Chapter 3

“Class dismissed,” Thorn announced as his presentation ended. He watched his students start to pack up, getting ready to leave. His eyes fell on Nikki once more. He thought he would have to command her to stay behind but noticed she was not packing up like the rest of the class. Nikki leaned back in her chair while the rest of the class packed up. Her eyes fell on Kendall, who looked enraged. Nikki relaxed in her chair as she waited for the rest of the students to leave. She debated whether to address how Thorn had spoken to her but was unsure how to approach the subject.

              “Can I speak with you for a moment, professor?” Kendall asked as she approached Thorn, who was standing behind his desk.

              “Yes, Miss Madison?” He asked with a disinterested tone. Kendall frowned at him.

              “I don’t appreciate you talking down to me in front of the other students, " she said. All the students still in the classroom stopped what they were doing to stare at her in horror as she addressed the cruel professor so openly. While Nikki had wanted to do the same thing, she was wise enough to know that approaching him in front of other students was practically begging for death. She watched, sitting on the edge of her seat, as Thorn responded to Kendall.

              “I don’t appreciate a mere student walking into my class late, causing a disruption, and being so rude and disrespectful towards me and my new class aide.” He replied coldly. His icy blue eyes glared at her in complete disapproval.

              “Tsk. I am from the Madison Family! You cannot talk to me this way.” Kendall declared, pulling the rich kid card. Thorn raised an eyebrow in response to her attempt to intimidate him.

              “Then it will be such a pity when I tell your father at our next board meeting that I had to ban you from taking any classes with me.” He smirked. “So, do tell your father, Dr. Thomas Thorn, conveyed his disdain for your entire family when you go home this evening,” Thorn said darkly.

              “Dr. Thomas Thorn…” Kendall looked at him in horror. Nikki was surprised to see her react to his full name in such a way. “…but, but, that’s the name of the head researcher of the Astrophysics department at Moonward Physics.” She said in disbelief.

              “Correct,” Thorn smirked. Nikki connected Thorn and Kendall’s father when he stated he worked for Moonward Physics. Kendall was the daughter of the current CFO of Moonward Physics. “Please tell your father I will not consider you for the apprenticeship like he had hoped,” Thorn told her. “I already warned you earlier, Miss Madison, and told you I would not be as forgiving the second time.” He scowled at her.

“I am so sorry, Professor Thorn! I-“Kendall desperately tried to apologize.

“It is too late. Please head to the administration building at once to register for the other Intro to Astronomy class available this semester.” He instructed. “I will drop you from this class as soon as I return to my office, and if you want to maintain your degree plan, you will do well to listen.”

“Wow, he just dropped Kendall Madison.” The student onlookers began to whisper to each other as they made their way out of the classroom.

“Wow, it sucks to be her, " a student whispered. The other students murmured in agreement. Kendall looked regretful as she turned and ran out of the classroom. Thorn said nothing as he continued to pack up his satchel. Nikki decided to quickly pack up her things and sneak out with the last of the students. The exchange between Thorn and Kendall made her feel too anxious to confront the professor anymore.

“I need you to stay behind, Miss Crowman,” Thorn stated with a frown when he saw her trying to leave. He gestured to the pile of papers stacked right by her seat. Nikki looked at the pile of paper and grimaced. She leaned back in her chair and exhaled as she watched the other students give her sympathetic looks. She bit her lip as she tried to quell her anxiety. The idea of facing the angry professor alone did nothing to soothe her.

              As she waited for the rest of the students to leave, she looked down at him from her elevated seat, watching him collect his things. Nikki looked at what he was wearing: an all-black button-up, tie, and suit jacket. She could not help but think he dressed like a modern gentleman. His English accent, neat hair, and beard only added to the idea that he was a proper gentleman. Nikki realized she would have no issue admitting he was handsome if she did not think he was equally rude and terrifying.

              “You can bring those papers down to me,” Thorn ordered as he looked up at her. He was surprised to see her staring at him so intently. Their eyes met, and he could see the slight glint of panic and embarrassment fill her gray eyes.

