Page 58 of Hello Kitten

As I sit in the library, tapping my pencil on the table, ready to work on my essay and my assignment. Wait, shit. My essay. I must have forgotten it on Adrian’s desk.

I glance at my watch and know he’s still there. His office hours aren’t done yet, and I can quickly grab it, get some work done if he doesn’t distract me again and then head to my dorm.

The chair scratches the dark wooden floors and I make my way out of the library and to Adrian’s office.

My brows knit as I see the door to his office is open. Did I forget to close it? When I hear the words creeping though that small crack, I’m hesitant. My heart beats faster as my hands shake.

“I think we can have some fun,” Dr. Spence says in a sultry voice I never heard fall from her.

“Clarissa, really, I-I don’t think we should be more than colleagues,” Adrian says.

“Why?”

Silence again. He sighs. “I’m not ... No, please. I don’t want to compromise our working relationship.”

“Oh, it won’t. It will improve it,” Dr. Spence says, and I dare to peek through the small opening, watching her inch closer.

“Clarissa.” His hands are on her shoulders and she leans up. “I need you to stop.”

And then her lips are on his. His eyes flick to the door and mine widen.

I hurry away, run as tears sting my eyes. I don’t go back to the library and escape to my dorm.

I have no idea how I got in my bedroom, or how I even got changed but my thoughts almost drown me. I need something to make me forget.

My phone buzzes over and over again and I take it out of my pocket to take a peek.

Where are you?

Nothing happened, Emily.

I heard what he said, I saw what she did. I know, I know I’m making myself crazy now.

She came onto me, there’s nothing between us. I promise.

Kitten, please pick up.

I type a reply and I hate that I’m even replying.

She just accidentally fell on your lips?

My heart makes me do stupid things; I know that. But am I wrong for wanting an escape after I saw him kiss her? Fuck, why did I fall for him?

Let me tell you what happened, please.

Beth watches me suspiciously and I wave her away. “Go get ready, we’re going to that frat party Sean was talking about.”

“Emily, what’s happening?” she asks and comes closer.

“Nothing, I just want to go out with my friends.”

Her gaze narrows slightly. “You know you can tell me everything, right?”

I gulp, and I straighten, knowing I can’t tell her. I can’t tell her I’ve been lying to her this entire time. I don’t need a fight right now, I need some booze.

“I know.” I sigh. “There’s nothing, I thought it could be fun going to a frat tonight.”

She stiffly miles and nods. “You know I’ve known you for a very long time, and I don’t know who thistinderguy is, but I do know how he has changed you.”

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