The Long Winter #8
Orientation part 8
“I am pleased you chose to go into robotics. When your father told me you hadn’t quite figured out what you wanted to do I was curious, and admittedly a little worried you’d end up in a different department.”
Penny nodded at Professor Gwen Fairchild. She sat in a comfortably padded leather chair across the solid oak desk from the professor with her chestnut hair falling in loose curls around her shoulders. Lake Superior was visible outside the big windows behind the professor, and her office walls were decorated with her degrees, some awards, and a framed page from a magazine article about her and the Insitute. Pictures of her husband and their two children, now both in high school, sat on her desk. Professor Fairchild smiled at the half-Asian girl.
“I have to admit I wasn’t always into robotics,” Penny replied with a shy shrug. “One of my friends was part of the robot club at our school and I joined them a few times last year. I wrote a few papers, too. I’m not so good at the programming aspect, but I like some of the other things.”
“Our lab is a dream workshop for any engineer,” Professor Fairchild said. “But I’m sure you already know that. You mentioned in your email that you came across another interesting problem before you graduated?”
“Oh, that’s right! One of my friends, well, actually two of them, well, actually really they’re more like friends of my friend—“ Penny stopped when she saw a bemused smile slowly appear on the professor’s face. She giggled nervously. “I guess that’s not really relevant. Anyways, they were shrunk by a magician. They were still in Defenders’ HQ when I left the island, and my friend, another friend this time, said if she could she would send me some of their data to see if we can help out here. They were having trouble bringing the two girls back to normal size.”
Professor Fairchild laughed, a sound like a glittering wind chime tinkling on a sunny summer afternoon. “What an interesting problem! I’ll contact your father and see what he is allowed to say about such a thing. Maybe we’ll set you up with Professor Cooper on a miniaturization project as one of his aides.”
“That would be great!”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though.” Professor Fairchild leaned back in her chair with a wistful smile on her face. “I remember being in your position, all the world spread out before me, just waiting to be discovered. I had several mentors through college and graduate school, just like your parents. I find it satisfying to know that I can repay, in a certain way, that which was given me so long ago.”
“So long ago? I know you were classmates with my parents, but you don’t look the same age as them. Not that they look old, but, well—“
Professor Fairchild laughed again and Penny liked her even more. “Flattery will get you nowhere. You’re going to have a lot of difficult work to do, especially if we are able to get the data from Defenders’ HQ and their “little” problem. You will be expected to prove yourself repeatedly, and failure is not an option. I don’t think your parents are rich enough to buy the next semester for you if your work is not up to our standards.”
“I know it’s difficult, but I can do it. I’ve been looking forward to this since I got in.”
“You weren’t looking forward to this before? I think if you talk to your classmates you’re going to find that many of them had made attending this Institute their life’s goal.”
Penny’s smile turned into a grimace at how arrogant she knew she must have sounded, but the professor’s face stayed smooth and friendly.
“Did you apply anywhere else?”
“Well, no. I wasn’t sure where else to apply, to be honest. The rest of America seems a little dangerous, and my friends are already calling me a “fascist” since I’m from Port Matthew.”
A shadow fell across Professor Fairchild’s face and she gasped.
“Are you being bullied?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. We’re just making jokes, but I can imagine that other places they might not be jokes.”
“You’re probably right. I’m sure your father told you to stay out of the major cities.”
“Yes.”
“Did he mention that my mentorship of you will be more personal in nature as well?”
“He did.”
“I’m not your babysitter, of course, but I’m here to help you with any problems you might be facing. I know we have counselors on staff here, but our relationship is different from that, it’s more personal. I remember meeting you when you were a baby, although you probably don’t.”
“No, Professor.”
“It’s all right, I myself don’t really remember anything before kindergarten at this point, so it's unreasonable to expect you to remember your days as a toddler. But to get back to the point, any problems you have, whether they’re professional in nature or personal, my door is always open to you. In fact—“ Professor Fairchild leaned forward and began writing on the legal pad on her desk. “—here is my contact information and my address. I don’t live far from campus. If you’re going to stay for the holidays my home is open to you as well.”