              “Yes, sir,” Nikki mumbled in compliance as she grabbed the stack of papers and her satchel before she walked down to his desk. Thorn smirked at how obedient she was after seeing him destroy another student.

              “You seem so docile now.” He commented. “Too frightened to address me disrespectfully after watching me throw another student out?” he asked with a proud smirk.

              “Yes.” Nikki nodded. Thorn sulked. He liked her giving him pushback. The professor paused, realizing he liked her disrespectful display when they met. Well, he liked it after he had discovered she was right.

              “You…” He took the stack of papers from her. “…don’t have to be afraid of me.” He assured her. Nikki just looked at him, unsure of how to respond. Thorn sighed as he tossed the papers into the trash can at the end of his desk.

              “Wait! You did not need them back?” Nikki asked with a scowl. Thorn smirked when he saw her on the verge of scolding him.

              “I did not need you to pass them out either.” He revealed, trying to rile her up. Thorn knew he was just being petty towards her because she had been right about their first interaction. The professor wanted to push her buttons since she reminded him of himself. After seeing her diligence in class, he could tell she would be an exceptional student. She was slowly becoming the first student ever to pique his interest.

              “That was petty,” Nikki complained. She then looked at him in fear. “Sorry, professor.” She quickly apologized. Thorn frowned. He hated that he had managed to scare her into submission and tried to think of a way to assure her he was not going to expel her.

              “Miss Crowman, if you think that speaking your mind is on the same level of disrespect as that other student, I am afraid you are mistaken.” He sighed. “I have no intention of expelling you from my class," he told her.

              “Uh, really?” Nikki asked in surprise.

              “Yes.” Thorn nodded. “If it makes you believe me even more, I will admit you were right this morning.” He acknowledged. “You were not the only one at fault for our collision. I would have noticed you if I had not been on my phone.

              “Then…why pick on me in class?” Nikki asked with a scowl. Thorn was pleased to see her scowl return to her face as she admonished him.

              “Why not?” He teased with a smirk. “And I will continue to do so during each class you have with me.”

              “Why you-!” Nikki huffed in anger. “You are terrible.” She complained.

              “Perhaps.” Thorn shrugged and offered her no argument. “Despite me being terrible, you will still be in class tomorrow, correct?” he asked smugly.

              “Tsk.” Nikki crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course. I have never let a bully keep me from my studies before.” She replied.

              “Now, that was disrespectful and uncalled for,” Thorn told her as he pretended to be upset. “Seems I’ll have to plan to give you more tasks in class tomorrow.” He teased. “I am sure I will find use of my new class aide.”

              “Aren’t class aides upperclassmen only?” Nikki asked.

              “I am sure the Dean would make an exception for me.” Thorn indicated. She looked at him, expecting him to elaborate, but he did not. He was not about to tell her that the Dean would let him choose her as an aide or a potential apprentice because he had never picked a student for such a role before.

“I have to prepare for my next class,” Thorn told Nikki. “I am sure you also have some things to take care of before your next class.” He said as he grabbed his satchel and headed out of the room.

“Oh, right.” Nikki pulled out her schedule. “Shoot. I must head to class now, or I will be late!” She exclaimed as she ran out of the room. Thorn chuckled as she bolted off to her next class. Thorn hummed to himself as he headed to his office. Nikki certainly was interesting. He still thought she was disrespectful but saw potential in the young woman. He frowned as he remembered that he had to drop Kendall from his class as he entered his office.

              “I will not hear the end of this from that terror’s father,” Thorn complained as he pulled out his laptop and dropped the student from his class. He went through his emails and saw an announcement that had been sent to all the professors.

              “The first college student to receive the Exemplary Student full-ride scholarship has been announced. Nicolette (Nikki) Crowman has demonstrated extraordinary resilience as a student despite facing immense adversity. We ask that all professors warmly welcome this outstanding student, and we look forward to her becoming one of Moonward University’s future Alumni.” He read the announcement.

              Thorn sat back in his chair with a look of disbelief. While he could recognize Nikki would be an excellent student, learning now that she was the first student to receive the full-ride scholarship since he became a professor was stunning.

              “Well…” He stared up at the ceiling. “…this is certainly going to be interesting.”