25 - back to school

Amina

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The first day back to school was something I was not looking forward to. After working at my internship for two weeks straight, I was not eager to add schoolwork to my workload.

I had to create my class schedule to work with my new internship schedule and cut my diner hours to only weekends. A lot of my classes were in the late afternoon and evening because of this. I was also able to throw in a couple of online classes, meaning I was only required on campus for two of my classes.

I walk into my first class of the day, after a long day of being at work. I had one other class after this and then I was free to go home. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do this for four consecutive months, but having Fridays completely free will help.

The class was fairly full when I walked in, given I didn't have time to come in earlier. It was 4 pm, and the journey from the office was a bit of a distance. I took my seat quickly, as the teacher started talking.

"Good afternoon class. I am Professor Patterson, and this is Business Communications."  I pull out my planner and begin taking notes as he talks.

The class went well and as soon as it ended I had to rush out to make my way to my next one which was on the other side of campus. I was out of breath and tired from rushing but I made it to class with 5 minutes to spare.

Students were seated but the teacher's desk remained empty. With two minutes left to spare a familiar face walks in from the back of the classroom, making my eyes widen. "Apologies for my tardiness. Our meeting ran a little longer than expected." Professor Crutchfield says placing his briefcase on the table.

Murmurs erupt around the classroom as I look at him in confusion. On the class description the lecturer for this course was named Miranda Sweeney, and I knew that wasn't Professor Crutchfield.

He looks up at the clock, "It is now 5:30 pm, and class is in session. I know a lot of you are wondering why I'm here. Unfortunately, Professor Sweeney had an accident, and will no longer be available to teach this class. So I'm taking over Marketing 101 for her."

Murmurs begin to erupt again at the news and Crutchfield clears his throat. "I see a few familiar faces so I know many of you are aware of who I am and how my classes work. But for those who don't my rules are simple. No tardiness, minimal absence, and be alert during my lectures. Excessive tardies or absences will result in a grade decrease. These rules will be available for viewing on the syllabus which will be updated this evening."

Suddenly the classroom door opens and all eyes are on the unlucky student who decided to stroll in during Professor Crutchfield's lecture on tardiness. "Mr. Taylor, tardy on the first day?" Professor Crutchfield announces making my eyes widen. I turn my head to see Dominic, taking his seat at the back of the classroom.

"Apologies sir." He mumbles.

Professor Crutchfield chuckles, "I'll accept it for today since none of you knew I was going to be here. And as my former student, I know you know better Mr. Taylor." Dominic nods, before looking away. I could tell he hated having the attention on him as he attempted to sink into his seat."Now that we're all here, let's start with today's lecture."

After getting into detail about each section of the syllabus and starting the first lecture we neared the end of class.

"The last thing we need to go over for today is the group assignment." The class groans making Crutchfield frown, "I know many of you don't like group/partner work, but as business students, it is crucial for your workplace skills. Now, if you look here." He says pointing at the screen behind him, "You and a partner will be required to create a company or an idea and create an advertising campaign for it. You will use the things you learn in this course to help create the perfect marketing strategy."

I sighed, that sounded like a heavy project to add on top of the list of other things I needed to do.

"This is the only assignment for the class and will be due at the end of the semester. You will have one partner and groups have already been allocated. I will post them at the end of class for your viewing."

I looked around the room to see who else was in this class who would make an ideal partner. My eyes accidentally catch Dominic's and I look away.

"That is all for today. I will see you on Thursday." He says, dismissing us for the day, but not before posting the group allocations on the screen.

I look up, my eyes widening as I see our names together.

Amina Bassey

Dominic Taylor

No! The last thing I wanted was to be forced to spend the whole semester working on a project with Dominic! Dominic of all people!

We were already at the end of January and Dominic hasn't said a word to me since New Year's. We weren't on the best of terms and I didn't know how we would be able to amicably work on the project together.

As everyone is making their way out of the classroom, I walk over to Mr. Crutchfield's desk. He was packing things into his suitcase when he noticed me in front of him.

"What can I help you with Ms. Bassey?" He asks.

"The group allocation, it's not binding, right? Is there room for adjustments?"

He looks up at me through his glasses that sit on the bridge of his nose. "Is there a problem with Mr. Taylor?"

"No, but-"

"Then I think you two will work just fine together." He stands up from his seat, picking up his suitcase, "Have a great evening." He leaves the room, not allowing me to say anything further and I sigh, before also making my way out of the classroom.

"Trying to ditch me already?" A voice says as I enter the quad. I look up to see Dominic sitting in front of the fountain and frown.

"I'm sure you want the same."

He shrugs casually, standing up from where he was sitting to follow me. "Maybe I do, but I know not to bother with Crutchfield."

"Sorry for trying." I reply sarcastically. "Why are you still out here?"

"We're partners now whether we like it or not. So I'm breaking the ice." He stops walking, reaching out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Dominic."

I stop as well, giving him a side-eye glance,  "I know who you are."

"Then let's for once put our differences aside so we don't fail this class." He motions to his hand again, trying to get me to shake it.

I sigh, taking his hand to shake. "I'm Amina."

