Oh, I — I'm alright, thank you, sir.

[ Her smile turns a little less put upon and a little more genuine as she steps inside. ]

I'd meant to be earlier.

[ She greets him with a smile, a hint of the annoyance she'd been feeling slipping away now that she's here and they can get started.

She's also a little distracted Erik's forearms, and she looks for just a moment. ]

Still, she arrives with her bag draped over her shoulder, books and notebooks tucked away for if she needs them, and she knocks lightly on the door when she arrives. ]

[ She's not against him looking.

It's later into the next than she'd hoped, when she arrives at Erik's office. She's a little irritated that it's not as soon as she'd hoped, but there'd been some trouble as she left the café, and now she's running behind and only mildly annoyed about it.

I won't make you wait too long.

[ Another polite smile, and she's turning back to the door — really, she's probably taken enough of his time, for the moment — and she'll be back tomorrow. ]

Thank you. Again.

[ She nods and reaches for the door handle, to take her leave.]

Tomorrow is perfect. I do have a shift at the café, but I can meet you here after that, if that's alright?

[ She's eager, certainly, and intrigued by this man in a way that doesn't feel entirely professional. ]

offensive, or kick me out, I think I'll want to stay.

[ It does bring a smile to her lips, and she glances down for a moment, watching his hand as he takes the piece of paper from her. ]

I feel it's only fair that I warn you. I'm a remarkably stubborn person — and I'm very dedicated to what I can learn from you. So unless you do something horribly

Of course.

[ Reaching into her bag, Bella pulls out a little notebook that she tends to jot little notes down in, scrawling her number across the first blank page.

Tearing it out, she offers it to Erik. ]

Here.

Really?

[ She looks a little taken aback. ]

I thought I might have to beg. Thank you — you won't regret this.

Yes.

[ And she elaborates no further than that. ]

I have my bachelor's degree, I'm in my second year of my master's, and I want some hands-on experience before I start my Ph. D.

[ She's still smiling, though there's an air of nervousness. It's a risk, to ask for a mentorship from someone who doesn't offer them. ]

I know you're not a teacher, but I've been told you're the best. And I want to learn from the best. I think learning from somebody in the job would be better than textbooks.

Thank you.

[ Her smile only grows as she looks him over. She's not sure that she'd expected anything, but she's pleased nonetheless. She likes how he carries himself. ]

Well, maybe only in similar fields. I'm studying forensics at John Hopkins University.

Bella Flowers. I'm studying forensic science, and you are considered one of the best in the field.

[ She gives the room a perfunctory glance before she turns back to Erik and extends a hand. ]

Hi!

[ There's a polite, but warm, smile on Bella's face as she steps into the office over the threshold. ]

You're Erik Lange, right?