This Can't Be Love 2

Chapter 3: Three Angles of Crazy

Rebecca arrives at a class that is already in session. The professor, an old and angry-looking man with a grey Lincoln-like beard, lowers his reading glasses to observe her as she casually looks for a seat.

"What is your name, young lady?"

His strong Russian accent makes his voice sound lot less calm that it actually is. He barely moved his lips, yet he was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire room.

"Uh...? Oh, me? Yeah, I'm Rebecca."

"Rebecca..."

He repositions his glasses and looks through some paperwork on his desk.

"Ah, yes... Rebecca Walsh... Welcome to class. You were the only one on my list who was not yet present."

"If I was the only student left on your list, then why bother asking who I was?"

"It is to make sure you are not other student here by mistake, but by all means, continue to disrespect me by questioning my methods, yes? You've already disrespected me by showing up late. Perhaps you want to disrespect me further by insulting my intelligence. How about a lie? How about you tell me you will not be late again?"

"How about if, instead, I tell you I don't need you to be giving me shit right now? How about, instead of trying to 'establish your dominance,' you do what this overly expensive indoctrination facility pays you to do, and simply teach the subject your students signed up for?"

"I will not go back and forth with you, young lady. Just find a seat and take out pen and paper."

Rebecca finds an empty seat and settles into it.

"You might wanna stay on his good side."

The whispering voice of CJ is coming from the seat directly behind her. She does not turn but whispers back.

"He better stay on mine."

The class progresses and Rebecca pays little to no attention during the entire lesson. She twirls her pen and stares blankly, waiting for the class to finish. Close to three hours later, the professor dismisses the class.

As the other students gather their things, Rebecca simply gets up and begins to walk toward the door.

"Rebecca."

She stops and turns to look at CJ, who is calling her name.

"What is it, Junior?"

Her bored tone is not inviting at all, but CJ approaches her anyhow.

"How are you liking the school so far? Glad to see you made it into one of my classes."

"That's soon to change. Whose lap do I have to sit on for a Christmas miracle?"

"I know, Professor Manolov is really uptight, but once you get past that you'll be fine."

Rebecca scoffs.

"May I see you for a quick second Miss Rebecca Walsh?"

Rebecca rolls her eyes at CJ as she hears the professor calling her. She approaches the professor's desk and waits. After all the students have left the room, Professor Manolov speaks.

"I don't expect any apology from you, young lady, for the disrespect at the beginning of class. I know college freshmen are not unlike high school seniors; you always have smart answers for everything. My only concern is you not paying attention to the lesson. You said yourself this is overly expensive education, I recommend against wasting your time and money. Take advantage and make sure your money is well invested. Try to do well in class, yes?"