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Bachelor ResultofTomorrowSeries,Volume2 AutumnGaze PublishedbyDarkShadowPublishing,2024
Thisisaworkoffiction.Similaritiestorealpeople,places,oreventsareentirelycoincidental. BACHELOR
Firstedition.January15,2024.
Copyright©2024AutumnGaze
WrittenbyAutumnGaze
ALLRIGHTSRESERVED Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyform,orbyanymeans (electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofboththecopyrightownerandtheabovepublisherofthisbook Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,brands,media,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Any resemblancetoanactualperson,livingordead,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental Theauthoracknowledgesthetrademarkedstatusandtrademarkownersof variousproductsreferencedinthisworkoffiction,whichhavebeenusedwithoutpermission Thepublication/useofthesetrademarksisnotauthorized,associatedwith,or sponsoredbythetrademarkowners
Allrightsreserved.
Bachelor ResultofTomorrowSeries#2
@Copyright2024
ByAutumnGaze
Coverby:BookCoverbyDesign
ResultofTomorrowSeries Book1–Professor
Book2–Bachelor
Book3– Graduate
AutumnGazeNewsletter: https://www.autumngaze.com/sign-up AutumnGazeFacebookPage: https://wwwfacebookcom/AutumnGazeAuthor AutumnGazeWebsite: http://www.autumngaze.com
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BachelorBlurb SUCCESSISTHEABILITYtogofromonefailuretoanotherwithnolossofenthusiasm... Winston Churchill
AwhirlwindforbiddenromancerocksWhitney’sworldduringherfirstsemesterofgraduateschool.Butitendsalmostas quicklyasitbegins,andafteramonthawayfromcampus,WhitneyreturnstoGarlingtonUniversitywithonegoalinmind get overProfessorRhysEllis.
That’seasiersaidthandone,especiallyafterthetwoofthemarethrustintoanevenmorecomplicatedsituationandforced toworktogethermorecloselythaneverbefore.
Tensionsarehigh,andsomeoneisouttogetWhitneyandteardownherreputationnomatterthecost.
ResultofTomorrowSeries
FindAutumnGaze: BachelorBlurb
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two ChapterTwenty-Three ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven ChapterTwenty-Eight
ResultofTomorrowSeries
FindAutumnGaze: FREEBOOKS?
MorebyAutumnGaze TouchtheSeaSeries WickedFatesSeries
Contents ChapterOne CHRISTMASWASALWAYSmyfavoriteholiday Ilovedthelights,thesnow,thewarm,fuzzyfeelingofsippinghotchocolate andwatchingacheesyrom-comwithafireblazingthehearthinthebackground.
ItalsoreallysuckedonceIgotoldenoughtoseetheholidayaswhatmymotherthoughtitwas achancetopulloutallthe stopstoflauntourwealthandstatusamongherinnercircle.I’dspentthelastfourChristmasesdressedindesignergownsand sippingchampagneinourHamptonsmansion,wheretheonlydecorationsmymotherwouldallowwerewhite.Whitelights. Whitetrees Whitetinselandcandles Theentirehousewasashrinetotheglitzandglamourshewasknownfor Therehadn’tbeenroomforwarmorfuzzyinherglisteningpalace.
ButatJessicaLowry’ssuburbanNewJerseyhome,thecompleteoppositehadbeentrue IsmiledtomyselfasIliftedmyexcessivelyheavysuitcaseontomybed,ignoringthestraininmyarmsandlowerback.I’d justreturnedtomyapartmentinthegraduatedormbuildingafteralmostfourweeksvisitingJessicaandherfamilyinJerseyfor theholidays,andmysuitcasewasfullofremindersofweeksspendinthatlovingbutloudhousewithallofherfamily...and extendedfamily.ChristmaswasawholeaffairforherhalfItalian,halfIrishhousehold.
Everydayhadbeenanewadventure Jessica’smomwokeusupwithbreakfasteverymorning,andherdadtookusoutto exploretheneighborhoodsatnight,huntingforthestreetsforthebestlights.WedroveuptoNewYorkCitytoseethetreeat RockefellerPlaza twice andexploredthecitywithsnowflakesstucktooureyelashesandbelliesfullofpizzaandwine Andeverynight,whenIfellasleeponthetrundlebedinJessica’sroom,whichshe’dhadsincethethirdgrade,Ifeltlikeakid again.Everythingwasmagical.Everythingwassoftandsafe.Everythingfeltlikeitwasjustasitshouldbe.
