Page 3 of Damsel in Disguise

To add more to it, the explosive fight between him and Asher last evening is still fresh on my mind. The thought nearly sours my resolve, a bitter edge curling in my chest, but I shove it down.

The stream begins right on time, taking my mind away from every argument staring at Dad.

The familiar room appears on screen with the Kuromi plushy sitting abandoned behind. Then comes the man himself.

Professor Hertley walks into frame carrying a tablet under one arm and a coffee cup in the other.

The chat explodes instantly.

Good afternoon from China.

Greetings from Brazil.

Professor, please upload the notes.

Marry me.

I roll my eyes at the last one. I’ve always found it oddly pathetic when someone comments that without actually knowing the person behind the screens.

He places the coffee down before offering the camera one of those practiced smiles that somehow never look fake.

“Afternoon, everyone,” British accent curls through my headphones.

Unfortunately, my heart remains as pathetic as ever, playing a solo drum for him.

The lecture starts normally enough.

Circuit analysis.

Frequency response.

Transfer functions.

The sort of thing that would’ve sounded like another language to me a year ago. Now that I understand it, it’s arguably more concerning.

Halfway through the session, he pauses beside the digital board. “Alright then,” and taps the stylus against the screen. “Who can tell me why the phase shift approaches ninety degrees under these conditions?”

The chat slows.

Thousands of viewers, but nobody dares to answer.

He waits for a few moments. “Anyone?”

Messages continue flying past. Some answers verbally.

None of them contains the correct answer.

His eyebrows rise. “Come now,” a small, encouraging smile tugs at his lips. “Someone has to know this.”

The answer forms in my head too. But I’m not sure if it’s the right one. Before I can type it, someone knocks at my door, and the next moment the bedroom door opens.

Mom steps inside. “Ariella?”

I don’t look away from the screen. “Mm?”

“Yes, you, go on?” he says in the live.

“Your father wants to see you later,” Mom says.