Page 71 of Distortion
I nod.
He regards me for a moment. ‘I’m prepared to enroll you on a trial basis. From what I can see, you’re more than capable, but this isn’t usual. I’ll be breaking a few rules.’
I open my mouth to respond, but he interrupts, not looking at me.
‘I’m in charge of the STEM programs here though, so there won’t be a problem with that provided you can proveyourself.’ He looks at the screen again. ‘You have more than enough credits to be a senior in Chem, but you’re one shy for Physics.’ He glances at me. ‘I’d be willing to overlook it if you agree to assist some of the other seniors in the lab.’
A senior? Holy shit.
I nod vigorously, wondering why he’s being so accommodating, but also not wanting to jinx it by asking any questions.
‘Fine. I’ll have my secretary take care of the details. Your schedule will be emailed over today. The workload will be intense. But if you can pull it off, you’ll have your pick of post-grad programs, some of them very interesting indeed.’
My heart skips a beat and I can’t help my beaming smile. It hurts my face a little and I wonder when I last had cause to make this expression. Not for a long time.
He stands and I do as well, taking his hand with almost no hesitation when he offers it up for me to shake.
‘Thank you,’ I say.
His grip tightens slightly and I swallow hard. ‘If this is some kind of trick, a fabrication, you’ll regret it.’
‘It’s not,’ I promise, wondering what he thinks I could have made up when all the information was on his screen.
His eyes narrow at me. ‘I’ll see you around the building, then. Welcome aboard, Miss Evans.’
I nod, turning and leaving the office in a daze.
I did it. And not only that, a double major. As a senior!
Up yours, John Novelle.
Feeling happier than I have been in a long time, I practically skip to the elevators. I’m tempted to look around, but it’s almost nine and I want to talk to Lu before my shift starts.
I leave the Novelle Center and head back to the Quad. Grinder’s hatch is open and I wave to Lu as she flits around making drinks. She waves back and motions me inside.
But just as I open the door, I feel something hit my back and I gasp in pain, heat and wet exploding over my skin, shirt and hair.
‘Leave Richmond, you fucking child killer whore!’ a male voice yells as I turn around in shock, but whoever it was is already running off.
‘What the fuck?’ I hear Lu shriek from inside, and she comes barreling out of the door a second later.
‘Who was?!’ she demands.
I shake my head, my mouth opening, but no words come out.
Someone threw a cup of hot coffee over me, I realize.
‘Don’t you fucking come back here!’ Lu yells after the guy.
I’m ushered into the coffee shop by Lu. I hear her tell everyone who’s waiting that Grinder is closed and she bangs the hatch down.
‘Are you okay?’
I nod.
‘You’re not burned?’
‘No,’ I force out. ‘I don’t think so.’