Buttherewasstillanacheinmychestlikesomeonehadcarvedaholethroughmyheart,andIdidn’tknowhowtoheal fromawoundlikethat.
ComingbacktoGatlingtononlymadethatwoundfesterandthrob
Iunzippedmysuitcase,tryingtodistractmyselfwiththemyriadoflittlegiftsJessica’sparentshadsentmebacktocampus with AhandknitsweaterfromJessica’sNonna Severalplasticbagsfulloftaffyandcandycanes Severalbooks,allsteamy fictionnovelsaboutthemafiafromoneofJessica’saunts,whichhadelicitedariotousconversationandeventually,apage-bypagereadingdonebyoneheruncles,whoIwasabouteightypercentsuremighthaveactuallybeeninthemafiaatsomepoint intime,ifnotcurrently
Eachgift,howeversmall,hadmeaning.Eachgifthadbeenhandselectedformewithlove.Lastyear,mymotherhad presentedmewithapairofdiamondearrings,blissfullyunawarethatherassistanthadpickedouttheexactsamepairtheprior Christmas.
Ipulledoutthehandknitsweater,huggingittomychest,andfeltlonelierthanever
Theexposedstonewallsandancient,likelylead-ladenwindowsoftheapartmentbuildingfeltlikeitwasclosinginonme allofasudden.MyeyesprickledwiththetearsI’drefusedtoshedallwinterbreak.
I’dbeendreadingcomingbackforthefirsttimesinceIeversetfootoncampus,allbecauseofRhys
“Youhaven’tevenbeenbackforafullday,andyou’realreadyablubberingmess,”Itoldmyself,puttingthesweaterdown onmycomforteranddabbingatmyeyes Isniffed,blinkingseveraltimestoclearmyvision,andwilledmyselftobenumb Justnumb.Notears,nosadness,andmostdefinitelynoheartache.Ididn’thavetimeforanyofthatrightnow,notwhenina fewshortmonths,I’dgraduatewithmyMasterinFineArtsdegree.
Notsociology.Rhyswouldn’tbeinmyway,andIwouldn’tbeinhis. Wewouldn’tcrosspaths.
Atleast,Ihoped
JessicaandIhadtalkedaboutthesituationinlengthlateatnightwhileshesleptbarelyafootaway.WhilewhatIdid pursuingmyprofessor waswrong,Rhysdidtoywithmeinturn Askingmetomeethimattheairportbeforeheleftfrom England,andthenreiteratingthatwecouldn’t,infact,dothis,feltmorelikehewasrubbingthepaininmyfacethantryingto giveusclosure.
Iwasmadathim.Rightfullyso,inmyopinion.He’dtextedmeonce,adaybeforeChristmasEve,soundingbarely coherent,likehe’dbeendrinkingheavilybeforesendingit.Ihadn’ttextedback,eventhoughmyheartleaptintomychestthe secondhisnameflashedacrossmyscreen
Havinganoceanbetweenushadforcedmetotrytoforgetabouthim,tomoveon,tothinkofsomethingotherthanhim,like jam-packedspringsemesterandapplyingtodoctorateprograms ButnowthatIwasbackoncampus,everythingIsawwasa glaringreminderofhim.
AsingleknocksoundedonmydoorbeforeJessicawaltzedin.“Hey,checkedyouremailyet?” “No,why?”
Jessicawalkedaroundthelittlestudiowithherhandstuckedinthepocketsofherjeansbeforeleaningherweightagainst thekitchenettecounter “Wehaveaneventtonight,andit’smandatory”
Inarrowedmyeyesather.“Whatdoyoumean,mandatory?Ithoughtyouweren’tintothepartyscene,andthat’sallthat’s goingontonight,Iassureyou.”Iwasright.ItwastheFridaybeforethestartofterm,andthecampuswasfloodedwith returningstudentsfromthebreakofdawntotheearlyeveningwhenthepartiesandsocialsblaredmusicandchaosallover campus.
“Checkyouremail!”Jessicarolledhereyestothelaptopsittingidleonmydesk,winterysunlightdustingoverthescreen Ichewedmylipforamoment,wonderingifthishadsomethingtodowithBillandhisbookclubsandcardnights,whichI wouldstraight-uprefusetogotoifinvited IhadnothingagainstBill Ilikedtheguy,andIlikedhimforJessica He’dvisited forChristmas,anditwasobvioushewasheadoverheelsforher.
