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At least I can always count on her to make me smile.
ChapterFifteen
I don’t knowwhat game Hudson was playing on Monday, but after two days of being on edge, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, I’ve finally relaxed. At least partially. I don’t think I’ll ever know true peace. Not within the walls of this prestigious university. Not when every shadow of my past is lurking around the corner, just waiting to taunt me.
Finding Hudson back in his normal seat as I walk into English only further eases my worries. There hasn’t been any hint of a new rumor this week, nor have any of the other guys paid me any extra attention. It seems Hudson was playing his own game. Who knew he’d become so adept at mind games? That was always Eli’s specialty.
Class doesn’t seem to drag quite as long without Hudson’s presence slowly driving me insane. Lord knows I don’t need his help, I’m doing that perfectly fine on my own.
I let my mind wander as I take notes on my laptop. Is it too much to hope that things might stay this quiet? That maybe things are even turning around.
Shelby did tell me that she wanted to talk to me today, and she seemed excited. She must have good news, maybe even some of the information I had asked her to get. I just might be able to survive this year after all.
As class comes to an end, I pack my stuff away. Eager to get through the rest of my classes today so I can meet with Shelby like we planned.
“Miss Montgomery, a moment?” The professor’s voice stops me in my tracks as ice runs through my veins. Without even meaning to, my gaze turns toward Hudson. He’s already at the door, a knowing smirk firmly in place. I relaxed too soon.
My face heats as I make my way down the steps to the front of the lecture hall.
“What can I do for you, Professor?” I ask politely, clutching my notebook to my chest. I don’t know what Hudson managed to do but I have a bad feeling.
My professor studies me over the rim of his glasses. My fingers tighten around my notebook as I try to keep my mask firmly in place. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but I get the feeling whatever he finds will determine the outcome of this conversation.
“I was surprised to read your paper,” he starts, still assessing me. My heart drops to my stomach. This isn’t about the guys, but my assignment? “And find you changed your topic from the outline you provided.”
I open my mouth, ready to defend my topic before his words register. I quickly shut my mouth and tilt my head to the side as confusion fills me. My outline matched my assignment. “Professor, I’m sorry but I think you must be mistaken. I didn’t change my topic.”
He nods along with my words but doesn’t respond. Instead he turns back to his desk and grabs two stacks of paper. One, I immediately recognize as the copy of my outline and notes that I turned in. The other, he hands to me. I let my eyes trail over it and if I thought I was confused before, it’s nothing to how I feel now.
Right there at the top of the page is my name. But this is not my paper.
“I don’t understand,” I whisper, shaking my head as I flip through the pages of the essay. It doesn’t make sense.
“We are in agreement on that, Miss Montgomery,” he chides. “Not sticking to your outline would have lost you points, but I was quite shocked to realize I had read this paper before.”
Understanding drops through me like a bag of bricks. This was Hudson’s plan. The paper crumples in my fist as fury washes through me. It isn’t enough for them to try and ruin my reputation, they’re really risking my education too. Plagiarism is a serious offense at any school, but BSU takes it especially seriously. This could mean an immediate expulsion for me.
“Professor, this isn’t my paper,” I plead with him. “I swear I didn’t turn this in.”
He assesses me carefully. “I didn’t think you would be quite so idiotic to attempt to turn in a paper written by my very own student aide.”
Heat rushes through my cheeks. That fucking bastard. He made sure that it would be something the professor would notice almost immediately.
“However, this is the only paper that I have with your name on it.”
Dread builds in me. I may not have wanted to be here like this, but it was never because of the school itself. The idea of this opportunity being ripped away from me makes tears burn the back of my eyes. The repercussions I’ll face makes chills run down my spine.
I can’t give up like this. I wrote my paper. I did a damn good job too.
“I have proof that I didn’t turn that in,” I exclaim, grasping at straws to keep my place here. I place my bag down and pull my laptop out of its case. I emailed myself the final paper and that will have a date and time stamp to prove that the assignment was completed before class on Monday.
He says nothing as he silently watches me pull up my email account on my laptop. Professor Schaubeck sighs and shakes his head as he checks the time stamp on the email. “Please open the attachment, Miss Montgomery.” I nervously swallow as I do what he asks. It’s the exact copy that I printed and attempted to turn in on Monday. “Thank you. Please go ahead and forward the email to me. I will be grading this copy.”
My whole body sags in relief at his words. I didn’t actually expect for it to be quite this easy. Even with my last name, I thought I would have more of a fight on my hands. He looks at me and must sense my surprise, but he hesitates to say whatever is on his mind.
He runs his hands through his hair and shakes his head in disbelief again. “I’m not blind, nor am I stupid,” he finally says, catching me off guard. Professor Schaubeck is one of the youngest professors in BSU’s history. No one would dare to accuse him of being anything less than the genius he’s proven to be. “I’m aware of the different challenges you’ve been facing this semester.”
My shoulders curl in on myself, despite my best effort to remain neutral. I can take it from the guys, from Carson, from his stupid frathole friends and the bitchy sorority girls. I just never expected to be in this position with a professor. With someone I respect and even admire. Shame burns through me that he’s heard the rumors circulating.
