Chapter 11 Lily
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LILY
For some reason, I woke up feeling a wee bit overwhelmed about trying to juggle my coursework with the podcast. However, I had a meeting with my advisor, Anna, a research grad student and tutor who was my advisor in third year too.
On top of my dissertation, I had a general paper to write, a tutorial course, and then I had to select three classes over the course of the two semesters.
I decided to take two classes this semester, leaving me extra time in the second semester for my dissertation.
My plan was also to do most of my interviews for the dissertation this semester as well.
Anna thought in general it was a good plan but told me to consider spreading out some of the interviews so my first semester wasn’t so top heavy.
I came out of the meeting feeling better but also worse because I had a nagging feeling I needed to chat with the girls about giving more airtime to January and Aiysha this year than we’d originally planned. The idea of trying to date on top of all this work made my head spin.
After my meeting, I had a seminar—Emotions: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives.
Since the course was smaller than previous years, the lecture was held in a classroom instead of a hall.
I spotted an acquaintance from a class last year and she waved me over.
Her name was Esme and she was French. I was always so impressed by students who chose to study in a foreign country.
We shared some pleasantries and then the professor and his TA walked into the room, hushing the small group of students.
It felt more like a tutorial than a seminar.
“Good morning. We have two new students this week who are a little late to the game, so a quick reintroduction. I’m Professor Andrews.
My TA, Penny.” He gestured to the young woman who waved and took a seat at the front of the class.
Professor Andrews had taught my Psychology 2B class in second year, so I’d been happy to see his name on the course since I was already familiar with his teaching style.
“Welcome to Emotions: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives. A few admin pieces first. There is a tutorial for this course and you all should have your tutorial groups and times. Find them on the school hub. There is a midterm paper and a final paper. Above and beyond that, I love a quiz, so expect one at the end of every seminar. Moreover, I expect everyone to get involved in discussions during our seminars and tutorials. Consider it part of your grade. No hiding behind iPads.”
He eyed each and every one of us like he’d done last week when he said this, and I did my best not to look away when his gaze caught mine.
“Now. Let’s get to it. Over the next few weeks, this course should hopefully provide you with an understanding of the social functions of emotions.
” He turned to write the latter on the whiteboard in front of him. “The influence of culture on emotion …”
I opened my iPad as I listened and watched him draw out the list of topics we’d cover.
When he asked questions, I raised my hand to answer along with most people in the seminar.
Professor Andrews looked pleased and when he called on me and approved of my response, I got a buzz from it.
What could I say? I was a bit of swot, really.
As we packed up at the end of the seminar, Esme turned to me. “Do you have a class next?” she asked in her musical accent.
“No, I have work.” The podcast counted as work to me since it took up so much headspace and I made wage from the ad money. “You?”
“Library. I’ll see you next week.”
I was heading out of the building toward my bike when I heard, “Lily, right?”
Turning around, I searched the main reception and locked eyes with a guy who was staring right at me. Familiarity hit and I racked my brain for his name. “Zac?”
He grinned as he approached. “Yes, Zac. How are you?”
I remembered Zac from the night Sebastian approached me at the bar. After I’d told him to fuck off, Zac apologized to Sierra and then me before leaving. Sierra had told me Zac was Harry and Sebastian’s roommate. He wasn’t involved in the podcast drama, but he knew Sierra via Harry via Olly.
“I’m good. How are you?” I asked politely.
“Grand, grand, yeah.” He had as posh an accent as Sebastian, but it didn’t do things to me like Sebastian’s did. “Are you a psychology student, then? I’m sure I recognize you from Psychology 1B in first year.”
“Oh.” I was surprised and a bit embarrassed because I hadn’t noticed him. I’d switched to psychology my second semester of first year. “Are you a psychology student?”
“Cognitive science. Leaning heavily on the AI side.”
That was surprising. For some reason, I’d assumed he was an engineering student like Sebastian. “Very cool.”
“Yeah, I think so. You know I’ve seen you around.”
I felt even worse that we’d spent the last three years in the same school building on campus and I’d never been aware of him.
“You’re Sebastian’s friend.”
Zac gave me a wide, toothy grin. “That’s me. Roommates, actually. I live in a flat with him and Harry on the Royal Mile.”