“Thank you, Professor Fairchild.” Penny accepted the paper with a smile and a bow. Professor Fairchild bowed her head slightly in reply.
“Don’t be a stranger on campus, either,” Professor Fairchild said, standing up. “When we aren’t in classes together I’d enjoy having an occasional lunch together, and perhaps at a certain point we’ll have built enough trust to share departmental gossip.”
Penny laughed as she stood with the professor.
“Thank you, Professor Fairchild. I will, at least when I don’t have too much homework.”
She took her leave from the professor and stepped out into the hall. The hard sciences professors of Hampton Labs all had their offices on the top floor of the lab. Professor Fairchild’s looked out over the lake while others faced the University across the street or the garden between the Labs and Miller Hall which held the humanities and the library. She took a deep breath and walked down the hall with a bounce in her step. It smelled academic there, she felt just breathing the air was increasing her knowledge and while it had been fun to get to know her new friends she was excited for classes to begin.
The air was chilly when she exited the labs, and she shivered despite how refreshing it felt. The sun was warm on her face and she bounced down the path towards the dorm. Maddie was sure to be waiting for her to have lunch, and she pulled out her mobile dev—that is, her cell phone, and checked for messages. With nothing received, she envisioned sitting down at a table near one of the big windows looking out on the big deck and the lake beyond and enjoying another gourmet lunch. It had taken some getting used to, the smaller portions and the way they were all displayed. Quite a change from the one-pot recipes her parents favored, but not in a bad way. She could not remember what was on the menu for today’s lunch, but—
“Penny!”
“Oh no…” Penny gasped and tried to pretend like she had not heard the voice, but she could hear the great, shuffling footsteps rushing at her.
“Penny! Penny Penny Penny Penny Penny!”
And Geri crashed into her. She would have sent Penny sprawling onto the grass but for her big marshmallow arms wrapping around the half-Asian girl.
“I knew we’d run into each other again! It’s fate!”
“Yes, listen, I—“
“Look at you! I love that skirt! Where did you get it? Is that from Express? That’s where you skinny little rich bitches like to shop, right? Or maybe you just had it tailored at some Beverly Hills boutique! It looks painted on!”
Penny pushed Geri’s hands away from her hips.
“No, it’s—“
“Are you ready for lunch? I know this great little bistro a few blocks from here, they serve the best pesto.”
“No, I have plans already, and I’m going to be studying all afternoon, so—“
“Studying? Why? Classes haven't even begun yet. Your parents are just going to buy you your grades anyways, you can afford to have lunch with me at least.”
“You gave me your number last week, and I promised to message you for this weekend, but honestly I’m super busy until Fri—“
“But not too busy for me! Just a short lunch. Then we can see where our afternoon goes.”
Penny frowned at her, trying to pull her arm free from Geri’s sweaty marshmallow vice. She wondered if screaming and calling for help would prompt anyone to come to her rescue. Oh where was Leah or Clark or Maddie when she needed them the most?
“I’m sorry,” Penny answered with a grunt as she wrenched her arm free. “Like I said, I have plans, and then I’m studying—“
“We can study together!”
“I study alone. I’ll send you a message later. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that!”
“Friday, remember? I promised!”
“Okay, I’ll let you have your plans for today. But I'm eagerly waiting! We’re fated to be together! It’s fate!”
Penny answered with a tortured laugh and then hurried away with her head down.
How did she get on campus? Aren’t University students supposed to stay across the street?
There must not be a hard and fast rule about it. You could always mention this to Professor Fairchild.
I don’t know her well enough. Maybe later. Geri must be stalking me. I have a stalker.
You do have a stalker. I just hope you won’t end up in her refrigerator or something.
Not enough meat on my bones for her I’m sure. She should find another fat chick to sweat on. Gross. I need a shower.
She felt Marv laugh in her head and almost growled at him when she walked into the dorm. She pretended not to see Ralph near the fireplace and bolted for the steps up to her room and Maddie. With the door safely locked behind her she slipped out of her shoes and spun around to collapse on the couch to catch her breath.
“Penny? Is that you?”
