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“I think I’m being rather calm, because if you’re not out of here within a week, I’ll be forced to turn you for statutory rape.”
“Rape?”
“Yes, statutory rape.” His voice cracks. “I will not let you fuck this up for me, Liam. I’ve worked too hard and this means too much to me. You know that.”
“I know she’s only eighteen, but—”
“What?”
“I know she’s only eighteen,” I say it a bit louder, “And I promise you I didn’t cross the line with her until she was fully legal.”
“The age of consent in New Hampshire is sixteen, Liam.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“So, I totally get that point legally, and you definitely have some wiggle room there, but on top of the clear power imbalance, Miss Edwards won’t be eighteen until next year.”
“No…” His words aren’t making sense. “No, she’s eighteen now.”
“She was sixteen the night you picked her up from that bar.Sixteen.”
I shake my head. “She told me she was seventeen. She had birthday a week later and she always said—”
“Then she always lied,” he interrupts me. “Would you like to see the birth certificate we have on file?”
Silence.
“I’ll leave by morning.”
LESSON #6
“Always tell the truth, no matter how badly it may hurt someone you love.”
I don’t have any snark for this one.
It’s the cold, hard truth…
0
GENEVIEVE
Weeks later
The best thing about studying to become a lawyer is that it’s possible to become numb with the list of documents we have to read. The words, “I have to study for law school,” are respected and people don’t try to lure you away with pointless distractions.
Then again, whenever I’m not contributing to my study group, I’m pulling up case after case of teachers who have had relationships with their students.
I was hoping to find one to show Liam that not everyone gets in trouble, that I lied to keep him, but the judgements are not stacked in my favor.
Every time Brett comes over at night, armed with my favorite soup and tea, telling me how much his parents love me and are happy he’s found “a proper girlfriend with an elite upbringing,” the guilt swallows me whole.
And I wake up in the middle of the night, searching for another student & teacher case.
“What the hellis up with you these days?” Lauren stomps into my room on a Saturday morning and pulls the drapes open.
“I’m fine.” I roll over. “Nothing is wrong.”
“You’re avoiding me, and I want to know why.”
