53

Those words, while upfront and honest, put an ache in the back of my throat. All that work, down the drain. Completely and utterly useless now.
But why ? I asked, my voice strained, needing to understand. I realize there needs to be solid proof, but we both know he stole my work. My fists clenched as a wave of anger rolled through me. I came to you weeks ago about this and you had first-hand knowledge that I was the one working to prove if my hypothesis was correct. I have lab results saved under my name for the past month. I don’t get how, even with that knowledge, the department would decide not to investigate his actions.
Because, Lia, with technicalities at play, Miles didn’t steal your work.
I sent her a blank look, baffled by what she was saying. W-what ?
Taking a seat in the empty chair, she looked me in the eye and explained. While he used his presentation to make it appear like the work was his own, everything was properly cited in the appendix slides, and when I questioned him about it once you’d left, he didn’t deny that you’d been the one to do the actual work. He said that framing the next steps of the research for the department was important, and that he figured since you’d already begun work on it, if he touched on your latest results, we would be more inclined to see that the work he’d done over the years was being used to continue our research. Was it ethical ? No. But was it against university policy ? Also no.
So, if there aren’t any consequences to what he did, then what happened to all of his things ? I asked, a crinkle of confusion on my forehead as I motioned to the empty side of the room.
Well, I wouldn’t say there were no consequences to his actions, she replied. While we’ve deemed his defense successful, we have strongly suggested he remove the material he took from your research from his final report that’ll go on to be published. He’s also been given an unofficial warning for his actions from myself and the rest of the panel yesterday, and his application to continue working with this department has been denied. He’ll be finishing up what’s required of him to receive his doctorate and then he’ll be moving on.
As for his things, I know you’re still moving full steam ahead with work for your upcoming defense, and that his actions yesterday had an effect on you. So, for the remaining duration of his time here, Miles will be working in an office two floors down.
I could feel my eyes widening the more she spoke, but the final point caused my brows to lift with surprise. Seriously ?
She nodded with affirmation.
You mean- I felt a bubble of hope grow in my chest. -this didn’t damage anything in regard to my work ? I can still present my research ?
Of course you can, she confirmed with a light laugh, and it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Was that what you were worried about ?
Kind of, I replied sheepishly.
Lia, I thought you were simply angry about Miles actions.
Oh, trust me, I was, I admitted, relaxing back into my chair as I expelled a breath. But I was also worried that all my hard work had gone down the drain because of him. My mind raced to the worst-case scenario and believed that Miles had ruined both my defense and my chance at the lecturing position.
Well, I can safely say that you don’t need to worry about any of that, she replied with an encouraging smile. Your work has been fantastic over the years, and this new research of yours has really given a lot of faculty members hope our work will continue to be successful for years to come. From what I’ve seen so far, your defense should be solid, and as for the job, I believe they’ll be coming to a final decision in the next couple of weeks, but I’m rooting for you. I want to see you stick around.
The corners of my mouth ticked upward. Thanks, Professor. That means a lot.
It’s well deserved, she said before standing. But now that that’s been said, I hope you’re breathing easier.
Nodding, I said, I am.
Good, then I’ll get out of your hair and leave you to your work. As she stepped into the hallway, she turned back to look at me. And that anger you may still have at the situation with Miles ? Use it. Let it fuel your way forward to prove to everyone that you belong here. Because I’m expecting great things from you, Lia, and I know that you’re capable of delivering them.
I couldn’t find the words to respond as an overwhelming feeling washed over me. Knowing that someone I considered to be my mentor believed in me was one of the best feelings in the world, and with my worries about Miles cast aside, there was a desire inside of me to make Professor Klein-and myself-proud.
So, with a renewed sense of confidence, I spun around in my chair, logged into my computer, and I got to work.
The high only lasted so long though.
While I was incredibly productive during the hours I spent at work, as soon as I got in my car and began driving home, all my other problems came rushing back to the forefront of my mind. Specifically, the fight between Derrick and I.
He definitely hadn’t helped the situation by fueling my already emotional brain with the fact that he was clearly questioning our relationship, or at least the distance part of it, but I knew I was also somewhat at fault. In my frenzied state, I hadn’t taken the time to let him explain himself, because if I had, I’m sure things might’ve ended differently. It wasn’t like I found our unfortunate relationship situation to be a walk in the park. Hell no. But instead of listening to him, I’d let my rage boil over and had said some absolutely awful things to him. Things I truly didn’t mean and now felt insanely guilty about.
And the worst thing was, I didn’t know if a simple apology could fix what’d been broken.
I needed a second opinion, and seeing as I had yet to tell Harper and Esme about the fight, I figured my mom was the best option. After all, she gave the best advice. Plus, there was zero chance for her being able to drop by to try and console me when all I needed for that was a pint of ice cream.
Hence, when I got home, I changed into a pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweater before sluggishly walking back out to the living room. I plopped myself down in the middle of the couch with my phone and dialed my mom’s cell.
Being a weekday and only around three ‘o’clock out west, I assumed the restaurant was in the lull period before the dinner rush began, as she answered on the second ring.
Hey, honey, she greeted, and I could hear voices in the background for a moment before they stopped. Presumably because she walked into the back office and closed the door. Is everything alright ?
There was no hiding anything from her.
Well, actually, I started, my voice hesitant as I tried to figure out the right way to spin this, I need your advice.
Okay… on what ?
Derrick and I may have had a fight last night-
Oh, sweetie. About what ? The distance ?
Mostly, yeah, I sighed. My heart ached as I launched into a play-by-play of the conversation we’d had. And this time, she didn’t interrupt. I imagined her sitting in her office chair, nodding along to my explanation and taking everything in. I know I was the one who brought up the fact he wasn’t there for me, but I was frustrated with the situation, and then it all just spiraled from there.