Cade reached out and put a hand on Lottie’s shoulder, fingers curling around to grip it. “First of all I’dwatch my tone and who I’m speaking to,” the Dominant declared. “Second, I’d take responsibility for my actions. Even if it wasn’t my choice, and even if it wasn’t planned; there was a choice made and now it had to be dealt with. Third, because yes, it does seem excessive to make someone do a year over for missing the end of a term, I’d take it up with the grievance board; to hopefully help set a precedent for other students to benefit from.” He released her shoulder. “And finally; I’d do the work instead of looking for someone to take care of it for me, or acting like I’m somehow entitled to get out of it. And maybe, the grievance board would adjust the professors decision. Or maybe not. Then I’d ask for help. Actual help; not take care of this for me so I don’t have to do it.”
Cade pulled a card form his jacket pocket, with the address of his office on it. “And if you’re ready for that kind of help Lottie; I’m still at work most days of the week; either the office or the waterfront condos, but I’d be willing to help with the actual work.”
Lottie’s eyes narrowed at his warning but she knew Oz respected the man and if Cade complained about her she could end up being punished, something she really didn’t fancy. Letting out her breath she calmed down a little as she listened to his advice. Annoyed and frustrated that he seemed to think her instinct was to try and get out of it by less than legal means, something which she was considering but still annoying that he could work it out, she gave a slight nod of agreement.
Taking his card she glanced at it before sliding it into her pocket. “Thank you Sir, I’ll think it through,” she promised while not making any specific promise to him. “May I go now?”
“No one expects bad news,” Cade replied. He raised an eyebrow; typical. “Of course; always a pleasure. When you don’t get what you want immediately, move onto someone else who might. Here I thought the Montague way was to work hard to get what you want.”
Lottie had turned to walk away but hearing the dominant’s accusation she swung back round. “What?” she squawked. “I am working hard, I’m trying to get my degree but something tells me you can’t help with the current situation and as you told me yourself there’s no point just complaining about it. But if you are so clever then tell me what you would do right now?” She crossed her arms over her chest, one foot in front of the other and glared at the dominant, waiting for his response.
“Neither really,” Cade said with a shake of his head. “If you wanted someone to pat you on the head and say poor, poor Lottie, I’m afraid you’re out of luck with me. Granted, it sucks. But since the start of your trip was, even by your own admission, unexpected, what were you expecting?” He nodded his head, in agreement with her assessment; although it was pretty clear she wasn’t going to do either.
“Gee thanks,” she sneered at the poor Lottie remark. “I just didn’t expect to come back ready to start the new year to be faced with this. I’ll get it sorted though, one way or another.” She turned her head away as a plan began to formulate and she really needed to speak to Ben and see just how friendly he was feeling towards her. If they combined their skills her problem would quickly be solved. “I’ll leave you to your no doubt busy day now,” she smirked, feeling far more optimistic suddenly.
“Did you give it? Because either you did, and it wasn’t a good enough reason, or you didn’t,” Cade replied tersely. “As the professor, it’s kind of his prerogative to accept your work or not. Late or not. And to not accept reasons for not completing the assignment. But if you’re really that pressed about it and think he’s being unfair, the University has a grievances board you can take it up with and possibly even offer that compromise.”
Lottie’s eyes narrowed as Cade began to justify the professor’s actions. “Whose side are you on here? I didn’t ask for a lecture and no I didn’t ask for permission in advance, the start of my trip was rather…. unexpected. As far as I knew I had done everything necessary and now this.” The idea of going to the board didn’t appeal to her at all. She needed to keep a low profile, not sure the university would be particularly impressed with her reason for leaving so abruptly. “I can’t imagine there’s a compromise to be made. It’s shut up and do it or leave.”
Cade made a face. “Lab work is pretty imperative though; three days of lab work, especially all in a row could easily equal a missed assignment. And depending on the grading scheme I could see it meaning you missing a key component of the class.” He furrowed his brows. “Why not just do the additional assignment? How hard could it be? And definitely beats having to sit the whole year.”
“I get it’s important but I had a good reason for missing it,” she snapped, not impressed at the grading scheme being explained to her. “I will do the assignment, I haven’t got a choice because there’s no way in hell I’m doing the whole year again. It’s just really annoying and there must have been a different way. He could easily have tagged it onto one of this year’s pieces of work.”
“No, no chemistry for me. I’m taking a math class, a physics class, and a design class. Still waiting to hear which of my engineering classes might help get me out of some of these, plus my experience in construction too,” Cade admitted. “So what’s going on exactly with what year you’re in?”
Nodding at the list of classes it was clear he would be around the same campus as her at times but not her actual classes. She let out a deep sigh at the question, “I missed the last three days of lab work last semester and now my professor is saying I either submit an additional assignment or resit the year. It’s just ludicrous and totally just him throwing his weight around.”
“What’s going on?” Cade asked from his spot as he slid into the line behind Lottie. He noticed the logo on the sheet and the Dominant raised his eyebrows. “Going back to school this fall? Me too; part time.”
Lottie glanced behind when she heard the voice. “I’m going into my third year….or my second depending on which way the wind is blowing it seems, “she huffed, waving the letter around. “I hope your course doesn’t involve any chemistry tutors that’s all I can say.”
Lottie's wild adventure 