The lady nodded looking at her contemptuously. “Make sure that doesn’t happen again, Miss Johnson. Tardiness will not be tolerated.”
Samantha cringed once again. “That must be Professor Collingwood. Christopher sure wasn’t kidding,” she thought, while the lady turned to the other professors giving her back to Samantha.
“It’s just as well. There are a few professors we are still waiting on. You may sit down,” she added, waving her hand dismissively at her.
Samantha sighed feeling deflated, turned around walking up the stairs, and took one of the seats in the center of the first row. The silence was crippling. She looked around her, playing with the buttons of her cardigan while she tried to not have a nervous breakdown. Her eyes shifted to the professors. There were around twelve gathered at the front, in the center of the room aside from Georgina. Right behind them, she noticed a long table with thirteen chairs. To the right side of the conference table, she noted three chairs angled towards her. She couldn’t help but feel as if she was being judged for some kind of crime, and waiting on the verdict.
Five minutes later, the sound of the door opening reached her, and she sighed relieved. Then, anticipation filled her every cell. She turned in time to see three people walk in, with coffees in their hands. There was an older man with grey hair, big glasses, a dark blue suit with big lapels, a white shirt and a red bow tie on it. Samantha swallowed a chuckle. He looked dangerously close to Mr. Magoo. A beautiful woman followed. She seemed in her late twenties, maybe around twenty-eight. Had gorgeous, long, wavy chocolate brown hair, and big sparkling green eyes. She was wearing a stunning forest green dress that reached her knees, a fitted black blazer jacket on top, had on stockings and high black heels. Samantha could tell the lady definitely liked her fashion. She looked like she stepped right out of a magazine. Samantha looked down at herself, her eyes falling on her brown Converse shoes.
“I might be just a bit underdressed,” she thought and sighed, slouching. She had been so busy with everything that it didn’t occur to her that her current wardrobe might not exactly be cut out for Oxford. Her eyes returned to the front just as the last professor walked in. He turned to greet the others, and she gasped.
“Christopher?” she whispered, in shock.
The others began taking their seats while Samantha’s eyes followed Christopher. He approached Professor Collingwood, and smiled handing her a drink he had brought for her. He whispered something in her ear, gave her a kiss on the cheek and pulled back. Professor Collingwood smiled back at him, an actual smile, and patted his arm affectionately. Samantha stared at him, perplexed, while he walked with the brunette to the row of chairs on the right side of the room. The older professor was already sitting down, while the rest sat at the conference table.
Christopher looked towards her, and winked while Samantha gave him an incredulous look. She shook her head slowly and began to smile but stopped the moment Professor Collingwood’s voice reached her.
“Miss Johnson, allow me to introduce to you the board of professors…”
She watched, a bit intimidated while the lady she thought to be Georgina introduced each and every one of the thirteen members of the board.
“And I am Professor Georgina Collingwood, the head of the Board of Professors. There are a total of seventy-five professors in the English Faculty, including Assistant Professors and Lecturers. Now seventy-six. Welcome to the Faculty, Miss Johnson.”
Samantha smiled, nervous and excited. “Thank you. I’m very ex….”
“At my left, you can see three seats,” Georgina said, interrupting her, and gesturing to the row of chairs next to her. Samantha sighed, and slouched again. “These are the professors you will be assisting during our summer program. Professor William Bradford, Shakespeare and Politics. Professor Margaret Charles, Writing and Contemporary English Fiction. And last but not least, Professor Christopher Ainsworth, The English Romantic Poets, and Jane Austen’s life and work.”
Samantha’s eyes fell on Christopher, just as he raised his coffee cup, winked and smiled taking a sip. She bit back a smirk, while Georgina cleared her throat.
“You will have meetings with each of the professors you will be assisting. The meetings will be held in their classrooms or their offices, depending on their schedules next week. They will introduce you to their work, and explain the courses you will be responsible for, or the details of the intellectual contribution you will provide towards their projects. They will also give you all the material you need to get accustomed to. Although with your background, Miss Johnson, I’m sure that will be easily achieved,” Georgina finished, facing Samantha.
