Allan slipped into the crowd and was gone before Doc could change his words. What exactly was he getting himself into anyway?
Chapter 4
Sofia
I had stayed out later than I intended, but not so late that I couldn't easily make it to my nine am class. My tablet with all my textbooks was charged. I put it and a keyboard in my backpack. I grabbed a few notebooks, some pens, and my water bottle. Everything fit easily in the pack. So much less to carry than when I was in high school.
Victoria gave me a sleepy high five as I headed out to grab breakfast before class. I mulled over the weekend. Allan had apologized for Ed's bizarre behavior, though he really didn't have any explanation for it. I had met several of Alex's friends and spent a little more time talking with Doc. Sunday had been pretty low key, though I had used my last free day for a while to explore town. Victoria and I had met up for a late dinner, and then headed back to our dorm. I would see her later today, as we shared several core classes this semester.
"Sofia."
I stopped and turned.
Alex chased after me, carrying two paper cups. "I hoped I would see you. Can I offer you a coffee?"
"I, uh, thanks." I grinned. "Not going to turn that down."
He caught up to me and handed over one of the cups. "One latte just for you."
"Thank you." I hid my blush behind the cup as I took a sip. Perfect temperature. I caught Alex studying me with that same surprised expression I had seen when we first met. "What?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. What's your first class?"
"Um, American History, I think it was called. It sounded more interesting than general history. It focuses on the West. I've had general history classes so many times."
"That's Cassidy's class."
The name seemed to mean something to Alex. I shook my head and shrugged.
"Ahh." He smiled. "You'll see. Come on, I'll walk you. It's on my way."
"Oh, I needed to get breakfast first. Class isn't until nine."
"That is also on the way."
I fell in next to him, and we headed to the dining area. I scanned my card and got something that looked halfway decent. Alex told me he had already eaten, though he sat with me, sipping his coffee in silence while I ate. Another person I could sit in comfortable silence with. That was nice.
Once I finished, we walked toward the history building. History was a pretty significant major here, so the department had its own building. Alex left me at the door, and I went inside. If he was trying to win my heart, meeting me with a latte in the morning would certainly help. I hid a smile behind my hand as I hit the stairwell and went up to the second floor.
Though it winded me, the exercise felt good, and I quickly found my way to class. To my surprise, Doc stood inside, along with a handful of people my age. It was a little early, and class would start in about fifteen minutes. All the classes were small here, and the classroom would hold about thirty students.
He glanced over and smiled when he saw me. "You are in my class."
"Your class?"
"Did Ed not mention I was a professor here?"
"No." My eyes widened, and I tried not to blush. Of course, he wasn't available.
He shook his head. "Those two."
I really hoped I hadn't said anything inappropriate or embarrassing Saturday night. His easy smile reassured me. I supposed it was a good thing I hadn't asked for anyone's phone number, though. Victoria would laugh when she found out. I couldn't help but remember my hand in his, the casual strength I had felt. I cleared my throat and picked a seat near the front of the room.
That did explain Alex's comment. Doc's last name must be Cassidy. Doc Cassidy? I wondered if Doc was a nickname then.
More students trickled in over the next few minutes. I pulled the course syllabus up on my tablet, but Doc's intent stare toward the back of the classroom caught my attention, and I twisted to look.
A student walked into the room, and the first thing I thought of when I saw him was Viking. He was tall, with long platinum blond hair, muscles to rival Ed and Allan, and a presence about him that simply demanded attention. He wore a turtleneck with a flannel shirt over it, and nice slacks. I couldn't imagine how he wasn't overly warm, but he looked comfortable.
The student scanned the room, and his eyes met mine for a brief moment. As a child, I'd had a friend with a husky. I had loved that dog. This student had the exact same kind of multi-toned white and blue eyes.
He sat a couple of desks back in the same row I had chosen.
I glanced back at Doc, who studied the newcomer before shaking his head and glancing at the clock.
"Well, it's good to see all of you. First off, my name is Roy Cassidy. Some of you," he glanced at me and smiled slightly, "know me as Doc. Roy, Mr. Cassidy, or Doc is fine, however you're comfortable addressing me. Second question. Yes, I have, at various points in my life, lived all over the American West. Yes, I'm a cowboy, if you couldn't tell by the accent." He grinned. "And yes, I'm part Native. I've found over the years, the questions come up at some point, so it's just as easy to get them out in the open."
He spent a moment scanning the room, and when he didn't see anyone with questions, he continued. "This isn't exactly a hard class, but it's not an automatic A. I do expect you to show up to class the majority of the time, do well on the tests, and turn in the occasional
