A Star Wars Reylo AU: The Taming of the Professor

One

Rey was bone-deep weary. She leaned against the back wall of the lecture hall, her backpack dumped in an unceremonious heap at her feet. It was heavy, barely able to hold everything she had stuffed inside, and she was tired of lugging it around. 

Her new adviser apparently didn't care for digital copies of texts. He had dropped a stack of nine books in her arms a quarter of an hour before, telling her to start with the satire. He promised more in two weeks. She had gaped after him in bewilderment, wondering how she could possibly keep up.

She had been told the program would be rigorous, but she hadn't believed it until now. Undergrad had been a breeze. She followed her professor from the entryway of Evans Hall where he had arranged to meet her that morning, to the large auditorium on the first floor that held three hundred fidgeting freshmen. Her adviser, Professor Solo, stood at the front of the hall, his attention focused on a book which covered most of his face. If he noticed the loud, rowdy group of chattering students in front of him, he gave no indication.

Rey tipped her coffee cup again, hoping to squeeze out a few more precious drops before the class started. She was sleep deprived from moving into her dump of an efficiency yesterday, and trying her best to unpack and prepare for the start of the semester. She'd been offered this graduate teaching assistantship just six days ago. Their first pick had dropped out at the last minute. She had scrambled to make it happen, unable to believe her good fortune.

It didn't seem like good fortune now.

The bells in the building rang, indicating the beginning of the class. Professor Solo waited another full minute, his attention fixed on his book, while the freshman quieted and discomfort replaced excitement.

"My TA will now distribute your syllabi," he said, shooting Rey an annoyed look when he realized she was hiding in the back of the hall.

She pulled open her book bag, tugged out the stack of white, stapled copies, and began to distribute them to the seated students. An overly eager boy stood and took half the stack, helping her with the other side of the room. When she reached the front of the hall, she collected what was left from the student helper, straightened the stack, and offered them to the Professor.

His impassive expression unsettled her. His eyes flicked to the stack, to her face, and back to the lecture hall. He shooed her away toward the empty front row of seats, and she retreated, wishing she hadn't left her bag in the back of the room.

"Read the syllabus," said Professor Solo. "Now." His voice was quiet, yet she knew it carried to the back of the hall. The acoustics in this room were excellent. "You are responsible for every item listed. I will excuse you from an exam if, and only if, you are dead."

Nervous laughter. Rey stopped her perusal of the syllabus at his comment and looked up. Not a joke. The man's face was as serious as it had been all morning. The few titters of laughter at the assumed joke died away.

"My TA will grade the majority of your assignments," he continued, gesturing towards Rey again. "If you do not submit an assignment on time, don't bother to do it after the deadline. You must submit a physical copy."

Rey withheld a groan. She was going to need a rolling suitcase to transport all of the papers he wanted her to manage. The one that had survived the long bus trip from Arizona was in the dumpster behind her apartment complex, torn at the zipper and useless. She sighed and resumed her study of the syllabus.

She had so much to do she couldn't figure out where to even begin. Since eating and paying rent topped the priority list, she needed a job. The stipend from the Department of Literature was laughable, though they did wave her tuition. The admission letter she had received had "strongly discouraged supplemental employment." That may be an option for other students, but she wasn't like other students.

His first assignment was The Scarlet Letter, due in a week. She was thankful to see a title she knew well so she didn't have to add it to her reading list. This English 103 course, Foundations in Literature, was the first course she had ever assisted. As she skimmed down the assigned readings, she relaxed a bit. At least she wouldn't have to add to his advisement stack. 

She scanned through the third page of eight, wondering if Dr. Solo had some experience with legal writing. It seemed unlikely these freshman would be able to understand his expectations. The lecture hall was cool and quiet, and Rey propped her head on her hand, allowing herself a brief rest. She'd been in what felt like constant motion for the past week.

The rumble of two male voices brought her out of her nap. She shouldn't have closed her eyes! She remained still and feigned sleep, a skill she had acquired as a very small child in foster care. Never let the people around you know you're awake until you're sure it's safe to open your eyes. She recognized Dr. Solo's voice, but the other was new.

"Is she hung over?" said the new voice. "That's just fantastic. Do you know that Chairman Snoke personally selected this girl over my candidate? And why do you get another student after your abysmal performance with the last one? It's my turn to advise this semester, and it's wasted on a drunk."

"Your complaints are noted, Dr. Hux," said Dr. Solo. "I doubt she's hung over, but I will certainly address your concerns if she is. As far as why she was placed with me, you'll need to take that up with the Chairman. I do not yet hold a position with enough authority to have swayed this placement. And neither do you."

"Well, it's outrageous," said Dr. Hux. His voice had become a bit shrill. "Why do we waste our time on these pathetic, lost causes?"

"Have you read any of her submissions?" said Dr. Solo.

Dr. Hux snorted in derision. "I don't have time to read all of the applications."

"I do. And I did. She has talent. We'll see how she does."

"Fine," said Dr. Hux. Footsteps retreated up the tile stairs and the door swished shut.

"You can stop pretending to sleep now," said Dr. Solo.

Rey's eyes snapped open in surprise, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Pay him no heed," said Dr. Solo. "None of the rest of us do. Maybe you should head home and get some rest?"

With that, he collected his book and followed the other professor out of the hall, leaving Rey to work through what had just happened.