Chapter 6
Derek’s pov
Professor Lang’s office smelled of old books and fresh coffee as I stood in the doorway the following afternoon.
The walls were lined with overflowing shelves, papers stacked neatly on every surface, and a large window overlooking the quad let in slanted afternoon light.
He looked up from his cluttered desk, adjusting his glasses with one hand. “Derek. Good. I’ve been meaning to speak with you. Come in and sit down.”
I took the chair across from him, my hands resting on my knees to steady them.
The group project with Alex had gone surprisingly well, but my distraction in recent lectures hadn’t gone unnoticed.
Professor Lang leaned back in his chair, studying me with sharp but kind eyes.
“Your written work is excellent. Sharp analysis, strong insights. But
