Chapter 6

IRIS

I walked into my room after my shower and collapsed on my bed. How is my heart still racing? I told him goodnight a half an hour ago. I was excited. I was also scared. Why was he so interested in making me his assistant? I am new to his class, he has just met me. I could see the desire burning in his eyes, he wanted to kiss me. I kissed him. I have officially lost my mind. I laid down on my bed knowing I couldn't rest. My mind was racing. What was he going to tell me? What was he going to ask me? I grabbed my pillow and squeezed it to my chest willing my heart and mind to calm down. I had a long day to get through before I got answers tomorrow. Two classes first off in the morning. Adam wants to have lunch after our econ class. He messaged me when I was getting in the shower. I told him lunch would be fine. I got a "sweet" in return. After lunch, I will go to my first photography club meeting at around 430. Then I have to rush back here and be ready for the car at 6. He said he didn't like tardiness, I wanted to say Duh, but didn't. I giggled to myself. I decided to throw on my headphones and play some rock music to focus my mind. Rock always did that for me. I closed my eyes listening to the cadence of the drums, like I usually do when I need to relax. The music calmed me and I felt myself start to calm. I laid my phone on the charger beside my head and continued to breathe deeply listening to the music blaring in my ears. Most people wouldn't relax to this, but I do. I am different. Eventually, my eyes weren't as hard to force closed. I was getting sleepy, I checked to make sure my alarm was set and drifted off to sleep.

When I heard the alarm banging through my headphones I jumped up. It was early. I looked out the window and it wasn't completely lit up outside. I got dressed, with my usual tank top, ripped jean shorts, and tennis shoes. It was hot in Long Beach, but I don't wear flip flops walking around campus all day. I threw my hair up in a bun shoving a pencil through it and put a light shade of eyeshadow on. I threw on some eyeliner as well. I didn't usually wear makeup to class, but I found myself feeling more confident. I walked out of my dorm heading for my first class, Criminal Procedure. This class was not uninteresting but started so early that I found myself wanting to fall asleep throughout the 2 hours. I looked at Professor Kinfro, Wishing she was Lorcane instead. I opened my laptop to my note-taking program and waited for her to start. She was a younger woman, with a tightly braided bun, and small rectangular glasses. She was a friendly animated woman. Never stern. She was talking about pretrial procedure and I started typing as she talked. I looked up and saw a new email but ignored it as I listened to the lecture. These points would be on the test and I didn't want to miss any of it. After about 20 mins, another email appeared. I pulled out my phone and had nothing. Maybe it was the financial office or something important. I opened my email as she talked.

IRIS,

I am excited about our meeting later. I hope you are having a great day. Mrs. Kinfro is a very smart woman. Listen to her closely.

-Ryker Lorcane

How can I listen to her closely with distractions from the gorgeous professor, I thought, rolling my eyes and moving to the next email.

IRIS,

I miss you. I hope you are enjoying California. Please call home.

-Love, Mom

I closed the email. I am not calling her. I refuse to speak to her right now. I didn't respond to either email, concentrating again on the lecture. She passed out a worksheet. It was pretty much a summary of questions about her lecture today. After we were finished we were permitted to leave. Took me very little time to finish. I walked it to her desk. "Thank you, Iris." She said smiling at me. I smiled back and headed for the door. I walked towards Wilson for my Econ class. I heard someone yelling my name across the yard. "Iris wait up." It was Adam jogging towards me with a big grin on his face. I smiled back. "Wow girl, you look amazing today." He said loudly, embarrassing me. "Thanks," I said rolling my eyes. He laughed wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we walked towards the building. When we got inside I felt odd, like I was doing something wrong. We got to room 117, and I heard him before I could see him. He was laughing and talking with Professor Skinnle. When I walked in with Adam, his voice dropped. He looked at me but quickly looked up to Adam. I watched his face change when he noticed his arm wrapped around my shoulders but he quickly smiled. He cleared his throat walking over to us. "Hello Adam, aren't you in my Philosophy class?" he asked him coldly. "Yes sir. I sure am." Adam responded with a grin, completely oblivious. I ducked out of his grip, whispering "Professor", before walking past him. I looked over to Professor Skinnle noticing his amusement as he watched Ryker. It was odd to me that he was amused instead of worried or confused by Ryker's behavior.