ButhewasfriendswithRhys,whichmeantIhadnobusinesshangingaroundhisbookshop.
Iroundedthebedandtappedonthekeyboard “What’sgoingon,exactly?”
“There’sanewstudentadvisorforsomeofthegraduateprograms,”shebreathed,crossingherarmsoverherchest. “Apparentlysheplannedalittleshindigfortonightbutfailedtonotifyanyofusgraduatestudentsuntilameagerthreehours beforewe’resupposedtobethere.”
Iarchedmybrow,glancingfrommyscreentoJessica
Sheshrugged.“She’snewandmustthinkwejustsitaroundtwiddlingourthumbsallday.It’snotlikewehavecopious amountsofresearchtobedoingforourthesispapersoranything.”
IbitdownonalaughasIpulledupmyemailandfoundexactlywhatJessicawasreferencing Hello!
Allow me to introduce myself My name is Cassandra Martins, and I will be your new student advisor for the remainder of your graduate studies here at the prestigious Gatlington University. I am deeply honored to be taking over this coveted position in the wake of Mrs Roache’s unfortunate waterskiing accident during her vacation over Christmas break, but I assure you your academic future is in good hands!
Tonight, a special social will be held in your honor. It will be a time to mingle, meet and greet with other students and professors, and start what will be, for some of you, your final semester in your graduate programs I look forward to seeing each of your smiling faces at five o ’clock sharp in Carver Hall!
Sincerely,
Cassandra Martins :)
“There’salittlesmileyfaceinheremailsignature,”Imused,tiltingmyhead. Jessicasnortedwithlaughterfromherperchacrosstheroom.“See?Toldyou.”
“Well,Iguessyou’reright.”Istraightenedupandclosedmylaptop,blowingoutmybreathinawhoosh.“Let’sskipit.” “Anddowhat?”
“Literallyanythingelse.”
Jessicagavemeaknowinglook “You’regoingtohavetoseehimeventually” “Butitdoesn’thavetobetonight.”
“Whitney,”shesighed,shakingherhead.“It’llfeelgoodtogetitoverwith.Plus,thisCassandraladyistheonedoingyour TAassignment,andyou’vebeenstressingoverthatforlike,aweek ”
“Fine,I’llgo,”Icutin,throwingmyhandsintheair.“ButI’mnotgoingtotalktoRhys.”
Shegrinned,rollingherlowerlipbetweenherteeth “Great,becauseIamnotgoingalone Imostlyjustwanttoconfirm thisCassandraMartinsisassweetasheremailmakesherseem.”
“It’salwaystheadminwiththenicestemailsthatarethemostruthlessinreallife,”ImusedasIwalkedtomyclosettogo throughmydresses,pullingoutabusinesscasualGuccipantsuit.“I’llseeyouinanhour,then.”
CASSANDAMARTINSBEAMEDatmeasshelookedmeupanddown.Herbrighthazeleyeswerefannedbydarklashes, andhermakeupwasexquisitelyapplied,inmyopinion.Young,inherearlythirties,withbleach-blondhairandaslimfigure, shewasn’tatallwhatIimagedshe’dbecomparedtothetypicaladminintheirtweedandbulkysweaters.
“Gucci,fall2018?”sheasked,eyeingmyoutfitwithmarkedappreciation.“IheardyouweretheItGirloncampus,andyou haven’tdisappointedmeatall”
“Thanks.”Ismiled,meaningit.Iimmediatelylikedher.
She’dfoundmeonlyaminuteafterIsteppedintoCarverHall,whichhousedalloftheadministrationofficesandseveral largegatheringareasliketheonewestoodinnow.SheknewwhoIwas,apparently,justbyaglance.
“I’msogladyoucouldmakeitonsuchshortnotice,”shesaid,ropingherarmaroundmine.“Iwasjustabouttosendyou anemailaboutyourTAposition”
“I’vebeenwonderingaboutthat.”
“Ittookaminutetogetitallhashedout
Lotsofprofessors wanted you,butIfoundsomeonewho needed you yourskill, yourexpertise,yourbackgroundinwranglinglargegroupsofpeople.”Shegrinnedatmeasshestartedtoguidemethroughthe
crowdtowardthefarsideoftheroom.“Youweresororitypresident,wereyounot?” “Iwas.”
“Great,see?Thisprofessorneedssomeonelikeyoutakingchargesohecanfocusonotherthings Plus,yourundergrad alignswiththeclasseshe’steachingthisyear.”
Myundergrad?Sociology?
