Page 6 of Teaching Cayden

Chapter 3

Cayden

It’s been four days since I last talked to Addison. I spent most of the weekend working on my project in the lab. I ran a few tests yesterday, and I think I solved my problem. This is the least of my worries now though. My test in Dr. Haywood’s class is in a half hour. I stayed up most of the night going over the problems from the study session, and I think I might actually understand this stuff now. If not, I can always beg him for some sort of second chance. Who am I kidding? If I fail this test, I’m going to spend the rest of the semester trying to prove myself just to pass.

“Maybe you should just show up without a shirt on.” Noah snickered from where he was putting on his running shoes. “You know the ladies have trouble resisting your sexy self.”

“Addison’s not administering the exam, you idiot.” I grabbed my backpack. “It’s only in the forties today. I’d freeze my ass off.” I rushed out the door, leaving him in the room laughing. Noah didn’t get it. He was majoring in communications. He didn’t have to take the math and science courses that I did. I could do public speaking with no problem; this was a whole different ball game.

It didn’t take me long to get to class, and when I sat down at an empty desk I took a few minutes to look over my notes. The room slowly filled with students all doing basically the same thing I was. When Dr. Haywood stepped in, everyone put their books away.

“Morning, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you’re ready for this. Please make sure you complete the problems on the back as well, and good luck.” He placed a stack of tests on the front desk of each row, allowing us to take one and pass back the rest.

I placed the stapled papers in front of me, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I could do this. I’d done everything I could to be ready, and I’d been attending every opportunity I had to do better. I scrawled my name across the top and began reading the first problem.

I was moving along pretty well until I reached the last page. My eyes scanned the problem, but my memory came up blank. I blinked a few times as I stared at it, willing something to change. It didn’t matter if it was the problem or my memory, but nothing happened. The clock on the wall of the classroom seemed to tick louder, and the rustling of papers around me became almost too distracting. What was it that Addison had said? I could picture her by the whiteboard in the study room. The night played over in my head as I searched my memory for what I needed to get started. I saw her explaining the problem as her hands waved around and a smile graced her beautiful lips. I could see it all except for what I needed. What I needed hadn’t been what I was concentrating on that night. I could tell you what she was wearing, the way she sounded, and how she made me feel like I could do this.

A clearing of Dr. Haywood’s throat caused me to shake out of my memory, and I began to glance around. Almost everyone had left the room. A stack of tests sat at the front on the corner of a desk that my professor was sitting behind. He was adjusting his glasses as his eyes met mine. He smiled, and then went back to what he was doing. Sweat covered my brow as realization of what was happening came to the surface. If I didn’t get something written down for this problem, I was going to fail this test.

Mustering all the courage I had, I began writing furiously. Anything I could think of to show that I kinda knew what I was doing was scribbled across the page. After a few minutes, I sat back and looked at what I had written. I was able to get the problem about half solved, but I wasn’t sure if that was going to be enough to get me partial credit. If I got at least half the total points, then I’d get a D on this. I needed to pass.

After scanning the problem one more time, I decided to put in a last-ditch effort for some sympathy points. I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out before laying it all out there. Underneath my work, I began writing.

Dear Dr. Haywood,

Please understand that I prepared for this test daily. I’ve attended every class and study session that has been offered. I truly believe that this test does not reflect what I’m capable of. As you have seen in the past, I can do the work. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove that I understand differential equations. Thank you for understanding.

Cayden Sutter

I read over my note and felt terrible about doing it but I didn’t know what else to do. He had to know that I wanted to do well. I took a few more minutes to work up the courage to turn it in before standing and throwing my backpack over my shoulder. I placed the exam on the top of the stack, faked a smile, and then rushed out the room. I was supposed to be meeting Noah and some of the other brothers for lunch, and I needed to get out of this room before I suffocated.

“How’d it go?” Noah asked as I pulled out a chair at the end of the table. He was sitting with our president and two other upperclassmen.

“It went.” I sighed as I flopped down unceremoniously.

“Great.” Will, our president, glanced over at me before he placed his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “As I was saying, we need to finish up duties at the house before the weekend. This party will kick off spring semester.”

“What do you need from me?” I mumbled. For some reason I always got the job nobody wanted, but I was hoping my luck would change.

“Your turn to drive.” Will smirked as he crossed his arms over his chest in a challenge. I didn’t care. I honestly didn’t mind driving. The only negative was I wouldn’t be able to drink. UNCW had cracked down on campus police over the last few years. Our fraternity had decided to be proactive. Every time we have a party, we have a designated driver. One brother who owns a car stays sober. Anyone who drinks can request a ride from said driver, and this weekend it appears that it’s me. The DD gives the partygoer a ride home so they don’t drive drunk. Our frat has been commended for this practice in the past, and it’s one thing that I really support.

“Ok.” I nodded. I mean if I was being honest, it meant I wasn’t cleaning toilets again.

“What about me?” Noah shrugged. He’d been the DD last time, so I know he was happy that he could drink this party.

“Oh Noah.” Will grinned. This was not good. Will grinning meant you had just stepped in a steamy pile of crap. “The shitters need to be cleaned, and my room does too.”

“Are you kidding me?” Noah balked.

“Nope. Don’t forget to change my sheets too.” Will snickered. “I’ll need a clean bed for whatever might happen, if you know what I mean.”

“Nice.” Dylan and Josh high fived Will like a bunch of jocks.

“Fine,” Noah grumbled as he shook his head. I nudged his foot with mine from under the table as a sign of understanding. I’d been where he is before. I knew that Will took advantage of the underclassmen, but he was graduating this year so we didn’t have too much longer to worry about him.

“That’s what I thought. My sister’s coming too, so I expect all of you to have the house in tip top shape. This party will be one for the history books.” Will smacked the table with his palms before standing. “Tau Alpha,” he chanted as he stood along with Dylan and Josh.

“Later.” I waved as they turned and walked away. “So bathrooms, huh?” I laughed as Noah scowled.

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