Zombified

Lectured by the lecturer.

From the back of the lecture theatre I could see everything. The door, the power point and more importantly everyone else; I just couldn’t let go of what had happened earlier and I was jumpy.  Professor Spergin was droaning on about endosymbiosis managing to make it sound dull. It wasn’t- I’d studied it before in an extended project at school- it’s all about the idea that chloroplasts mitochondria and other organelles got into cells billions of years ago by a single celled organism engulfing them, and somehow they weren’t completely digested and the cell took advantage of their abilities. Almost parasitic. But Spergin was only interested in the mechanics of it, not the profound affect it had on the evolution of a cell. I sighed, watching the people around me. Men and women ranging in fashion sense and looks but they all had one thing in common. They looked like they belonged, neat and innocent open faces clearly desperately wanting to impress Spergin and get the best research project, writing down every word and noting every slide. I was so not going to fit in here, we’d all been here for a week and I’d already made a girl cry. My attitude sucks, I know that, but there’s not a lot I can do to fix it. I’ve never got anywhere in life without working damn hard for it, and I couldn’t help but resent these kids, most of them have had it so easy, spoon fed at school to be the prime uni candidates and someone had held their hand the whole way. I suppose it could have been worse, I mean I got in right? Right… well 60% of the professors and my tutor had already written me off as a charity case that the uni had only accepted to seem more diverse.

I leaned back and rested my head against the wall and my feet on the table, staring at the ceiling, wondering how it was water worked in trees, hmmm unsolved mystery, maybe platforming? Extreme capillary action? My reverie was stopped in its tracks by Spergin and his nasal tone, sneering my name.

‘Ms Grey?’ I lowered my chin and directed my head in his direction.

‘Ah, so privileged we are to have finally caught your attention, perhaps you would start by removing your dirty feet from my table and then proceed to answer my question.’ I rolled my eyes and slowly put my feet on the floor, and then I looked him in the eye,

‘Don’t suppose you could repeat the question? Not sure I quite caught it?’ I smiled big, he frowned at me and looked down his nose as he replied.

‘No, I don’t suppose you did. I would appreciate your attention in my lectures. If I’m boring you feel free to leave. Now who can tell Ms Grey for me how we can tell that these organelles didn’t originate in their current cells?’ I curled my fists, this posh dick thought that I was stupid, if there was one thing I hated it was people who assumed I was stupid, my anger only intensified as the guy sitting one row down turned back and smirked at me before raising his hand. Spergin nodded at him,

‘Well sir, as you have just been explaining they have certain properties which other organelles in cells lack. One of which is ribosome I believe?’

‘Yes, Mr… Anderson, well done! And in fact this brings me onto my next slide- these properties.’ He walked over to the keyboard to move the slide show over and my hands shook as the guy- Anderson- flipped me another glance. I stood up.

‘Don’t bother, even I can tell you that: their own ribosomes, DNA, double membranes and they have here own mitosis, uncontrolled by the cells division. And yes actually, you were boring me- to the brink of suicide just to have something to do. Perhaps you could send me the memo when you move on from biology 101?’ I stomped down the stairs as I spoke, ignoring the stares and the laughter. Spergin looked livid, he was choking on his words and didn’t get them out in time as I shut the door on him and the lecture. I stormed through the corridor and everyone in it, slamming the door open as I left the building. I slowed as I rounded the corner and sat on the wall outside biology facility, I scrabbled around in my bag looking for my lighter. I lit my cigarette and almost desperately took a drag and grimaced as I did. I hated smoking- filthy habit – and yet there was nothing quite like it to calm me down. I scratched my head and thought about my plan of action; but there was nothing for it, I was just going to have to suck it up and hope no one commented when I turned up at Spergin’s next lecture. I mean sure I didn’t need his help with endosymbiosis, but I wasn’t going to pass the course like that. I sighed. I hate looking like I gave in. I could already picture Spergin’s smirk.

I was stopped mid thought by someone clearing their throat. I turned, almost inhaling the whole cigarette when I got a look at the guy beside me; tall, broad, dark and handsome, not to mention sporting a very cheeky grin. I raised an eyebrow at him, pretending that the mere sight of him had nearly caused me a premature death, even be smoking standards. His smile grew wider and he took a step towards me.

‘Hey, don’t suppose you have a spare? I just found out that the summer essay I wrote was worth 15% of my final grade and I handed in the equivalent of a used tissue.’ I passed him one and he saluted me in gratitude, sitting beside me in companionable silence as we inhaled noxious gases together. I shut my eyes and tried to shut out world, but was faced with the unending image of Spergin’s smirk. I sighed and opened my eyes again.

‘That was a sigh and a half’ I turned to face him and shook his hand as he pushed it towards me.

‘I’m Jamie, 2nd year med student, yourself?’ I smiled, putting my cigarette out on the wall as I replied.

‘Tara, but I prefer Grey. 1st year bio but could also be my last year as I’ve already pissed off one of my lecturers rather spectacularly.’ He grinned again, a good smile, and talked around his cigarette effortlessly.

‘Aaaah, a fresher!’ I grimaced,

 ‘So you’re new around here? Need a guide? Because I happen to know a willing expert’ I chuckled shaking my head. I looked at my watch.

‘Yes, and no thanks I’ll manage fine, but I better be going. Places to go, people to see.’ I walked away but looked over my shoulder to catch him looking at my arse. I smiled to myself.

‘You do owe me a cigarette though’ I called over my shoulder, he grinned wider dimples forming in his cheeks.

‘Outrageous cheapskate you are! How about I owe you a drink instead? I know the best bars.’ I hid my smile and shrugged him a shoulder.

‘I suppose that’d be alright. See you around Jamie.’ I was too far away to hear if he’d replied but when I glanced back he was still looking at me. Well, that made for a slightly better day.