I sat down in my spot and watched as Ryker reached his hand out to shake Adam's. Weird. When Adam walked up to me, he looked like he may be dizzy. "What's wrong?" I asked trying to find out what I missed. "That guy is intense Iris. He asked me if I knew what the penalty was for theft on campus. I dont know what he is talking about. I haven't stolen anything. The economics professor chuckled as well. I feel like I was missing out on an inside joke." He said shrugging. I looked down at Professor Skinnle and noticed he was watching me. What is it with these male professors? When he started class Adam leaned over and whispered something I couldn't make out in my ear. I watched the professor's eyes dart to mine. Was he watching me for professor Lorcane? Why would he need to? What kind of rules are there for being a assistant? I pulled out my phone.

Is my econ professor a hired spy? Am I doing something wrong for my mentorship?

-IRIS

I stuck my phone back in my pocket continuing to take notes. I couldn't let this distract me from learning what I needed to. I still needed to become a great lawyer. A prosecutor. A mean one. That's the goal. I have to focus on it. Econ was only a 1 hour class and I was glad it was. I was getting hungry. At the end of class, the professor asked me to wait while Adam walked out the door. "I'll be outside Iris, for lunch." He winked as he walked out the door. "Can I help you sir?" I said he finched much like Ryker. "I noticed you and Adam were whispering up there. How do you expect to hear me with him whispering sweet nothings in the middle of my lecture?" He asked, but not like he was angry. He seemed almost offended. "Have I done something to upset you, sir? Adam was asking me what page we are on." I shrugged and stepped back instinctively. He looked at me for a minute and then shook his head no. "Not offended. Ryker is my best friend. I have known him since high school. I have heard he has placed an interest in you. Do right by him." He said matter of factly. This must be who Kate mentioned she was dating. Professor Lorcane's "best friend". What did he mean by do right by him? " I will be a good assistant." I said. I nodded and walked out the door. Adam was still waiting for me. "What is it with you and this building?" He said laughing. I laughed too as we headed for the dining hall.

I got a sandwich and a Red Bull and sat down at the table with him. I pulled out my phone knowing I would have a message from Ryker. I leaned back in my chair and opened it.

Not a spy. Long time friend. He is sometimes overly protective. Assistants are important to a professor.

-Ryker Lorcane

I rolled my eyes at the message and didn't respond immediately. Assistants are important, my ass, there is something he isnt saying. I just wanted to throw something. I ate my sandwich slowly, listening to Adam tell me all about what happened when I left the party. He got quiet for a minute before apologizing to me again. I told him it was okay, but to be honest I only had room for friends right now. "I would understand if you didn't want to just be friends," I said softly looking down at my hands. "Absolutely woman, what are you talking about? We are friends." He said with clear disappointment showing on his face. "Great." I smiled. When we left our lunch he had plans to go to the beach and play some volleyball before dinner. He invited me but I politely declined. I told him about my club meeting. He smiled and told me to tell him if I needed a sexy model. I laughed as I watched him rush off. I walked towards the art building to meet for the photography club. A guy walked up to me smiling when I walked in, "Hi, I'm Stephen. Welcome." I smiled and told him my name as well. We all just kind of talked for a while. They showed me the cameras they preferred. All a little rich for my blood. Stephen noticed my face changing and told me he had an extra I could borrow until I found the one I wanted. I smiled silently thanking him for his help. He nodded and reached me a post-it with his phone number, I shoved it in my back pocket. I looked at my phone realizing it was almost 530, I had to hurry to meet the Ryker's driver.

When I got to the sidewalk walk the driver was already sitting there. "Oh no am I late?" I said quickly. The driver smirked at me and shrugged. "Between us this time?" He said opening the door for me. I looked at him mouthing "thank you". I got in the car and took some deep breaths to try to calm down. I was nervous. "What's your name?" I asked the driver trying to distract myself. "My name is Deacon, miss, I know you are nervous. You don't have to be worried. Mr. Lorcane is a great mentor, and a great man." He smiled at me through the rearview mirror. I relaxed some. I watched out the window as the sky started to get darker. "How far away is this resturant? " I asked feeling the effect the anticipation was having on my heart. "Not long miss." He said turning down a smaller road. "It's Iris," I said feeling weirdly about being called miss. "I know." He smiled when I felt the car slowing to a stop.

"We're here."