I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Twenty

'Are you proud of yourself?'

I forced myself to stop smiling, 'No, sir. I wasn't even aware...'

'I'm certain.' He didn't seem convinced, but I truly hadn't known, Alex had only said she had to live within a certain distance of Carfax, she didn't tell me what that distance was.

'I suppose Vice-Chancellor Davies thought it all right since Alex had to be here every day too.'

Professor Burrows responded, 'That's what he said,' as if the Chancellor and I had been plotting against him.

'Oh.' I knew the first second I met him he was a good sort.

He made a sour face, 'I don't appreciate being made to disregard rules for students. Regardless of who the student is.' His eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

'You'll pardon me for saying so, but it's hardly my fault as I didn't ask anyone to disregard anything.' I knew I should shut up, but couldn't seem to.

His face relaxed but his tone remained acidic, 'Such insolence. I'd wager you don't speak to Professor Pristin in that tone.'

'No, but she doesn't speak to me the way you do, either, so that's probably why.' My heart was pounding; it was time to be quiet, but my mouth didn't seem to understand that.

'It would be wise to hold your tongue, young lady, if you do not wish to be expelled.'

'I don't think Vice-Chancellor Davies would allow that; you've shown on numerous occasions your dislike for me so you saying you had a problem with my attitude probably wouldn't make a bit of difference.'

I don't know if he realised I was right--I wasn't sure I was right--was really only bluffing, though it sounded pretty good. But he just took a deep breath and returned to his notes. After a while it seemed he wasn't going to acknowledge me again and I gathered my bag and left without a word.

The rest of the day went smoothly, though it was odd sitting in my library window and watching Alex go about her day across the way. I couldn't believe that I was once content with watching her over there. The previous autumn seemed an impossible time away. In some sense, the previous year seemed like ages ago, while in other ways it felt like yesterday. If I closed my eyes and concentrated, I could still see her that first day, walking across the garden quad with her boots and books, and smoothing her hair. I was staring at a blank page in my notebook, smiling to myself over the memory when someone addressed me, 'Thought you'd be here.'

I looked up to find Robert observing me. I responded, with a casual, 'Oh, hello.'

'May I sit down?'

I shrugged, 'I suppose.'

He pulled out a chair and sat beside me, but he was far enough away I didn't have to scoot my chair away from his. He remained there awkwardly before asking, 'How was your break?'

'Brilliant. Yours?'

'Brilliant as well, we went to France for a month.'

'That sounds nice.'

He nodded. Something about the way he sat, in an overly casual way, made me think he wasn't at ease. After a moment he asked, 'What'd you get up to?' as though he'd only just thought of the question.

I sighed and shrugged, 'Not much. Returned to America for a bit, then to Essex with Alex for a month before returning to Oxford.'

'Yes, Alex.'

'What?' I didn't like the way he said her name.

He shrugged, 'Nothing. How is she getting on?'

'Great. Gardening like mad before it gets too cold. Getting her planting done for next spring. Apparently you have to plan these things months in advance. Who knew?' I smiled a little over the thought of her in her gardening togs.