Chapter Two:
Jeff hastily wandered into Starbucks, frantically texting, and nearly ran into the person standing in front of the pastry case deliberating on a snack.
"Oh, jeeze, I'm sor- oh. Hey Annie. Nice to uh... see you."
"On the other side?" She laughed, grabbing a bottled juice from the chilled case and adjusting her backpack and purse so that she could grab her phone. "You're REAL late today, huh?"
"Not exactly," He smiled as she put her juice on the counter and handed Vicky a piece of paper after she had quickly scribbled a note on it. "I'm taking a personal day. Sort of. I'm meeting up with an old... friend?... a professor at Greendale, actually."
"Ooooh a professor at Greendale," She grinned mischievously, scanning her app on her phone to pay for the slew of drinks Vicki had rung up. "Anyone I know?"
"Oh god, for your sake I hope not. Ian Duncan?"
She grimaced and he nodded in agreement, "To know him is... to know him."
"I have to take a class with him in a few weeks when the fall semester starts, criminal psychology, as part of my degree."
"No way!" Jeff was titillated. He wasn't sure how he'd forgotten her major, but oh the delight to know how much more he'd be seeing of her. Er... that he'd know someone in the class. "I am too. That's part of why I'm meeting up with him."
Annie stared at him quizzically before motioning for him to follow her to the hand off where they could wait for her drinks. "Did something happen at your job?"
"No. What do you mean?"
"Why are you taking classes if you have a degree and a job in your field...?"
"Oh, uh, it's a long story. But short and sweet I only have a bachelor's degree, and I'd like to be a partner at my firm, but my 'lack of education' is frowned upon, so I'm finishing my psychology degree."
"Well color me impressed; I mistook you for a slacker."
"Oh, you mistook nothing, m'lady. Several criminology and psychology classes overlap. I'm barely shy this degree and knowing Duncan I'm sure I can c's get degrees my way into the bosses favor."
"Charming." She rolled her eyes and started packing up her drinks, one small hot beverage and two massive fraps. She noticed him eyeing them quizzically before picking them up, "They're for my roommates."
"Didn't ask."
"I know, but you wanted to." She smiled sweetly at him and nodded to a grande hot coffee sitting on the handoff. "Your americano, m'lord."
He stared at her, a small smirk gracing his face, "Annie, did you buy this for me?"
"It was literally like a dollar Jeff, I get discounts and free drinks. Relax." She adjusted her purse over her shoulder and the drinks in her hands, "But... you should get the door for me in return."
He chuckled and walked her out, nearly following her to her car before removing his head from his ass and stopping at the door. "I guess we'll be classmates then."
"Yeah." She smiled, placing her drinks on the roof of her little car, "I guess we will."
Jeff smiled back at her and was turning to go back inside when he heard her call out, "Oh, and if you have time for a second psych class, my study group and I are taking psychology of sexual behavior. It might just count toward your degree, and you'd have more people to study with."
His face got hot, and he swallowed softly, wondering what the hell was wrong with him he nodded back to her, "I'll absolutely look into it."
She smirked and gave him a small wave before driving away, and he was (to his misfortune) pulled away from his dream like state by a distinctly British, and very annoying, voice.
"Jeff Winger, the best damn lawyer this side of the Rockies."
"Actually, on both sides. How's it going, Duncan?"
"Splendidly, splendidly, now come come, and tell ole Duncan all your woes."
"Well, should I begin with this interaction here?"
"Tut tut, Jeff, that's no way to treat an old friend-"
"Client."
"Who will be helping you on your educational journey." Duncan smiled smugly as he walked to the hand off where his mobile order was waiting. "Grab us a seat, Jeff."
Jeff rolled his eyes and posted up in the corner, making sure he sat facing the door, and pulled out his transcripts and a pen. He didn't really know what else to bring, so he hoped Duncan would help fill in the blanks.
"Alrighty!" Duncan exclaimed, popping down across from Jeff. He quickly looked at Jeff's few belongings on the table before his eyes settled on his coffee. "Who is Annie?"
Jeff would have been lying if he pretended his heart didn't skip a beat as his eyes shot up to meet his... friend's. "What?"
Duncan pointed at the cup, which had a little sticker with the distinct name "ANNIE" in all caps. "You stealing drinks now, Winger?"
"Oh, no. Annie's a barista that works here, she bought my coffee today for some reason."
"Ah, 'for some reason' I'm sure." Duncan smirked and wagged his eyebrows.
"I'm assuming it's because I tip 3 dollars every time I'm in here."
"Sure. Sure. Of course. Not because women often buy you things." Jeff rolled his eyes, but it didn't stop him from wearing a conceited grin. Duncan settled back into his chair and gave Jeff a smug look before pulling out his Greendale course catalog. "Whatever you want to believe is splendiferous."
"Please don't get all psych with me and analyze my acquaintances."
"I'm not analyzing anything Jeff, I simply asked a question about an observation I happened to make."
"Well next time observe less, I just need to know based on my transcripts what classes would qualify me for my psychology degree. I'm six units shy and am hoping to have this sort of one and done semester."
"Interesting let me take a look." Duncan skimmed over the transcripts while comparing the catalog. "You said you were currently registered for criminal psychology?"
"Yeah, I figured that one would be useful considering."
"I'm still a little confused, why is it you're going back to finish your degree now? Aren't you already employed in your field?"
"Can a man not value expanding his mind, filling his cup with the cool waters of knowledge?" Jeff asked, leaning forward with a smirk. Duncan rolled his eyes and Jeff's smile faded as he leaned back and smoothing out his shirt. "I need 'further education' to look good on paper so I can make partner. I'm obviously not doing this for my health or for cool points."
"You think another bachelors will help? It would only take a year or two to get a masters in certain studies."
"Focus Duncan, a year or two versus a semester."
"You are certainly the laziest ambitious man I know."
"Thank you, I appreciate being seen."
Duncan chuckled and finished writing on Jeff's transcripts, "You have several options. You were right to choose criminal psychology, and the other units you're missing are electives. I've written down the courses that qualify, and I highly recommend either of the two that I've put a little star beside because Barbra Kingsley is a wonderful and brilliant professor. Also her classes are incredibly easy to pass because she just likes engaging in conversation. Very few tests, only one paper, doesn't take attendance."
"That sounds right up my alley." Jeff smirked as he mulled over the options, delighted to see the psychology of sexual behavior was on the list AND stared. "I so appreciate your time, Duncan. Let me know if you're ever caught drunk driving again."
"Ah you already know you're my one phone call, Winger."
Jeff smiled and extended his hand to Duncan, "Until the first day of school?"
The professor laughed and shook his hand, "Until the first day of school."
A/N: I apologize my chapters are so short. I'm pretty rusty, and my Word doc deceives me. I hope you enjoyed!