“Wow, was that a compliment?” She thought, noticing there was almost the hint of a smile on her lips. “Maybe she’s not as bad as people say,” she thought, pleased with the prospect. Georgina continued.
“You have come highly recommended by your professors at Harvard, Miss Johnson. They were unanimous on their praises of you. I hope you can live up to our expectations. Do not disappoint us.”
Her smile quickly disappeared. Georgina’s words were accompanied by a challenging rise of her eyebrow. Samantha swallowed.
“Please join us up front, Miss Johnson,” Georgina called.
Samantha stood, suddenly very nervous, walked down the steps, and towards the front of the room. Georgina stood from the main chair at the table, and approached her. She slowly paced a circle around her, inspecting her from head to toe. Unconsciously, Samantha held her breath. This lady was beginning to terrify her.
Seemingly finished with her assessment, Georgina stood in front of her once again. “This will not do, Miss Johnson,” she said looking at Samantha and waiving her hand dismissively over her clothes and hair. “Oxford is a prestigious institution, and everyone here is expected to rise to its standards. When you are on the grounds of this university, or outside, you are the face of this institution, and you must dress to represent it. You are now among the most prestigious Professors in the world, and you must be prepared to stand beside them. You should look like you belong here. Not like some bag lady that just so happened to stumble through our doors!” The disgust was irrefutably clear in her eyes. She spared one last look at Samantha. “This will simply not do. You are not in America anymore, Miss Johnson. You are no longer a college student. It is time for you to start acting like it.”
Samantha nodded, and took a deep breath trying to hold back the tears that threatened to embarrass her in front of the Professors, and Christopher. Against her better judgment, she briefly looked his way and found his eyes fixed on her. A sympathetic and concerned look filled his eyes, and the tears almost escaped when he smiled at her.
His eyes shifted to Georgina. “I brought your favorite tea this morning, Georgina. I thought that would have put you in a better mood. I had hoped maybe the steam would help your heart thaw just a tad.”
Samantha held her breath and her eyes snapped back to Georgina. Quiet chuckles spread through the room. Georgina turned to face him with a penetrating look, clearly not amused by his little joke. He laughed, winking at Georgina, and sipped his coffee.
“You may leave, we are done here!” Georgina said, turning her back to Samantha, and waving her dismissively.
A few of the professors began to rise from their chairs to leave, while others engaged in conversation amongst themselves. Samantha whirled around, and walked out of the theatre as fast as she could, feeling completely humiliated.
Seeing her reaction, Christopher got up from his chair, and hurried to catch up with her.
“Samantha!” He called, as she rushed down the stairs outside the building. “Samantha, please wait!”
He called again, and she tried to hurry so he wouldn’t reach her.
“Samantha, please.”
She looked over her shoulder to find him only a few steps away. Quickly, she pulled at the cuffs of her cardigan, and wiped the tears that had fallen from her eyes the second she walked out the door. She slowed
her pace, seeing no other option and held the railing for support. She took a deep breath, just as he stopped beside her.
Christopher’s eyes roamed her face the moment she looked up at him. He could see the wet trails on her cheeks. Her eyes were glistening. The sight tugged at his heart. He sighed, making a mental note to speak to Georgina about this incident. What she had done was completely unnecessary, and inexcusable.
Samantha looked at him, and immediately noticed he was watching her. Examining her face. She looked away for a second. She had no desire of letting him know that she had been crying. The last thing she needed was to look weak in front of anyone. She cleared her throat.
“So, you are a professor here?” She asked, hoping to avert his attention. She turned to look at him again, and saw him smile. Strangely, the sight gave her comfort. He had the kindest smile. She chuckled and shook her head. “You could have told me, you know?” she narrowed her eyes at him.
