He shrugged. “I heard you were a hooker.”
Seriously? I couldn’t believe he was saying that to me. There was nothing in the article about that. “I’m not.” I looked back down at my phone.
“What, you just sucked his dick for good grades?”
“It wasn’t like that.” Get the fuck away from me. What an asshole.
“I think it was exactly like that.” The desk squeaked and I could feel his shadow over me. “Unless you just love sucking cock. Maybe you could give me a taste.”
“Dude, back the fuck off.” I looked behind me. Tyler had walked back in the room.
“What, is she banging you too?” Raymond asked.
“I said back the fuck off.”
“Whatever, man.” He laughed and walked back to his seat.
Tyler sat down next to me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Yeah, well that piece of shit doesn’t know anything about it.”
I swallowed hard. Tyler still felt the need to protect me. “I thought you were leaving?”
“I heard some people talking outside. You said you needed me. I didn’t want you to have to face this alone.” He shrugged.
“Thank you.”
“Are you okay?” Tyler put his hand on my knee. “You look really pale.”
“I’m okay.” I wasn’t. I needed reassurance. James’ text had been anything but reassuring. I felt like I was sinking. I took a few deep breaths. I felt like how I did when James had stopped talking to me for weeks. Like I was numb. He was breaking up with me. Why was he breaking up with me? The dean must have convinced him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t lose him again. Losing him was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.
A man who was probably in his mid 30s walked into the room while looking down at his phone. He slipped it in his pocket and went to the front of the room. He looked right at me and then directed his attention to the rest of the class. He cleared his throat.
Most of the class had been whispering, but the room fell silent. All I could hear was my own heart beating.
“It seems as though most of you have heard about the newspaper article. I just wanted to address the fact that Professor Hunter will no longer be teaching this class. I’m Professor Nolan and I will be filling in for Professor Hunter for the remainder of the semester. There will be interviews conducted with each of you regarding Professor Hunter’s conduct. I hope that you will all be telling the truth of your experiences in this classroom.”
A girl in the front row raised her hand.
It looked like Professor Nolan wanted to ignore her, but it was hard to pretend like he didn’t see her. She was basically right in front of him. “Yes?” he asked.
“What article?”
“He’s sleeping with that girl in the back row,” a boy in the middle of the room said.
The professor cleared his throat again.
“Wait, seriously?” someone else said.
“That’s enough,” Professor Nolan interjected. “I just wanted you all to know about the interviews that are going to start tomorrow. I think this is a personal matter that is none of my business or yours, and I’d rather not discuss it any further. I’ve been told that your presentations start today. First up is…” he looked down at a piece of paper. “Raymond Asher.”
Raymond stayed seated. “Wait, we really don’t get to know any more details?” He turned around and looked at me. “Maybe Penny wants to share…”
“Mr. Asher!” Professor Nolan said, cutting him off. “This is a personal matter. How many times do I need to say that? I suggest that you get up here and start your presentation. Or you’ll be receiving an F.” Professor Nolan grabbed the podium and placed it in the middle of the room. He made his way past all the desks and sat down in the seat in front of Tyler.
I just wanted to go back to Professor Hunter’s apartment. I needed him right now. I wanted his arms around me. I rubbed my fingers across the keychain that Tyler had given me. The room felt stifling.
Tyler rubbed his hand on my back, making me jump.
“Sorry,” he mouthed silently. “You okay?”
I nodded my head.
Raymond slowly got up from his seat and stood behind the podium. I watched his mouth move but none of the words seemed to make any sense. I looked at the back of Professor Nolan’s head. I wished Professor Hunter was sitting there instead. A small part of me wanted to stand up and yell, “Yes, it was me, okay? I did it, and I don’t care!” And then I wouldn’t have to hide anymore. I suddenly felt nauseous.
When class finally ended I quickly grabbed my backpack. Professor Nolan turned around and looked at me.
“Hold on a second, Penny,” he whispered.
I didn’t want to schedule my speeches with him already. I still needed to get through the one on Friday.
“It’s going to be okay, Penny,” Tyler said as he picked up his backpack. He reached over and squeezed my arm. “Text me, okay?”
I nodded at him and gave him a weak smile.
As soon as the rest of the students were gone, Professor Nolan stood up and turned to me.
“I know I need to schedule my redo speeches with you,” I said. “But can we please wait until at least next week?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “I trust James’ grades. You don’t need to do that. But he called me this morning. He thinks it’s best if you just drop this class. I insured him that I’d look after you. But after today I think I agree with him.”
“I…”
“It’s just something you should think about. Your other classes are going to be hard, but not as bad as this one. You can think about it. But you have to give a speech on Friday if you choose to stay. I can’t treat you any differently than the other students, regardless of the circumstances. So if you decide to drop this class, just email me.”
“Okay.” James was trying to make all the decisions. I needed to talk to him. I didn’t want to go to my next class.