Chapter 7

Nikki was the first student to arrive at class and swiftly sat in the same seat she had picked out the day before. She pulled out her textbook and got set up for class as the other students arrived. Nikki was relieved that Kendall had been the only person from her past she had run into so far. She was also relieved that no one reacted to her name whenever they heard it, giving her hope that her horrible past was finally behind her.

              “I wonder if we’ll get to meet the person Professor Anderson was talking about.” Two girls chatted as they walked into the classroom.

              “I couldn’t tell if she was envious because he is interested in someone other than her or because he picked the most sought-after student this semester.”  The other girl laughed lightly.

              “She is such a creep.” The first girl shuddered. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

              “I don’t know.” The second girl shrugged as they found their seats and sat down. “I’m hopeful, though.” She smiled.

              Nikki kept her head down as the two girls spoke loudly to each other. She was unsure what they were talking about but had a gut feeling it had to do with her. She thought about how she and Thorn ran into Anderson that morning.  What the girls said sounded like it pertained to the apprenticeship, but it also sounded like the ramblings of a love-crazed girl trying to find romance in everyday interactions of the real world.

“I shall consult with my Verna Ravenway novels.” The second girl said with a smile. “Perhaps her depiction of the perfect romance will offer insight into figuring out who this person is.”

Nikki grimaced when she heard the name Verna Ravenway. It was the name of a popular romance writer who had amassed a cult following online, but no one knew who she was.  She sighed as she realized the two girls were probably not talking about her but about some ridiculous fantasy they had concocted due to the overconsumption of romance novels.

“Good afternoon.” When Thorn entered the room, Nikki was relieved, and all the students stopped talking as he addressed them. “We will be going over the syllabus and class expectations in a moment; please put all your phones away, " he ordered as he put his satchel behind his desk. It was a few minutes before class was set to begin, but no one complained as they all listened to Thorn’s order. Nikki put her head in her hand as she leaned against the tiered table where she was seated.

“Miss Crowman,” Thorn called her name as he held out a stack of papers. Nikki stood up, walked down to his desk, and grabbed the documents without complaint. “After you pass those out, I need your assistance unpacking that box, " he told her.

“Yes, sir,” Nikki smirked at him. He rolled his eyes at her before dismissively waving his hand at her. She turned her attention to the other students and began distributing the syllabi.

“You must all go to the school store after this class,” Thorn stated. “The incorrect book was selected for your required course material. The school will be offering a refund for the cost and a free exchange for the correct book.” He revealed while he held up the textbook he had been looking for in his office earlier.

“Seriously?” the other students complained as they heard the news. Nikki could tell they were all glancing at her with expressions that were a mix of sympathy and confusion.

“So…” One of the girls she had overheard earlier stopped Nikki as she handed her the syllabus. “…you’re the one Professor Thorn picked for the apprenticeship.” She smiled.

“Um, yes?” Nikki answered. She did not feel the need to hide that he had offered her the apprenticeship since they would be filling out the paperwork for the role after class.

“You are cute, " the other girl commented with a smile. “I was expecting the girl who won the Exemplary Student scholarship to look more academic than…” She eyed the oversized hoodie Nikki was wearing, “…seasoned.”

“Seasoned?” Nikki asked in confusion.

“Don’t worry. We can give you some tips on accentuating your beauty if you’d like. You’ll need to look your best since you’ll be joining our club, of course.” She smiled. Nikki just looked at the two girls in confusion.

“Miss Delwood.” Thorn’s voice bellowed from the front of the classroom when he noticed the two girls messing with Nikki. “Is there a problem?” He asked with a scowl.

“No problem, Professor Thorn.” The girl smiled. “And please, Delwood is my father; call me Ella, " she said as she batted her eyes.

“Not a chance.” Thorn huffed. “I am sure your father told you already that I have no intention of showing favoritism towards you just because you are the dean’s daughter.” He announced.

“The dean’s daughter?” Nikki gasped.

“Guilty as charged.” Ella laughed. She then smiled at Nikki. “I wasn’t doing anything other than offering my hand in friendship to…” She looked at Nikki.

“Nikki.” She replied.

“Nikki.” Ella smiled. She then turned to address Thorn. “My club has an opening, so finding out that the student who won the Exemplary Student scholarship is a girl is quite exciting.” She stated. “I must have such a fine young woman in my network.”

“That’s fine, but please save your conversations for after class. Miss Crowman is assisting me, and you are getting in her way.” Thorn scowled.

“So sorry, professor.” Ella apologized. “I’ll leave your assistant alone since the class has technically started.” She smiled. Thorn rubbed the bridge of his nose in irritation.

“You are just as terrible as your father.” He complained.

“That’s a compliment coming from you.” Ella quipped. Thorn continued to scowl but gestured for Nikki to continue. Nikki finished passing out the syllabus and then returned to his desk.

“Take everything out of the box and set it up on the table,” Thorn instructed before turning his attention back to the rest of the class as he started to take attendance. Nikki snickered as she pulled out the items in the box.

“Toys?” She whispered teasingly as she set up the items.

“They are not toys,” Thorn scowled as he whispered back at her. The other students watched in amazement as they appeared to argue. They kept their voices low enough so the others could not hear what they were saying.

“Really?” Nikki whispered as she set up a pendulum and made it move. The items were all examples of physics in motion, but they appeared to be toys rather than scientific tools.

“Don’t be a brat.” Thorn continued to scowl as he whispered at her. Nikki rolled her eyes at him, calling her a brat. He had to try his best not to smirk at her response. While most of the students thought they were quarreling, Ella took their interaction as a form of flirting. A smile formed on her face as she looked at the pair. A beautiful golden-blonde-haired woman with ambitious gray eyes and a sophisticated older man with dark blond hair and cold blue eyes.

“Verna Ravenway herself could not have written a better pair.” She sighed dreamily. Thorn dismissed Nikki from his desk, and she immediately went to her seat. Nikki noticed Ella was smiling at her as she walked past, and she grimaced.

“Ugh, fan girls.” She complained as she returned to her seat. Luckily, the rest of the class was uneventful.