Page 143 of Plaything

She knew that we knew about her crying last night; she must have seen Reesia whispering to Collin about it, which was why she left in a rush. She was embarrassed and didn’t want to face any of us.

It wasn’t a conversation that should have been had over text. After class, I’d make sure she was okay, and then we could have a proper discussion when we were all home tonight.

Hours passed like days as my classes dragged on. My students would’ve never known I was bothered. I wouldn’t let my personal problems affect their education like that; it wouldn’t be fair to them. So I plastered a smile on my lips and taught the best way I knew how.

Finally, after four classes, it was time for my last class of the day. The group of students I’d been eager to see all day started piling into my classroom. I absentmindedly greeted them, making quick remarks about their drenched coats from the downpour outside. My eyes stayed locked on the door, waiting for my girl to make an appearance.

I heard the voices of other students asking questions in the hall, and dread filled me.

“Is it true that you’re already engaged?”

“Remember me when you get the billi!”

“My brother is single if you want to marry him.”

“Odette, how are you? We haven’t spoken in so long. I’m here if you need anyone to talk to.”

“Have you seen the news? You’re all over it! You’re like totally famous, girl.”

“If you need a shoulder to cry on, I’m here for you, Baby.”

“We haven’t met, I’m Chase.”

Odette, surrounded by kiss-asses and brown nose students, entered the room. Besides the flock around her, the first thing I noticed was her eyes. Even from across the room, she’d obviously been crying. Her undereyes were dark and puffy, and she looked exhausted. Her body was swallowed by a hoodie with the hood up. It belonged to Wyatt, but no one here would know that, as he only wore it around the house.

Had it been like this the entire day? Receiving borderline harassment from the same students who I’d never seen talk to her. It was pathetic.

“Everyone, take your seats!” I called, making them disband from her. She slumped in a chair in the back row, but students still turned to look and whisper about her among themselves.

A boy I recognized as Tristan took the chair next to her. He was on the student’s team with her when playing volleyball against us. He hadn’t spoken to her since the game, nor did he ever sit near her during class. I observed momentarily as he spoke to her with a stupid grin plastered across his mouth.

Couldn’t he and everyone else tell that she wanted to be left the fuck alone? She didn’t respond to him and seemed to tune out as she shifted away from him, blocking her face with the hood.

Her eyes met mine, and I watched her shoulders drop as if she’d taken a deep breath. I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms, block out all the noise, and scare her monsters away. Why hadn’t she gone home? It was more than apparent that the students had been awful to her. She looked broken down and done.

My blood boiled, and I found my mask slipping. I was a professor, but right now, my job—my priority—was making sure she was okay.

As everyone settled, I quickly texted Aiden, Dom, and Wyatt.

Niko: It’s bad.

Aiden: What did she say?

Niko: Nothing. She’s in my class and has been crying. Probably going to end class early and take her home.

Wyatt: I rode with Dom, leave her keys on your desk, and I’ll take her car back after work.

With a rough plan in mind, I set my phone down and began the spiel I’d given to my other classes that day. The planned lesson was simple; it was Monday, so I never gave them a hard time. Most of them were still asleep and would remain asleep until about Wednesday.

To everyone else, my eyes roamed around each student. Really, I was watching Odette and looking around the class every few seconds to make it look like I wasn’t entirely fixated on her. She wasn’t paying attention; her eyes were locked on the floor as she zoned out.

Tristan was still trying to talk to her, whispering as if to not interrupt my lesson. It was when he kept scooting impossibly closer to her that I stumbled a bit in my rehearsed lesson. Every few minutes, he would find a way to move his chair. When his chair couldn’t physically move any closer, he leaned, practically shadowing her. His need for her attention was pathetic.

My voice barely changed, and the stumble was mostly unnoticed—not by her. Her eyes flickered to me for a moment before she turned to look at the boy. I couldn’t hear her whispers, but I’d come accustomed to her lips and made out the words, ‘Leave me alone, Tristan, or...’ I didn’t quite get the threat, but whatever she said made him move several feet away from her, back to his own desk.

That’s my girl.

As the class went on, I announced I’d have to leave early for an appointment, which added an excited buzz to the students. Sometimes, I lied and let them out early just for fun. I figured professors like Dominic and many other assholes gave them enough to deal with. I wouldn’t assign extra work or make them stay after if it wasn’t necessary. It also required less work and grading for me.

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