“That’s not what I meant, Penny. If all you’ll give me is friendship then that’s what I want. I want to be a part of your life. I want you to be happy too. And if Professor Hunter makes you happy, then I’m glad that you’re with him.”
Maybe I was reading into the things he said too much. He was right, we had always been friends. “So what do you think you’ll be doing after you graduate that will make you happy?”
“Actually, I’m interviewing for a job next week.”
“For what?”
“I think I want to be a business reporter. I love business. More than I thought I would, actually. But I think I like writing even more. And I had fun giving speeches in class.”
“Tyler, that’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I’m really excited about it. I think it could be a perfect fit for me. I’m so nervous about my interview.”
“You’re going to do great.” I smiled at him. “If you get it, where will you be working?”
“New York.”
“You’re moving to New York?”
He laughed. “Maybe. I haven’t gotten the job yet. But I think it will be nice to move to the city. At least for awhile. I think a change will be good.”
“I’m going to miss you. I knew you’d be graduating in the spring, but I didn’t think I’d lose you to the big city.”
He laughed again. “It’s like a two and a half hour drive from here, tops. We can visit each other all the time. I can third wheel with you and Professor Hunter. It’ll be a blast.”
I smiled. “James grew up in the city. He loves it there. Maybe you two have more in common than you think. I really hope you two can eventually be friends.”
“If I ever lose the urge to punch him in the face, maybe we can all hang out.” Tyler smiled.
“That sounds fair.”
“Are you going to your other classes today?” he asked.
“Yeah. I just want everything to go back to normal.”
“I feel like I should warn you. Everyone’s talking about it. I’m pretty sure it’s the most scandalous thing that’s happened here in ages.”
“I think if I just act like everything’s normal it’ll just blow over.”
“Maybe.” Tyler leaned forward slightly. “Try not to let it bother you. If you need me you can call me, you know.”
“I know.”
“Let me walk you to your next class. It’ll make me feel better.”
He was acting weird. How bad was this going to be? “Yeah that would be great. I have psychology in Gore.”
“Okay, let’s get going then. My next class is pretty far from there.”
I quickly finished my bagel and we walked out of the shop together. “Thanks for breakfast, Tyler.”
“Of course. When have I ever not paid for one of your meals?”
“I always offer to pay, I…”
“I’m just kidding. You’re going to have to learn to laugh stuff off if you’re going to survive today.”
“Is it really that bad? I mean, what are people saying?”
“It seems like most people really liked Professor Hunter’s classes. Lots of people are blaming this whole thing on you.”
“Really?” I was surprised. The things that the dean had said made it seem like people would think James was a monster. Seducing students left and right. It made me feel better that people were blaming me. It almost seemed like it would be easier to deal with. I hated when people said bad things about James.
“Yeah, I was surprised too. Professor Hunter always said the weirdest stuff in class. I thought he was an awful professor. Always talking about lust and inappropriate dreams and stuff. I get it now, though. He was flirting with you the whole time. So I guess he was just a bad professor in our class.”
I could feel my face turning red.
“I really thought he was a crazy person.”
I laughed awkwardly. “Yeah. We probably could have been more subtle.”
Tyler shrugged. “I didn’t even notice and I knew you. But looking back on it now, there were a lot of signs.”
We stopped outside of Gore Hall. A lot of people stared at us as they walked by. Maybe they were just staring because my face was red. I took a deep breath. I was probably imagining it.
“Just try to laugh everything off today, okay? People are idiots.”
“I’m going to be fine. I doubt anyone’s going to talk to me. Especially in Psych. It’s a huge lecture hall. I sit by myself.”
“Oh, you don’t know anyone in that class?”
“It’s like 200 people or something ridiculous, but no, I don’t know anyone.”
“Maybe I should come with you.”
I laughed. “Tyler, I’m not letting you skip another class. What will the people conducting your interview think next week if you keep doing that?”
“Psh. I have all As. They’re going to think I’m awesome.”
“Still. I’m fine.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you later.” He gave me a hug.
“See, she sleeps with everyone,” some girl said as she walked by us with a group of her friends. They all laughed.
What the hell?
Tyler unwound his arms from me. “Yeah, if that was a guy I would have punched him in the face.”
I stared at the girl as she entered Gore Hall.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” Tyler asked.
“Yeah. I mean, no, you should go to your class. It’s gonna be fine.” I wasn’t as convinced as I had been a minute ago, though.
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck on your interview, in case I don’t see you beforehand.”
“Thanks, Penny. Remember, laugh it off.” He smiled and walked away.
I remembered the advice that Professor Nolan had given me. Getting to class early was a bad idea. So instead of entering the classroom, I went to the bathroom. I sat down in one of the stalls and pulled my phone out of my pocket. There were no new messages. I thought James might text me after his conversation with the dean. Maybe they were still talking. Or arguing.
I heard the door to the bathroom close and two sets of footsteps entering.
“I can’t believe class was canceled,” one of the girls said. “This is so ridiculous. He was such a good professor.”
“I know. I can’t believe that slut got him fired.”
“He probably doesn’t even like her. And even if he does, it won’t last long. She ruined his career.”
“And she’s a home wrecker. What an awful person. I feel so bad for Professor Hunter. I’m really going to miss his class.”