Page 18 of Teach Me Your Ways

8

CECE

Lina Reese was standing in the hallway when I stormed out. She was far enough away from the door that I didn’t think she overheard my exchange with Professor Stone. I hoped not. If she did, oh well. I didn’t like her. I didn’t know if she was jealous because she had or was planning on sleeping with the guy or if she was just a bitch.

“Hey,” she said and stepped in front of me. “Cecily, right?”

“Yup,” I said, keeping my tone breezy. “And you’re Lina. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

She looked me up and down. She was a few inches taller than me but that was because she was wearing heels. “Who are you?”

“Ce-ci-ly,” I said slowly.

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not what I’m asking. Who are you? Why are you here?”

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” I retorted.

“Why did he bring you on as a TA? What did they tell you?”

I realized the woman might look all confident and pretty, but she was insecure as hell. She was worried I was going to outshine her. That was exactly my plan. It wasn’t personal. I was just really serious about being the best at what I did.

“I was approved for a TA job and Professor Stone is who I was assigned to after my original professor became unavailable.”

Her smile was frosty and fake. “Mm-hmm. I didn’t realize there’d be another TA. Usually, Professor Stone only takes one.”

I tilted my head. “Guess he’s feeling generous this semester. Lucky me.”

Lina’s gaze flicked from my shoes to my head like she was sizing me up. “Was this like a lottery win kind of thing?”

“A lottery?” I repeated with confusion.

“You know someone,” she said. “Who are your parents? They have a wing here? Fund something?”

Jealousy. I was not used to anyone being jealous of me. But that’s what this was. She was jealous and insecure.

I smiled sweetly. “Nope. No buildings. No lottery. My original professor decided to go find himself or whatever. I needed the TA gig, Dean Carver told me there was an opening, and boom, here I am. If you’d like to cover my tuition, though, I’m happy to just focus on my class work. But I don’t have a rich daddy to pay my bills.”

Yes, the last bit was a little catty, but I couldn’t resist. This chick was getting all up in my business and I didn’t like it.

Her little lips that were plump and perfectly lined and covered with high gloss formed an O shape. I had a feeling she wasn’t used to anyone speaking to her the way I just did. She was going to have to get used to it. If she came at me, I was going to give it back twice as hard. I didn’t cave to bullies.

“You don’t have to be rude,” she pouted.

“Ditto.” I looked around the empty hall and then back at her. If she wanted to stand out here and trade insults for the next fifteen minutes, fine, but then I had shit to do. “More?” I asked.

“What?”

“Got more you’d like to say or are we done?”

She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. “There’s nothing else.”

“Good. I guess I’ll see you in a couple days.” I spun on my heel and walked toward the exit.

Her passive aggressive bullshit was her problem. I had a kid to take care of, apartments to search for, and about a million other things to do. I had to deal with real life. She was clearly a pampered princess that was probably on her way to the spa. I wasn’t jealous. I just wasn’t going to give her any more of my time or energy than was absolutely necessary.

Dinner that night was a blur. We made dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and green beans. Had to get some veggies into the quick meal. Mom was a decent cook, but neither of us would ever get mistaken for gourmet chefs. Dinner with Mom and Sophie was my touchstone. Even when I had a shitty day, dinner with my kid reminded me why I was burning the candle at both ends.

“So, what’d you guys do today?” I asked Sophie.