For oncer1939
"We all deserve love. All of us are worthy of it, don't you think?"
Normally, Bradley didn't pay much attention in class and it wasn't because he was trying to space out intentionally. He knew he was smart, that typically he could ace tests without trying. Notes weren't /something he bothered with, either, using the lecture and the subsequent discussion to doodle in the margins of his notebook.
Psychology, especially, was a waste of time. An easy A, which was why he'd taken it in the first place. That, and it was usually a prime place to meet girls. The professor, though, didn't make it easy. Most of the time, he was able to tune the guy out and thankfully so because when he did catch bits and pieces, he was able to determine what an asshole he obviously was.
For whatever reason, he found himself raising his head and glancing around the lecture hall to see who had made the comment. Whoever it was confident, that was for sure. Their voice didn't waver and that was at least mildly impressive.
The room had fallen silent and he saw the opinion giver in the third row, knew it was them from the way everyone around her was pointedly avoiding looking in her direction, shuffling papers or nervously clearing their throat.
But she didn't appear bothered. To the contrary, she leaned forward in her seat, head titled, waiting patiently for a response, totally non-plussed for someone who was about to get her head bitten off for contributing to the discussion.
He braced himself, ready for the professor to shut her down.
Professor Carino narrowed his eyes, lips falling into a tight, thin line.
Here it comes, thought Bradley. He's gonna follow up with some sexist remark designed to make her feel stupid...
It wouldn't be the first time he'd given serious consideration to dropping the class altogether. There would be other electives and that way, he wouldn't be forced to force down the annoyance that rose to the surface every time the ignorant prick contested what some said when they were supposed to be responding to material from the lecture in the first place...it was part of their grade, albeit a small piece, but it was definitely the difference between an A and an A+, not that he gave a shit.
Carino sighed, rocking on his heels, as if he was inconvenienced due to the fact he had to respond.
"No," he contested, "I don't believe that, Ms. Germanotta. I'm of the opinion that some individuals are too grotesque, too evil, too subhuman to be worthy of love. I'm also inclined to say that your idealism is just that. Unrealistic."
Though his words were biting and his arms were crossed in a standoffish manner across his chest (nothing new), his tone was softer than what was typical, almost regretful.
Carefully, Bradley watched her face, his eyes flicking between the two of them. There wasn't a single shred of embarrassment on her features; in fact, she crossed her arms as well, obviously issuing a challenge.
His heart surged. No one, the entire first three weeks of the semester, had so blatantly contradicted a single word out of the man's mouth. Even if they'd exhibited a single moment of bravery, it was quickly disregarded when they realized that any opposition to his point of view was going to result in him humiliating them, whether it was intentional or not.
It occurred to him then that he'd never noticed her before. Unsurprisingly, since he'd decided from the second day of class that as long as he kept his head down and handed in his work, he'd get the A he sought out. He didn't actively know anyone in the course, so it wasn't difficult to keep his head down.
