Class goes smoothly

As the big hand finally crept onto the 3, the professor wrapped up his lecture and dismissed the class. Kat was on her way to file out with the other girls when the professor stopped her.

“Great work in class today, as usual, Kat,” he said.

It was a strange excuse to bring her over. The only thing she did in class today was stare at the wall and think about York’s stupid face. She supposed she did do a rather good job of that though.

“Thank you. It was another excellent lecture, Professor Miller,” Kat replied.

He nodded. “Indeed. I know mathematics is particularly difficult for the female mind, but I must say your aptitude for it is quite impressive.”

Her finger twitched. “Thank you, sir. I remember flipping through my little brother’s freshman-year algebra book during my senior year of high school, and thinking I could never learn something so complicated. Thankfully, I have an excellent teacher in you, professor.”

She had actually taught herself algebra that year, while her class was being introduced to ratios. It was incredibly straightforward. She taught herself all the way up to pre-calculus before it got too hard to do on her own.

“Such a well-mannered young lady! You are a rare flower, my dear.” He was beaming.

Old guys were so easy.

“Oh, thank you, professor,” she giggled.

“You know, I went to school with your father, Greg. We were lab partners, believe it or not,” Professor Miller said.

“Really? I wasn’t aware, sir,” she said.

“Really. It’s been too long since I’ve talked to him. Would you give him my number and tell him to give me a call?” The professor held out a slip of paper.

Maybe Kat was paranoid, but she didn’t like this. It was like every man she ran into today could sense she was for sale.

“Yes, of course, professor. I’d be happy to!” She snatched the paper from his hand.

As soon as she left the room, Kat dumped it in the nearest trash bin. She took a breath. Thank God she only had the one class today. Soon, she could hide from the world, but not yet. Kat walked to the women’s lounge to study and finish her homework.

Forty minutes later, Kat put her pencil down and slouched in her chair. Reviewing algebra was better than learning nothing, but that didn’t mean Professor Miller had to assign 100 problems to solve by the start of class on Thursday. Kat felt bad for the women learning it for the first time.

The exhausted redhead rubbed her eyes, then checked the time. Five minutes until noon. It wasn’t fully rational, but something about that really made her want to go home. She could hide in her bed until it was time to prepare dinner with her mom.

Kat rushed out of the building and into her car. For a second, there was perfect stillness. It was the first time Kat realized, but driving alone in the car was where she felt safest. She probably shouldn’t have felt safe barreling down a road at 45 miles per hour in a metal box, but she did. She didn’t have to perform for any men. She didn’t have to deal with bullies or creeps. She didn’t have a list of chores looming over her. It was somewhere she could truly be alone. To sit and be herself. For the first time, Kat hated living so close to university.

She arrived at home and took a slow, deep breath. She closed her eyes so reality didn’t have to hit her all at once. It was time. She had to be ready. Kat looked at her car clock.

12:01 p.m.

She was “active.” It didn’t feel much different to be honest. Everything seemed pretty much the same, except…strange. She didn’t recognize the car beside hers in the driveway.