Chapter Text
When Andrew retired from Exy, he took the bar and became a Criminal Law Professor. Having those books in juvie memorized really helped his case. And if someone asked why he didn’t just become a lawyer, he’d always say “I promised someone I wouldn’t lie again.”
His first day of being a professor, he tried not to care about it but Neil knew. He always does. He knew that Andrew put wax in his hair, putting in a little bit of extra effort to smooth the front strands. He knew that Andrew wore his favorite going out socks which shouldn’t be mistaken with his favorite comfy home socks. He knew that Andrew took more than the usual few swipes of lint roller to get the cats’ fur off his black shirt. He knew Andrew.
Andrew tried not to show it. He tried convincing himself that he really doesn’t care. He tried to be as apathetic about it as he was when he started Exy. Yet he noticed that split second pause before he opened the door to his first class.
When he did, everyone looked at him then proceeded to go back to their own business. Some have stacks of books already. Some have their ipads and laptops on their desks. Some are writing notes. Some have stack and stacks of paper using a pen case as paperweight.
“Hey. I think you wanna sit before the prof comes in. It’s almost time.” A guy wearing what Andrew can tell is a tailored suit and has a briefcase on his desk said.
Oh. They think Andrew is a student, too.
Andrew put his briefcase and books on the desk at the front. He didn’t answer the guy. He didn’t even give him a look.
“Open Crimes Against Persons. In five minutes, someone should be able to discuss with me the connection of the first five chapters.”
He sat and opened his laptop. Changed his wallpaper to a black screen before connecting it to the monitor. He shared the attendance record and said, “I don’t care about recording your attendance. Drop my class if you hate me and/or if you get two consecutive zeroes.”
A guy in a polo shirt raised his hand. Andrew acknowledged, “Go on.”
“The university has a limit of eight absences.”
“Do I look like I care about that?”
“You don’t?”
Andrew didn’t bother answering him. He waved him off.
“Now, who can discuss the connection of the first five chapters?” Andrew was met with silence. A bunch of pages turning. Numerous clicks and sounds of rapid typing.
Andrew began closing his laptop and putting his things back to his briefcase. Never forgetting to admire the intricate webbing and details of the interior. Neil had it custom-made from an etsy shop. It has his initials engraved at the handle. When he closed his briefcase, someone stood up.
The guy who thought he was a student stood up. “Their connection is that they’re all laws about physical assault.”
Andrew stopped and looked at him. “You’re partially correct. You can get partial credit. Name.”
“Mason, Sir.”
Andrew stared at him blankly.
“Mason Brown.”
Andrew gave him a nod. “Now, who can tell me why Mr. Mason here is just partially correct?”
“Sir?” Andrew could’ve missed that if the class wasn’t so deafeningly silent.
“Speak up or leave.” Andrew isn’t really known for his gentle approach and neither in his encouraging ways.
The girl in a white blouse, hair in a bun, too thick glasses stood up. She cleared his throat. For a moment, Andrew was reminded about Renee’s childhood pictures. The one she showed her when she told him about her past. The past before the more violent one she had. “All chapters of this book are about physical assault. The first five are about assaults committed by multiple men on one person.”
“Well done. You will get the full credit. Name.”
“Natalia Gimenez, Sir,” she answered.
Andrew noticed that she expectantly waited for him to take note of it before she sat down.
Andrew didn’t. He continued talking about the first five chapters in detail before he gave them their first case reading.
“I expect you to dissect this case and be ready for questioning on our next meeting. I also put an article relevant to this. You are welcome to find other reliable sources however you are not allowed to interview or interact with those related to this case.”
The article headline read, “Neil Josten, Exy Rising Star, discovered to be the son of the Notorious Baltimore Gang Leader”