Unwilling to let them see my pain, I shoulder past them and walk away with my head held high. As soon as I turn the corner, I let the mask drop, breaking into a dead sprint toward the bathroom. Once I’m safely inside, I break, letting my tears fall as my heart breaks all over again.
The next morning dawns overcast and misty—perfectly somber to match my mood.
I wake up early enough to wash and dry my hair. I want to make a good impression on Professor Ellison, which I guess is kind of stupid after trying to flee his class yesterday. He probably thinks I’m some immature brat here on Daddy’s dime.
Still, I take the time to dress nicely, throwing on a simple cotton dress that straddles the line between professional and relaxed.
I make it through two hours of class—one of history and one of science.
Thankfully, they’re both easy days. We go over the syllabus in both classes, do a few ice breakers, and in science, we also tour the department.
I send up a small prayer of thanks, because God knows my mind is preoccupied.
All I can think of is meeting with Professor Ellison. If he’s not able to help me, I truly don’t know what I’ll do.
I’d like to say I’m strong enough to withstand whatever Sterling may have up his sleeve, but the truth is, I’m really just... not.
I only have minutes to make it to Professor Ellison’s office after my science class ends. My power walk turns to a full-on sprint when I realize I’m cutting it close, and I manage to make it to his office at twelve on the dot.
A shiver works its way through me as I knock. Shuffling sounds from behind the door, and then it swings open, revealing the last person I wanted or expected to see.
He regards me disinterestedly before his lip curls into a sneer. “Are you coming in or not? My time is valuable, Miss Price.”
“Um.” I dart my eyes around the room, looking for Professor Ellison. Surely he’s around here somewhere. Why would he set up a meeting and not show?
“Um,” he mocks in a high-pitched tone. “Drop the act. Either come in or leave.”
“I... I’m supposed to have a meeting with Professor Ellison.”
“Which he so kindly left in my capable hands.”
I gulp. I’m pretty sure the only things his hands are capable of right now is strangling me.
“Stop wasting my time.” Sterling’s voice is a low growl that sends flutters of fear through my belly.
“Are you going to let me in?” I ask, sounding one-hundred percent braver than I feel.
Smirking, he steps back a fraction of an inch. If I want into that office, I’m going to have to press myself through the microscopic opening between him and the door.
Our chests brush as I cross the threshold. The hint of contact between us sends shivers down my spine.
Aware of his effect on me, Sterling laughs as he pulls the door closed behind us.
“To what do I owe the displeasure of this visit, Miss Price?”
He remains standing, and so do I. He’s already taller than me, I’m not about to give him an ounce of additional power over me.
“I think you know.” My voice is flimsy, even to my own ears, but I pretend not to notice.
He nods thoughtfully. “I’m sure I do, but I think I want to hear you say it.”
Squaring my shoulders, I force my gaze up to his. “I would like to be transferred into a different section.”
Sterling rubs his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “That’s too bad.”
“Why?” I ask, even though the sinking feeling in my gut says I already know.
He’s not going to make this easy for me. It wouldn’t surprise me for him to outright refuse me, if only out of spite.
“All of the other classes are full.”
“All of them?” I ask in disbelief.
A dark grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Every. Single. One.”
“Then I’ll drop the class!” I shout, my voice far too loud for the small space.
He advances toward me, boxing me back until he has me caged against the wall. My chest expands and contracts rapidly. His uninvited nearness makes my pulse go haywire.
“Sure.” He leans his right forearm against the wall, dipping his face toward mine, so we’re eye to eye. “You could, but I wouldn’t advise it.”
“Why not?” I whisper.
Sterling brings his left hand up and trails his knuckles over my cheek.