''Hmm... Now that's a mighty conk, that is. A wee bit too mighty... '' I think as I erase the nose of the anime-esque character sketched on the paper before me. My tongue characteristically sticks out of the corner of my mouth but I'm hardly aware of it. My green eyes cross a little as I get into it more. ''Much better.''
Cow... Cowim-he?
I don't even register the science professor's voice. Instead, I try out a variety of clothing on my character, erasing, redrawing, erasing, adjusting...
Saoim-hey?
In the back of my mind, I realize that's my name, horribly botched. I look up and blink my eyes a few times to let them adjust.
It's Kwee-va, I correct in a Dublin-Irish accent.
Kwee-va? The professor looks at me like I'm either crazy or trolling her.
Aye. Or you can say 'Kee-va' if ya like. A giggle erupts from the room. My freckled cheeks burst into a deep crimson shade as I duck my head and look around. ''Was it something I said?''
Miss Murphy. Please pay attention to class. I will not be repeating myself. Professor Lee continues the roll-call and begins the lecture.
I sigh and rest my chin in my hand. But my attention wanders after a few minutes. My eyes briefly land on you and that blush lights up my cheeks again. I turn my gaze down to my notebook, then start sketching. My mind calms down as I unconsciously create an anime version of you while listening to the lecture.
According to the Standard Model, there are 4 basic forces of the universe. Can anyone tell me what they are? Dr. Lee asks.
I answer without thinking or taking my eyes off the sketch. Electromagnetism, Strong Nuclear, Weak Nuclear, and Gravity, but Einstein's Theory of General Relativity says gravity is really just a natural side effect of a warped spacetime and... not... I look up when I realize I said all of that out loud. In a second, my entire face goes red and I pull my notebook up to cover my face. Sorry.
As the lecture continues, I've tuned it out. ''Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph! They're all starin' at me! I'm such a daft wanker!'' Without a word, I clutch my notebook to my chest and carry my backpack out of the lecture hall, brushing right past you. Once I'm in the hallway outside, I sit down on a chair and try to calm myself down.
Well that was just grand. Now I can never set foot in that class again. Way to go, Caoimhhe! You've made a hames of things again!
I tried to, but I wasn't doing a very good job of it.