He nods as if saying he gets the hint, his eyes leaving mine to read the paper. I watch his every move, studying him like any other subject.
The editor at The Strickland Gazette has taught me to observe and report. How to spot little cues and tells that help good reporters become great.
I dream of working for The New York Times or The Washington Post. That’s why I double majored in law and journalism. A well-rounded education should help when I apply for positions after graduation. At least, that’s my hope.
After I snap out of it, I enter grades into the computer. Professor Frazier is very hands-off with his classes, so I’m expected to do everything for him. Busy with his law practice downtown, Professor Frazier only checks in with me once a week. And with the clock ticking, he will be here any minute.
“Time’s almost up,” I say, breaking the silence in the room.
Tucker peeks up at me, pencil clasped between his fingers, and smiles. He pushes his quiz toward me and winks. “Go easy on me.”
“You’ll get whatever grade you deserve,” I assure him because I’m not doing him a favor.
Good looks and cocky smirks aren’t enough for me to make an exception. Tucker has to earn his grades. He won’t get any handouts from me. Every single thing I have worked for. Rich kids like Tucker must learn that hard work pays off in the long run.
“I can’t fail this class,” he says, “or I’ll be off the team.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Not my problem. Your grades reflect your effort. If you put nothing into this class, you’ll get nothing out of it. That’s how life works.”
“I don’t remember you being such a hardass,” he says.
“You didn’t remember me at all,” I challenge, now angry with him.
He sits back in his chair and kicks his foot up on his knee, smirking. “Oh, so that’s it… you’re punishing me for doing exactly what I promised.” Tucker shakes his head. “I told you back then it was nothing more than a hookup. You were okay with it. And now you’re taking it out on me.”
“Losing my virginity in a frat house was memorable but for all the wrong reasons.”
Horror scrolls across his face. We sit in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before Tucker speaks again, “You didn’t act like a… there wasn’t any… you should have told me.”
He disposed of the condom so fast he probably didn’t notice the blood on it before he sent me on my way. Would he have cared back then? I doubt it. Not after he’d gotten what he wanted. But I can’t pass all the blame to Tucker. I wanted him to be my first for some idiotic reason.
“I had experience doing other things, just never had sex with anyone… until you.” I rise from the chair and straighten my skirt, running my hands down the front of it. “It’s in the past, okay? But don’t expect me to do you favors just because we were together years ago. It meant nothing to you. It means nothing to me,” I lie. “So, let’s move on and forget it ever happened.”
“That’s the problem.” He jumps to his feet. “I can’t forget you.”
I laugh. “You already did. It should be easy to go back to how things used to be before you found me on Strick Net.”
He’s about to speak when Professor Frazier pushes open the door and stumbles into the room. “Why is the door locked?” He shoots daggers in my direction, and my blood runs cold.
Damn it, Tucker. He locked it. And now Professor Frazier will chew my ear out over it. We’re not supposed to be behind closed doors with students.
“Umm…”
“Sorry, Prof,” Tucker interrupts. “That was me.”
Professor Frazier nods, crossing the room to meet us. Then, his gaze shifts to me. “Don’t let it happen again.”
I cringe at the coldness in his tone.
“Thanks for letting me make up the quiz,” Tucker says. “See you in class,” he says to Professor Frazier.
He exits the room faster than he appeared, leaving me alone with Professor Creepy. Ever since my interview, he’s given me weird vibes. But this position pays better than my other jobs.
“Samantha…” Professor Frazier says, taking a seat behind his desk. “Do we need to discuss the rules?”
“No, sir,” I mutter. “I didn’t know he locked the door. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. The hallway was noisy when he walked in. I shut the door so he could take the quiz without distractions.”
“Don’t let it happen again.” He sets his briefcase on the desk and clicks the lock, pushing the top open. “I have some work to do. After you enter the grades into Strick Net, you can go home.”
