Page 55 of Love, In Balance

“Well, Callista, if all students were just able to choose which classes they did and didn’t attend when they please, because of silly fallouts, we’d be in a bit of a pickle wouldn’t we? So, if you insist on missing classes, I’m afraid I will have to report you to the higher ups and have your education with us reviewed.”

The fucking cheek of this man.

He has still failed to ask me what happened but continues as If I’m a child. At that moment, I do in fact, lose my shit.

“Well for your information, professor, over the last two weeks I have been sexually harassed and assaulted on two separate occasions by Doctor Pierce. Once at the faculty social, hence my absence last week, and once on Friday evening, inmyhome, after he turned up and forced his way in uninvited.This” I say tilting my head and pulling my top collar down “is from him biting my neck, whilst pushing me against the wall. And this” I say lifting my top slightly “is just one of the marks he left on my abdomen from his hands gripping me as I tried to get him off me. Sono, I will not be attending sessions when he is present, and if you’d like to report me, be my guest, but I will fight my case.

If you deem my reasonssillyorchildishthen I’m sure higher ups would like to know how little you consider harassment to be an issue. Oh, and I don’t appreciateyourtone or lack of care, not even attempting to ask me what had happened before penalising me and assuming my situation was like that of a primary school child. Now, I’m going to a study room and working on my research, alone. And Iwillbe making a case against Pierce as soon as I feel able to. Thank you for your time.”

He doesn’t say anything as I walk out.

I run, keeping my head down, to my study room and lock the door behind me as I burst into tears.

There’s a knock at the door.

I freeze, blood rushing through my body and I’m terrified that it’s Pierce. I turn, move the blind slightly to the side and see someone through the narrow window in the door. It’s Quin.

I open the door and instantly feel relieved.

“Quin, it’s not a great time” I say as I open the door.

“Callista, what’s wrong?” he says, full of genuine concern. He looks like he hasn’t slept.

“Quin, in the nicest way possible, does it really matter to you?” I say whilst looking down. “I just needed to be away from classrooms and lecture theatres right now. So, I’m studying in my own space instead if that’s ok. Don’t worry Quin. I’m fine”.

He looks around and then looks down, reaching for my hand as he steps slightly inside the room where the door is ajar.

“Lista, I’m sorry, ok. I can’t explain at the moment, but I just saw you rush in here upset and I wanted to make sure everything was ok” he says, brushing his thumb against my hand as he holds it gently. I want to be wrapped up in his arms more than anything. His presence stops the world from spinning. He’s the calm to my storm.

“Quin.Nothingis ok right now… but it will be. Don’t worry about me. Just get on with your day. I’ll be fine” I say as he lets my hand go and steps out of the doorway.

“I won’t stop worrying, but I trust you and respect your wishes. Just please… please be ok” he says pleadingly as he walks away. But after only a few steps, he turns back.

“Lista… One day I’ll be able to tell you why…” he stops, almost as if he’s rethinking what he’s trying to say “Just trust me when Isay that I’m not ok either, because I’ve been away from you, but I’m doing itforyou. I…Fuck, I just can’t explain it right now. Just please be ok” he finishes speaking, and then walks away this time with his head down, shaking.

I’m so confused. I thought he regretted kissing me, but that encounter was far more…intimate than I’d expect.

I spend the rest of the day studying, researching and finding ways to fill the void that is now my mind. I’m a bundle of confusion, anxiety, and what-the-fuckery, to put it one way.

After getting some work done and managing to briefly forget my current kerfuffle, I head home. I even make a draft email to send out in order to get a case made against Pierce. It’s far from finished, but it’s a start, and that’s what matters. The hardest part is starting something. The rest will follow.

I can only thank Professor Peters for activating ‘get shit done and fight back’ Lista. She’sboss.

Chapter

17

Quin

Playlist:SORRY– Macklemore and Livingston

Why did I take her hand in mine? Anyone could have seen it. Pierce could’ve seen.

I just can’t help myself. There’s something about her that pulls me to her, and when I saw her run into the study room, upset, I had to make sure she was ok.

It’s understandable that she’d rather not talk to me, but I really hope this whole upset isn’t caused by me.

And I hope one day I can tell her exactly why I’ve done what I’ve done.

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