Chapter 4
***TAYLOR***
After class Taylor was in no mood for a meeting with Professor Witmore, especially after the man saddled him with Emily as his partner for the mid-term.
Not only was being that close to her doing crazy things to his senses, but they’d spent the entire class arguing about how to approach the cases, how to divide up the work, and where and when to meet.
It was exhausting being around her, and he was already burning the candle at both ends.
He wasn’t sure how much more he could take on, but it was clear he was going to find out.
Walking down the almost deserted hallway toward the professor’s office, he did his best to push Emily out of his mind.
The woman was a distraction he didn’t want or need.
His teacher was going to expect an explanation for the perfect score on the test, and he knew he wasn’t going to wiggle out of this without giving him an answer; he just hoped he didn’t have to reveal everything to get off the hook.
He couldn’t explain even to himself why it was so important not to disclose all of his secrets, maybe it gave him a feeling of power, maybe he was just protecting himself, but after a lifetime of hiding his intelligence, it was hard to imagine letting anyone see that side of his personality.
Professor Whitmore put aside the papers he’d been reading when Taylor knocked on his open door and waved him into the room with a smile.
“Well, here we finally are,” he said, the smile never leaving his face, but there was an intensity in his eyes that Taylor had never seen.
“We can sit here exchanging pleasantries, or we can get right down to business and talk about the test.”
That was fine with him, the sooner this was over, the better. “I didn’t cheat,” he said. “I just have a really good memory.”
“A good memory, is it?” Professor Whitmore asked. “I could believe that except we haven’t studied more than half of the material that was on that test. Did you read all of the class materials already?”
He nodded, “I’ve been doing that instead of coming to class, no offence, but I get just as much from the printed materials as I do from a lecture,” he said. “I have a photographic memory, so once I see something, I never forget it; that’s why I got such a good grade on the test.”
Professor Whitmore sat back and studied him for a second.
“I see, a photographic memory, that explains a lot,” he finally said.
“The problem is, you’re missing half of what you’re supposed to be learning in my class by only doing the reading.
I gave you that grade because technically you answered the questions correctly, but it won’t happen again. ”
“I don’t understand,” he said, confused. “If I get the answers right, why wouldn’t I pass?”
“Because while your answers are technically correct, you haven’t proven that you understand the underlying issues,” Professor Whitmore said.
“This class is supposed to make you look at the law from a different angle. You’re supposed to be exploring how the law affects society.
What you gave me on that test wasn’t free thinking, it was just you repeating what you read.
I want to see more than that from you, Taylor.
I want to know that you’re putting some thought into the cases that we’re studying. ”
“I understand,” he said, but he didn’t really. He couldn’t see what the big deal was. “I’ll try to do better next time.”
“I hope so, I would hate to have to fail you,” Professor Whitmore said, shaking his head.
“I think the mid-term project will be a good opportunity for you to show me that you understand the deeper implications of these cases. I hope you’ll be able to see and understand the effects they’ve all had on society and the way we live our lives.
I expect to see your full participation.
I want to see you arguing your side from not just an academic perspective but from a human angle.
Anything less, and your grade will suffer. ”
Since there wasn’t much he could say that wouldn’t get him in trouble, he got to his feet, using his poker face to keep the professor from seeing how annoyed he was with him. “You won’t be disappointed,” he managed to say. “I won’t forget your advice.”
Free of the professor and his cramped office a few minutes later, he muttered to himself as he walked to his next class, annoyed that he wasn’t going to be able to fake his way through the mid-term.
The last thing he wanted to do was think about the law too deeply.
It wasn’t his passion, and he wouldn’t even be here if the clan hadn’t made it a condition of his scholarship.
The stinging desire for his freedom from the clan rose to the surface, making his breath come in short gasps.
He didn’t know how much longer he could stand their suffocating hold on him.
Forcing himself to calm down, he took several deep breaths before pushing the feeling away.
He couldn’t afford to go down that path right now; it would only frustrate him.
Money was the only thing standing in his way, but soon he would have enough to break free and live his life without always looking over his shoulder or seeking approval from the clan.
He would finally be his own man, and if Dakota was right, a very rich one.
But until then, he had to stay in school and make it look like he wanted a law degree, even if it was the farthest thing from the truth.
It wouldn’t be much longer; he could handle a few more weeks of classes and could even handle being close to Emily if that’s what it took to keep his life running smoothly.
