50 Sexcapades [Erotica Compilation] novel Chapter 32

"This can't be right," I muttered angrily to myself, flipping through my graded exam at my desk. A freaking C I studied my ass off for this, and knew everything on that test! I was clearly one of the smartest people in this class since I always led class discussions and was practically best friends with the professor.

I'd aced every other exam, so where was this grade coming from? "Ugh!" I moaned in frustration.

"Remember everyone, you have 48 hours to review your exam and decide if you'd like to dispute any issues you may find including calculation errors on our end or confusing grading methods."

Oh, I'd be disputing alright. I had a GPA to maintain, as well as my ranking as number 1 in this class.

I adjusted my glasses and smoothed out my top, trying to remain calm and collected. The last thing that would help this situation is my anxiety.

I immediately stood up and targeted Professor Mercer who was busy speaking with some guy. She smiled when she saw me and waved. "Hello Mia, my best student" she added in a low voice, winking at me. "How did the exam go?"

"Well Professor Mercer, that's actually what I wanted to speak to you about. I'm finding inconsistencies in the way my responses were graded. The provided comments seemed in all honesty self-contradictory, and the grader did not even appear to fully grasp the depth of my explanations. Is the TA for this class here? I'd like to speak with her as soon as possible.

Professor Mercer smiled uncomfortably and nodded in understanding. "The previous TA for this class, Katarina, actually quit last week upon receiving a grant to do research abroad. This is our new TA for this course, Ivan."

Professor Mercer gestured to the man who had been standing there the entire time. He appeared stone-faced and unsmiling...Shit. I might as well have insulted this man to his face. I could kiss any chance of a re-grade goodbye for now.

"My apologies for my brashness, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," I said, shaking his hand. "It's quite alright," he said in a deep Slavic accent..still no hint of humor on his face. I sighed internally.

Professor Mercer, who must have felt pretty awkward checked her watch dramatically and grabbed her purse. "I actually have to be on my way to a conference but I recommend you to take this time to review your exam with Ivan. Hopefully, some confusion will be cleared by the end of it?" She gave an encouraging smiled and waved goodbye, hurrying out of the lecture hall.

"We can go to my office," Ivan said, signaling for me to follow him. His office was located in a little romantic nook of the corridor behind the Philosophy department's main rooms. There were still a few small moving boxes with stuff in them, but he had unpacked quite a bit and I found myself staring at his impressive book collection and antiques. He had a small coffee machine whirring and offered me a cup which I declined.

"Sorry for the mess, have a seat there."

We sat side by side and I laid out my exam paper, almost accusingly. "I know my comments before were unwarranted, but I do strongly feel that I've been misunderstood, Ivan. For example, your comment on my response to the meaning of this Tchaikovsky quote draws little to no parallel to the comment you made..here. It's as if you were reading two completely different things. And-