Divine Artifact in a Scientific World-Chapter 74: First Day (4)

At the end of class, several students tried to crowd around the Professor Berkheimer, but he brushed past them without even acknowledging their presence and walked up to Jack. Several of those students glared at Jack, like it was somehow his fault the professor was ignoring them.

Just before the professor spoke, Analise put a hand on his back and said, "See you at lunch Wednesday?"

When he nodded to her, she smiled brightly, gave him a peck on the cheek, then left, having to walk farther to get to her next class.

Not seeming to even notice Jack and Analise’s interaction, the professor said, "So, you’re telling me you’ve never met Doctor Satyarthi?"

"No, I’ve never Doctor Satyarthi. The only reason I know that name is because of the paper I mentioned. They’re listed as the primary author."

"So she didn’t put you up to this?" The professor sounded suspicious.

"No," he replied firmly. What was this guy’s deal? It wasn’t that hard to figure out CRISPR in the video. The paper had included diagrams showing almost the exact same section of the CRISPR interaction.

"I apologize. It’s just that she’s known for playing the occasional practical joke, and she’s not above making use of fresh students."

"Okay," he really didn’t know what else to say.

"Would you like to meet her? The chemistry department is having a little get together this evening and I think they would forgive me if I brought you along."

Jack recognized this as a great opportunity to network, to build those connections he thought he might need later, so he had no reason to turn down the professor’s offer.

"Sure, that sounds fun!"

"Great!"

He and the professor exchanged contact info, then the professor immediately texted him the time and location.

As soon as that was done, the professor rushed off, leaving the eagerly awaiting students, some combination of surprised, disappointed, or angry.

Jack ignore them as well, turned and walked towards the door. Behind him, he heard one male student say angrily, "Who the hell does he think he is?"

Jack didn’t care. Haters gonna hate. He was out the door and walking down the hallway when a girl, one of the students who had been wanting to talk to the professor, ran up and started walking next to him. She was petite, shorter than Madison, and looked Yokorian.

"I’m jealous," she said, though there was no heat in her voice.

Jack didn’t know what to say in response, so he remained silent.

"If I let you fuck me in the ass, will you take me with you to meet Doctor Satyarthi?"

Jack tripped on nothing and almost face planted. !!!!!!!!!!! Did someone secretly spray him with catnip or something?!

"What!?" he blurted as he stumbled a few steps before regaining his balance.

"Or, if you’re not into that, I could suck your cock. I promise to swallow."

This time he didn’t trip, and instead turned to stare at her incredulously. The look on her face was serious, with just a hint of something else. Something he was beginning to recognize, and thought he might have seen on the faces of Miranda, Robin, and Analise.

Part of him was tempted to accept her offer, but he also had alarm bells going off in the back of his head, so instead he tried to decline, politely.

"I appreciate the offer, but I think Professor Berkheimer would be angry with me if I just showed up with someone else at his private party."

"Damn, I thought that would work," she muttered. Then louder, "You have a girlfriend, don’t you?"

It came across as more jealous than accusatory.

"Two, actually," he replied. Maybe that would warn off this potential stalker.

"Two! Damn. So, I really don’t have a chance with you, do I?" It sounded more like she was making a statement rather than asking a question.

Was she talking about him taking her to meet Doctor Satyarthi, or was she talking about dating him?

His curiosity temporarily overrode his good sense, and he asked, "Are you always this forward?"

"No. Definitely not. You’re the first. I just...I don’t know. There’s something about you and I-" she stopped mid sentence, grimaced, then said, "Shit. I must sound like a creepy talker right now."

"Not exactly." She sounded like she could quickly turn into a creepy stalker.

"Sorry. I just realized you were sitting with your girlfriend, or one of them. I promise not to bother you. Please don’t think I’m deranged or something."

"She’s not my girlfriend. Not yet, anyway."

"You dog," she said, though it sounded more like a compliment than an insult. "Does she know? About your-"

"Not yet. I’ll tell her when we have lunch later. My other date already knows about my girlfriends."

"Two...no, four girls. How do you do it?" she said with awe.

"Catnip." He really didn’t know, but felt like fucking with her instead of just saying, "I don’t know."

It was her turn to stumble. After catching herself, she looked at him like she was prepared to believe him.

"Catnip?" she asked.

"Yep, divine catnip." As he said it, it hit him. Was all this strangeness with women related to Genesis Heart?

"I, um, I have cat ears and a tail plug at home. I could-"

"Stop. Look, can you just dial it back a bit? I’m not saying no. You’re cute, and if you’re in Professor Berkheimer’s class, you’re smart. But just dial it back to casual acquaintances for now, okay? We can chat in class, maybe work together occasionally in the lab. And we’ll see how things go from there. Okay?"

She sighed, "O-okay. Um, thanks. I...thanks for giving me a chance. Can we exch-"

He interrupted her, "We have the entire quarter to talk. We can revisit exchanging contact info at the end of the quarter." He did not want this chick texting or calling him at all hours.

"Oh, okay. Sure."

"Now, if you’ll excuse me, this is my class."

Then he turned and walked into his next class, leaving the little Yokorian behind in the hallway, looking equal parts disappointed and hopeful.