Thatcouldonlymeanonething.
TheredandgoldfloralwallpaperstartedtocloseinonmeasIglanceddownatCassandra,whowasstilltuggingme alonebesideher.
“I’mafineartsmajornow.Iswitchedmymajor ” “ProfessorEllis!”sheshoutedloudenoughthatseveralsmallgroupsturnedtolookatus Mystomachknotted,mythroattighteningpainfully.No,no,no,no
Rhys,whohadbeenstandinginagroupwithseveralotherprofessorsandstudents,turnedhisheadatthesoundofhis name.Thecasualsmiletouchinghislipsfellthesecondhelaideyesonme.
Ifeltlikesomeonewastwistingaknifethroughmyheart
“Whatluckshedecidedtocometonight!”Cassandrabeamed,totallyoblivioustomybodygoingabsolutelyrigidbeside her.“ThisistheTAyouinquiredaboutinyourratherterseemailthismorning.”Shegavehimamockingarchofherbrow. “See,ItoldyouI’ddeliver,didn’tI?MeetWhitneyDahl ”
“We’vemet,”hesaid,andIfelttheiceinhisvoiceashelookedfromCassandratome.“Theremustbesomemistake.”
ChapterTwo “YOUDON’TKNOWMEWELLyet,”CassandraMartinsargued,battinghereyelashesatme,“butyou’llfindIdon’tmake mistakes,Professor orisitDr.Ellis?”
IforcedmyselfnottolookatWhitneyasIreplied,“Both,technically.”
“Well,Dr.Ellis” Cassandragrinned,hereyeslightingonmine “IassureyouthisistheexactlythekindofTAyouneed foryourundergradeclasses.WhitneyisperfectlycapableofhandlingyourSociology101classeventhoughit’soneofthe largestclasseswehave ”
“That’snot ”Ihesitated,finallylookingtoWhitney,whokepthereyeslockedonthewallbehindme.Slowly,hereyes metminewithadesperatepleatoshutupandnotsayanythingthatwouldmakethenewstudentadvisorthinktherewasany reasonatallweshouldn’tbeworkingtogether.“IassumedMs.Dahlwouldbeplacedwithoneofherartprofessorsgiventhat shechangedhermajorlastsemestertofinearts.”
Cassandrawavedahandindismissal.“AnyonecanTAthoseclasses.Ittakesacertainkindofstudenttoteachyour classes,andfromwhatI’veheard,youandMs.Dahlhavealotincommon.”
Whitneyshiftedherweightandlookedupatmewiththosepleadingeyes
“Isthiswhatyouwant?OrwouldyouratherbeplacedintheArtsDepartment?”Iasked,butCassandratookastep betweenus,givingWhitneyhershoulder
“It’snotuptothestudents,”shecroonedinanearwhisper.“Thechancelloralreadysignedoffonit.Soshe’sallyours! You’rewelcome.I’llleaveyoutwotogetacquainted.”
Cassandragaveusabeamingsmile,herstraightwhiteveneersondisplay,beforefloatingthroughthecrowdandoutof sight.
IglanceddownatWhitney,whowaswatchingherwalkaway,herbrowfurrowedandcheeksstainedpink
Myheartlurched,butIquicklystifledthesinkingfeelingofregretstartingtoseepbackintomychest.I’dspentweeks tryingtogetoverher,tocometotermswithwhatwe’ddoneandhowI’dpushedheraway I’dshatteredherheart,andI’d hopedwewouldn’thavetocrosspathsatallthissemester.
Buthereshewas,myTA,whichmeantwe’dbeworkingcloselytogether.
“Ididn’tknow,”Isaidfirmly Whitneylookedupatmeandshrugged.“NeitherdidI.”
Anuncomfortablesilencesettledbetweenusforseveralmomentsasweabsentlywatchedthepartygoers
“The101classistwiceaweekatfive.Anhourlong,andsofarslatedtobethirtyorsostudents,mostlyfreshmentakingit asarequiredcourse”Isighedheavilyandtuckedmyhandsinthepocketsofmyleatherjacket “You’lllectureonceaweek, andthesecondclassI’ll...findsomethingforthemtodo.Normallytheycometoclassforafewweeksandthenyoudon’tsee themagainuntilmidterms.”
“I’msureIcanhandleit,”sherepliedsoftly,hereyesstillfocusedontheroomaroundus “Whydidsheassumewe’d nevermet?Youweremyprofessorallsemester.”
