The Viking Alpha

Ordinary day

(Cassi's POV)

She peddled fast through the busy streets trying to get to the campus. The first day of arrival was intimidating. The big building loomed over her like a bully. But as a few weeks went by and with the help of Amy she settled nicely. Cassi quickly chained her bike to the bike tracks in front in the huge parking lot and started to her first class. Advanced science. Not her top favorite subject but she did strive for challenges. She did like the look of the classroom. If one could relate to objects, this would be it for her. The atmosphere of the classroom was sterile and no nonsense. The room  had twelve steel black high topped tables. Eight on each side of the classroom. Test tubes, beakers, microscopes were in there rightful places. It  smelled of disinfectant. It was all cool, and tp the point. Like her. A practical realist. She took her seat in the back and waited for the class to begin. She dreaded next hour. Ms. Palmer. Her biology teacher. Ever since Cassi's little slip up she knew she'd be in for it until the end of the semester. But she's get through it. 
    'Just 12 weeks to go.' She mumbled to herself.
    'Good morning, class.' Mr. Richards came in the class. From the first moment Cassi had seen him she thought Mr. Richards looked like some one dressed him from the 70's and 80's. His hair formed a complete crown around his head. Leaving a shiny space right in the middle. She'd hear the other students call him Mr. Clean's father. He was a nice enough man. But he just set himself up too easy for the other students. 
'Let's begin. Please can I  have a volunteer to present there paper on a current event in science. Ah. Mr. Cross.' 
Mr. Richards directed his attention to a guy sitting on the left side of the room trying very poorly to hide his phone in his lap. 
'If you'd  like to put away your phone and start us off, please?'
The hour went by too fast. Report after report until the bell dismissed us. Her hands began to sweat and nausea started to form as she moved to her much dreaded class. Ironically it would have been her sole purpose for being here. But now it was her torture. She tried to sit in the back of the class but luck was not on her side right now. She had no choice but to sit in the empty seat at the front of the room. Ms. Palmer, her biology teacher was standing in the front of the class. Her gray and dark hair piled at the top of her head. Her navy blue skirt and button down shirt were pressed neatly. The brown two inch chuncky heels were ugly but it's not like Cassi herself had much knowledge in fashion. But those were ugly. 
 'Today-' Ms. Palmer's voice was loud and full of authority. 'We will be discussing animals behaviors. How certain animals act, hunt, or if they have sense of family connection. For instance the 'killer whale' or by it's true name, the Orcas. They live, swim, hunt in pods. You could say their own community. Now can anyone tell me any other animals that thrive in a community?'
'Ms. Stone?' Ms. Palmers voice grated on Cassi's nerves. She knew she'd start on her. 
Cassi cleared her throat and looked Ms. Palmer in the face. Show no fear. 'Dolphins swim in pods as well. On land you have hyenas, lions. Primates gather together. Then of course there are also wolf packs.'
    'Ah, Ms. Stone. You're forgetting. Wolves do not have to hunt in packs. They're lone wolves.' Ms. Palmer had that smug smile as if she just solved a difficult problem.
  Before Cassi had a chance to reply a voice came from the back of the class.
    'Yes but it is very likely the lone wolf will not survive long on it's own. Instinct would tell wolves it needs a pack for survival.' The whole class turned and stared at the man leaning against the door jam with Mr. Corwell, chief executive of the school. Cassi's mouth jam dropped a bit and her eyes widened. It was the man from the coffee shop this morning. What the hell was he doing here?
'Excuse me Mr....?' Ms. Palmer's eyes glared at the man in the back of her classroom.
'Villr. JamesVillr.' He answered.
'And your business in my class is...?'
The man standing next to James spoke up. 'Ms. Palmer. This gentleman is going to be donating a large sum to our establishment. But he said he'd like a tour first.' The way Mr. Corwell was speaking was easy to decipher. Translation: Be nice and don't f*** this up.
 'Yes well, Mr. Villr. Please allow my students to answer.'
'My apologies.' James held up his hand in peaceful manner. 'It would just be a shame if your students didn't get there facts straight on a subject.'
Hushed whispers circled the classroom. For someone to dare to speak to Ms. Palmer in a confident way and question her methods was a very brave person. 
Cassi's eyes went back to Ms. Palmer. Her lips were tense and if fire could come out of her eyes the classroom would be in flames. 
   'May we join your class for today for the rest of the hour? I'm quite curious to see what else you have to offer your students on the subject.' James voice was one with power. Even Cassi could already tell he knew that he knew he wasn't going to be told no.
Mr. Corwell loosened his tie nervously and the students started to fidget in the awkward tense standoff. 
'Please, Ms. Palmer?' Mr. Corwell asked. Cassi half expected the poor man to drop to his knees and clasp his hands in front of him.
Ms. Palmers lips grew even tighter in a frown. James and her both stared each other down before what looked like uncertainty showed in her eyes. She dropped her eyes and looked away.
'You may. Just please no more interruptions.'
'Thank you.' James stepped more into the classroom with Mr. Corwell as his shadow. They pulled a couple of extra stools up and sat against the back wall.
The rest of the hour was tense to say the least. Cassi tried to focus but she could feel James's eyes on her. She sneaked a peak over her shoulder at him. He was staring. He smiled to show two perfect rows of teeth. White and gleaming. His eyes held a laughing but predatory look. She looked away quickly and fidgeted in her seat. The bell finally rang and Cassi gathered her books and quickly tried to make an escape. All the students fled before her. Before she could make it outside the door she glanced at him again. He was watching her every move. She suddenly felt she was a mouse being watched by the cat before it pounced. What was his problem? It was kind of creeping her out. 'No matter how good looking he is.' A little voice spoke in her head. She mentally shook her head.