***Emily***
Emily rushed around her little kitchen, packing up leftovers, loading the tiny dishwasher, and scouring the pots and pans she’d used, keeping an eye on the clock the entire time.
It was her favorite night of the week, and she was right on schedule.
All she had to do was wipe down the counters, then make a cup of tea before she could grab her computer and relax for an hour.
It had been an exhausting week, but at least for the first time since she transferred to Parkhurst, she felt like she was making progress, both scholastically and professionally.
Settling down on the couch, she opened her computer and propped it up against her knees, sipping her tea as she waited.
Only a few minutes later, the happy chime signaling that she had a video chat filled the small living room, and she smiled as she opened up the window for the video call, already feeling better.
“Hey princess,” her father said, a matching smile on his face. “How’s my girl tonight?”
“Exhausted. It’s time for midterms already, and I feel like I just got here,” she said, with a sigh and a shrug of her shoulders. “And I’m not even going to mention the reason I’m here, I’m trying not to think about it for a few hours. What are you up to?”
“Oh, no, you don’t, young lady,” her father said, a frown on his face. “Don’t try to change the subject after an outburst like that. Come on, spill it, I want to know everything.”
“Well, I might not be able to tell you everything, but the week started out with me nearly flunking a test,” she said, debating how much to share, then realized it might help if she talked about it, even if it was a little embarrassing.
“I might have accidentally accused a classmate of cheating in the process…”
“And caused a big scene, I bet,” her father said with a sigh. “Emily, I love you more than anything, but one of these days that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”
“Yeah, Dad, I know, but sometimes I just can’t help myself,” she said. “The problem is now I’m supposed to try to get close to this guy. Captain Strattler is sure the fraternity he belongs to knows more than they’re saying.”
“It sounds like you’ve backed yourself into a corner, sweetheart,” her father said, shaking his head. “What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but I finally got a break today. Professor Whitmore partnered us up for the mid-term project, so that should give me some time to figure it out,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy though, he’s a huge jerk, and most of the time I want to slap him.”
Her father studied her for a second, then shook his head. “Well, I’m sure you can handle it. You’re an amazing young woman, Emily,” he said. Your mother would have been proud of you.”
Emily was silent for a second as she dealt with the stab of grief that always hit her when anyone mentioned her mother.
“I know, Dad, I just hope I’ve made the right choice this time,” she finally said.
“I want to make a difference for people like Mom, people who didn’t know how to work the system to get the help they needed.
I thought joining the police force would let me do that, but I was wrong. I hope I’m not wrong about this too.”
“You weren’t wrong about the police force, you have done some good since you joined, don’t forget that, it’s just not the kind of good you wanted to do,” her father said.
“I don’t think it was a waste of your time if that’s what you’re thinking, you just took the long way to what you’re really supposed to be doing.
It happens sometimes. You’re going to be a great lawyer, Emily, you’re going to help a lot of people, and that’s all that counts in the end. ”
Her father’s words made her feel better, and she smiled at him. " Thanks, Dad. I needed to hear that,” she said. Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in everything that I forget to stop and look at the big picture.”
“You work too hard, you need some downtime,” he said, shaking his head. “When was the last time you took a day off to just have fun?”
“I took a few days off last summer and went to the beach,” she said, a bit defensively. “That was only a few months ago.”
“Emily, that was more than just a few months ago. It’s October; you went to the beach in May right after school got out,” her father said, his voice full of patience. “If you keep up this pace, you’re going to burn yourself out.”
“I’m okay, Dad, I promise,” she said. “And when this case is over, I will take a few days off and get away. You can even come with me if you want.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, the smile back on his face. “I know you think I worry too much, but it’s my job.”
“I know, Dad, and even if I don’t act like it, I appreciate your concern,” she said. “I love you, old man.”
“And I love you, baby girl,” her father said. “It’s your turn to call next week.”
“Don’t worry I won’t forget,” she said, rolling her eyes. “That only happened once, and I had finals.”
Her father laughed, “I know, I just like rubbing it in,” he said. “Have a good week.”
“You too,” she said, then closed the call, a smile on her face.
It always made her feel better to chat with her dad, and tonight was no different.
She felt more grounded than she had all week.
So, what if she’d left out her attraction to Taylor when she was recounting her week to her father?
It wasn’t really that important, just a passing madness that she was sure would go away soon.