A talk with Jessica

Professor Cartwright finished her lecture, and the students started to vacate the room. {if scene=false}Giving me a mocking bow, Brandon got up and moved towards the exit. Doing so he called out to the professor.

"Hey Liz! Long time no see! I really miss our private lessons! I feel like we taught each other a lot."

Seeing Brandon, professor Cartwright turned beet red. Without acknowledging him she swiftly escaped through the teachers exit. With Brandon gone, it was just me and Jessica left, and she wanted an explanation. {endif}

{if fingered=true}"What the hell Em!" Jessica hissed at me, trying not to catch the attention of the other students. "Did you just do what I think you did?"

Unable to even look her in the eyes, I just stood up and left. My entire face was burning, I was certain it had the exact same color as the professor. I didn't get far though, as she caught me by my arm.

"You're not leaving until I get an explanation!"

"He...," I started. "He started groping me, and I just froze. By the time I realized I should have stopped him, it was too late. I was too afraid to make a scene." I finally managed to make eye contact. "You must be so disappointed in me..." As I said it, her expression softened and she came in to give me a hug.

"I'm so sorry he did that to you!. If you want to press charges, I'm here for you."

"No..., I have it under control."{else}"So," Jessica whispered to me. "What's the deal with that guy?"

"He's just an asshole I got too entangled with," I said sighing. "I kinda got into an argument with him at a frat party, and now he seems to think we have some sort of thing going."

"Do you need any help?" she said with a concerned look.

"No, I got it covered. Just need to make it absolutely clear to him that he should leave me alone."{endif} She looked unconvinced, but didn't press the issue.

We were among the last students out of the classroom. In the hallway we found found Brandon waiting for us. Seeing us he flashed another smug grin and sauntered over. {if fingered=true}Jess immediately confronted him.

"You have some nerve waiting here after what you did!"

"Hey, everything was consensual," he responded with open arms.

"Like hell it was!"

"I get it, you're jealous I didn't give you a go," he said with a leer. Suddenly he was standing very close to her. Stepping back instinctively, she can only stare daggers at him, cheeks red.

"It's okay, I got this," I say before Jessica does something foolish. {else}"Who's your friend?" he says looking her over. Jessica visibly shrunk back under his gaze, before she steeled herself and returned a glare.

"She's none of your concern," I replied. "What do you want?"

"Just a talk to clear the air."

"Just a talk, sure." I look over at Jessica. {endif}"You have a class to catch, right? I can deal with him" Giving Brandon one last glare, Jessica stormed off, leaving us alone.

"You have five minutes, then we're done for good."

"Only five? How about lunch instead?"

"You have until I've left the building," I retorted and started walking.

"You're cute when your angry, anyone ever told you that?"

Ignoring the obvious provocation I just kept walking.

"I just feel like we have built up this special bond, you know? A shame to cut our relationship short before we have fully explored that."

"Almost there," I said as we turned the last corner before we reached the main entrance. The entrance of the old Victorian building was situated under an arch, with a stairway going down to street level. My heart fell as I saw Jamie waiting for me at the bottom of the steps. Grabbing Brandon, I pulled him back around the corner.

"My boyfriend is out there, waiting for us to have lunch together," I hissed at him. "And I don't want him to see us together, so say your piece and begone!"

Smiling at my predicament, he leaned in. I became very aware of how close we had suddenly become.

"Why? Lets go over and we can all have a chat together. Or better yet, let's ditch him and eat just the two of us."

His arrogance never ceased to amaze me. Problem was if I didn't do anything to appease him, he might just continue to pester me every day going forward.