"Good girl." He said, unknowingly sending shivers down my spine. I snatch my hand back from him making him chuckle.

"So what now?" I ask as I continue walking.

"We can talk about it on the way home."

I quirk a brow at him, "I'm not riding with you."

"Then how else are you getting home? Uber?" I remain quiet, looking down at the ground. He sighs, urging me to stop walking. "Come on, we're neighbors. It only makes sense to just ride with me. Then we can sort some things out without having to meet again to discuss."

"Fine."

I follow him to his car, in the main student parking lot. We get into the car and make our way out of the parking lot and away from the school. The ride was silent as we made our way down the road.

"So we're not going to talk?"

"Nothing to talk about really."

"The project Amina."

I sigh, "Sure. I guess we'll need to make time to meet to figure out the logistics. Like what our topic is and then who's doing what. Once that's established we can each do our part, present the report, and be done with this."

"Sounds good to me. When are we meeting?"

"The only day I'm free is Friday."

He shakes his head, "I have plans."

I frown, "Oh please, what plans? What else would you be doing on a Friday night besides partying."

"I'm not that much of a partier. You're the one who's at every party that gets thrown." He counters.

"I only go to the main ones, everyone is at those."

"Well if you must know I'm being forced to have dinner at my dad's."

I scoff, "You think I'm going to believe that? You use every excuse to avoid your father so why would you be going now?"

He frowns at me, "That doesn't concern you. I'm not available Friday and that's all there is to it."

"Fine." I reply with an eye roll before turning to face the window. The car was silent again and I remembered my ultimate goal. I was letting my feelings get the better of me and lashing out at Dominic when I should be buttering him up to ask about the gala.

Was this the right time to ask him though? Right after bitching and moaning at him? Probably not, I would have to wait for a better opportunity. Soon enough we rolled into the parking lot of our apartment complex.

"I could do late Friday night, maybe." He says as he turns off the engine.

"How late? I have a shift the following morning."

"Around 11 pm I should be home."

"Okay, 11 pm on Friday." I confirm.

"Cool."

I nod my head before grabbing my backpack and making my way out of the car. I don't look back or wait for him as I walk up the stairs to the apartment building, maybe I will ask him on Friday.

I enter my apartment tiredly and throw my bag on the floor before crashing on the couch. "Long day?" Kendra asks from the kitchen.

"You wouldn't believe." I say with a long sigh, "I don't think I'm cut out for this kind of schedule."

"Yes you are, you just need to get used to it."

"But it's insane!" I exclaim looking up at her, "My internship is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday till 3 pm, I have two in-person classes Tuesday and Thursday, three online classes, and I'm still taking weekend shifts at the diner! And now to top everything off I have a semester-long project to complete and Dominic is my partner."

"Okay. Maybe that is a lot." She says walking into the living room with her meal. "Let's go back to that last part. Semester-long project with Dominic? Aren't you guys in your hate each other phase?"

I scoff, "It's not a phase, that man genuinely pisses me off."

She chuckles, "It's most definitely a phase. You two can't stay away from one another for too long."

I shake my head, "This time is different. I'm focusing on my thing and he's focusing on his."

She gives me a knowing look, "Right. Well I'm calling it now, you'll be back in each other's arms by Valentine's Day."

I shake my head at her, "You're crazy." I pull out my phone to scroll through social media. "My boss asked me to possibly attend a gala for the company."

"Really? That's huge Ami! Congratulations!" She cheers.

"I don't know yet if I'm going." I respond with a shrug.

She raises her brows, "What do you mean you don't know? Like you don't have your ticket?"

"I don't know if I should go. It's complicated." I say, remembering I can't tell her the real reason I was invited without telling her that my boss was Dominic's father. Despite me not being very happy with him I promised not to tell his secret.

"It's not complicated, you're complicating it. Why would you not go? This is huge!"

I sigh, "Maybe I don't deserve to go."

She scoffs, "Then why would the CEO ask an intern to come? You were invited."

"I don't know man."

"You're overthinking things. You belong at that event, it'll be huge for you." She says.

I put down my phone, looking up at the ceiling tiredly. "I'm getting overwhelmed." I sigh looking at my phone again, "What's new with you?" I ask hoping to change the subject.

She shrugs, "Nothing at all really. Not seeing anybody, work is the same, and my holidays were tame."

I raise a brow, "Oh really? Not seeing anyone? Not even any somebodies that you might've been making out with at a party before winter break?" Her eyes widen, and I nod my head. "Yep, I saw you."

"That was a one-time thing. We were both messed up and it just happened."

"So nothing is going on with you and Isaiah?"

She shakes her head quickly, "God no!"

I sigh, "That's unfortunate, I was hoping for once someone else would have boy drama."

She chuckles, "No Ami you will always be the star of that topic."

I laugh with her. "You and Isaiah would be a cute couple though. Have you ever considered it?"

She shakes her head, "Isaiah and I are strictly friends. Always have been, always will be."

"I mean you never know." I reply with a smirk, making her throw a pillow at me.

———

Kendra and Isaiah? Thoughts??

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-AuggiePooh_