Page 13 of Surge of Fire

“Samantha Callaway will be with me.”

Everything that comes next is a blur until she sits back down.

I got it!I not only got the class I was hoping for, taught by the professor I wanted to work with the most, but she’d hand-selected me to do field work instead of research. It’s everything I wanted and more. Regardless of whatever happens next, I’m going to remember this moment forever.

Next to me, Aydan bumps my leg and I glance at him. He smiles that incredible smile that makes my heart both melt and race faster all at the same time. It’s not just that he’s happy for me right now, he knows just how desperately I wanted this from all our many late-night talks. He just… knows me, inside and out, and he’s celebrating this moment right along with me.

“I guess it’s my turn for introductions.” My head jerks toward the stage where a man slowly comes to a stand. He’s tall and in ridiculously good shape, like one of those forty-something year old actors you could believe were in their twenties. His hair is steel-gray and neatly cut, and he’s wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt. “I’m Dr. Dean Griffin, and I’ll be teaching Fire Science this summer. Now, I know that all of you are familiar with the research I’ve done to make firefighting safer and more efficient,” he flashes a smile, “but I don’t want you to just think of me as your professor, I want you to think of me as your friend.”

Okay, that’s probably a good thing. All of these scientists are so intimidating it’s a nice break to have someone approach all of us like this. I think. Unless it’s a trick. No, I’m overthinking it because I’m nervous.

I groan, wanting to shut my thoughts up and just focus.

He pulls out a folder from under his arm. “Now, let’s see who will be taking my class this summer,” he says, and then he begins to read a list of names. When Aydan’s name is called, I turn to him and smile, but he’s already smiling at me. Of course, he knew he’d get the class he wanted. “And that’s about it. I’m excited to meet all of you and teach you the ins and outsof fighting wildfires, whether you eventually intend on being a firefighter or not. Those of you who are simply science majors will still find this class helpful, regardless of your chosen career path.”

When he sits down, the man next to him instantly jumps up, dropping the papers in his lap. He scoops them up with absolute confidence though, and comes to stand at the edge of the little stage. This man reminds me of one of the dwarves from Lord of the Rings. He has blond hair and a thick blond beard. He’s also squatly built, short, wide, and muscular.

“I’m Dr. Henry Duncan. My specialty is geoscience, specifically the study of earthquakes. As many of you know, our little mountain is home to many incredible creatures, as well as different types of plant life not seen anywhere else. What’s more, it also has a large number of small earthquakes, earthquakes that are unexpected and don’t follow any discernible patterns–”

“Get to the point,” Dr. Griffin says, coughing into his hand before winking.

Geez. He seems like arealfunny guy.

The man’s comment only throws off Dr. Duncan for a moment before he continues. “Those of you who will be joining me in my class will be studying these earthquake patterns, the site of these earthquakes, and the effects they’ve had on the nature here.” Then he begins to read his list of students, which include Granger, Aydan, and me.

Granger does a hand pump at Aydan’s side, his eyes glistening with excitement. As excited as Aydan and I are, I’m pretty sure we’re feeling nothing compared to Granger. I think he might have a poster of Dr. Duncan hanging on his bedroom wall. Hell, I’m pretty sure his journal is riddled with Dr. Duncan’s name, maybe surrounded by hearts. I wouldn’t put it past him.

When Dr. Duncan finishes his list, he puts it back into the file he’s carrying. “Like most of the courses here, there’s a research track and a field study track. On our first day, you’ll learn what path you’re on. The research students should be dressed for the lab each day, and the field study group should be dressed and prepared for an intensive exploration of the unique environment we’ve found ourselves in.” Then he sits back down.

Next, Dr. Frye, who specializes in petrology, the study of rocks, stands. The older man has a no-nonsense aura, which I guess is to be expected. He lists off his students, one of whom is Dahlia. My gaze connects with hers across the room, and she wrinkles her nose. I have to hold back a laugh. Rocks were definitelynotwhat she wanted to study.

The last professor, Dr. Succan, stands. She’s short, with dark gray hair and a kind face. She introduces herself and explains that she teaches environmental sciences, essentially sustainability, renewable energy, conservation, and agriculture. Dahlia and Granger perk up. It seems to be the last class, so they’re definitely in it, but both look relieved when their names are called. This was the class Dahlia desperately wanted to be in, so I’m grateful that she got what she wanted… and it was probably Granger’s second choice.

Yay! All my friends got their top choices!

Dahlia turns and looks at me, and I give her a thumbs up before we both focus back on the stage, wondering what will happen next.

Ms. Gerald from the front desk appears and says, “When I call your name, come up and collect the rest of your paperwork.”

We do so and barely sit back down before Ms. Gerald dismisses all of us. The three of us linger back as the others file out of the room, going over our papers. It seems that Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will be the days we take our classes focused on our field of study for Aydan and I. Tuesday,Thursday, and Saturday we’ll be taking Geology of Earthquakes together. We report for our classes at seven o’clock and will be working with our professors until one o’clock. We’ll have a break for lunch, and then work on compiling our notes and thoughts until five o’clock. The rest of each day will be for our own time, for exploring the sanctuary together and having fun.

I’m grinning as I look up, meeting Aydan and Granger’s eyes. “This is going to be amazing.”

“Epic,” Granger says.

“The best summer ever,” Aydan says, and we all bump fists.

Regardless of the weird tension between Aydan and I, I’m going to do everything I can to enjoy this summer before real life begins. These are my best friends. My family. And we’re going to push off adulthood for as long as we can. Along with trying to get our feet in the door for our careers.

This is going to be epic!

SEVEN

Samantha

Because Monday was orientation day,none of us had our first classes in our chosen fields. We were given a tour of the campus, more time to unpack, along with meals in the mess hall, and more information about the program's expectations. Then, exhausted from it all, the whole campus seemed to go to bed early, including Dahlia, who had decided that she was going to rock both her classes.

Miss Positive. I like that about her.

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