Page 98 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“Professor Thorne?” a male voice said.
“Hi, Angel.” I turned around and saw my student from last semester.
“Um, can you go easy on Samantha? She’s a good person.” Angel wore a hoodie, shorts, sunglasses, and flip-flops.
Good people didn’t wreck someone’s life’s work.
I sighed as I dried my hands. “It’s not up to me. There was a lot of damage.”
“She, um, didn’t do it because she hated you. Sure, she sort of talked shit online, but it’s her whole social media persona, not who she truly is.” He shuffled his feet.
“Please tell me she didn’t do it for likes?” Though there hadn’t been a video of it.
“Someone offered her money to do it. She took it to help pay her tuition, not realizing how bad it was. Then they ghosted her, and she never got paid. She got caught. They said she wouldn’t get caught.” Angel frowned.
I paused. “Someone was going to pay her? Do you know who?”
“She doesn’t even know who they actually are. Anyhow, she’s really sorry.” His head bowed. “One poor decision and everything she’s worked for…”
That was how bad decisions went.
“I’m so sorry for everything she went through, but like I said, it’s university property. However, if she can figure out who it was, that could help,” I told him.
“Oh, it could? Thanks, Prof.” With a wave, Angel walked off.
I entered the lab and found everyone in the lounge eating an assortment of food.
“Is everything okay?” Grif put his arms around me.
“Someone paid the girl who wrecked my greenhouse. Well, she was supposed to be paid,” I said, leaning into him. His scent got sweeter with every day.
“Shit.” Grif squeezed me. “Do we know who?”
“No. It could be anyone.” I sighed and sat down and grabbed a sandwich. “Thanks again for everyone’s help.” We were nearly done.
“My money is on Derva. Bitch.” Mercy made a face.
“Mine’s on Fuckboy Freddie the asshole,” Dare added.
“Wait, those two are around? Fuck-a-doodle.” Hale made a face and then stuffed half a sandwich in his face.
“And together.” Mercy rolled her eyes.
“Fuck, that sounds toxic.” Hale downed most of his drink.
Dean looked at his phone. “We’re invited to a taco eating contest this afternoon at Taco Hut. Ladybug’s bringing hercat?”
I looked at the picture of the fluff of orange and white fur. If it had black stripes, I’d think it was a baby tiger. “Are we sure that’s a house cat?”
“You can’t actually be sure with Ladybug,” Dean replied. “She’s always bringing stray animals to the rink. That’s how Nia got Pupper.”
“And therewasthe racoon in a bucket,” Jonas added.
“She found Marty in a tree on campus as the storm was hitting. It’s been only the two of them throughout the storm. He’s so cute. I met him yesterday at the rink when we were cleaning up,” Mercy gushed.
“Taco eating contest? I’m down. Like we’re eating tacos with the Knights?” Hale perked and reached for another sandwich.
“Yeah, it's something they do sometimes. Usually it's the younger Knights,” Dean replied. “Carlos, Dimitri, the rookies…”
