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“So, you aren’t uncomfortable with Mr. Malone?” the dean pressed.
“No,” I said. “At least not because I think he’s going to kiss me.” There were plenty ofotherreasons to be uncomfortable around him, but I’d handle that on my own.
“Thank you, Miss Crosse. If you would like, we can remove him as TA from your classes.” If I would like… Nice ass covering there.
“He’s a good teacher,” I said, standing. “I would hate to lose out on the expertise because I engaged in a moment of thoughtless stupidity.” Backpack slung over my shoulder, I added, “I’m here for maybe one more semester. Don’t change his schedule on my account. I won’t be going out of my way to kiss him again.”
Both men stared at me.
“That’s it? I don’t need to sign anything?”
The question seemed to shake them out of their surprise. “Of course not,” the dean said as he rose. “Thank you for answering our questions. I’m very fond of Mr. Malone, but we do have a code of conduct. For our staff as well as our students.” The last he said with a firm eye on me.
“Understood,” I told him. “Can I go?”
“Absolutely, go on back to class.” He checked his watch. “The bell will probably ring for transition as soon as you’re back at the academic building.”
I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. As it was, the rest of the day seemed to follow that trend. Not terrible, just decaying into uncomfortable territory. Rumors about me going to the dean’s office were already circulating. Jonas glanced at me when we met in the hall outside our next class.
I braced for the question or the accusation or something. But all he said was, “Are you okay?”
“What?”
“You look…mad? Sad—off…I don’t know the word. Are you okay?” He glanced around the hall then back at me.
“Just…yeah, I’m fine. Did I miss anything in lit?”
“A really boring lecture,” Jonas told me before he opened the door. “Really boring.”
I laughed. Moments like that helped. When Sydney caught me in the hall after my last class, I wasn’t ready for her wide eyes. “Are you in trouble?”
“With?” It had already been a long day.
“The school, I heard you got pulled out of class and marched to the dean’s office. Everyone’s talking about it, and they aren’t sure if you’re getting expelled for conduct unbecoming…”
For real? I raised my brows. I’d been at the school long enough to know that I wasn’t the only celebrity or in the news student that went here.
“Well, you know, that you were questioned about kissing the teacher.” A slow smile creased her lips, then she shook her head and the grin fell away. “Just kidding. Sorta. Mostly. I am not asking you about it now or ever. But there were pictures and you know how people talk.”
“Yeah, I do…and I don’t care right now. I need Midol, some dark chocolate, and a huge cup of coffee.” Because I was on the edge of killing something and I needed to maintain my neutrality.
“Hey,” she said with a grin and pulled out a small bottle of the pain relievers from her pocket. “I literally just picked these up.”
“You are my favorite human.”
She laughed but passed them over, and I dry swallowed two. True to her word, she didn’t press me for more answers. But good to know the gossip mill was firing on all cylinders. I couldn’t afford to think about it right now, I was already grumpy.
Mr. Ninja Kiss better keep his lips to himself. Today was not the day and I was not…
“KC,” a very familiar voice called as I neared the dorm, and I pivoted.
“Johnny?” What the…? I shifted my grip on the backpack and walked to where he was waiting. He wore a lot of layers for being here, but then it was cold and it had snowed. “What are you doing here?”
“Surprising you,” he said with an almost sheepish smile. “Davina found out I was coming East to head to the Sunshine Retreat to try and see your mom and she asked me to bring you something…” That was when he pulled the bag out from behind him and I almost squealed.
Davina sent a care package. I couldsmellthe cookies and the chocolate and the sugar. I’d bet my savings account she also sent her chicken and dumplings, which was my favorite anxiety food.
After this stressful, shitty day, I threw my arms around him. “You are the best,” I said as he returned the hug with a chuckle. “This is exactly what I needed.”
