Chapter Text
Auditorium doors burst open, making the room of about 300 college students jump slightly, “Okay class! Sorry I was a little late! The cat didn't want to let me leave this morning,” chuckles of confusion ripple the audience, “It is only the first day, so we won’t get too into the deep end, just the syllabus today.” The room goes silent, then whispers of “She’s so young!” and “Is she not our age??” emerge until the room is bustling with confusion.
Smirking, Nora was used to this, this is now her third year of teaching Intro to Astrophysics at Columbia University, and the same thing happened every time, not a single student believed that she could be the Professor every other student raved about.
A little over two years ago, in the year of 1964, she graduated from Dartmouth College with her PhD in Astrophysics, 3 months before her 21st birthday. While relocating to New York to accept this teaching position, she never expected to fear for her life because a giant planet eating man wanted to consume her planet, but that was over and done with.
Focusing back to the present, Nora announced to the class, “Settle down guys, settle down.” A joyful smirk widening across her face, “Yes, I am 23, only a couple of years older than most of you all.” The class was silent, not expecting her to say it outright, or just expecting her to just be a TA. Uncomfortably, while shifting her glasses back up her nose, Nora continues, “...To get this out of the way, because I feel like you guys have questions, my name is Dr. Elenora Bardot, I am a Professor here at Columbia University, and I do only teach this intro class, sorry,” she chuckled. “This is only my fifth semester as a Professor, but as I overheard while walking in…my reputation is somewhat favorable.” that made the room chuckle, at least she can be funny sometimes.
With that tension out of the way, she continued with the class, mainly just going over the syllabus and easing these freshmen into college life. Soon though, with enough dry jokes and poking fun at old professors, the hour and a half long lecture came to an end. Looking at her calendar, Nora realizes that today this was her only class, but she reluctantly has to go to her office to be there for the set amount of time dictated by the board of faculty.
Nora has spent the last two years decorating this office, and somehow it feels more like home than anything she's ever experienced. The dim lighting, because number one rule is no big light, and the warm tones washed over every surface just make the room feel like a piece of her soul.
Putting her long curly brown hair up into a quick bun, Nora flicks on her computer. Listening to the soft hum of the technology, she is bombarded with multiple emails. Most of them are from students, the very few who desperately want to make a good impression. The other chunk is from her fellow faculty, questions of this semester's research opportunities, sharing resources, or simply ‘Welcome Back!!’ emails from the other professors who don’t quite grasp today's technology. However, there is a weird looking message, one that does not come from the school's confining halls, the sender is a Lynne Nichols? Nora is sure she’s heard that name before, but she can’t quite put her finger on it. Opening the email her screen lights up the familiar white and blue symbol that has plagued the world for the past five years. Sighing, she reads the short message, it reads, “Dr. Bardot, this message is to inform you that Dr. Richards would like to set up a meeting regarding research opportunities.”
Shocked does not even begin to describe what she is feeling. Does the smartest man alive really want to meet with her? And he reached out first?? Quickly emailing back, she sets up an appointment for the next day in her office.
Just as she is about to freak out, her door swings open. Oh no.. “NORAAA!!!!” a little kid comes barreling towards her desk and jumps up into her lap. Ivan continues to scream,"I'VE MISSED YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!” which his parents followed behind with, “Morning Nora, sorry we were on our way to our offices and he was adamant to come see you.”
This lovely trio are better known as Nora's chosen family. Dr. Olivia Addams and Dr. Conner Withers became Nora's best friends when she moved to the city. They live in the apartment right across from her, but their friendship did not bloom until Olivia accidentally ate Nora’s sandwich on her first day. From then on it was like fate brought them together, the world’s best couple who happen to be Nora’s coworkers and her neighbors.
Squeezing Ivan with a bear hug, Nora replies, “Buddy I saw you three days ago, but I missed you too.” Just as quick as he jumped into her arms, he jumped out of them, “Mooooom, Daaaaad, can I go to the kid’s room noooooow?” Conner sighed, obvious sleep deprivation related to a very rowdy toddler washing his face, “Come on buddy, I'm sure the other kids missed you over the summer..” Ivan darts out of the office while Conner drags behind like a zombie. Olivia giggles, “At least he wasn't the one who stood up with Ivan while he was trying to finish his summer project.” Excitedly, Nora turns the screen towards Olivia, “Look look!”, after reading the email, Olivia gasps, “Girl! I knew you were a genius but dang… this is so exciting for you!!” Olivia wishes Nora well, but has to leave because her class is starting soon.
Nora goes quiet after she leaves, not because she is ungrateful, but because the reality finally sets. Her whole life, she has run from a path eerily similar to the one of the Fantastic Four. Uncertainty washes over her, does she really want to get wrapped up in all of this? This world that could very well put her in danger, but then again when is she never not in constant danger in a heavily populated city. Maybe she needs to see how Lint, her beloved cat, feels about all of this.