“Survival of the fittest,” someone else chimes in.
A guy beside Isaac asks the group, “Doesn’t this seem a little like, I don’t know, a high school-level discussion?”
Needing to get the conversation back on track, I offer, “What if we form alliances?”
Issac’s hand remains on the small of my back. “Keep going.”
I’m hardly able to think straight. Who is this guy? I’ve known him for less than an hour, and an innocent touch has me acting like a damn schoolgirl with a crush. I clear my throat before I continue, “We need to befriend someone in each of the groups. That’s the point of this class, right? We need to have relationships with Mexico and the US. My friend Aubrey is in the Mexico group, who has a friend in the US group?”
“Or we tell them all to fuck off,” an asshole counters, high-fiving his friend.
“What are you? Twelve?” I snap back. I quickly rein in my emotions and offer, “Now I don’t know about you, but sitting around and doing nothing for the next six and a half minutes doesn’t work for me. Who is up for alliances?” All but three raise their hands, and Isaac pulls his hand back to raise it. A whimper catches in my throat at the sudden lack of contact.
“Let’s do it,” someone to my right announces.
Isaac quietly tells me, “It’s about time you found your voice.”
“What do you mean by ‘about time’?” My brows pinch.
He clears his throat. “Nothing.”
With a new mission, I ignore the gorgeous man in glasses with his strange comment, and find Aubrey to let her know about the plan—leaving out how I absolutely have a bit of a crush on Isaac. After a little convincing, everyone’s on the same page, and we combine groups, even go so far as to begin faux trade negotiations if it’s asked of us.
When Dr. Forrester announces for us to return to our seats, he asks what was accomplished. Isaac raises his hand. He calls on him, and Isaac replies with his thumb gesturing to me, “She had the brilliant idea to create alliances with the other two countries. Canada is going to have trade agreements with Mexico and the US.”
“It seems you understood the assignment, Miss…”
“Harris. Olivia Harris.”
“Thank you, Miss Harris. While this is a very basic exercise, the point of this class is to help you to understand the delicate relationships between countries. At the end of the day, we are all human with complex emotions. One slight in the political arena, and established partnerships can crumble. Allies are essential.”
He continues his lecture, discussing the importance of competent ambassadors in times of crisis, and when the ninety minutes are up, he dismisses us.
As I’m packing my bag, a piece of paper slides onto my desk.
Isaac
212-555-4669
I glance up, and he’s grinning wide enough for his dimples to pop. “I don’t call boys,” I chuckle, sinking my teeth into my lip to mask my smile.
“Good thing I’m not a boy.” Isaac winks, and I stupidly swoon at his flirting. “Can I walk you to your next class?”
“Thanks, but my next one isn’t until tonight.”
“Which one?”
“Ethics and Transparency,” I sigh, tucking the rest of my notes in my bag.
“I’m tempted to stop in since I’m waitlisted for it, but noticed it’s in one of the smaller classrooms. I probably won’t get in.”
“Honestly, I’d give you my spot if I didn’t need the class to finish my concentration requirements.” I check my smart watch. “Shit, sorry, I have to get to work.” I stand, and pause before grabbing the paper with his number. It isn’t as if I’ll actually call him, but it would be rude to not take it with me. I fold it, and stuff it in my back pocket. “I’ll see you Thursday.”
Hoping I won’t miss the train, I hurry out of class, but only make it ten feet before someone shouts my name. Spinning in place, I collide with Isaac. He catches me by my tricep before I fall, handing me one of my notebooks that must’ve slipped out of my bag. “Sorry, you almost forgot this.”
“Oh. Thanks. Seems you're definitely my knight in shining armor today.”
“If I’m going to live up to the name, you should let me drive you to work,” he offers.
