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Content Warning: This chapter will contain profanity.
Note: This chapter will be short in length.
─── ⛧⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆⛧ ───
The hallway buzzed with the usual hum of student chatter and hurried footsteps, but I had long since learned to tune it out. My stride was calm and measured, a stark contrast to the frenzied energy around me. It wasn't until I heard my name, spoken in that overly chipper tone I had come to despise, that I slowed my pace.
"Professor Mikkelsen!"
I turned, forcing a polite smile as Dr. Penelope Hart, one of the English department's more vocal personalities, approached me. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun, and her floral dress was as bright as her demeanor, both a little too much for my taste. She clasped her hands together like she'd been waiting all day to corner me.
"Dr. Hart," I greeted, my voice even, neutral.
"I'm so glad I ran into you!" she said, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I just wanted to say how thrilled we all are to have you here at the university. You're exactly the kind of academic we need, someone with real-world experience, someone who challenges the norm."
The corners of my mouth twitched upward, the smile practiced, effortless. "That's very kind of you to say. I'm honored to be here."
"Oh, don't be modest!" she chirped, adjusting the strap of her leather bag. "Everyone's been raving about you. Your lectures, your insights... the students can't stop talking about how engaging you are. It's rare to find someone who can balance being so intellectual yet so approachable."
Approachable. That word again. The irony of it almost made me laugh. If only they knew how little I cared about being "approachable." Still, I nodded graciously. "I'm glad to hear that. It's always rewarding to know the students are getting something meaningful from the material."
Dr. Hart's eyes lit up, as if I had just recited a line from one of her favorite novels. "Exactly! And that's why I wanted to ask, have you considered giving a talk at the upcoming faculty ceremony? It's a perfect opportunity to share your unique perspective with everyone. I know the dean would be thrilled if you agreed."
I tilted my head slightly, feigning contemplation. In reality, the thought of standing in front of a room full of self-important academics and their forced applause was nauseating. But I wasn't about to show that.
"That's an interesting idea," I said smoothly. "What kind of talk did you have in mind?"
"Oh, anything you'd like!" she said, practically bouncing on her heels. "Maybe something about the psychology of decision-making or the way societal structures influence behavior. Whatever you think would resonate. Honestly, Professor, I think people would hang on your every word."
