Page 5 of Teaching Cayden

Cayden was taking a different route, but I wondered if it was the right route. He seemed to struggled with math. He came to every class though, and by the way he was watching me tonight, I can be almost certain that he’ll be attending the study sessions.

It was still early for me, so instead of heading to my car I decided to make my way to the library. I had my laptop with me, and if I was lucky I could get a little work done before I needed to head home.

I took the stairs two at a time as I made my way inside and headed for my spot. I’d been coming to Byrd since I was a freshman. It was near the physics department, and never crowded. Most of the students went to the main library, but I preferred this one since it was off the beaten path. I had a spot on the fourth floor near the back corner, that was well hidden and perfect for not being disturbed. I thought I’d lucked out until I rounded one of the stacks and saw him sitting there.

Right in my spot, again, was none other than Cayden Sutter. He must have taken a different route to get here, because he didn’t walk the way I did. He was hunched over the table with his hands gripping his hair and pulling vigorously. He muttered something that I couldn’t quite understand before slamming his fist on the table.

“Easy. What did that table ever do to you?” I laughed as I approached him. I knew that I should have just turned around and picked a different spot, but something inside me told me he was different.

His head jerked up before he saw me. “Oh. It’s you.”

“Ok then.” I turned and started to walk away.

“No! Wait!” He shoved back from the table and stood. “Maybe you can help me with this.”

“Is it more math?” I moved closer and pulled out the chair beside him.

“Sort of.” He chuckled. “Know anything about heat transfer?” His face looked hopeful until I slowly shook my head.

I scanned the table and noticed several books were stacked to the side and his backpack was sitting near the edge. “Is this all your homework?” I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. He looked thoroughly frustrated at the moment, and I didn’t want to set him off.

“Kinda.” He shrugged. “I have a big project due in my lab next week. I’m trying to stay ahead.”

I nodded as I picked up a book that read ‘Introduction to Finite Element Analysis’. “Are you an Engineering Major?”

“Yes.” His chest puffed out slowly before deflating. “At least I think I am. After reading today’s assignment, I don’t know if I will be next semester.”

“That tough, huh?” I set the book back down.

“You’re a math whiz. What do you know about tough?” His eyes narrowed slightly as he eyed my bag.

“More than you think. Is math my thing? Yes. Is everything easy for me? Not a chance.” I pulled my laptop out and set it on the table. “Mind if I work here with you?”

“Sure.” He turned back to the book he was looking at and began scribbling some problem out on a notebook.

Cayden

Why is it the only time I run into this woman is when I’m screwing up? Every time she sees me, I’m sinking in a giant pool of problems and can barely see the light. The only difference tonight is, she doesn’t understand this either. My design and manufacturing class has a lab that goes along with it. I’ve been doing well, until the material I chose melted. I tested the strength today, and the arm bent under the heat I added. I’ve been trying to work out what I did wrong and how to enforce it better, but nothing’s coming out right. The heat is moving up the arm and I can’t stop it. I thought coming here would help, but it’s not. Now she’s here, and I might as well give up.

Addison’s been tapping away on her computer for a while. She hasn’t said anything to me, and I wonder if she forgot I was here. She’s tied her hair back and has been chewing on a pencil as she taps away in deep concentration. Just as I was getting ready to tell her that I was leaving she startled me.

“Yes!” She fist pumped in the air before blushing. I think she just remembered that I was sitting beside her.

“Did you figure out what you were working on?” I grinned as I began to put my books away.

“Yes. I’ve been trying to solve this for a month. It’s for my thesis.” She smiled as she saved her file and closed her laptop.

“Nice.” I zipped my backpack shut and stood. “I gotta get going. It’s late. Let me walk you to wherever you’re going.”

“You don’t have to.” She shrugged.

“Yes. Yes, I do.” I stood there waiting for her. “If my dad found out that I didn’t, I’d be in more trouble with him than I am with heat transfer.”

She stood there for a few minutes staring at me. When she saw I wasn’t backing down, she slipped her computer bag onto her shoulder, and nodded her ascent. We walked side by side out of the library, and Addison made a turn to the right. I let her guide us since I didn’t know where I was going. We weaved through the buildings until we came to a parking lot for commuters.

“This is me.” She pointed to a small blue Honda. “I’ll see you next week in class.” She climbed in and cranked the car. I stood there and watched as she drove away, wondering what classes she had. Would I ever see her on campus? I hadn’t yet, and why not?

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