“Yes, it's—”
Penny's voice vanished from her throat when she turned to see Maddie step out of her room dabbing herself off with a towel. Although she held it in front of her she made no move to keep herself covered.
“Leah tells me we're meeting for lunch in twenty minutes. Clark's out with Bart, so it'll just be us ladies.”
That's not how a lady acts! Penny thought at Marv as Maddie wandered around, giving Penny a full view of the side of her body, the fine curve of her backside in particular drawing Penny's eyes. The blonde girl was still slightly damp, not enough to drip as she rounded the couch, but enough that the towel could be considered necessary.
“I wasn't planning on being so late this morning, but I was too busy studying and lost track of time. I'm glad my classes are all in the afternoon today.”
“You should get dressed,” Penny said, wondering how rude it was to stare versus how rude it was to look at anything else in the room as they talked. Maddie was slim, her body feminine but athletic. Penny crossed her legs and swept her eyes across the room. They ended up at Maddie's toes and she could not help herself but to scan the blonde girl's exposed skin on her way to making eye contact. Maddie was smirking at her. She felt her cheeks burn and she turned away.
“Come help me choose something,” Maddie said, reaching out and grabbing Penny's hand. The towel fell away and Penny was not sure if she wanted to mash her face into Maddie's cleavage or run away.
“Okay—”
Penny tried not to look too miserably embarrassed when she looked back at Maddie's face, but her roommate was only smiling. No, that was not quite right. Maddie wore more of a shameless leer on her face and she threw the towel onto her bed as she pulled Penny into her room.
“I have a whole closet full of designer clothes, and you know what? You should borrow some, we're the same size so long as we don't compare busts!”
Penny managed to laugh (unconvincingly) along with Maddie and then she was faced with the dresses and blouses and skirts hanging in Maddie's closet.
“I spend a lot of time in there,” Maddie said. “It's always hard for me to decide what to wear and to finally come out. It'll be good to have another girl's opinion.”
Totally naked, she's totally naked standing right next to me, she has a fiance and she acts like we're something more than roommates but I don't have the guts to touch her, what if she is just really not shy? What if I do something, close the gap, and she freaks out? I can't even look at her. I hate to admit how turned on I am. She's not my type. I swear she's not my type. I'm lying to myself. She's incredibly attractive. Oh, Ayumi, why did I leave you?
“You okay?” Maddie asked, holding a patterned dress up in front of her.
“I'm—” Penny swallowed and shrugged her shoulders. “I'm fine. That dress is cute, but it's chilly. You should wear this.” Penny quickly scanned the clothes and found a sweater and a pair of flannel pajama pants (the most modest things she could find quickly in Maddie's closet full of sexy, stylish clothing, something else that reminded her of her ex-girlfriend back home).
“Chilly? Okay…”
Maddie took the sweater and pants and Penny turned around and walked out of the closet, only making it two steps before Maddie's voice turned her back around. She had already put the pants back in favor of a pair of warm leggings.
“I'll finish dressing and we'll head down to the common room. We'll probably be there before Leah. Are you okay? I'm not embarrassing you, am I?”
“I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm okay.” Penny turned back to the door to hide her burning cheeks.
“Okay, great. I'd hate to make things too uncomfortable for you.”
Penny almost jumped when she felt Maddie hug her from behind.
“Let me know when you want to borrow anything, or if you need any help. I'm glad to share my fashion expertise with you, and to learn anything I can about style in foreign countries.”
“Great. Let's go get Leah.”
“Okay!”
Maddie grinned at her as she passed and Penny let out a long breath. The girl was fully clothed and happy as ever, as though she did not notice Penny's discomfort at all.
Unless your discomfort was her goal, Marv said.
No. She's my friend. She wouldn't do that to me on purpose.
Unless she would. Be careful around her. You've only known her for a couple of weeks. You're not that close yet.
Funny way to act if you're not really close to someone. I think you might be right.
I'm here to look out for you. Now go on and meet Leah. And maybe later you can ask Ash about this.
Penny nodded and followed her smiling friend out the door. As Maddie chattered away she did her best not to picture the girl with only her towel hiding her lack of modesty. She wondered how her dreams were going to be that night.