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fields—Education, Agriculture, Anthropology, Engineering, Physical Sciences, and the Arts and Sciences. To the east is the Law Building, the Fine Arts Center, the Mikesell Building, the Arena Auditorium, an athletic center, the stadium, the College of Molecular Biology and Animal Sciences, and finally the Center for the Visual Arts. There are buses that can take me where I need to go, and I’ll probably use them when it gets colder, but for now I’ll walk. Especially since the building is close.
    English is a required course. I enter the Mikesell Building along with several other students. A tall guy wearing University of Bellam Springs sweats pushes past me. He has a basketball in one hand. With the other he touches my shoulder, his hand swallowing it up.
    “Sorry about that.” His face is friendly.
    “That’s okay.”
    He takes off in the direction I’m heading and walks into an auditorium style classroom. The room is packed, filled with fresh-faced new students, same as me. I find a seat near the back and slide in.
    The doors close with a resounding click. A tanned woman with bleached blond hair twirled in a perfect bun wearing a navy suit walks to the podium. She’s wearing irresponsible but absolutely gorgeous navy heels. There’s a pencil protruding from the flawless bun. She looks tiny from way back here.
    “After today—”
    The door closest to me springs open and Gina walks in. I wave her over when she catches my gaze.
    Once Gina is seated, the woman continues, “These doors will be locked at exactly nine o’clock beginning next class. If you’re even one second late, you will not be allowed to enter my classroom.” She gives a pointed look in our direction. I feel myself sink down in my chair.
    “Damn. College is serious,” Gina pouts.
    I give her a sideways look and see she’s smiling. None of the hurt from earlier is apparent in her features.
    “My name is Professor Susan Spears. You may call me Professor or Ms. Spears. I will not answer to Susan.” She grabs a thick stack of papers and hands them to someone in the front row. He stands, and my heart freezes. Kyle . Every semblance of self-control exits my body. I suck in my breath, wishing I could disappear, bury myself under a ton of rock.
    “What’s wrong?”
    I turn to Gina but can’t speak. My mouth is full of cotton.
    “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    I shake my head and return my attention to Kyle. He’s already on the third row.
    “Mr. Hadley is my TA. He’s passing out your syllabus. Don’t lose it. It’s the only one you’ll receive , so protect it with your lives.”
    There are a few snickers.
    “Dramatic much?” someone says.
    Professor Spears breaks a pencil, snaps it in half with her fingers. “This isn’t high school. You don’t have to be here. If you aren’t in your seats, ready to learn at exactly nine o’clock, you will not be allowed to participate.” Then she points to someone and says, “Get out. You’re no longer welcome.”
    I hear a gasp . A girl rises and steps around other student’s feet. “Bitch,” she stage whispers. There are a few giggles.
    “Keep it up and I’ll have you thrown out of school.”
    The girl clamps her lips shut and walks to the door, throwing it open. The door closes behind her and the room is silent. Even Kyle has paused in passing out the syllabus. It’s so quiet. All I can hear is breathing and the pounding of my heart.
    Kyle moves to the next row. Three away from mine. I’m tempted to get up and leave, but unlike some, I want to be here. I want a degree.
    Gina scribbles something on a piece of paper and shoves it toward me.
    What’ s your problem? Bitchy Spears? Or hottie TA?
    “Anyone else feel the need to leave my class?” Ms. Spears asks.
    No one says anything, which isn’t surprising.
    “Excellent. Once you have your syllabus, review it. You’ll notice there’s a paper due each week…” She continues speaking, but I’ve stopped listening.
    My