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I read it again, unable to really process what he’s said for a few moments. Shame tries to bubble up in my chest, but anger wins out. I don’t care about keeping him as a fan. Frankly, I never have.
If you don’t like him, you don’t have to watch any of my streams at all. He’s my friend, and we’ll probably collaborate again. There are plenty of women who never work with a man, and you’re welcome to their streams at any time. If he hadn’tcalled me a whore, I wouldn’t have been so shitty. But I don’t deserve the insult and I’m not going to take it politely.
His response comes faster than I expect, or want it to.
Sorry for looking out for you. I’ve put a lot of dedication into your stream, you know. I don’t have to be here.
Dedication, my ass.
Then don’t, I reply, and slam my laptop lid shut. I’m not looking into getting into some stupid argument with a man I don’t give a shit about. I’m not looking for an argument at all, today. Whatever else he has to say won’t be any nicer, and I’m half-tempted to block him from my stream altogether.
“Don’t get so worked up,” I tell myself, sitting back against my headboard. “Don’t let him get to you. It’s just a stupid man, with a stupid opinion.” The words are ones I live by. I give myself a few minutes, trying to figure out what I want for dinner, before I decide I need to move again.
He’s not worth even half of my attention for the next five minutes, and I’m not going to let him take up space in my brain if I can help it.
Chapter 26
I’ve never hated project reviews for any class until this moment.
I shuffle on the sofa, wondering why Oliver isn’t here. Normally he’s on the couch, waiting for me or waiting for class to start. Though I suppose since there is no class, and he has no review to do, that it makes sense for him tonotbe here. Plus, I hadn’t been particularly nice the last time we’d spoken.
But maybe, selfishly, I’d hoped he would be here anyway.
My fingers drum on the end table sitting beside the sofa, nails making soft, sharp noises against the glass top. I’m surprised it’s survived this year, let alone however long it’s been here. Some people aren’t very careful coming through the building, and it shows in the mess I’ve seen made of the arts department before.
Though, with it facing Rook’s office, I guess that’s reason enough for people not to bother it. Knowing him, he’d fail a student for making it teeter, let alone fall outright.
The thought makes me grin, and I’m still wearing the stupid look when Professor Solomon’s door opens and one of the other students, a girl who’s been trying to get into his pants all semester, storms off.
He looks at me, boredom etched into every part of his face, while I grin like an idiot.
It’s awkward, to say the least.
I can see the strength it takes for him not to roll his eyes, and he leans against the doorframe with raised brows in a small expression that just screams,really? But I don’t know what to say or do except sit there, hand on the end table, and fucking grin.
“Let’s get this over with,” he sighs, crooking two fingers in my direction. “Since we’re already late for your appointment.”
Checking my phone, I realize that he’s right, though not by much. My review was supposed to start three whole minutes ago. But clearly, I won’t survive. By the look on his face, he definitely won’t either.
“Okay,” I sigh, getting to my feet and shoving my hands into the pockets of my hoodie. I don’t need my backpack today, or anything else, so all I have with me are my keys, phone, and cards that slot into the case wrapped around it.
I take four long strides before another door opens, a voice interrupting me as I start to close in on his small office.
“I thought I saw you earlier, Love.” The cold, feminine voice could match Rook’s for disinterest, and I know it well. My weird grin changes, becoming genuine as I turn to see Professor Carmine coming out of a staff lounge. She closes the door, her thin, wrinkled hands moving slowly but gracefully at her task. “You’ll be happy to know that I’ve graded exams.”
My heart constricts as she walks over, just as it always does every time she’s finished with one of our exams. While Professor Carmine, in all her dismissive, impolite glory, may be my favorite professor of all time, it hasn’t stopped her from failing an essay I wrote once or twice.
“Hello Professor,” I greet, throwing a quick look at Rook. He leans against the frame of his door still, a lazy smile on his lips. “Ihope you aren’t about to tell me I’ll be repeating your class next semester.”
“Well, I can’t give you much right now, but it’s safe to say that you’ll only be seeing me next year for your senior seminar. I trust you’ll book early for a session, since I am your advisor as far as I remember.” Her gaze slides to Professor Solomon, still unimpressed. “Unless you’re trying to steal my favorite student from me? I’d prefer you didn’t. She’s got a promising career in the historical aspects of study, along with anything else she wants to do. Has Miss Love told you about her senior thesis yet?”
I turn to look at him, eyes widening by increments. I don’t know what hecouldsay to get me in trouble with her, but I’m scared he’ll find a way, even if I beg him not to.
“She’s one of the best students I’ve had who isn’t a photography major,” Rook admits, hands in his pockets. “But you’re in luck, as it’s too late to convert her to my major now. I guess I’m stuck wishing I’d got to her sooner.” He eyes me as he says it, and part of me is sure he means more than in the academic sense. “If her thesis has any photography related elements, however, I hope you’ll advise her to come see me next year. Even if she doesn’t decide to sign up for another of my classes.”
I don’t think I’ll be doing that.
“Miss Love is adept at using her resources wisely.” It’s not quite a compliment when it sounds so… reprimanding. “She learned so much from her first semester in my class that I almost think she’s a different person.” I don’t wince at the words, but she’s right. The first time I’d taken a class from Professor Carmine, I’d nearly failed it.
