Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Since the course was smaller than previous years, the lecture was held in a classroom instead of a hall. I spotted an acquaintance from a class last year and she waved me over. Her name was Esme and she was French. I was always so impressed by students who chose to study in a foreign country. We shared some pleasantries and then the professor and his TA walked into the room, hushing the small group of students. It felt more like a tutorial than a seminar.
“Good morning. We have two new students this week who are a little late to the game, so a quick reintroduction. I’m Professor Andrews. My TA, Penny.” He gestured to the young woman who waved and took a seat at the front of the class. Professor Andrews had taught my Psychology 2B class in second year, so I’d been happy to see his name on the course since I was already familiar with his teaching style. “Welcome to Emotions: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives. A few admin pieces first. There is a tutorial for this course and you all should have your tutorial groups and times. Find them on the school hub. There is a midterm paper and a final paper. Above and beyond that, I love a quiz, so expect one at the end of every seminar. Moreover, I expect everyone to get involved in discussions during our seminars and tutorials. Consider it part of your grade. No hiding behind iPads.”
He eyed each and every one of us like he’d done last week when he said this, and I did my best not to look away when his gaze caught mine. “Now. Let’s get to it. Over the next few weeks, this course should hopefully provide you with an understanding of the social functions of emotions.” He turned to write the latter on the whiteboard in front of him. “The influence of culture on emotion …”
I opened my iPad as I listened and watched him draw out the list of topics we’d cover. When he asked questions, I raised my hand to answer along with most people in the seminar. Professor Andrews looked pleased and when he called on me and approved of my response, I got a buzz from it. What could I say? I was a bit of swot, really.
As we packed up at the end of the seminar, Esme turned to me. “Do you have a class next?” she asked in her musical accent.
“No, I have work.” The podcast counted as work to me since it took up so much headspace and I made wage from the ad money. “You?”
“Library. I’ll see you next week.”
I was heading out of the building toward my bike when I heard, “Lily, right?”
Turning around, I searched the main reception and locked eyes with a guy who was staring right at me. Familiarity hit and I racked my brain for his name. “Zac?”
He grinned as he approached. “Yes, Zac. How are you?”
I remembered Zac from the night Sebastian approached me at the bar. After I’d told him to fuck off, Zac apologized to Sierra and then me before leaving. Sierra had told me Zac was Harry and Sebastian’s roommate. He wasn’t involved in the podcast drama, but he knew Sierra via Harry via Olly.
“I’m good. How are you?” I asked politely.
“Grand, grand, yeah.” He had as posh an accent as Sebastian, but it didn’t do things to me like Sebastian’s did. “Are you a psychology student, then? I’m sure I recognize you from Psychology 1B in first year.”
“Oh.” I was surprised and a bit embarrassed because I hadn’t noticed him. I’d switched to psychology my second semester of first year. “Are you a psychology student?”
“Cognitive science. Leaning heavily on the AI side.”
That was surprising. For some reason, I’d assumed he was an engineering student like Sebastian. “Very cool.”
“Yeah, I think so. You know I’ve seen you around.”
I felt even worse that we’d spent the last three years in the same school building on campus and I’d never been aware of him.
“You’re Sebastian’s friend.”
Zac gave me a wide, toothy grin. “That’s me. Roommates, actually. I live in a flat with him and Harry on the Royal Mile.”
My eyebrows rose. “Fancy.”
He laughed, seeming a little embarrassed. “Well, it’s Harry’s place, really. So where are you heading off to?”
“Podcast duties.”
“Ah, of course. I’ve been a longtime listener. You’re very good.”
I wondered if Sebastian had put Zac up to this to make me even more amenable to a friendship with him. Like a “Look how nice my friends are! Let’s be friends too” kind of thing. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I really better go. It was nice seeing you again.”
“You too. Hopefully I’ll be seeing more of you.”
“Sure. Bye.”
As I got on my bike, I chuckled to myself. Sebastian had texted me every day since our coffee “date.” I’d never met anyone so determined to be my friend. And weirdly, despite my attraction to him, talking with him was so easy. I didn’t overthink every word I spoke or typed. But perhaps that was because he’d friend-zoned me, taking all the romantic pressure out of the situation.