That Friday Daine made her way up the stairs to the Physics building. Pushing the doors open with her hip, she checked the time on her phone's cracked screen. Damn it, late on the first day? She speed walked down the hallway, checking room numbers along the way. Stopping in front of the right one she silently opened the door and slipped in. Numair, who was leaning against the front table taking roll, looked up at her entrance and threw her a smile. Returning it, Daine scanned the class for an empty seat, trying to get her breathing under control. Of course I'd have to sit in the front. Looking down at her feet to ignore the stares following her from the other students, Daine walked across the front of the room to a desk in the corner, left empty due to it's unwanted location right next to the instructor's desk, and settled down.
Once attendance was over, Numair started passing out various packets, talking as he did. "So, as the professor outlined in class, this course is meant to give you a simple understanding of our universe, some of the mechanics controlling it, and a little bit about the research being conducted to expand our current knowledge of it. Now, we know you aren't all certified astrophysicists with a complete understanding of all the calculus or particle physics required for upper division courses, so the topics covered will be conceptual," Daine shifted in her seat as she arranged her bag on the floor. Gosh I'm out of shape. Taking a deep breath to calm her still racing heart rate, she rested her chin in her hand, letting Numair's soft baritone put her to ease. "I'm handing out a few packets now; the white one is the syllabus. It will be online as well so if you don't want yours just leave it on the front table on your way out. The blue one is for next week's lectures. Fill it out as the professor's talking and it'll be a good way to review for the midterms." Daine smirked to herself as some of the other students sighed at the mention of tests. Sucks to be them!
Numair caught sight of her mirthful smile and snorted, shaking his head slightly. "It really won't be that bad. Just go to lecture, fill out your blue packets and make sure to ask any questions you may have. Which brings me to the next packet; the pink one is a set of resources you can use in case you're confused about something or want more information about a particular topic. There are a lot of websites but also a few articles and snippets from papers." He was at Daine's row now and handed her packets, motioning with his head to pass them back. Guess I don't get one?
Dumping the few remaining papers on his desk, Numair fell back into the swivel chair. "So, any questions from this week's lectures?"
"More questions?" He looked around at the sea of blank faces. "No?" He paused a moment with a light confused frown. "Well, I think that's it… If there aren't any questions I guess you can leave early."
The response was immediate. The air was filled with the sound of papers crinkling, zippers being zipped, and desks creaking. Right when the first students were at the door, Numair's frown disappeared and he called out. "Wait, there will be three or four pop quizzes throughout the course, so although attendance isn't mandatory but if you miss one of those it will affect your grade." He gave a wicked grin as everyone paused and groans filled the air once more. "Have a good weekend!"
He turned his chair towards Daine who had remained seated, grin turning more boyish and mischievous. "I love saving that for last."
Daine laughed and leaned back into her seat. "Now, that's just plain mean!"
He snickered in return. Reaching over from the chair, he grabbed his bag and pulled out a set of papers from it. "So, here are your special packets. The blue one's all filled out and the pink one has some more information, mostly sections of the textbook that are kind of important as well as some more 'recommended reading' by yours truly on this sheet." The mischievous smile returned as he passed her the packets and waved around the last sheet of binder paper. "And this green sheet is a schedule of what each discussion will cover so you can skip the review sessions and whichever you aren't interested in."
Daine took them all with a smile. "Thank you again for letting me sit in; you really don't have to go through all this effort!"
"No, no it's nice to actually find someone genuinely interested in the field and not just here for the units. You'll see how many people ditch the next discussion."
That's debatable. The way half the students here were looking at him, hah no they'll be here. A little snort escaped as she slipped the papers into her folder. "Hah, nevermind, that." She gathered her stuff up and pulled out her phone. "I have another class in twenty; got any idea where I can find… this class?" She pointed at her schedule on her phone.
He took it from her hand and angled it lower. "Yeah I can show you where that is! God how do you read anything on this…" He added quietly with brows raised. He handed back her phone and picked up his own things.
"Hah the skills and talents being broke 'gives' you." Daine replied. "My cat pushed my phone off of my desk last week right before rent was due. I swear she knew what she was doing too!" They walked out together and stepped into the late summer heat as he chuckled.
"My friend has a dog that I am pretty sure can tell the difference between weekends and weekdays; I believe anything about animals now."
"Animals are so much more than what we humans give them credit for. I'm an Animals Studies major and my Animal Behavior class is just teaching me so much more than I could ever imagine!"
"Animal Studies, huh? My friend with the dog is finishing up her Masters in that. I'll introduce you two sometime!" They turned a corner headed towards the uni's hub. "As for now, your class is in that brick building over there," he gestured to the side and slowed to a stop, hands in pockets.
"Oh thank you, Numair! And that would be wonderful!" She paused and readjusted the strap of her bag. Turning to face him, she squinted up at him with a little half smile. "I have to go print some things out before class."
Numair turned to her as well. "Do you know where the printers are? I could show you-"
"No, gosh no I've bothered you enough. I can figure out where they are!"
Numair threw her a care-free smile."You haven't bothered a bit. But alright then! Have a good weekend! I'll see you next week?"
"Yup! Same time next week! See you!" She waved him off and turned towards the computer lab. She sighed a happy little sigh to herself. Astro is going to be great. Now, last class of the week, let's do this!