you are adults I expect you to find and contact your partners without taking up valuable class time. Furthermore, there will be no exceptions or partner swapping. There is no room for any special circumstances regarding who you are with. I will not be available to discuss it. However, I am happy to meet with anyone who has questions about the material. Now, let us get down to the real reason we are here. If you have all done your reading as you should have, then today’s lecture won’t be so overwhelming.” He moved to the podium and powered on the projector.
Again, Nyah looked down at the assignment that had just been thrown her way. It was more of a project than a mere assignment and this was her first semester and only the second college class that she had ever attended. She knew no one. How on earth was she supposed to find her partner if she didn’t know anyone?
She sucked in a breath and hurried to open her notebook and start taking notes. She had done the reading and the lecture still seemed overwhelming. Maybe she should have taken an easier class load so that she wouldn’t fail her first semester.
In the midst of her hurried note taking she barely noticed the time. It wasn’t until Professor Lange abruptly stopped and announced that class was over that she realized she had been taking notes for over an hour straight. Her hand cramped as soon as she thought it.
Packing her bag, Nyah hurried over to where people were gathered at the door. Maybe if she was lucky she’d find her partner before she left. She didn’t even make it to the paper before she heard her name being called. “Nyah Robertson?”
Looking around, she couldn’t see who was saying her name.
“Nyah Robertson?”
“I’m over here.” She raised her hand.
It was near impossible to figure out who was calling for her because as she neared, everyone was calling out their partner’s names.
“Nyah Robertson?”
“Everyone out.” Professor Lange bellowed from his podium down in front. “I have another class starting in five minutes.
Nyah still hadn’t seen who her partner was, even though she had heard him. At least, it had sounded like a guy.
It seemed as though everyone else had already figured out their partners as they rushed out the door. Instead of following and hoping her partner stuck around, she went over to the paper and took a picture of it.
“Clever.” Lange called out again. “The only one to take a picture and go. Good luck.”
In her surprise at being so singled out and noticed, she merely smiled back and left.
Once out in the hall she moved over to a nearby empty bench to find her name.
She had been right in assuming most had already found their partners because they had all paired off, some already making an outline while others were walking away with their heads practically glued together.
“Are you Nyah Robertson?”
Looking up Nyah smiled. “Yes. Hello.”
The man’s biceps bulged against his short-sleeved shirt as he extended his hand. “Fantastic. Everett Tollern. You a freshman?”
She nodded. “Is it that obvious?”
“Not very, but I could see the signs. This is my sister’s first semester also. Shall we get started?”
Everett pulled out the assignment sheet and studied it.
“Wait, so if your sister is a freshman what does that make you?”
He laughed. “Her annoying older brother. I thought that would be an obvious connection.”
Nyah blushed but didn’t look away. “You know what I meant. Are you a junior, senior, or lifer?”
“Lifer?” He laughed again. “Do I look that old?”
“No. But you are being purposefully obtuse about it so I had to throw it in as a possibility even if it was just to nudge you into answering. Now I’ve narrowed it down to two without requiring an actual answer.”
“Then I shall give you none and see if you can ascertain it for yourself.” He bowed his head with a huge grin on his face. “Good luck.”
“I won’t need it.” Nyah smiled back. “You are stuck spending time with me because of our assignment. You won’t be able to avoid me.”
His smile warmed. “I think we might find that I won’t want to avoid you.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“We’ll see about that after this weekend.” She grinned.
He reached out his hand and she stared at it. “Can I have your phone so I can put in my number? We are going to need to be able to communicate outside of class if we are going to complete this by Monday.”
“Oh sure.” She would have slapped her forehead but instead pulled her phone from her bag to hand to him.
He was quick as he typed in his number and it was back in her hands. Looking down, she saw he had even added a picture of him.
Everett stood. “Now, don’t forget to text me real quick so I have your number too.”
She nodded. “Where are you off to now?”
“Class.” He smiled, leaning in. “And no, I won’t make it any easier on you by telling you what class.”
“Aww he’s smarter than he looks.” She teased with a grin.
“A regular old genius here.” He winked. “Text me. Don’t forget.”
As he walked off she opened her messages and shot off a text to him so she wouldn’t forget.
Nyah: Junior. You’re a junior.
The text back was almost immediate.
Everett: Interesting. You’ll have to tell me why you think that.
Nyah: I’m right.
Everett: I didn’t say that.
Nyah: You didn’t have to. We need to get started on our assignment. The library at 7?
Everett: It’s a date.
