KELLY'S POV
Everything about the presentation was going well until Professor Dan walked into the room. The big conference room suddenly felt stuffy, and the part of me that sought to be a vampire kept begging to come out. If I'd go without a punishment that would affect my degree, I would not hesitate to bite off his ears. He is the reason Mari is not with us.
"Miss Stead, is something wrong?"
I looked towards Mrs Dan's direction. How I wish I could tell her the type of demon she's married to. I wish she was not part of this panel. I wish I didn't have to present before her and get her husband's unwanted presence for free. But who am I to express myself? I shook my head rigorously while repeating the word "nothing".
"Perhaps she is under pressure," her husband said. That was the last person I wanted to say anything about me.
"But she was doing fine just now.." she said. She looked at her colleague who seemed busy with his phone. George is especially different from other professor. It is as though he's unwilling to act his part in the university. But I dare you to think you can easily pass his course. You would think he is cool until you are sitting for an exam that you barely know a thing about. Some students refer to him as Professor nonchalance, but those who crush on him call him the "cute one".
"If you are done, you can as well say so," professor Nonchalance said. That's the only thing he has said so far since I began my presentation.
I took in a deep breath and let go of my anger alongside it. Then I wore a smile that did not quite meet my eyes. I have to continue with my presentation and ensure I finish well. Just like Asantewaa, I want to finish well. But unlike her, I'm not doing it to please any family, I'm doing it for myself and my future. Left for my family, they would rather I study something other than literature. And by that, I mean law. Because, who is going to take over the law firm if their one and only biological daughter refuses?
A smile coiled up my lips when I realised I was done, and within the time where I started after Professor Dan's disturbing presence, to when I finished, I moved with a high voltage flow. I love the confidence that swept through my blood.
"So do you call this criticism or an analysis?" the nonchalant professor asked his first question after the entire presentation by me. With a bold smile, I told him it was an analysis.
"And this you consider a worthy project for a B.A holder?" he asked.
"As someone who studied literature, I consider a detailed analysis of D.H Lawrence works as a worthy project," I said whilst assuring myself that I can win professor nonchalant.
"And what is the relevance of D.H Lawrence works to the literary world?" he said. He looked too calm for someone who wants to give me a hard time. But I can sense it. It is clearly his intention to do so.
I cleared my throat in a bid to boost my own confidence because it suddenly dropped. I switched my eyes from Professor Joan to the nonchalant young bastard that calls himself a professor who is only out to fail students. If he thinks he can ruin my day, then he got it all wrong. I have to impress the woman who married a monster at least, so I can leave this conference room before I burst in flames. The thought of being in the same space with that vile professor who has caused Mari so much was beginning to spoil my demeanour.
"D.H Lawrence is notorious for his rebellion to traditional rules of literature and regarded as a modern writer," I stated. To back up my statement, I pen point towards his writing style as well as the characterisation in his books; his poems are no different.
I noticed a smirk on professor nonchalant's face. Or maybe I read it wrong, but he stood up first and said he was taking a break. I felt angry and wanted to lash at him until Joan said I was dismissed because they were done with me. Then instead of lashing out, I became afraid. Is it that my performance was poor? Did I do bad with my presentation?
"Ma'am, is it my presentation? I can do it all over again and do better," I said wearing a pleading face. If I fail at this, my family would mock me for doing poorly after abandoning the "family path".
"No, you did just fine. And I can assure you, Professor George was pleased with your presentation," she said to me. I was going to believe her, but no. How do I believe her when I didn't hear it from him myself?
I grabbed my files and rushed after the so called professor. I would face him if that's what it would take to drop my worries.
"Professor George!" I called out. He paused and turned to look at me. That was my chance. I hasten my steps towards him as though I was going to challenge him. On getting to where he stood, I felt confused on how to speak to him.
"Do we have a problem?" he asked. He had this poker face on, you could barely tell what's going on in his mind. No, I could not tell a thing about what he might say next.
"Sorry to bother you Sir, but I really wanted to know if my presentation was to your liking?" I asked. I've never been so gentle in such a situation. But just before he could open his mouth to speak, my phone's ringing tone got to me. I fetched it out from my bag to see it was from Mari. I quickly picked up only to hear a male voice. But it wasn't the voice that got me in panic mode. It was what he said. On reflex I drew my phone to the ground, my hands were all shaky.
"Are you alright?" professor nonchalant's voice pulled me back to life. I just shook my head and ran past him. I kept running as fast as my legs could carry me. All I could think about was to get to the hospital. It felt as though if I don't arrive there on time, Mari would not make it.