The majority of students take off fast, like they have somewhere else to be on a Tuesday night. I can’t believe I let myself get so distracted and anxious. It’s just a fucking freshmen English class, for Pete’s sake. Tucking my hair behind my ears, I pick up my backpack and put it on the table before closing my laptop and sliding it inside. Slowly, I get up, wondering if I should go ask for clarification or where I can find the info myself.
As I sling my bag over my shoulders to leave, a tall guy in jeans and a button-down who’d been sitting at a desk down at the front of the room makes his way up the stairs. I step back into the row of seats, giving him a clear path to leave, but he stops when he gets to me.
“Hey. Be careful being off in la-la land in this class. You miss too much you’ll get stuck working with me.” He purses his lips before they slip into a smile. “Sorry, that was a bad joke. I’m Brent, Professor Silverton’s TA.”
“Oh.” I feel the blush stain my cheeks even though I can’t see it, and my eyes shut as I exhale quickly. “I’m sorry. I was hoping I wasn’t noticeable, but I suppose people who are distracted rarely realize they are until after the fact. I’ve had one of those days. Sorry, you’re not looking for excuses—”
He holds out a hand to stop me. “True, both about distracted people and the fact that I’m not looking for excuses. But the reason I came up here”—he leans in close enough that I get a whiff of his aftershave, and I automatically shrink my shoulders in, unsure what’s happening—“sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out.” His arm draws between us so he can show me something in his hand. “I think this sticky note was on your back. That’s why there was a bit of commotion toward the end of class. Someone saw it and word spread through the back half of the class like a whispering wildfire.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, my eyes widening. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry.” I don’t want to know what it says. I truly don’t.
Brent clears his throat. “Not your fault at all. Maybe this was left in the chair or something?” He says it like it’s a question, and I see why when I look down to read it.
Little cum sluts don’t belong at KU.
Taken by surprise at the vicious content of the note, I step back and almost fall. I would have, too, only Brent has a firm grasp on my bicep before I can topple over. “Um. Obviously you didn’t know it was there.” He chuckles, a hint of apology in it as he lets go of me. “Do you want me to dispose of it?”
My brows dart together. “No. Just in case it was meant for me, I’d rather have it in my possession than not.”
His brows shoot up, concern slipping over his features. “Okay, then.” He holds it out, stuck to his finger, for me to take. “Are you okay…?” He lets out a frustrated groan. “Sorry, I don’t know everyone’s names yet.”
“Echo. Sorry, I should have said so earlier. And I’ll be fine. Thank you for letting me know it was there.” I shoot him a wincing smile as I pluck the Post-it from his fingertip. “I should get home.”
“Sure. Anytime.”
I slip past him to walk up the rest of the stairs when he calls out to me again, causing me to turn around. “Oh, and Echo? The assignment you missed taking notes on is actually available online. Just go to Professor Silverton’s Bulletin Board page and you can check it out there.”
“Thank you so much. Hopefully I won’t get distracted again.” I shoot him an apologetic smile.
“You’re welcome. Take care walking home.”
Standing in the lobby area of the building, I give a furtive look around. The odd feeling that someone’s watching me hasn’t quite left, and the reality of my situation hits me upside the head. I don’t want to go back to my room at TZE tonight. I’m way too unnerved. I feel a tiny bit like a baby about that decision, though. I won’t be able to run away from my problems forever.
I need reassurance. But strangely, even though my older sister is the first person I think of, she’s not really who I feel will set my mind at ease. I should definitely let her know I’m on my way home, though, so I pull out my phone and shoot her a text.
I’m going to come tonight instead of in the morning.
Cool. See you soon?
Yeah. Just getting out of class.
You’re sure you’re okay missing class?
Yep. I might actually stay the day.
I need some down time.
And a lot of assignments are online.
We can talk when I get there.
Any chance you have food?
I’m starving.
I’ll be ready for you.
With Kara notified I’m on my way, I open my contacts and scroll until I get to thee’s. Emory said to call if I needed him. I don’tneed himneed him. But something inside me tugs, telling me he’d be okay with me sending him a text. He’s the only one who knows everything—well, most everything—about my midnight intruder.
