Professor, Professor || BWAM

the thirty-ninth

-ZAIN-

Neruda University School of Law

Office - Esq. Zaain Kazem

Spring Semester - 2018-2019

The first thing I noticed about her when she strutted into my office was her fox-like eyes. They were so unique, I hadn't seen anything like them before, "Dr. Kazem?"

"Good morning, how could I help you, miss?" I didn't recognize her to be one of my students. She looked a bit younger, maybe just about to enter law school and wanted to ask some questions.

"Good morning, sir. My name is Ornella Selassie and I'm part of the TA program that's being implemented this year." she extends a manicured hand for me to shake.

"Selassie? As in-"

"Yes, my mother is the dean." she took on a more sober tone, "I understand how that may look, but please don't assume anything of me because of that. My family and I look down on nepotism. I worked just as hard as everyone else to get to this position and I deserve to be where I am."

"Oh. Uh, okay." I was a little taken aback. I could tell she had given the same speech before probably a hundred times, it was kind of adorable in a way, I had to laugh.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing, just... I was going to say Selassie, as in Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian emperor. I hadn't even made the connection to your mother yet."

Her fox eyes widened a bit, "Oh... sorry. And yes."

"No need to apologize. It must suck having your hard work and intellect overlooked just because of your last name."

Her expression relaxes and the tension in her body unwinds, "It really does. Sometimes I almost wish I was a nepo baby so at least people's accusations would be justified."

I laugh again. She's funny, "I'm sure you don't actually wish that."

She plops herself down into the chair across from me, her legs draped across the arm. You get comfortable fast, "I know." she continues, "But at least I'd get the perks and not just the consequences."

Straightening the gold hoop in her nose she says, "So, shall we get started with course planning?" her accent is different... German, maybe? Her intonation is sophisticated, almost calculated.

"Uh, honestly I wasn't expecting you and I have a meeting in a few minutes with a student, so..."

"Oh! Yeah, no worries." she drags the strap of her canvas bag back onto her shoulder and straightens herself up in the chair, "I did e-mail you a few times but I got zero responses. Is that e-mail address no longer in use or something?"

"Oh... that's my bad. It's working, I just don't use technology much, sorry." I confess.

"Hey, if you're doing like a social media detox that's fine, just would've appreciated a response. Even if it was a 'hey can you not send me fifteen e-mails!'"

My eyebrows raise, "Fifteen?"

She falls silent, "I'm exaggerating..." her eyes dart away, "...maybe."

I chuckle, "Alright, alright. I hear you. I'm very sorry. My students and coworkers usually come to talk to me in person and if they've sent me something they tell me."

Her eyebrows crinkle, "That kind of defeats the purpose of sending you an email."

I shrug, "What can I say? I prefer face-to-face contact, y'know? I like to see the person's face in front of me."

She smiles, "Do you like my face?"

Can you read minds?

"What?" I stammer out a chuckle.

She erupted into giggles that sounded like how I would imagine a fairy would laugh, light and airy, "That came out so wrong."  Her honey-blonde highlighted curls bounced to the tune of her giggles, "I meant to say that I hope you're enjoying this exchange as much as I am."

What do I even say to that?

"If I didn't have a meeting, I would have been delighted to work with you. You appear to be very bright."

"Why, thank you," She finally rises from the chair, "I will get out of your hair though before your meeting. It was a pleasure and I am looking forward to working together."

Slid back to the professional tone so smoothly, nice. Code switching is a valuable skill to have. Definitely interested in getting to know more about you.

I nod, "Yes, we will be in touch, Miss Selassie." I call after her as she slips out the door.

Before it closes she slides her head back in, "Oh, yeah. One more thing!"

"Tell me."

"Check your damn email, ya caveman!"