“And miss the look on your face when you found out? Never!” She laughed, just as he winked at her. “So who’s your favorite professor now?”
She laughed. “You’ll like Professor Ainsworth the best!” She repeated his comment from the restaurant, mocking him. “Very clever.”
He smirked. Thank you! I’ve always thought myself to be brilliant, but it’s nice for you to recognize it.”
Her hand landed on his chest as she pushed him playfully. Christopher laughed, leaning back from her push and swayed back towards her like a wobble toy. She chuckled. He winked.
“So, would you fancy some breakfast?” he asked, with a dazzling smile.
Feeling better, Samantha nodded and let go off the railing to walk with him.
“Chris, Samantha. Wait for me!”
A woman’s voice called, and they both stopped to find the beautiful brunette, Professor Margaret Charles, coming towards them. Christopher smiled as she reached them.
“Hi Samantha, we will be working together. I’m Margaret but you can call me Maggie,” she said, with an American accent, and a big friendly smile.
Samantha smiled in response. “You are from the states?”
Maggie nodded. “Atlanta, but I’ve lived here for the past eight years.”
“And she’s a royal pain in my buttocks if you ask me,” Christopher added, and then laughed at Maggie’s shocked face. She reached for him, pinching his bicep. “Ouch! I was only joking! These Americans are so violent.” They laughed again, and Samantha joined in, enjoying their banter. Maggie seemed really nice. She liked her.
“Nice to meet you, Maggie.”
“So, as I was saying before we got so rudely interrupted!” Maggie said, glaring at Christopher. He chuckled still rubbing his arm. “Don’t mind Georgina back there, she’s got an itch somewhere that she just can’t scratch.” They laughed. “But if you need to go shopping or something, I can take you to the places where I usually shop. We can make a girl’s day out of it if you want, lunch and all. Oh! And don’t you worry. They frequently have really good sales. I know how it is when you first move here. I had so many expenses when I came here, that I was eating can tuna and crackers for like the first year.”
Samantha chuckled, and nodded feeling grateful for her kindness and consideration. She really appreciated it. “I’d love to. We were going to breakfast. You want to come?
Maggie nodded, putting her arms around her and Christopher. “It’s about time. I’m starving!” They laughed, and began to walk towards the café.
*
Jonathan sat by the window of his room, staring at Samantha’s house. A week had passed since he found out she left, and she didn’t want him to know where she was. He was not sleeping, he was barely eating, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He didn’t know what to do with himself anymore.
Phil had called him, and they agreed to meet in Boston. He was already there looking for a place, for them to share. Tonight, would be Jonathan’s last night at home. He would leave for Boston the next day, and he still didn’t know anything about Samantha. Except for that strange call he got Saturday afternoon. No one spoke, but in his heart, he knew it had been her.
The sound of Frank’s car suddenly reached him, and he saw him park on his driveway. The image instantly broke Jonathan’s thoughts, and pushed him into action. He stood and rushed down the stairs. Swinging the door open, he shouted just as Frank was closing the door.
“Frank, wait!”
Frank lifted his gaze to find Jonathan running towards him. He felt so bad for the boy, he could tell he was suffering, but Samantha had never asked him for anything. She had asked for this. For privacy, he had to respect her wishes.
Jonathan stood in front of him, feeling broken like he never had before.
“Have you heard from her?”
Frank nodded, “She calls me every night.”
Jonathan’s throat constricted. “Is she all right? Is she safe?”
Frank nodded, once again.
“Has she changed her mind about you telling me where she is?” Frank looked at him pained, but there was also regret in his eyes. He already knew the answer. “Thank you,” he whispered as pain ripped him open. He turned around and started walking back towards his house.
“Son!” Frank called after him. He stopped and turned to look over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. I don’t know what happened, but I am truly sorry.”
