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“Um, yeah.”
“Good. I’d like to see you after class today. Make sure you wait behind, okay?”
I nod, wringing my hands together in my lap, scared I’m going to be in trouble. It’s the first time I’ve ever been late, and although I’m struggling in class, I still do my work to the best of my ability. “Okay.”
He stands up, his fingers running across my neck, causing me to stiffen. He doesn’t seem to notice or care as he squeezes my shoulder and goes back to his desk.
I watch him closely as he takes a seat, not wanting to take my eyes off him. When he picks up his coffee cup, our gazes meet. He smiles and I glance away, a shiver running down my spine.
I glance around the room to see if anyone else had seen what happened, but they all have their heads bent down, studying the worksheets in front of them. When I glance at my desk, I notice my own one on the wooden surface and inwardly kick myself. How did I miss this being handed out to me?
Not wanting to give Mr. Flint another reason to keep me longer, I get to work. Every so often I feel his eyes on me, and when I lift my head, he’s staring at me, and a sense of foreboding creeps through me. It’s creepy and, in my eyes, utterly unprofessional.
By the time class is over, my nerves have got me sweating. Everyone is piling out of the room, not giving me a second glance as I pack my stuff away.
“Come take a seat, Allie.”
I grab my bag and make my way down to the front of the classroom. Mr. Flint sits back on his desk, his legs crossed at the ankles and his arms gripping the edge of the dark wood. The way he gazes at me—the slow appraisal as his eyes rake up and down my body—has me itching to bolt.
I’ve never been in trouble before, so this is all new for me. I swallow hard when he gestures to the chair he’s put in front of his desk.
“I’d like to talk to you about your coursework.”
Okay, this isn’t about being late, then?
“Okay.”
I clasp my hands together in my lap, watching him closely as he pulls another chair up next to mine and takes a seat.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been struggling and was wondering why you weren’t attending the study group I arranged for everyone.”
“I work during the times you allocated. I did ask if there was any way one of them was willing to meet me when I was free, but they’ve got too much schoolwork.”
He hums in the back of his throat. “I have night classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but if you’re free Friday, I can help you catch up. You don’t have to struggle alone,” he tells me softly.
I jump at the feel of his hand landing on my thigh, my body instantly freezing at the bold, unwanted move. I try to move away, but his fingers tighten a little; not enough to hurt, but enough to make me take notice. I stop moving and pick up my bag.
“I…well… I’m busy on Friday nights. I’ll be fine. I promise to catch up, and come to think of it, I just remembered a friend of mine took this class last year. She said she wouldn’t mind tutoring me.”
His thumb rubs slow circles on my thigh. My throat closes, and with adrenaline pumping through my veins, I jump up to my feet. His hand slips free from my leg as he stands with me, standing close enough that if I were to move he would be touching me.
“If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. We could meet up here, or somewhere more… private.”
My eyes widen at the way he says ‘private’: slowly, deliberately. “Okay. Thank you. I have to go; my boyfriend is waiting for me.”
Something flashes in his eyes but it’s gone when the door to the classroom is pushed open.
“Cupcake, there you are. Did you forget we were meeting for lunch?”
Relieved to see CJ, I step around Mr. Flint and walk over to him. I force a smile, but CJ being CJ sees through it and eyes me more closely.
“See you in next class. I shouldn’t have to remind you to be on time.”
I quickly turn around after taking CJ’s hand and nod. “I won’t be. Thank you.”
Mr. Flint grunts something under his breath that I don’t hear. CJ notices and pauses. Not wanting anything to happen, I take his hand and pull him out the door.
The air leaves my lungs the second we’re out of the classroom. Even with the room being one of the biggest lecture halls, it felt claustrophobic in there.
