Daddy's Best Friend

10

CHAPTER 10

SOPHIA’S POV

I raced through the bustling campus, my heels clicking against the pavement with each hurried step. My heart was racing, not just from the physical exertion, but also from the realization that I was about to be late for my meeting with my faculty guidance. I was mentally calculating the quickest route to the meeting spot when, in my haste, I collided with someone.

"Can't you see I am running?" I blurted out in frustration, my annoyance clear in my tone. But the guy I had bumped into didn't seem impressed by my irritation. He should watch where he is going.

He shot back with equal vehemence, "You were the one that bumped into me! Now I'm to blame? Should I be watching out for everyone who thinks walking is for aliens?" I would have smirked at his humor but I had no time for that and I was not about to give the satisfaction of having a better combat.

My eyebrows shot up in disbelief. I didn't have time to argue with a stranger, I needed to get to that meeting before my faculty guidance's infamous wrath rained down on me. "I don't have time for this," I retorted sharply, "I have an urgent meeting with a faculty guidance who's probably an old cranky person, and low on dopamine and if I don't leave now, they'll curse at me."

To my surprise, the guy burst into laughter, and I found myself narrowing my eyes at him. Why was he laughing? Wasn't this a valid reason to be in a hurry?

"Why are you laughing?" I demanded, crossing my arms impatiently.

His laughter subsided, replaced with an amused smile. "Are you by any chance Sophia Skye?"

Oh my God, how did he know my name, am I secretly famous or does everyone know all the freshman here.

I nodded, puzzled and a bit wary now. "Yes, why?"

He extended his hand towards me, still grinning. "Nice to meet you, Sophia. I'm Jason Jackson, and as luck would have it, I'm your old cranky faculty guidance."

I blinked at him, momentarily dumbfounded. This guy was my faculty guidance? The one I was about to be late for? The absurdity of the situation hit me, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing myself.

Jason joined in, his laughter filling the air. I shook my head in disbelief, feeling a mixture of relief and embarrassment. "Of course, it had to happen like this," I muttered to myself.
I always had the worst lucks and this wasn’t going to be some special case, this was one of those cases where I knew I had run out of luck and my good luck charm.
He raised an eyebrow, still grinning. "You know, I was expecting a more formal introduction, but I guess bumping into each other works too." He does have a sense of humor and I was already impressed by it.

I chuckled, feeling my tension ease as I realized he wasn't the stern figure I had imagined. "Well, you did say you're not your typical faculty guidance."

He shrugged, his smile warm. "True. And hey, at least we've broken the ice now."

I couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, I guess we have. Sorry for snapping earlier, by the way."

He waved it off. "No worries. I'm used to students being frazzled and yes I am also a student with some political status so I know how it can be and the whole Faculty guidance is just a title take it like a tour guide. Come on, let's walk to my office. We can chat on the way."

He has an office and is a student, now I am impressed by him. He is also catchy in the eyes.

I let out a sheepish chuckle as I walked alongside Jason. "I'm really sorry about earlier, you know, calling you old and cranky."