I spent the day battling anxiety as the clock ticked down the seconds until I had to meet with him. I tried not to think about what was going to happen, and I was contemplating just running. I forced myself to stick it through, whispering soft prayers every few minutes that this wouldn’t end with me completely screwed.
It was getting dark by the time I walked back into the Murphy Building, where Professor West’s class was located.
The hallways were dimly lit and quiet as I walked to Elliot’s office, which was located down the hall from his classroom. Every door I passed had been closed up for the night, but his office door was standing wide open. I stopped in the doorwayand found him sitting behind his desk. He must have felt my presence because he looked over at me. His chest rose when he took a deep breath, but then he let it out quickly as he waved me forward. “Come in and close the door behind you.”
I reached behind me and grabbed the knob, tugging the door shut as I moved into the room. I felt like the lamb walking into the lion’s den. I tried to keep my shaking to a minimum, but I really thought I might throw up from nerves.
“Have a seat,” he said, motioning toward the chairs that sat across from his desk.
I walked closer, trying to appear calmer than I was. He watched every step I took until I was sitting across from him.
He shifted forward in his seat, leaning forward on his desk. “Do you know why I gave you the grade I did?”
I licked my lips and swallowed my fear. “No,” I lied softly.
He arched one brow, but he didn’t speak.
I took a deep breath. “Was the paper not what you were expecting?”
He cocked his head slightly.
“Did I not do what you asked for? Was it poorly written? What?” I asked, holding my hand up and letting it fall back into my lap. There was no hiding how shaky my voice was.
He leaned forward. “It’s not your work, Evelyn.”
My heart froze in my chest as the world stopped spinning. The surge hit me hard after a moment.
Suddenly, everything was moving in fast forward, even my racing heart.
“What?” I stammered, becoming breathless from the anxiety pulsing through my veins.
I’m done. God, I messed up! Please… I can’t lose this scholarship!
Gabe would be so disappointed. My parents…damnit! I promised my dad. I swore I’d make it.
“I know that you didn’t write this paper. Do you know how many students of mine have turned in this exact paper over the years?”
I shook my head in confusion. I was foolish for thinking I was buying an original paper. Of course, some asshole wrote the paper and then continued to sell it to dumb ass college students just like me. Tears filled my eyes, but I didn’t speak. I couldn’t.
What was going to happen? Please…
“I probably don’t have to tell you, but we have a zero tolerance policy for cheating. Just once is enough to have you expelled. Did you know that?”
I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I used the back of my hand to wipe it away as I nodded, unable to look him in the eye.
“Then why did you do it?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” I whispered, my voice wobbling.
“You always have a choice.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes before looking at him. When I did, I found him holding out a box of tissues.
I snagged one from the box. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
“Try me.”
I wiped my tears, but more came. “I was going to fail. I had to do something. I work a lot. I-I kept picking up shifts, trying to pay rent. I-I studied hard. I’m taking extra credits this semester. I-I’m doing so much to try to graduate faster.”
