I'm uploading a day early because I won't be able to update tomorrow.

Room 203 had a small door. If it didn't have the piece of paper taped to it, with 'David Cook, Geology' scrawled across it, I would've thought it a janitor's closet.

"Hello? I'm Sable Tate… I'm looking for a job here," I called in, my already fast heartbeat picking up.

"Howard down at the desk called me about you. Come in, come in!" A deep, gravely voice called from within. It was one of those voices that you loved to hear, like a soft, comforting hum.

"Hello," I said, slowly closing the door and sitting across the desk from him. The office was as low-key as the door was, barely having enough room for the bookshelf, desk, and two people that were crammed inside.

"Sorry about the accommodations. The university apparently doesn't have the proper funding to supply a normal sized office," He said, studying me closely. I began to squirm from him staring at me so much.

He looked a lot like a hound dog. His face was rather droopy, and his eyes were rather bloodshot, as if he'd been up all night grading. His hair was nicely combed, but he'd missed a few spots shaving.

"I'm David Cook," He said, extending his hand. "Now, I want you to tell me as much as you can about yourself."

I shook his hand, nodding a little.

"Oh… Okay. My name is Sable Tate, and I've lived here all of my life. I studied geology here for three years before getting a position at the Galapagos Islands to study Volcanology under Kyle Boome."

"Ah, Kyle is a good friend of mine. I do believe he's mentioned you once or twice… Said you were real bright," Professor Cook said, leaning back in his chair comfortably. I'd heard stories about the man, but hadn't ever met him. I'd always had different teachers.

"Anyways," I said, blushing. I didn't think that Kyle would have ever mentioned me to anyone… "I got my Master's Degree there, and then came back here to take care of my younger siblings."

"Very abridged life story there, Miss Tate," He sighed while leaning back in his chair and twiddling his thumbs. "What are your interests? Who are your friends? I want information here!"

"Umm… I suppose that I like hiking and music alright... and for my friends… I never had many. Any childhood friend I've ever had has lost connection with me. I'd say that my two siblings, Glen and Clarity are my friends, as well as Kyle and Rick," I replied, shrugging. People normally didn't pry into my life like this.

"Tell me about Glen," He demanded.

"Well… Before I left for the Galapagos, Glen wanted to be a firefighter. He did weight training, running, pretty much anything physical to prepare himself to save lives one day… and just hearing him talk about it made you feel good inside. He had such ambition. However, just before he graduated, he was attacked and lost his left leg and eye. Now he's a cook, which he seems okay with… but it's not the same," I said, puffing out my cheeks.

Professor Cook had his eyes closed as he listened.

"Okay then. Tell me about Clarity," He said, beginning to twiddle his thumbs again.

"Clarity never could decide what she wanted to do. She just barely graduated from high school this year, and she's helping Glen run the Bright Skies Cafe down on Adam's Street. She never was all that interested in science or math, so she never applied herself in them. However, that girl has the best knack for writing. She's been sending poems into the newspaper for a while now, and they've been printing them. I think she likes being a writer, so I hope she excels in it," I said, smiling a little.

Professor Cook was a good listener, and I felt much more comfortable telling him stories now.

"And now Kyle," he said, raising his eyebrows contentedly. He was enjoying himself.

"Kyle is the sweetest guy I've ever met. Scared of his own shadow, but a brilliant teacher. He really makes sure that you understand. I don't know him much outside of a professional relationship, but I do really enjoy being around him."

"And Rick?"

I jumped a little at his name. "He's just a guy I met at Wal-Mart. Don't know a thing about him other than his name and that he's really friendly. He just stuck out to me," I said, blushing a little. I must have seemed far too trusting, calling Rick a friend.

"I see… Yes. You are an interesting person, Miss Tate. You seem far more comfortable talking about others than yourself… hmm."

I was shocked. I wasn't expecting for all those stories to be an evaluation!

"I'm sorry, sir! Do you need to know anything else?" I stammered out nervously.

"No, no. I think I'll enjoy working with you. Leave the paperwork here. I'll finish it tonight. The class I want you to help me teach meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9:30. Show up tomorrow on time, please," he said, finally opening his eyes and smiling at me. His eyes crinkled at the corners.

"Thank you professor!" I said, grinning back.

I had just gotten my dream job.

Author's Note: I know this isn't quite how jobs work, but getting a job is boring, so I did the semi-exciting alternative. I hope that it is somewhat believable!

I also promise to get some villain action in the next chapter!

-Idealwolffang