“She’sbrandnew Icangiveherthebenefitofthedoubtthere”IrolledmylowerlipbetweenmyteethasCassandracame backintoview,dragginganotherstudentbehindher.“Imetherforthefirsttimethismorning,andIcan’tsayshe’smyfavorite personsofar.”Notafterthis.
“Thankforyounotsayinganything.”
IlookeddownatWhitney.“WhywouldyouthinkIwoulddothatyou?”
Shelookedupatmefinally,hereyesshiningwithsomethingIcouldn’tread Iusedtobeabletoreadthosethoughtsand emotionsbehindhereyes.Maybeamonthaparthadputasafedistancebetweenus.Thatdidn’tmeanithurtanyless.
Whenshedidn’treply,Isaid,“Look,Whitney I’msorry”
“Wecan’ttalkaboutthathere.”
Iflexedmyjaw,exhalingdeeply.Shewasright;wecouldn’ttalkaboutthathere.Weprobablyshouldn’tbetalkingaboutit atall.“Howwasyourbreak?”Ittookanincredibleamountofefforttoevenask.
Ahintofasmiletouchedherlipsassheturnedtofacemefully.“Itwasgreat.IhadawonderfulChristmas.Howwas England?”
“Itwasfine.Ihadalotofdowntimetojust...read.”
Sheeyedmewithskepticism “Read andsentdrunkentexts,bychance?”
Mycheeksburned.Nowthatwassomethingwedefinitelycouldn’ttalkabouthere.Sheseemedtobeenjoyingthevisceral reactionIwashavingtoherjabandsmirked,onedarkbrowarched.Idecidedtoignoreherandsaynothingfurther.I’dhoped shehadn’tgottenthetext,especiallysinceithadtotravelacrossanoceantogettoher
I wish you were here,andthenseveralotherwordsthatmighthavemadesenseifIhadn’tbeenpissdrunkatmylocal tavernwhenIsentit
Idecidedtoignoreher,unsurewhatkindofanswershewasexpecting.Anapology?Well,Iwasn’tsorryI’dsentit. WhateverI’dbeentryingtosayhadbeenthetruth.Iwasonlysorryshehadn’treplied.
“Niceseeingyou”Shebegantoturn,andIreachedout,touchingherelbowtostopher Icurledmyhandintoafist,thetouchsendinganelectricshockshootingupmyarm. Hands off,Iremindedmyself.“Let’s meetatmyofficeat8am onMonday I’mundertheimpressionyouwerechosenbecauseyourcourseschedulethissemester allowsroomforthosetwoclassestobeaddedtoyourschedule.”
“Yeah,that’llwork I’mdonewithmyclasseseverydayatfour”Shetooktwosteps,thenstopped,lookingatmeoverher shoulder.“I’llseeyouonMonday.ButsendoveryoursyllabusthisweekendsoIcanknowwhatI’mdoing,okay?”
Inodded,mychesttightasIwatchedherwalkawayandintothecrowdedparlor.ShecameupbehindJessica,whoturned andhandedheraglassofredwine Ibroughtmyowndrinktomylips,aforgottenglassofscotch,anddrankdeeply,washing thewordsIwantedtosaytoheroffmytongue.
Dr DanMontaguecameuptostandbesideme “Damn,Rhys WeallwantedherasourTAthisyear How’dyoumanage it?”
IgaveDanalook,noticingtheglintofjealousyinhisbrightblueeyes Danwasahandsomemanroughlysixyearsolder thanme youngatheartbutviciouslybrutalwhenitcametograding.Wegotalonglikewell.Friends,definitely.Notclose enoughformetotellhimthatI’dbeensleepingwithWhitneyandthiswas,apparently,karmaformypastindiscretions.
“Ihavenoidea SheswitchedhermajorfromsociologytofineartinDecember Ifiguredshe’dlandintheArts Department.”
“Thereissomecrossoverthere,”hebreathed “Iknowshe’sstilltakingafewphilosophyclassesthissemester and historyaswell.”
Iturnedtohim,furrowingmybrow.“Howmanyclassesdidsheenrollin?”
Heblewouthisbreathandshookhishead.“Aboutasmanyasshecould.We’veallbeentalkingaboutwhetherthegirlhas timetoeatandsleep.She’stakingeightcoursesthissemester ”
“Eight?”Ihissedthroughgrittedteeth “Whothehellallowedhertodothat?”
