Chapter 5
Meet your match
Brooke walked down the picturesque pathway to the Martin Franklin Social Sciences computer lab. The Hartford Campus was beautiful. A stroll down the pathway was never boring. It was so scenic, it was ideal for Brooke to come take a couple shots. There were so many flowers and large trees with multicoloured leaves falling to the ground and that pond with the ducks was to die for. It was a beautiful fall day. She was going to her first class this morning, Electronic Commerce. E-Commerce was one of her electives. She wasn't remotely interested in business or computers but she thought she could use her knowledge of photography to design websites. Clad in a short dangerously low denim skirt and a white and pink tank top with a plunging neckline that revealed her cleavage, Brooke confidently opened the computer lab door and took a seat behind a computer in the first row. What a nerd she had become. Gone were the days when Brooke would die before sitting in the first row with the weirdos who actually studied. She took a look around the lab, all the other students were talking animatedly with each other. They all seemed to know each other. She hated to admit it but she felt a little left out and apprehensive. But Brooke Davis never showed fear. Anyone looking at the gorgeous brunette sitting all alone in the front row with her legs crossed would be intimidated. To guys her look exuded "I know I'm gorgeous and you'll never be good enough to have me" and to girls it exuded "Yes I'm prettier than you" As confident as she was she was not conceited. She knew she was a gorgeous girl but her confidence didn't stem from this fact. Her confidence, assertiveness and bluntness were nothing but shields. She refused to ever let anyone hurt her again.
At 8:59 am a handsome young man of average build walked into the room with a briefcase. He began setting up his computer and the overhead projector for the class to follow along. When he was finished, he sat on the desk and finally addressed the class.
"Good Morning everyone my name is Andy Hargrove and I'm going to be your lecturer for Electronic Commerce this semester. I started my first internet company when I was 15 years old. Within a year it failed. Why? Because equally important with the commercial aspect of internet business is the visual and interactive aspect. While I had great idea and I knew how to sell a good product, I wasn't well versed in designing. I overlooked some very key things such as too much clutter, putting menus on each page, colouring and the list goes on. So when I was eighteen I made another attempt at internet business and lets just say I became very successful at a very young age. I was a young hardworking entrepreneur. I was studying full time at MIT by day and managing my business between and after classes. During my summer vacations I turned into an authoritative CEO, trying to take a firmer grip while I had the time. When I wasn't playing summer micro manager, I was busy writing my book "Online Design", the essential text for this course. I expect that you will all purchase this book before your next class"
Brooke listened attentively as Mr. Hargrove spoke about the various topics that would be covered for the course.
"For this course you will be evaluated in two ways. Your final exam in December will account for 50 of your grade. The other 50 will be a group project, which will be done in pairs. You and your partner will be required to come up with an online business plan. When the plan is complete you will then design and upload the website for your prospective business plan. Now to make sure that you all are going on the right track every week you and your partner will be required to deliver a brief weekly progress presentation in my office. I won't have you present to the class until the very end because I don't want any groups borrowing the ideas of others. Now we're going to take a five-minute break. I want you guys to use this time to find your partner for the semester. When you're done come up here and write your name, your partners name and contact information on my sheet of paper right here. And remember class choose your partners wisely. Every year I have the same problems. Don't choose your partner because you're friends. Choose someone whose skills will complement yours. This is a very time consuming project, you and your partner will be working very closely over the next few months. Choose someone you know will work hard."
With that the class erupted into a series of murmurs. People were already lining up to write their names down. Brooke turned around to see if she could find someone who looked as partnerless as she did, but it was to no avail. Ten minutes later the class settled back down and Brooke still didn't have a partner. Who cares. She didn't need anyone. She had once written a literature research paper on Emily Bronte in 3 hours and scraped a B +.
Mr. Hargrove examined the list carefully. He noticed that there were two missing spots on the list.
"Is there anyone who doesn't have a partner? I have 30 people registered for this class and I only have 28 names."
Brooke raised her hand.
"Ok theres one. Is there anyone else without a partner?……No one…um…well…what is your name?"
"Brooke Davis….but Mr. Hargrove I have no problem working by myself."
"I don't know about that Miss Davis. This project is a lot of work and I'm a very tough marker. It wouldn't be fair to you. You really need someone to share this workload and to share ideas with. Two heads are always better than one."
"Don't worry I'll manage" Brooke said confidently.
