Extra Credit

006: Pavlov's dog

EVANGELINE

Is this real?

I slammed my laptop close. Waited ten full minutes, then opened it again.

The email was still there.

From: Professor Arthur Nikolai

Subject: Extra Credit

Body: Good day, Miss Bramwell, I hope this email finds you well. Regarding our previous conversation concerning your grades, a position for a TA is currently open. This is an opportunity to score extra credit as you continue to work hard in class. Respond to this email if you are interested.

Professor Arthur.

MA, Arts.

“What?!” I exclaimed, unable to believe this was happening.

I’ve been nervous all evening , dreading the email from the disciplinary committee. And this is what comes in?!

My phone rang. I immediately jumped for it. It was Manon on FaceTime.

“Yooooo my baby!” She yelled out, her voice drowned out by flashing lights and terribly loud music. She had a bottle of lemon vodka in her hand which she took a long swig from. “Where are you?!”

I sighed. “At home, studying. It’s midnight.” Worry etched in my heart. She’s not out alone, is she?

“Manon! That’s enough alcohol! Try some water!”

I exhaled upon hearing Eiji’s stern voice. Thank God for our pillar. “What is it? I should be studying now.” Actually I should be replying Professor Arthur’s email.

Professor Arthur…

“So! There’s this awesome topic one i***t was just telling me about! It sounded so good I thought I’d share it with you!”

Manon’s voice was crystal clear. Not a slur to be heard. As expected, girlie is an alcohol god by now. It will take a factory of booze to get her drunk.

“What is it?” I sighed, my eyes drifting to my laptop screen. My heart skipped a beat and I swallowed. My open textbooks in front of me provided some calm.

“So it’s about this scientist, Pavlov and his dog experiment! He would ring a bell whenever it was time to feed his dog, and with time…hey Eiji! Give that back!”

“You’ll die of alcohol poisoning.” Eiji snapped off screen. “Drink water! Now! Hi, Eva!”

"Hiiii" I replied.

Manon rolled her eyes and focused back on me. The bottle of vodka was gone and in its place a water bottle.

“As I was saying! As time went by, each time the dog heard a bell, it would come to expect being fed! Even though there was no food coming! Isn’t that cool?! The dog associated a bell with food! Conditioning is scary, don’t you think?!”

I nodded, totally unimpressed. “And what made you want to share this new discovery with me?”

“You reminded me of Pavlov’s dog.”

“Ouch.”

She giggled. “I’ve already Pavlov’ed you,” she sang in a sweet voice. “And you’re never gonna know what it is.”

“That’s not even—“

Then it clicked.

Aha!

That’s it!

“Manon, you’re a genius!” I screamed out, grabbing my phone and kissing the screen. “Did I ever tell you how much I loved you?!”

“Eh…no?”

“I’m gonna make him my dog!”

“Make who your dog?!”

“I owe you dinner! And a big kiss! Good night!”

“Hey! Don’t—” she started to say, but it was too late. I turned my phone off and threw it under my pillow.

My stomach buzzed with excitement. This is it! This is what I’ve been looking for!

I closed my emails and quickly searched for Pavlov’s experiment online. As I read through it, the plan formed clearly in my head.

Once I was done, I reopened my emails and composed my most professional reply accepting the position of Professor Arthur's TA. Once I hit send, I leaned back into my chair and exhaled.

My mind drifted back to earlier today, in Professor Arthur’s office.

***Earlier today***

As I stood outside of Professor Arthur’s office, waiting for the clock to strike 4:30, my mind wandered far and wide.

I knew deep in my soul that I was about to do something I’d never undo. Something I’d never forget. I'd never get my virginity back.

But then....

28/100.

My father’s fist.

NASA.

My life. My friends. My freedom…the little choice I have.

My lips felt too sticky, coated in a strawberry flavored lipgloss that was a tad too sweet. I did a quick run down of my outfit, and a bit of embarrassment bloomed in my chest.

If only I wore this cute outfit without my bulky thermal leggings and long sleeves. Alas, I needed them. The last time I refused to wear them out of sheer stubbornness, I nearly froze to death and spent a week in the hospital.

I could hear the insults echoing in my head. Prissy. Little miss perfect. Princess Prude.

Ha! They’ll eat their words soon!

I knocked on the door. His spine tingling voice invited me inside.

“Here goes,” I whispered and walked into the office.

His office wasn’t as I imagined.

For one, there were no paintings hanging from the walls, which I found quite strange. Lots of bookshelves, a beautiful desk, and a smaller empty one beside it. The floors were covered in an antique rug. The space gave off a disciplined and rustic vibe, everything was orderly and clean.

And of course, there was the man.

My heart went crazy in my chest and I felt like I’d vomit all over his rugs. The strawberry taste coating my lips didn’t help alleviate my nausea.

“Professor,” my voice cracked in half, and embarrassment washed over me.

Professor Arthur looked up from his desk. His eyes scanned my body, a cold and clinical look in his eyes. Then he offered me a clipped smile. “Miss Bramwell.”

Feeling braver, I walked over to his desk. He gestured to the chair opposite him. Instead of using it, I perched myself on his desk.

“So,” I inhaled deeply, trying to imitate the smooth voice I’d often seen when girls were trying to get a man’s attention.

He looked unimpressed. For a second, I wondered if this was a bad idea.

Then, his nostrils flared. His eyes darted to my lips and lingered for a second. It was a miniscule detail.

Ah, he must have noticed the strawberry lip gloss.

I smiled to myself and decided to play off the mood. “You look really busy so I’ll just go straight to the point. About the 96…what do I need to do for it? What flavor of s****l favours do you need?”