“ThisisWhitneyDahlwe’retalkingabout.Shegetsherway.Shehasthedeanofeveryprogramwrappedaroundher finger Iwouldn’tbesurprisediftheyerectedastatueinherlikenesswhenshefinallyhasenoughofGatlingtonandmoveson” Ishouldtalktoheraboutthis.Howinsaneitwas.Shewasalreadyahigh-strung,easilystressedkindofpersonwho maskeditwell.Wouldshecrackunderpressure?Orwastheremoretothis,likefillingherscheduletothepointshewouldn’t haveroomtothinkaboutanythingbutschool?
Mythroattightened.Ihaddonethesame,hadn’tI?Takingonthreemorelecturesthissemesterandopeningupmyoffice hoursintothelateeveningjustsoIwouldn’thavetimetodwellonwhathappenedlastsemester “Ihavenodoubtshe’llbeabletodoit.”
“Iagree,butthat’sayear’sworthofcoursesinasinglesemester”
Heshrugged,bringinghisglassofwinetohislips.“Iimagineshe’splannedoutwhatthenextyearofherlifeisgoingto looklikeandplanstomoveontodoctoratenext.Shedoesn’tstrikemeasthetypeofpersontowastetime.”
“No,sheisn’t,”IagreedwithahintoffrustrationasIcaughtJessicalookingoverWhitney’sshoulderatme Jessica,who kneweverythingandwasnowdatingoneoftheonlyfriendsIhadoutsideoftheuniversity,BillLivingston.
“Well,ifyoufeellikegettingridofher,letmeknow Icallfirstdibs Not notlikethat,just,she’saonceinacareerkind ofstudent,andIgroveledatMs.Martins’feetallmorningtryingtogetherplacedwithme.LookslikeyouhaveCassandra’s favor”
“Ididn’taskforthis,”Igrumbled,finishingoffmydrink.Infact,I’drequestedTylerBakkenasmyTA.Hewasadual sociologyandanthropologymajorsettograduatewithhismaster’sthisspringandalreadyhadafewcollegessendinghim emailsaboutdoctorateprograms We’dspokenbrieflybeforewinterbreakabouthimapplyingtoTrinityorOxford’s archeologyprogram.
Ipursedmylipsandscannedthecrowdforthemaninquestion,findinghimdeepinconversationwithnoneotherthan WhitneyandJessica.Shit,Icouldn’tgetawayfromherifIwantedto.
“Ms Martins’comingthisway,”Danwarned,turningtoleave
“Thanksforthewarning,”Igrumbledbeforeturningmybarandheadingtowardthebar.
Ispentthenexthourwalkingfromgrouptogroup,talkingtomyfellowprofessorsandgettingtoknowmoreofthestudents inGatlington’sbroadgraduateprogram Onlyafewwerepursuingtheirdoctorateshere,allofthemineitherlaworbusiness, whichgavemesomehopetothefuturehere,onewhereWhitneywouldbegoneandI’dbeforcedtotrulylethergo.
EventuallyIgrewtiredofdodgingthenewstudentadvisor,whoseemedmorethaninterestedtogetmealonein conversation,anddidmybestIrishexitfromtheparty.
CarverHallwassituatedattheheadofcampusandalong,briskwalkfromfacultyhousing.Snowfellinthick,wetclumps asIwalkedalongthetrailweavingaroundthehistoricallecturehallsandundergraduatedorms.GreekRowwasalightwith
partiesinthedistance,andthesightbroughtonafamiliarpangofregret.Ihadn’tseenChristianBrockfordyet,notsince returningfrombreak,butIhadafeelinghe’dbeuptohisusualthreatsandtrytotargetWhitneythefirstchancehegot. AndIcouldn’tdoanythingaboutitunlessWhitneyandIcameclean,whichwecouldn’tdowithoutriskingherfutureatthe university.
JustlikeIpromisedmyselfinthepast,Iwouldn’tallowthattohappen,eveniflosingherwasslowlykillingmeinside Voicescaughtmyattention,andIlookedupfrommysnow-coveredbootstoseeWhitneyandJessicawalkingaheadofme, arminarm,neitherofthemawarethatIwasahundredyardsorsobehindthem Iopenedmymouth,almostcallingout,butthen shutitagainandcametoastop.
Whitneywassmiling.Ahuge,sinceresmileasshelaughedatwhateverJessicasaid. Iknewthatsmilewoulddisappearthesecondshenoticedme,soIwaitedforthemtowalkoutofsightbeforeturningatthe forkinthetrailleadingtomycottage.
