Chapter Two
Serena
Physics is not a subject that most people find interesting or even fun. I know that. For me, though? It's my life. I love everything about it, and more than that, I love sharing it with others and connecting with them.
Which is why I fought so hard for this class this semester.
Physics at the Movies was my first real chance that let me connect with the students about science in the real world. Science education and outreach is my passion, and while I really want to be able to do this with younger kids, I'll settle for these college kids for now.
In my office, I pause from reading the first papers of the semester, and flick off the music playing in the background when I hear a knock at my door.
“Come in!” I call out.
A blonde girl from my Intro to Astrophysics class walks in with a tentative smile. I smile warmly. “How can I help you?”
“Ms. Jacobs, I was wondering if you could explain stellar evolution to me again? I'm not sure I've got it...” she trailed off.
I gestured towards the chair across from me. “Tell me your name again. I'm afraid I'm having a terrible time remembering everyone just yet.”
“It's Susan, Susan Cooper.”
“Well, Susan, tell me what is stellar evolution.”
“It's the lifetime of a star, how it changes over time.”
“And, how long is that time?”
“Every star is different. It could be a few million years, or a few trillion years.”
“And, how do we know this?”
“By studying numerous stars at varying points of their lifespan and by simulating models on a computer.”
I nod. “I think you know this better than you realize, Susan.”
“Thank you, Ms. Jacobs,” she sighs. “You're the best teacher in the science department.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“I mean it. No one else takes the time to explain things the way you do and make it fun. I love science, but you make me love it more.”
“Thank you, Susan. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?”
She shakes her head and stands. “No, I'm good. Thanks for your time.”
“My door is always open,” I tell her as I stand walk towards the door with her. She smiles and waves goodbye and I stand in the doorway a minute. I am just about to close the door when I see a fellow professor heading right towards me.
I stifle a groan and force myself to not roll my eyes. Benjamin MacIntosh is the head of the science department, single, attractive, and a few years older than me. A number of the single female professors want to date him, an equally high number of the co-eds, too, and he's got his sights set on me.
I am not at all interested.
Besides the fact that I'm not attracted to him, I have no desire to date someone I work with. I want more than someone I have stuff in common with. I want a spark with someone. I want to feel the passion starting in my toes and coursing through my entire body.
Benjamin MacIntosh does none of that for me.
“Serena, I was just thinking about you,” he starts, leaning in to kiss one of my cheeks and then the other.
I smile although on the inside I want to gag. “What can I do for you today, Ben?”
“Everyone in the department is getting together for a Super Bowl party at my place. The Condors are playing again this year, so it's a pretty big deal. I wanted to invite you personally.”
I had never heard of the Condors. Sports had never been my thing, but I played along. “When is it again?”
“A week from Sunday.”
“I'd love to come, but I have plans with sister. She has a painting in a show that night.”
Benjamin’s smile falters. “Oh, well, if you change your mind, I'll text you the address. Just in case.”
“Just in case,” I humor him. “If you'll excuse me, though, I have some papers to read.”
“Of course. I'll see you soon.”
I wave and disappear inside my office, leaning against the closed door with a sigh. Crossing to my desk, I push the papers aside and flip open my laptop. I mean, I know the Super Bowl is football, but I'm not interested in learning more. Knowing what sport someone is referring to when I hear talk over the next few weeks so I don't look completely clueless is enough.
I click until I get to my email. There’s a notification about new messages on a dating profile I made a few weeks ago when I was home alone with a bottle of wine. Okay. Fine. Two bottles of wine.
I login to the site and click through to the messages. The first few ask for nudes. Delete. The next one is a picture of the sender’s penis. Classy. Delete again. There are three more messages deleted in quick succession. Clicking to my profile, I change a couple of things. If this is what men are like these days, my love life just might be a lost cause.
Looking at the clock and realizing I have a class to teach in ten minutes, I save my profile and close my computer. Collecting my things, I shove everything in my bag.
If it's meant to be, it'll be, I tell myself as I hurry to my next class.