Literature and Love

By Crimson Nuage

After a chance meeting in one of their classes during their junior year at a Florida university, Trent Gordy and Sherri Robbins embark upon a relationship with one another. However, after an incident during a group project in one of Sherri's other classes, the relationship between the two students is put to the test.

Can Trent and Sherri navigate the choppy waters of studying and love while working toward their respective Bachelor's degrees?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Jul 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223079644

Book preview

Chapter One

The start of a new semester brings much hope to myself and my fellow classmates at the local university. As a guy who is considered part of the class that will be graduating in another year, the courses in my major always pique my interest. I know I’m only pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English; however, the literature course options that are available to those within the major have always intrigued me. As a budding writer, it affords me the opportunity to study the great masters of both English and American literature, and broadens my understanding of writing styles.

In one particular class during this semester, I am studying the era of American literature  between 1860 and 1912; focusing on such classic works of Whitman, Twain, and Dickinson, just to name a few. The class sizes are traditionally small, limiting enrollment to just under 20 students per section. I enjoy the small class size, as it allows for an intimate classroom setting, and encourages discussion among my fellow students without one’s opinion getting lost in a mass shuffle. Also, in the literature classes, there is traditionally a project where one will pair up with a fellow student, or two, to present one of the readings to the class; leading the discussion of the reading. While some students dreaded doing the presentations, I relished the opportunity to work on such an intimate group project.

For the first class, I showed up a little early to give myself an idea of where the classroom was located. When the time lock on the door allowed us to enter, I found a seat around the middle of the room, and settled in for the opening session. I looked around to peruse my fellow classmates. Some of them I was familiar with from some of the other courses I had taken in the past, but others were new to me. While waiting for the professor to enter the classroom, one particular female student caught my attention.

She was a junior, like myself, and sported long, flowing red hair, and a figure that would make any single guy take notice. I tried my best to avoid staring at her while she approached where I was sitting.

Excuse me, she inquired, pointing to the chair beside mine. Is this seat taken?

I shook my head. Nope, I replied. Go ahead.

Sitting down, she commented, Thanks. Are you a junior, too? I haven’t seen you before.

I am. I guess we haven’t been in the same classes before. Trent Gordy.

Sherri Robbins, she responded, shaking my extended hand. English major?

I nodded. Creative Writing is my concentration.

Same here. I’m surprised we haven’t been in any classes together before now.

Different sections, I guess, I reasoned. There can be quite a few, depending on how one’s schedule plays out. But this was the only section still open when I registered for this course, so here we are.

I know what you mean, Sherri concurred. Sections tend to fill up pretty quickly on some of the required classes. I’m not too pleased with the fact this class doesn’t start until 6:30 at night, but at least I was able to register for it. Thankfully, it’s only once a week, though.

Hopefully, you don’t have to travel too far home after class. The 9:15 end time will make for a late-night commute.

Nope. I live in an apartment just off of the east side of the campus. What about yourself?

Same, I replied. But I’m just north of the campus. Although they don’t run that often, I’m grateful for the fact there is campus bus service to my building.

Yeah, Sherri agreed. You would think they would run more frequently for students.

I shouldn’t complain too much. The service is free with our student ID, after all.

Soon after, the professor entered the classroom and greeted us.

Good evening, everyone, she began. I’m Dr. Kirsten Edmonds, and welcome to American Literature 1860-1912. I believe everyone is here, so let’s start by going around the room and introduce ourselves.

One by one, the students introduced themselves by stating their name, what year they were in, and who their favorite author was in the class. The majority of the students said they were in their junior-year, but there were a couple of senior-year students who were part of the class, as well. When Dr. Edmonds got to where Sherri and I were sitting, Sherri started first.

Hi everyone, Sherri commenced, I’m Sherri Robbins. I’m in my junior year, working on my Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. And my favorite author in this class is Emily Dickinson.

I went next. Evening, everyone, I stated, I’m Trent Gordy. I’m in my junior year of my Creative Writing Bachelor’s, as well. And my favorite author in this class is Mark Twain.

The rest of the session, we went over the course syllabus. We were advised, if we hadn’t done so as of yet, to pick up the required textbook from the campus bookstore. Fortunately for myself, I had already secured my copy in advance. I noticed Sherri had done the same, so we were both prepared for the sessions this semester. Dr. Edmonds noted that there would be presentation discussions on a weekly basis. Each presentation would be done on a selected reading from the textbook. However, due to the small class size, the presentations would not be done in small groups, as I had earlier anticipated, but would be done individually instead.

My heart sank a little upon hearing the news, as deep down, I had hoped to work alongside Sherri on my project. I knew it seemed strange to have such an aspiration toward someone I had just met, but subconsciously, I felt a connection between myself and Sherri. Then again, it could have been the initial sight of her appearance as she entered the classroom on this particular evening. Yet, I resisted because I was unsure if she was already spoken for by someone else. Instead, I suppressed my fantasy for the time being.

The evening’s class was a short one due to the syllabus review. Dr. Edmonds assigned the first readings for the next session, and informed