Page 3 of Blind Bite (Best Fangs Forever #1)
Chapter Three
The Romance Lit class dragged on another fifteen minutes before we were finally dismissed. I stuffed my notebook into my bag and hustled across campus to Professor Holloway's History of Lore and Mythology class. It was my second favorite course this semester, right after my art elective.
I slid into my usual seat next to Lacey, who was already doodling Celtic knots in her notebook margins. Her copper hair was twisted into a messy bun today, held together with what looked like two colored pencils.
“Cutting it close,” she whispered while I unpacked my things.
“Professor Chen went into overtime again,” I pulled out my well-worn textbook. “Something about unreliable narrators and the subtext of rejection.”
Professor Holloway swept in, his tweed jacket complete with elbow patches looking every bit the classic professor.
Without even a greeting, he dove into his lecture on Mesopotamian deities.
Ten minutes in, while he was describing Inanna's descent to the underworld, Lacey shifted closer.
“So, are you excited about tonight?” her whispered words brushed my ear.
I tried to focus on my notes. “What's tonight?”
“Stop pretending,” she jabbed my ribs with her elbow.
“Your date with Beckett?”
So that was mystery boy’s name. I stifled a groan. “I'm not sure I—” Too focused on my whispering with my friend, I accidentally knocked over my bag, its contents spilled across the steps beside my seat.
“Miss Bensen,” Professor Holloway's voice interrupted our chatter.
The lecture hall fell silent as thirty pairs of eyes turned toward me. “Is my lecture on ancient mythology interrupting your social planning?”
“No, sir. Sorry.”
“And Miss Crawford, perhaps you'd like to share what was so important?”
Lacey straightened. “Just asking about homework, Professor.”
“Indeed.” His eyebrows formed a disapproving V. “Miss Bensen, see me after class.”
My stomach sank. Krista was expecting me at the shop by three, and Holloway was notorious for his lengthy post-class lectures on responsibility.
“Great,” I muttered, sinking lower in my seat.
Lacey shot me an apologetic look as she mouthed, “Sorry.”
I spent the rest of the class taking meticulous notes, hoping it might soften Holloway's mood, but when the bell rang, his stern ‘Miss Bensen’ confirmed my fate.
As everyone filed out, I slowly packed my bag and trudged to his desk.
He sat with one leg crossed over the other, arms folded across his broad chest. The stern expression hadn't left his face.
“Are my lectures that much of a bore that you cannot focus for the sixty minutes you’re here?”
His green eyes pinned me in place as he waited for my answer.
I fidgeted with my bag strap. “No, sir. I actually really enjoy your lectures.”
“Actions speak louder than words, Miss Bensen.” He rose from his chair, his tall frame looming over me. “You'll write me a paper connecting Mesopotamian mythology to modern vampire lore, and before you ask, Twilight is not an acceptable source.”
I bit back a groan and nodded.
“Good.” He moved to his podium, shuffling through papers. “I expect it by next class.”
He glanced up, clearly waiting for protests. “You're dismissed.”
I bolted from the room, already pulling out my phone to text Lacey about the extra work she'd landed me. Then I saw the time: 3:15 PM. Perfect. Now I was late for work, too.