Page 34 of Devilry

From the corner of my eye, I see a slight slump in Elijah’s shoulders, telling me I made the right decision in steering the attention away from him.

“Um, okay, what should I share?” she asks looking up at me.

“As much as we all are dying to know your favorite television show and favorite food, I think what you’re studying, what year you are, and,of course, most importantly, why you wanted to do this research project, should be sufficient.”

While the mood lightens at my dry humor, I take a step back and sit behind my desk, leaving them to get to know one another without me hovering. My ears work well enough to listen from a distance.

The four of them all realize their interest in religion, history, architecture, and sociology is why they were all chosen for this project. Each of them has a different strength that I have been able to identify through classes, observations, and past transcripts. With funding from the American Historical Association and the notoriety of King being one of the best Arts and History schools in the United States, being selected is an opportunity of a lifetime.

For the duration of this school year, they will research the relationship between cultures and religions, and their transition through the centuries. They will have access to documents, artifacts, statistics, and everything else their hearts desire in order to produce the best possible result.

It’s a broad topic, but as the years pass, change is inevitable and that’s what the research project wants to capture. With a focus on the relationship between religion and politics, the school feels this is a perfect way for students to connect with the current social climate.

There is no guarantee their end results will get published, but since it’s practically a national investment, it’s almost improbable they won’t.

Once all is said and done, the faculty and the students get to walk away with an extra achievement on their curriculum vitae that will open doors and opportunities otherwise unavailable to them.

Even though I stuck flyers up offering all students an equal opportunity, the amount of work and time a project like this requires turns almost every student off. It makes it easier to fill the spots with those who are the most dedicated. Jenna, Louis, and Shari are those students.

Elijah, is too. He’s just too green to know it yet.

As all their gazes fall on him, I realize it must be his turn to introduce himself. I busy myself with shit around my desk while he talks, not wanting to make him any more uncomfortable than I usually do.

“I’m Eli,” he starts. “It’s my first year here. I’m originally from a small town in Texas. And I’m doing a double major in History and Education.” His answers are quick and concise, lacking the invitation of questions and casual conversations all the other students provided.

“What made you want to do this research project?” Louis prompts.

“I can’t say no to you.”

The memory of his words forces me to look up at him, to catch a quick glimpse before I go back to pretending I’m busy with paperwork. I’m surprised to see him staring straight at me. The look of vulnerability from earlier is now replaced with a look of longing.

It’s unexpected, yet welcome, no matter how impossible he and I seem. I want him to look at me like that always.

“Professor Huxley was really convincing,” he says, still staring at me.

All eyes turn my way, and his cheeks redden as he realizes they’ve all caught on to what’s in his line of sight.

Trying to appear unperturbed, I give them all a shrug. “Don’t all look at me like that. I’ve been known to give a good pep talk or two in my time. Elijah earned this spot just like everyone else. Only difference is, he wanted to give it up and I had to remind him why that would be averybad idea.”

“He’s so right,” Shari confirms. “You would be out of your freaking mind to pass something like this up.”

A light chuckle leaves his mouth. “Let’s just go with temporary insanity.”

Louis playfully slaps him on the shoulder. “Glad you’re here, man. You saved me from being the only guy.”

A shy smile stretches across Elijah’s face, accentuating his reserved and innocent nature. Realizing he’s not often like this, I don’t want to rush his relaxed moment. An odd sense of protectiveness tugs at my insides, wanting nothing more than to be responsible for the contentment that’s written all over his face.

“Are we going to discuss what’s in these folders?” Jenna asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“Of course,” I respond, shaken out of my stupor. “As you can see, they’re all personalized.”

Standing, I walk around my desk and sit back at the table with the students. “The first booklet is a contract of sorts. It states how many hours are required by each of you, and that those hours will be signed off on by me, every week. It also covers a confidentiality clause, stating whatever information you find, provide, etc, cannot be used anywhere else, including if you are removed from, or choose to leave, this research project.”

“What are the grounds for getting kicked out?” Louis asks.

“If you all flip to the back page, you’ll see it all listed there in black and white.” Papers ruffle, so I continue talking. “The next booklet is a rough timeline to keep you all on track, and I will ask for periodic proof of work to ensure all your time is being used wisely. The rest is just a resource booklet.” I place my own copy on the table and wait for them to do the same. “It all seems pretty straight forward, right, guys?”

Nods and murmurs circle the table, approval and understanding the main consensus. I run through a few more discussion points and then ask them to pull their planners out to organize a time and a place for our next few meetings.

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