Page 20 of Unapologetic Obsession

Chapter

Eight

ROSE

“Turnoff your phones and take out your notebooks.” Professor Maxwell’s unsympathetic voice reverberated around the classroom. “I don’t allow laptops, and I don’t repeat myself. Write fast, and if you miss anything, too bad. Don’t interrupt me.”

There was a moment of confusion, followed by a flurry of movement as everyone realized our eccentric professor was gracing us with a lecture. His decision to share his knowledge was a rare gem. We had no idea what changed his mind about teaching us, but no one dared to contradict his orders and rushed to pull out their notebooks.

I turned off my phone and was slow to pull out my notebook. I lined up two pens, unconsciously rotating them three times. The professor’s gaze landed on me, lingering while I performed my odd routine. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he was waiting for me to be fully prepared before starting his lecture.

He looked away once I uncapped my pen. “Let’s start with the basic elements on the periodic table. If you haven’t memorized the chart already, I suggest leaving my classroom.”

I was a slow note-taker and preferred a laptop over writing by hand. However, that option was unavailable in Professor Maxwell’s class. I scribbled as fast as possible, and midway through the most intense lecture of my life, the pen ran out of ink. I grabbed my second pen and realized the ink was also running low.

Are you serious?

I kept more spare pens in my bag, but Amelie had moved our bags to the floor so we would have more space on the table. Before I could hop off my stool to find my bag, Matt gave me an inquisitive look. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

I shook the pen in my hand.

He gave me a reassuring smile. “Here, I have an extra,” he murmured, extending a rollerball pen.

Professor Maxwell’s gaze landed on the exchange just as I reached for it. “Am I boring you, Mr. Doyle?” he asked, forcing the lecture to a screeching halt.

My back straightened while Matt’s head anxiously moved side to side. “O-of course not, Professor.”

I wanted to chime in and explain, but I already knew speaking with many eyes on me would be impossible.

Matt noticed my dilemma, and replied, “Rose ran out of ink and needed a pen.”

Professor Maxwell appeared calm, but it wasn’t the good kind, it was the calm before the storm. “Let’s stop here for the day since Rose is out of ink.”

My face flushed as my classmates’ accusatory eyes sought me out. Ugh. They were pissed that I had ruined this exclusive lecture.

“Rose, I suggest you return the pen since there are no more notes to be taken,” Professor Maxwell instructed in that indifferent tone of his.

It seemed like he was joking until I realized his gaze wouldn’t move until I complied. With trembling fingers and everyone watching, I held out the pen. Professor Maxwell didn’t speak again until the transaction was complete.

“Finish the tasks from yesterday,” he ordered vaguely before walking out of the lab, his deep voice forcing my stomach to do somersaults.

The students would’ve groaned if they had the nerve to express anger. Instead, most of them cast sideways glares at me.

Oh God.

As everyone busied themselves with their respective tasks, someone behind me called out in a clear voice. “Rose.” I turned to find Miles. Our teaching assistant wore a quizzical expression, lips pursed in contemplation. “Come with me.”

What had I done now?

My eyes were full of questions, prompting him to provide a clipped explanation. “Professor Maxwell asked to see you.”

Matt dropped the notebook in his hand, and Amelie toyed with the edge of her silky blouse. “What’s going on?” she whispered.

I shrugged and followed Miles on wooden legs. The other research assistants speared me with peculiar glances as we passed them. One brunette was particularly irked by my presence.

Did they know something I didn’t? Was Professor Maxwell about to punish me for breaking into his lab?

I had called in the big guns, my cousin Poppy, to track down PMU, and she came through for me. Professor Maxwell blamed me for destroying his precious inventory during the first day of class. I didn’t have the nerve to hand it to him in person, so I snuck into his lab to replenish his stock. Technically, it was still breaking and entering.