"I'll tell you what. I have 30 people registered for this class, you know some students just don't come to class. I'll check my records to find the name for you and…"
Before Mr. Hargrove could finish, the class room door opened and everyone turned their heads. In walked a tall gorgeous, muscular blonde boy with blue eyes dressed in a baby blue Nike T-shirt, jeans and sneakers. He was carrying a large gym bag on his right shoulder and a notebook in one hand. He walked into the computer lab late, drinking a sports shake as if he owned the place.
Mr. Hargrove just smiled. These things no longer infuriated him. He realized a long time ago that no matter what there would always be late comers.
"So glad you could join us. Uh whats your name?"
"Lucas" Lucas replied in a disrespectful and hostile manner, he wasn't in the mood for any lip from some stupid know-it-all lecturer. His morning had already gotten off to a rocky start.
"Well Lucas, there is no drinking allowed in the computer lab"
"My bad"
Lucas quickly finished off the rest of his drink, before throwing the empty can over Mr. Hargroves head into the trashcan next to his desk. He then took a seat in the front row. Mr. Hargrove was in shock. This was his third year lecturing and never had a student disrespected him like that. But rather than publicly scold Lucas and disrupt the class he decided to have a stern chat with him after class.
Brooke was in utter disbelief. Who the hell did this Lucas think he was. She hated him already.
"So class where were we….oh yes … Miss Davis…right. Well I guess your whole partner situation has been solved. Miss Davis you'll work with Lucas for the semester ok"
Brooke wanted to scream out hell fuckin no. There was no way she could stomach working with someone who had the audacity to arrive late and be so disrespectful and disruptive.
"Ok" she replied. She was pissed but she didn't want to act like a whining spoilt brat. Besides she was Brooke Davis bitch extraodinaire, she knew exactly how to handle guys like Lucas.
After what seemed like eternity Lucas finally heard the words he was waiting for for the entire class.
"Ok guys class dismissed. I'll see you guys next week. Don't forget to check your e-mail to get your final project meeting times with me."
Lucas was the first one out the door. He was in one of his I don't want to talk to anyone moods. Lucas was convinced that Dan had taken a course in how to piss off your son, when he was in college. In a few hours he would cool off, but right now he needed to be by himself before he said or did something he would regret. Lucas had left so quickly that Brooke barely had time to gather her things before she took off after him. Where the hell was he going. She didn't even get his full name or his contacts. They hadn't even scheduled a meeting time to work on their project. Finally she caught sight of him on the pathway.
"Hey buddy slow down!"
Lucas ignored her and continued walking. This was the last thing he needed right now.
"Hey Lucas!" Brooke shouted as she grabbed his arm preventing him walking any further. He didn't like the way she grabbed him. She had grabbed him in the exact same way Dan had earlier. He forcefully shrugged her off knocking her notebook out of her grip. She gave him a death stare before crossing her arms.
"Pick up my notebook!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me asshole. I said pick up my fuckin notebook. You threw it down, so you pick it up"
Lucas ignored her commands. No woman was going to bark at him like a drill sergeant.
"Listen I'm kinda busy. What the hell do you want?"
Brooke was angry. Was he out of his mind. He throws down her notebook and when she tells him to pick it up he ignores her. This piece of male scum was in for it.
"Look I'm your project partner alright. We have weekly progress presentations with Hargrove and this project is worth 50 of my final grade and I don't want to fail. So just tell me your free times so we can schedule a meeting."
Just then Lucas' cellphone rang. Brooke just stood there like a pathetic fool waiting for him to finish his call. She couldn't believe it some guy was making a fool out of her. She grabbed the phone away from him and said "Hold on" to the person on the other end.
"Hey I'm talking to you. I have better things to do than stand here waiting for you to grow the hell up and have some manners and respect for other people."
"Alright 8 o'clock tonight ok. I can't do it earlier because I have basketball practice. I live in the Kensignton place, suite number 12"
"So what… I don't have a life. I must just meet you whenever its convenient for you."
"Take it
or leave it little miss this project is worth 50 of my final grade
and
I don't want to fail"
Brooke knew she didn't want to fail and its not like she had anything to do tonight
"Fine whatever!"
"Great happy now. Now give me back my phone"
"Sure"
Brooke held out the phone as if she was going to hand it to him, then she let it fall. When Lucas picked up the phone there was a crack on the phones face.
"Bitch are you out of your fuckin mind!"
"That was for my notebook asshole!"
"You want your stupid notebook here!"
Lucas picked up her notebook from the ground then threw it into the pond.
"Go fetch bitch!"
Lucas shouted before he stormed off. He knew it, today was not a day for anyone to push his buttons.
