Spider Of Fate For Tangled Hearts

Chapter 3 - The Bite

A day had passed as Betty was walking briskly through the corridors of NYU's vast administrative building, her bag bouncing slightly against her hip. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of doubts and excitement as she approached the academic advisor's office. She knew that her course choices this semester would play a crucial role in her future career, and she wanted to make sure she made the right decisions.

It was very early in the morning, and the seats in the corridor in front of the office were still empty. She was probably the first one to have this meeting. She knocked gently on the door while a voice behind that door gave her permission to enter. It was probably Dr. Thompson, the advisor she was supposed to meet.

Betty walked into the office with a purposeful stride, though a closer look would reveal the tension in her posture. She was dressed in a simple yet stylish outfit, a soft, light blue sweater that brought out the color of her eyes, paired with dark jeans and ankle boots. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face, giving her a polished but approachable look.

The office was spacious, a reflection of the personality to whom it belonged, tidy and well-organized, with shelves lined with books on various subjects, from psychology to philosophy, all well-worn and often referenced. Framed diplomas and certificates adorned the walls, testaments to a long and accomplished career in academia. On the desk, alongside stacks of student files, sat a small collection of family photos, adding a touch of personal warmth to the space.

Behind the desk, a man in his fifties, with a warm expression, looked up from his computer and motioned for her to sit. He was a man with a calm, reassuring presence that immediately put students at ease. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, framing a face marked by fine lines that hinted at years of experience and wisdom. He wore a tweed blazer over a crisp white shirt, a classic look that complemented his academic persona. The gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose added to his scholarly appearance, making him look every bit the seasoned academic advisor.

"So, Ms. Elizabeth Cooper, is that correct? How can I help you today?" he asked with an encouraging smile.

Betty sat down and took a deep breath, "I wanted to discuss my options for this semester. I'm here to study journalism, but I'm also interested in taking some psychology and literature courses."

Dr. Thompson nodded as he quickly skimmed through her file. "You have a good plan in mind, Ms. Cooper. Journalism can definitely benefit from a solid foundation in psychology, especially if you want to understand human behavior and motivations. And literature will certainly enrich your writing style. We have some excellent courses available."

He pulled out a list of suggested courses and slid it toward Betty. As she scanned the list, her eyes caught on one course in particular: "Introduction to Scientific Research."

Dr. Thompson noticed her interest and smiled. "That's an optional course that some journalism students take to broaden their understanding of research methodologies. It takes place mainly in our biotechnology lab, which is in one of the older buildings on campus. You could learn a lot about scientific research and its implications. In addition, the Department of Genetic Research is one of the more advanced labs on campus, dealing with cutting-edge experiments in genetics and molecular biology."

Betty nodded, slightly intrigued, jotting down a few notes. As she did, her thoughts drifted momentarily, imagining herself in a lab coat, surrounded by microscopes and petri dishes. It was a far cry from the world of journalism, but the idea of diving into the unknown excited her.

She knew it wasn't directly related to her field of study, but it could be an additional asset for her future career. After all, knowing how to investigate with scientific rigor could set her apart from other journalists. "I think I'll sign up for that course. I've always been interested in science, and this seemed like a good opportunity to explore something outside of my comfort zone," she finally said.