The Rules (Closed)

[DefiantDemure]

Caroline glanced at herself in her rear view mirror and put on her best smile. The type of smile that said: Look at how confident I am, look at how I'm ready for this. It was a façade, of course. Who is ever ready for their first University class in a new town where she didn't know anyone? There was something to look forward to though, Literary Theory: An Introduction. Finally, a class that would challenge her. Finally, something to kick start her future in the world of Literature. Not even the rain pouring down on her wind shield would wipe that smile from her face.

One glance at the clock and her smile faded. Scrambling to grab her bag and shut off her car, she ended up banging her head off of the steering wheel. Tears welling up in her eyes, she wondered if she should just go back to her dorm and start fresh tomorrow. Different thoughts swam through her head as she hesitated with her hand on the keys. I'm so stupid, day dreaming about a class I could've already been in! What about first impressions, Car. Suck it up and go!

Her thoughts were interrupted with a flash of lightening. Her mind made up, she bolted out of the car and into the English Wing, better known as the Damon Hunter Wing. Finding the classroom quite easily due to the wet footprints left behind, she entered the lecture hall as silently as she could.

“For those of you that have already taken this class and obviously failed, you may want to actually pay attention this semester. For the newcomers, be hopeful you don’t end up like the second comers. It won’t be easy the first time around and it’s just going to be harder the second time, I’ll make sure of it. There are a few rules that I have and must be obeyed, or you’ll be told to leave.”

Caroline stood in the door frame and watched a tall man walk around a chestnut desk. She didn't know whether or not to make a move towards an open seat or wait for him to finish his speech.

“Mr. Gunther, please tell me what one of my rules is.” He said, pointing himself towards a very bored looking boy with shoulder length hair.

“Don’t be late handing in papers and assignments.”

“Good, what’s another, Mrs. North?” The professor turned to the door, holding a pen in-between two fingers and a clipboard in the next.

Ms. North? I guess it’s not a rare last name. Why is no one answering him? Why is he looking at me?

“Mrs. North? Are you going to just stand there with that dumb look on your face or are you going to answer me?” He demanded, more than asked, and took a few steps towards her.

“Me? I’m sorry, I’m new here; I’ve never heard your rules.” Caroline replied and looked down at her rain soaked running shoes.

“You don’t think I know that? I asked you a question that you have failed to answer.” He turned around back towards his desk, writing something down on the clipboard.

“Don’t be late to class?” She said quietly, feeling every pair of eyes except his on her.

“Take a seat and don’t be late again, or you’re out.”

 

[gearhead73]

If Ethan Summers would have been asked three years ago where he thought he would be today, the chance of him saying in a classroom, let alone an English classroon, would have been a million to one. Yet here he sat, near the last in the expanse of audtorium style rows of seats listening to Professor Blowhard, or whatever his name was, blather on about the "rules" for attending his class.

Part of him found it amusing, the way the profs always give the impression that their way was the "law" while you resided in their class. This wasn't the first class Ethan had attended, but it was probably going to be the most challenging. Literary Theory was way outside of his comfort zone, and that was part of the reason he had chosen it. He had been looking for a new challenge, and since the auto shop that he had been running since his father passed was doing well, he thought college could fit the bill.

“Mr. Gunther, please tell me what one of my rules is.” he heard the rotund gentleman with the Colonel Sanders goatee say to a guy sitting two rows in front of Ethan.


“Don’t be late handing in papers and assignments.” came the less than enthusiastc reply.

“Good, what’s another, Mrs. North?” he fired again to smone behind Ethan.

When the answer didn't immediately come, Ethan as well as everyone else turned to see who "Ms. North" was. Just inside the door stood a stunning young brunette, blushing furioously as better than fifty pairs of eyes settled upon her.


“Mrs. North? Are you going to just stand there with that dumb look on your face or are you going to answer me?” Prof. Blowhard thundered as he stepped around his podium.

“Me? I’m sorry, I’m new here; I’ve never heard your rules.” the young woman managed to squeak out after a brief pause.

“You don’t think I know that? I asked you a question that you have failed to answer.” he said turning to scribble something on the notes on his desk.

“Don’t be late to class?” she said just barely above a whisper.

“Take a seat and don’t be late again, or you’re out.” Blowhard grumbled after establishing for everyone in ear shot that this was his kingdom, and he ruled with an iron fist.

Ethan watched as her faced reddened even more. He felt bad for her and wanted to help reduce some of her embarrassment. He grabbed his bag and notebook, stood up and moved down two seats. He extended his arm and gestured toward the seat he had just abandoned, whispering "Here, this one is free." He sat back down and began organizing his things but couldn't help but steal another glance at the beautiful young woman entering the class.