My eyebrows rose. “Fancy.”
He laughed, seeming a little embarrassed. “Well, it’s Harry’s place, really. So where are you heading off to?”
“Podcast duties.”
“Ah, of course. I’ve been a longtime listener. You’re very good.”
I wondered if Sebastian had put Zac up to this to make me even more amenable to a friendship with him. Like a “Look how nice my friends are! Let’s be friends too” kind of thing. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I really better go. It was nice seeing you again.”
“You too. Hopefully I’ll be seeing more of you.”
“Sure. Bye.”
As I got on my bike, I chuckled to myself.
Sebastian had texted me every day since our coffee “date.” I’d never met anyone so determined to be my friend.
And weirdly, despite my attraction to him, talking with him was so easy.
I didn’t overthink every word I spoke or typed.
But perhaps that was because he’d friend-zoned me, taking all the romantic pressure out of the situation.
I’d decided to follow my mum and Aunt Jo’s advice and just go with it. Which was why I had decided to not only meet him today at Teviot but also to bring my date to Whistlebinkies tomorrow night.
Sierra was waiting with Jan at the recording studio when I hurried inside. Kenny gave me a wave as I darted into the recording booth.
“Where’s Aiysha?” I practically fell into the seat.
“Class.” Jan narrowed her eyes. “You’re late.”
“I had a seminar way across campus. Your face is late.”
“What does that even mean?”
I shrugged, smiling at my immaturity.
“You’re in a good mood. Is this about the date?”
“No, shut up.” Sierra waved a hand at us. “Wait for us to start recording.”
A few hours later, the podcast session was done, and I’d told Sierra we all needed to meet to figure out a fixed schedule that would allow the three of us more time for our dissertations and coursework.
Thankfully, my friend agreed that the podcast was going to have to take a back seat, as much as it pained us.
It meant a lot to me, and I didn’t make the decision lightly.
Jan, however, seemed all too happy at the prospect of taking it over early. Her episodes so far had been a revelation. She was crazy and hilarious, but she’d surprised me by being sensitive when she needed to. I guess it was just me she didn’t feel the need to be sensitive with.
I strode toward Teviot feeling a lot less stressed than I had this morning.
I’d spent an hour in the library scheduling my first interview for my dissertation.
I’d reached out to a few social media influencers of different genders, some I knew who’d already spoken out about their trials on social media, some who hadn’t but who had varying degrees of followers.
Yes, I wanted to interview people who had a ton of followers, but I was just as interested in chatting with people with smaller followings who seemed to dedicate a lot of time to their platforms.
So far only two people hadn’t gotten back to me, but the interviews were scheduled, and I’d gotten a positive response from a university who had conducted a huge research project for the UK government on the correlation between the mental health crisis in the country and social media.
I was feeling a lot more organized and on top of things.
I spotted Sebastian as soon as I walked into the Library Bar.
He was sitting at a table by himself, but a girl stood by his chair, her hand on the back of it.
Everything about her body language screamed flirt.
Sebastian grinned up at her and whatever he said made her laugh, her body bowing closer to his.
Ignoring the spike of white-hot jealousy, I reminded myself he and I were just friends. And that he was the world’s biggest flirt. I had to get used to seeing him with other women.
Feeling awkward about approaching, I hovered for a minute, wondering what to do.
Then I heard Jan’s voice in my head telling me that Sebastian asked me to lunch, and I should pull up my big-girl knickers and walk over there!
Adjusting my backpack, I tried to infuse casual into my stride. I wasn’t sure I was successful, but I was pleased my smile felt natural as I stopped at the table.
Sebastian looked at me before I could even say hi. He grinned broadly. “You came.”
My attention flicked to the girl who stared at me with undisguised distaste. I gave her a small smile because I was incapable of being rude unless absolutely provoked. Then I turned to Sebastian. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
“I don’t know. You’re still an enigma.” He motioned to the pretty blond. “This is …”
She frowned. “Hermione.”
“Parents big Harry Potter fans?” I asked.
Hermione curled her lip. “What do you think?”
Sebastian’s brows pinched together. “Well, Hermione, my friend is here, so …”