Jonathan nodded, and walked into his house. He took the stairs two a time, as a tear ran down his face. He had never been apart from her. Going into his room, he slammed the door. Another tear spilled over. Ever since that fateful Saturday afternoon, he and Samantha had been inseparable. They had been to school together, played together, studied together, he had spent every waking hour he ever had with her. Except for the swimming classes he wanted her to take with him, but her parents couldn’t afford. Samantha was his best friend. He had even gone to Harvard with her. He had studied as hard as he could to be at her level, so he could attend with her. She had helped him reach the level of determination, and academic achievement required to get there. She believed in him, pushed him, and supported him. It was Harvard University; of course he wanted to go. However, the truth remained he had done it for her. So she wouldn’t have to be alone, there. There was no way in hell he was letting her go to Cambridge by herself. He had to take care of her, and he also needed her. Samantha was the only person in this world that knew the real him. His secrets, his dreams, and his heartbreaks… just as he knew hers. He had always imagined her in his life. There was never a doubt in his mind, that she would be there beside him as life went along and they grew old. Yet everything had changed now.
“I ruined it, I did this.”
He took her pillow from the bed and smelled it. A small smile curved his lips, and then pain ripped through his heart again.
“I have to find her.”
Wiping his face, he rushed downstairs and looked for the US Guide to Colleges & Universities he had gotten from their high school before they graduated. Returning to his room, he grabbed a pen and began browsing through the pages.
“I will find you, Sam. Even if I have to call every single college and university in the country,” he thought, walking to the hallway phone. He reached for it to dial, just as it began to ring. He stared at it for a split second, and then picked up the phone.
“Samantha?”
“No. I’m sorry, dude. It’s me, Phil.”
Jonathan took a deep breath. “Oh, hey. How are you?”
“I guess the most important question is, how are you? What happened, man? You’ve been so weird the last couple of times we spoke.”
Jonathan shook his head, and resting his back to the wall, he explained to Phil what had transpired between Samantha and him.
“Wow. I’m sorry, dude. No wonder you are moving in with me. I thought you guys would be together now that you realized you had feelings for each other.”
“I don’t have feelings for her, Phil. Not like that!” Jonathan snapped.
Phil sighed, noticeably, on the phone. “Yeah, yeah, I know. She’s your sister. But tell me something, Jonathan. If she is your sister why did you feel that way when you saw her? Why did you kiss the damn life out of her? Twice! Why would you kiss her?” Jonathan remained silent. “I bet, if you hadn’t freaked out like a little girl when you two were on your bed, you probably would have made love to her.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened in horror. “Shut the fuck up, man! What the hell? You don’t even know what you are talking about.” He roared. He was pissed, but most of all he couldn’t think like that. He couldn’t allow himself the thought, because the truth was, it scared the life out of him. What would have happened, if he hadn’t freaked out? If he hadn’t stopped kissing her? Samantha was responding to him. She responded like no other girl had before, like he never thought possible. She was kissing him, caressing his back, pressing herself to him.
He shut his eyes harshly, failing to stop the memories from rushing through his mind. He could feel his body responding to them. To the feeling of her in his arms, his hands roaming her body, his lips on hers, her fingers caressing his skin.
“No,” he answered a bit too loudly, breaking the silence. He could feel his body tingling all over, his heart flipping at the thought. It terrified him to think that he could have made love to her.
“I’m sorry, man, but you are in denial,” Phil said, effectively breaking him out of his thoughts. For that he was grateful.
“Why are you calling?” Jonathan snapped.
Phil sighed. “Because I found an apartment. It’s close to the firm and we can even walk to work if we want to. It’s a two bedrooms, one bath and it’s a good price, man. Should I take it?”
“Yeah, do it. Give the deposit if you have to. I’ll give you my half tomorrow, when I get there… When can we move in?”
“He said five days. You can stay with me at the hotel in the meantime if you want, but I’m going to call the owner again. See if I can arrange something,” Phil offered.
Chasing Time: A Love Through Time Novel Page 9