- Genevieve -
Fuck me.
Being late is the worst feeling in the world especially when your Professor offered you an internship opportunity the class before. Rushing into Professor Li's room, I make it in slipping to the back of the class.
Without even turning around he singles me out, "Ms. Laurence, are we running late today?"
"Sorry," I reply sheepishly.
He turns around and looks at me, "It's alright. I'd like you to stay after class so we can discuss something."
English major with a minor in journalism was a great idea.
Class flies by at a snail's pace and suddenly I'm next to Professor Li who's trying to work FaceTime on the computer but keeps pressing the wrong button.
I lean over and click the enter button which makes a middle-aged brunette appear, "Here you go, Sir."
"Ms. Dalton, I have Genevieve Laurence with me, she's being shortlisted in my class to obtain the internship we offer and she'd like to pick your brain."
"Good afternoon Ms. Laurence, let's set up a time to discuss a more in-depth process for you to join our company." We set up a time to talk later on.
"Genevieve, I know you're only a sophomore, but have you given any thought to what you'll do after college? Which field of work are you leaning towards?"
"Publishing, I'd like to pursue a two-year master's in journalism," I tell him.
"That sounds like a fine plan, if anyone can be successful in that field it's you." I grab my books and head out when Nellie texts me saying there's a rumor being passed around campus.
Since classes are over for the day, I stop to listen to Jazz by the riverwalk for a little. The local amateurs are full of potential and they're all so sweet to me.
"Gigi, how are you, today sweetheart?" Marvin is a local jazz player who plays at the bar down the street but likes to get new people to hear him so he tries to drum up new business every once in a while. I've known him since I was twelve when my family spent a day in the city. Since then, he's spent every thanksgiving with us.
"Hey Marvin, I'm good, how's the hand?" He had surgery for a broken finger a couple of weeks ago and since then I've checked in on him each day.
"It's all good, Doc says it's healing up nicely. You heard any newcomers on the block recently?" One thing I love about everyone who plays is that they hype each other up and send people their way.
"Not really, besides you and Larry I don't hear much of anyone," I tell him.
"There's a new kid, names Louis, he's pretty good, a bit sharp on his C's but good kid, lots of potentials." It's time for my shift at the bookstore in twenty so I say my goodbyes and walk to the small store on Ontario Street.
"Gigi, we need to restock these books since they've been taken out and I need you to restamp the barcodes on this list of books," Edna, my boss, and the meanest old lady ever stack a giant file of papers on me and leaves.
I would never insult my elders unless they were rude old hags, which she is. And besides, I'm not a huge believer in elders are always right and we should always respect them just because of age. I'll show her respect until she shows me disrespect.
"Got it, Ms. Putnam," I flash a fake smile.
Before I even know it, it's close to mid-afternoon so I finish my walk back home.
"Where have you been?" Nellie freaks out.
"What's going on?"
"Adrian Castillo PUNCHED someone for you," she screams. Punched a guy. All this Adrian stuff is making my head spin. "He punched one of the water polo guys in the campus gym locker room."
"What why?" This is something out of a teenage comedy movie. And I am the least bit amused.
"I'm not sure, Mads texted me. She heard from Shelby who heard from her boyfriend Axel, the running back on the football team who was at the gym too. Not gonna lie, possessive but kind of hot." I give her a look and she takes it back, "Not hot," she shakes her head.
A knock sounds at the door and I go to answer it only to be met with annoyance, "Why'd you hit someone?" I look into his deliciously gray eyes that make me want to take all of my clothes off every time I look into them, and by every time I mean the three times I've seen him.
"Word travels fast around here," he smiles. He walks in as if I invited him, which I didn't, and sits down on my white couch. My perfect white couch I upholstered with Mads last summer when we got back from Europe and my family helped us move in. I love that couch and now he's sitting on it.
I'm not sure why but it heavily irritates me.
"You're not actually mad, you're probably even flattered." I hate that he knows me so well, not flattered, but surprised he likes me enough to get physical with someone. The well-being of an athlete's hand should matter to them.
"I'm sorry I don't speak bullshit. Could you repeat that for me please?" He does not get to win this one.
"Cherry, you wouldn't be interested in any of those losers and I punched the guy for insulting you," he shrugs my response off as if it doesn't mean anything.
"What'd he say?" He stood up for me. Part of me wants to give in but the other, more stubborn side is failing to stay strong. Distractions cannot be afforded this year.
"His name's Albert Bergstein," I almost want to laugh right then and there but I hold it in, "Names a mouthful isn't it?" He smirks.
"I would say poor kid but he was acting like an ass. Called you a few select names, told me a few things, and after all of that I just don't understand why he'd tempt fate especially with a name like that."
"So you just threatened every other guy on campus?"
"Of course not, I'm not a creeper Laurence. Word spread around after the kid started gushing blood all over the floor and people are just not interested in the trouble you bring." My jaw almost hits the floor, I bring trouble?! Great. Now he's my only option for the next two years.
"And what if I just went to a different school and hooked up with one of those guys?"
"You aren't the hook-up type of girl," why do I tell people things.
"I made it through my freshman year without wanting a guy, I'll make it through the next few years too," I head over to the door and open it, gesturing him out.
"I don't need you to defend me," I express defensively.
"Needs trump wants babydoll. I'm sexy, respectful, God knew what he was going when he made me," he leans against the door with a smirk.
Holding the door ready to slam it I furiously dose my tone with annoyance, "You're also an egotistical, hot-tempered ass. Goodbye Castillo." I close the door and run my hair through my hair moving it behind my ears and slumping onto the couch.
I turn around and see Nellie forgetting the fact that she was here the entire time and now her mouth is left agape, "That was such an intense encounter."
"He punched someone. For me." I'm wide-eyed and shocked, repeating the words again in my head. 'He punched someone. For ME.'
"Before this, no one knew your name, now everyone on campus knows you," she laughs.
If this was some professional accomplishment I'd be on cloud nine but the fact that I'm known for some tatted-up, arrogant, basketball player punching Albert Bergstein in the face is mortifyingly impossible for me to wrap my mind around.