Authors Note: Just a little something that's been swimming in my brain lately. Sorry about the info dump. Will write more depending on demand and stuff. Enjoy!
A Treatise on the Binomial Theorem… James watched the cursor blink at the end of his thesis header, unsatisfied with his choice of title. If anything, it was apt; a simple title for a simple paper. His lecturer had said regarding the thesis at the start of the year, "You can either write a hard subject poorly, or an easy subject well. Do whichever will earn you the most marks."
All math came easy to James. He chose a subject that would be easier for the examiners to grade and hence worth more marks. But typically, for all his complex, algebraic scrawling a more sophisticated title failed him.
His phone vibrated on the desk next to his keyboard. The name "Kathy" appeared on the screen. He had made lunch plans with her today, and even though he set the reminder on his phone, she sent him a confirmation text message anyway.
"The usual?" it read. He exhaled a short huff of amusement. They were only seeing each other for two months and they already had a 'usual' eating place.
"There in five." he texted back before tapping CTRL S on his keyboard repeatedly.
It was shortly after two o' clock when James arrived at the café. The lunch hour rush had evidently passed and most of the available tables were littered with used napkins and empty plates. He spotted Kathy who was reading alone in the corner that was most coveted for its sofa seating.
James first met Kathy on a class night out he was forced to attend. He was never one for socialising and could never really get into college culture. It was one particular peer, one who insisted on being his friend, that urged him to do so.
"Sure you'll go for one," was the unrelenting mantra James was inflicted with until he acquiesced.
Sure why not? James had said to himself. Let's give this being normal thing a whack.
Normal, however, was something that James never really got the hang of and so it wasn't long before he grew bored of his class night out. And then he met Kathy, a psychology student as it turned out - bright, nerdy and as far from normal as he was. They began conversation on their mutual distaste for nightlife and the rest as they say is history.
Kathy, as if sensing his presence, looked up from her book and flashed a smile. James smiled back and went to sit next to her. She was wearing a white blouse with black corduroy shorts, white knee-highs and clunky black shoes. Her small face was adorned by large, thick framed glasses and her fine, chocolate hair was tied up in her usual ponytail. If anything, she was a sweet girl. Initially she tried to sell herself as 'not like the other girls' unwittingly exposing her low self-esteem but James enjoyed her company and it was all he cared about. At least he cared two months ago when their relationship was fresh and exciting, but as with everything else, James was growing bored. He had scolded himself for being fussy. Making friends was hard enough when he was too different from everyone else. There was nothing wrong with Kathy, but to James the relationship felt hollow, like some sort of social obligation to appear normal. But James clung onto it for now, hoping it would improve in some way.
"How's the thesis coming?" Kathy asked cheerfully as she pecked his cheek.
"Formulae are imprinted on the inside of my eyelids," he drawled, "But it's getting there. How've you been?"
Kathy could talk for Ireland. It was only after they finished eating lunch and started eating dessert that James realised he hadn't gotten a word in since he asked the question.
"…which leads me to believe…" she paused suddenly then. Mild panic tugged at his brain as he tried to remember what it was she was talking about to begin with…something about her studies…? He glanced at her. Her expression was curious and one finger pressed firmly against a tight smile.
"What?" he stated cautiously as if he were under scrutiny.
"James," she whispered and glanced around carefully. James imitated her and concluded that no one was within ear-shot.
"What?" he said again, through a nervous half-laugh.
She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing as she took a deep breath.
"I think…" she started, but stopped and tried again, "I was wondering…have you ever killed someone?"