5
1352 Words
CHAPTER 5
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"Whoa what kind of chicken is this?" I asked in shock
"This is Korean fried chicken, it's good, isn't it?" Min asked.
"This is better than good, how's the beer"? I asked. I was skeptical of trying it because I am more of a red wine drinking gal.
"It's good, you have to drink it while its ice cold...it's also Korean and it called Hite beer,"
"Okay..." I said hesitantly.
"Are you Korean by any chance?" I asked before I took a swing of beer."
"Yeah how did you know?" Min asked with a laugh. I laughed as well and continued to drink the beer, it was the perfect combination with the chicken.
"So Sky I want to get to know more about you, is it okay if I asked why you moved up here?" Tori asked.
I smiled once I heard her question "Well I moved up here for a job opportunity right there at Cornell University." I responded.
Tori almost spit out her beer that was in her mouth "Cornell?" She asked in confirmation.
"Yep." I answered after taking a bite of the garlic soy chicken.
"We both work there as well, are you a teacher's assistant?" Min asked.
By hearing that my eyes automatically widened "How did you know?" I asked.
"Just a guess especially since both Tori and I are both teacher's assistants as well." Min explained.
"Wow that's just amazing, its crazy how that happened, what major are you both teaching?" I asked. "
"I'm doing English." Said Tori "
"And I am doing History" Answered Min.
"Tori, I am also doing English." I responded back.
"For real? Who is the professor then?"
"His name is Nicholas Donovan; do you know him?" I asked.
"Do I know him? Who wouldn't, all I gotta say is good luck."
My face automatically turned into a frown. What did she mean by that?
As if answering my unspoken question Tori answered. "Professor. Donovan has this reputation of firing his TA's within a month's time. In fact, his most recent TA that he had last semester is currently filing a law suit against him for unfair termination at the work place. "
Hearing this brought me to raise my eyebrows in shock.
"But don't worry, it's not a big law suit due to insufficient proof, so the case won't go anywhere." Min explained while trying to ease my mind.
"So, are you trying to say all the TA's he's had has been fired?" I asked hoping they won't confirm what I just said.
"Yes" Both Min and Tori said in unison
"I Would say its 50/50 between him firing them and them resigning." Tori explained.
No matter how I look at it I'm screwed, there is no way that I will last with this man characteristics. I might as well head back to NYC.
Before I could say anything further the doorbell rang.
"I'm assuming it's the moving men with my furniture, I'll be right back." I said as I headed upfront dismissing myself.
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After 4 hours of putting everything together the way I'd like I completed decorating my room by 10 pm.
I lugged my tired body onto the bed, so many thoughts circled my mind.
Was I really going to be fired?
Should I give up now?
Snap out of it Sky, you were born to teach, teaching is your passion and you wont quit no matter what!
Now with new determination in my eyes I will prove to this man that I am worthy of being his TA. I won't give him any reason to fire me. Now all I must do is wait for my first encounter with him.
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1 month later
Today is the day, with a shaky breath I exited my car and headed towards the English department building. Today is a snowy day, not crazy snow but enough to make the whole Cornell campus look like a winter wonderland. Light fluffy snow gently sat on the tree branches causing me to be mesmerized by its beauty. College students flooded the walkway both getting to class and leaving class. At that moment it felt real to me. I Skylar McLarin age 23 is finally going to be able to do what I love on a professional level. This isn't student teaching like I once did during my college years, this is being a TA's in hope of becoming a teacher one day. More than being nervous of the kids I will help teach, I'm more so nervous about meeting Nicholas Donavan.
The day we were supposed to meet on the 18th got cancelled. He apparently was away on a business trip and couldn't reschedule another meeting. Well all of that was said according to his secretary Linda. I haven't had any contact from him since the phone call and email that he sent to me months ago.
Okay you can do this.
I said trying to give me confidence, with a final deep breath I walked into the building and merged my way to the offices. During the orientation last month, I was able to see where I would be working and where my desk would be, which happened to be in the same office as Mr. Donovan himself.
As I arrived the door to his office was closed shut, Linda his secretary was sat outside his office drinking coffee out of her stainless-steel mug.
"Hey honey, its okay, just knock," She said in a reassuring voice.
I smiled at her and followed her instructions. Bravely I knocked on the door three times. Within a second a deep voice from the other side of the door answered. "Come in."
"Good luck." Linda whispered as I walked inside. She must know how difficult her boss can be.
Once I stepped in I could see him standing right before me. Nicholas Donovan was on the phone with a frown on his face. He wasn't speaking so I assumed he was put on hold. Strong frown lines appeared on his forehead. They were so pronounced that it was easy for me to count how many lines there were: 4. Just as I was about to speak his deep voice rumbled as he spoke again.
"I have no patience for being on hold yet again, You're the one that wanted me to speak at your seminar. I have no desire to entertain the idea anymore, good day." Nicholas Donovan hung up the phone and made a huge sigh of frustration come out.
"Sit."
My body immediately moved after hearing his commanding voice and sat at the seat directly in front of him. Afraid to look up at him and give him a proper glance I found myself looking at my knees instead of at him.
"Is the ground more important than this conversation?" He asked.
"Of course, not sir, Donovan, Nicho-..."
"Nicholas is fine."
Embarrassed I just shook my head at his response.
"I apologize about missing our initial meeting, with my schedule there will be several occasions where I will be on a business trip and will need you to cover the class from time to time by yourself, that's if you make it past a month."
Part of me wanted to wipe that sly look from his face, the nerve of that man.
"Also in the near future please refrain from wearing those types of clothes, it can be distracting to some students, especially the male students." Nicholas said followed by a small cough.
I looked down at my outfit that was covered by my pea coat. Distracting?
I have no idea why but the thought of his noticing what I wore made me feel good? Nice? Appreciated?
I'm not exactly sure what I was feeling but I liked it. Here I thought he was only concentrated on the phone call and not me.
So, did that make me feel special?
"We are in a professional setting, so I expect you to dress like it." He stated in a harsh tone.
Did I say I felt special?
Scratch that, and screw him!
- Writer
