08

I shook my head as I stood, buttoning up my coat. It was below freezing this morning, so there was no way I was walking if I could help it. Luckily, my car decided to start, so I’m good.
You really do need to get a new car, Harper mused.
It wasn’t that my 2004 Toyota Corolla was bad, it was just… temperamental. Maybe in a few months when I know that I have a full-time job.
You will, don’t worry, Esme said encouragingly as we exited the cafe and were blasted with the chilled winter air. We’re parked around the block, but let us know how your first day back goes, yeah ?
Will do.
You’re teaching the Introduction to Cells and Tissues class to the undergraduates this term, correct ? On Tuesdays and Thursdays ?
I nodded as I sat across from Professor Klein in her office, going over my plans for my final term. Yes. I submitted my course plan to the faculty before Christmas and it was approved, so I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.
Any nerves ? Or last-minute things you want to go over ?
I think I’m good to go, honestly. I mean, it’ll definitely be a little nerve-racking knowing the students will be relying on me in such a big capacity, but I’m also excited to get started.
Her head bobbed in approval, she jotted something down on her notepad quickly. That’s good to hear. Especially considering this will be good experience should you still wish to apply for a lecturing spot here after graduation in the spring. Is that still your plan ?
It is.
Well then, I wish you the best of luck. The corner of her eyes crinkled with a smile. But do feel comfortable coming to me if you need guidance when it comes to your students or the examinations.
I will, thank you.
Is there anything else we need to go over before you head to the lab ?
I didn’t believe there was, as we’d already gone over the schedule for my last class, which I was enrolled in on Friday mornings, and she’d approved my preliminary request for lab time. I think we’re all good, Professor, I said, standing from my seat and collecting my things. Though I did put in a request at the end of last term for additional equipment and more cell clusters to continue extracting DNA and moving forward with my final round of tests. I was told they were granted, so I’ll be doing inventory before starting the write up for my experiment plan.
Everything should be there, she reaffirmed, and if you can get a draft on my desk before I leave tonight, we can sit down tomorrow and make sure everything is prepped to go for Wednesday.
Great.
Oh, and Lia ? I looked back over my shoulder, having already started to make my exit. I hope you had a good time with your family over the holidays.
Thanks, I did, and now I’m ready to get back to work.
And half an hour later, that’s exactly what I had done. Donning my lab coat and glasses, I’d tossed my hair into a high ponytail before printing out the list I’d submitted weeks ago, wanting to check everything I needed for the term had been ordered and stocked. And most importantly, that nothing was damaged.
Alone in the lab, I had my headphones in to zero in on the task at hand. I’d already checked the fridges in the back room to confirm all my cells had been stocked and had now moved on to the glassware cupboards. The new microscope slides looked good, as did the few beaker replacements we’d needed, but when I reached up on my tiptoes to pull out the new box of mini test tubes, I felt a tap on my shoulder and jumped.
Shit, I said, cringing as I heard the clang of glass echo over my music. Pulling my headphones out, I turned to see an apologetic Miles.
Sorry, Lia, he said, rubbing the back of his neck. I thought you could hear me coming, or I wouldn’t have snuck up on you.
I sighed, hoping the protective sleeves had done their job and none of the tubes had shattered. It’s fine Miles, don’t worry. The embarrassed tinge to his olive skin began to fade when I noticed the messenger bag slung over his shoulder. You coming back from teaching ?
Yeah, and I think it went well. Though it was only the first day, so we’ll see how the rest of the term goes. A small grin blossomed as he raked his fingers through his black hair. But enough about me. What about you ? How’s this term looking for you, and how was your vacation ?
I start teaching tomorrow, and then besides my one class, I’ll be in the lab most of the time, I explained. And my vacation was good. I cracked a smile. I only looked at my research twice, if that tells you anything.
I feel that. A laugh rumbled his chest. But I’ll let you get back to it, he said, gesturing to the test tube box on the counter. Though after a few steps, he turned back around. Actually, I had one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.
When I saw a spark of hopefulness in his eyes, unease began to creep its way into my chest. With Harper’s word still floating in my head, saying if he’s going to make a move, it’ll be soon, all I could do was hope he wasn’t about to make the next four months extremely awkward by asking me out.
What is it ? I asked, making sure to mark my expression.
I was thinking we could get together some time over the next week or two- Oh no. -and link up with our research. I expelled a slow, relieved breath. With both our defenses coming up, I thought it’d be useful to swap notes. You know, give each other another set of eyes to point out any inconsistencies or come up questions that might help the other along. He lifted an eyebrow. So, what do you say ?
Yeah, that sounds good, I replied. If you check the lab schedule, I’m free most afternoons, so just let me know when you want to sit down and chat.
Great, I’ll text you, he chirped, backing away as he headed for our office on the other side of the lab.
Leaving me to deal with a possibly broken set of test tubes and half-finished inventory checklist. Back to business indeed.
The loud chirp of a whistle sounded. Wellsley, you’re up.
I barely heard the assistant offensive coach, solely focused on the task at hand as I jumped over the boards and took my second run through the obstacle course laid out on the ice. Starting off with one fast lap around the rink, my blades glided swiftly ; a movement as routine as walking to me after all these years.
When I crossed the center red line, I snagged a puck from the pile to the side and began to weave my way through the sequence of pylons scattered on one side of the ice. There were twenty of them, all fairly close together, but my stick handling was second nature and in about ten seconds I was through, then pushing myself hard to the other end of the ice where Nyberg waited, ready between the pipes.
Looking for the perfect shot, I saw that he was ready on nearly every level. His stance was strong, protecting much of the net, and on his feet, he was agile. Waiting for me to make a move, his eyes flicked between the puck and my face. I knew I had a tell-relying on my core muscles and right side as I bent over my stick to shoot-so, after formulating a plan of action, I did exactly what was expected of me.
With a short wind up and quick release, my wrist shot flew off my stick and hit its mark-about two inches above where his blocker had been. It was an easy save, but I wasn’t hoping for a goal. I’d been after the rebound, and as the puck bounced back onto the ice, albeit a little farther to the left than I would’ve liked, I got my chance.
I knocked a one timer towards the top of the net, swore under my breath when Nyberg deftly slid across the crease to block it.