A Date for the Fair A Date for the Fair (The Dating #8) - L.P. Dover Page 0,4

a few asked what my office hours are, and a couple young women might have flirted. Good thing I’m a straight-lace-by-the-book sort of guy and won’t engage in even a harmless game of flirtation.

When I finally make it to Mr. Rossfield’s class, I’m a few minutes late because I stayed in my office trying to find any reason I could to get out of teaching this class. As soon as I opened the syllabus for this class, I groaned so loud I had to cover my mouth and quickly scramble to shut my office door. The last thing I needed was for a student or a colleague to walk by, hear me, and assume I’m doing something I shouldn’t be.

I walk in and stand at the podium, looking over the papers I printed out. “Good afternoon, I’m Professor Daniels, your philosophy professor. You are more than welcome to call me Jude. I usually teach computer science, but they needed someone at the last minute to fill in here. Just bear with me.” I repeat my actions from earlier and hand out the necessary papers. “I’m filling in for Mr. Rossfield while he attends to some personal issues. If you have him for 102 next semester, you’ll be happy to know he will be back.”

As I’m walking back to the podium a familiar face catches my eyes. A face I’d know anywhere. The sight of Laura Parrish has my steps faltering as I make my back to where all my notes are.

“Um…” I say as I look down at my notepad. “Mr. Rossfield is out for person…” I clear my throat and try focus, but I make the mistake of looking for perfect blue eyes I remember so clearly. Once I spot them, I turn my attention to the class list and drag my finger down, starting from the top. Sure enough, Laura Parrish is listed as a student.

Clearing my throat again, “As I was saying, this is Philosophy 101. We are going to learn the five basic branches, which are metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and aesthetics. If you are not supposed to be here, now is the time to leave.” I pause and wait for anyone to get up. When no one does, I continue.

“We are going to study Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Hegel. I caution you now, if you think Philosophy I is an easy A, you’re mistaken. If you do not have a logical mind, you will struggle in this class.”

I move some papers around and survey the class, this time, purposely missing Laura’s penetrating gaze, but not that of the young woman sitting next to her. She’s whispering to my one-time best friend as if this were high school, and I’d like to ask her to share what is so important with the rest of the class.

“I’m unaware of Mr. Rossfield’s homework requirements, but mine are as follows. All assignments, unless otherwise noted, will be due the next day by midnight, via email. I’ve added my address to the syllabus. I strongly recommend that you put it in your contacts. I do not accept late assignments. Please also go to the website listed on your paper to read over my attendance policy. Until I can touch base with Mr. Rossfield, we will follow the same guidelines as my other classes. So, this policy may be subject to change.”

“Does everyone have a textbook?” A few students nod but most grumble. I didn’t have time to run by Rossfield’s office to snag his. The lack of books makes me wonder if he actually sent an email out to the students about what they would need. By the confused looks, I’m guessing he didn’t.

“For tonight, chapters one and two. I’m not gonna lie, they’re boring and you’ll probably wonder what you’re doing with your life, which is exactly what we’ll discuss next week when we meet up. If you can’t find this book in the bookstore, please email me and I will send you the chapters, but only this once. Please, find the book online if the store doesn’t have it. You’re excused for the day.”

As soon as everyone stands up, my attention is back on Laura. “Ms. Parrish, I’d like to see you after class.” The woman next to Laura makes a face and it reminds me of how Laura used to act when something good happened to her.

Once everyone is gone, Laura walks down the auditorium style stairs until she’s face to face with me. “Hey,