Almost Lover

[shygirl3]

He stared at her with his hands in his pockets as he watched her struggling to make a complete sentence. Black was getting impatient, "out with it, Victoria." he said with a roll of his eyes. When his first name was used, he stiffened up, his facial features hardening. Did she just call me Bradley? His jaw nearly hit the floor when she uttered, "Professor, I-I'm... champagne girl." He blinked a couple of times and stared at her, he couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "That's impossible. I would never." He stared at her "because if you were her...then I...I kissed your hand." Black tried envisioning her in the dress and the mask, with the hair... "oh, fuck..." he muttered turning away, running his hand through his hair.


Bradley turned back to face her, "how the hell did you not know it was me?! Half of my fucking face was showing! Was it really that hard for you to be like 'hey professor you know it would probably be a good idea if we didn't dance together because you know...I'm your student!'" He wasn't sure what he was feeling. Black paced back and forth, unsure how to handle this, "I'm so going to lose my job." he muttered. He turned and looked at her "you....you didn't tell anyone did you?" he asked walking towards her. "because nobody can know." Black turned away from her and walked over to the sound system, shuffling through CD cases. "We're doing a waltz. That put's the most space between us." he snapped as he changed the disks.


The music started and he walked towards her. Black stood in front of her but he couldn't bring himself to put his hands on her. He shook his head up and looked at her "I....I can't do this. You're my student." he said backing away from her.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"You....you didn't tell anyone did you?" She shakes her head then hesitates. Her eyes widen a bit as she thinks about the Dean. "What about Pierce? That's why... Oh, god. That's why he suggested - er, demanded - this." She motions between the two of them. She watches Bradley - No, Black. Professor Black - change the music to a more traditional style. He approaches her, his hands hovering a moment before he backs away. "I....I can't do this. You're my student." She shuts her eyes, nodding furiously. "Y-you're right. This is... unprofessional. I-I'll..." She opens her eyes with another sharp nod. "Yeah." She was out the door, racing over to Pierce's office. This changed... everything. "Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck." She mumbles under her breath. No. Everything is still the same. Nothing has changed. I hate that man and he hates me. It's just... a misunderstanding.


She bursts into Pierce's office and Pierce lifts his head from his paperwork with a slight smirk. "Something the matter?" Victoria bites her lip as if she's holding back her anger. Frustration may be the only way to convince him. "Yes. Everything is the matter. In order to be proper dance partners, you must have positive chemistry. Black and I do not." Pierce's smirk widens a bit, "On the contrary--" Victoria cuts him off, acting infuriated. "You thought that was chemistry? Hell, no! Pardon my language, but that was an act. A near impossible one as well. We both thought it would get you off our asses, but I suppose not." Pierce lets out a small chuckle. "Ms. Greene, please watch your ton--" Again, she cuts him off, this time she stumbles over her words a bit, shifting her weight awkwardly. "I-I want switched out of all... all of his classes. Immediately. I'm serious... We're just not compatible... by any definition." Pierce's eyes widen a bit as he realizes the gravity of her words. "Ms. Greene, that is a very tall order. You won't get refunded for those courses nor will you get credit." She drops into one of the leather chairs with a soft, "I know." Pierce nods solemnly. "The paperwork may take some time. So, I suppose we should get started..."

 

[shygirl3]

Victoria was out the door before he could say anything. Bradley stood in the middle of the studio staring at an empty doorway. He slowly walked over to the stereo, turning the music off. "Guess I dodged a bullet on that one" he muttered to himself. Black began walking out of the studio and saw the mask she tossed him, he carefully picked it up and shut the lights in the studio before walking out. He needed to go talk to Pierce, the Dean needed to know that he couldn't go through with it. He didn't feel okay about this whole situation.


Black continued his walk across campus, holding the mask in his hand. He walked into Pierce's office "Pierce w-" he stopped when he saw Victoria sitting in the chair. "I guess you came to talk about the same thing I did." Pierce looked serious and shook his head "actually, she came to me to drop all your classes." Black turned his head and stared down at Victoria with a confused look "what the fuck? You're seriously dropping them? All of them?" Bradley's blood began to boil. "You are as fucking stupid as you look, aren't you?" Pierce stood up and snapped "Professor Black." He dropped the mask in her lap. "You made a big mistake. Your future with film just shattered." Black turned and stormed out of the Dean's office, slamming the door.


Bradley went back to his office and sat down at his desk. He was furious. Victoria had always been successful in his class, but I guess she just couldn't handle the pressure of his classes. But to drop all of them. Black began to wonder, is it because I won't dance with her? Is she seriously dropping my classes over some stupid dance? He groaned and grabbed a movie from the rack near his desk and walked to the classroom. He lowered the projection screen and started playing Phantom of the Opera. This was his favorite film, but if anyone asked he'd tell him it was just because he had paper's to grade about it and he needed a refresher.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"You made a big mistake. Your future with film just shattered." She swallows thickly as he says this. He was right. There was no way she could get any sort of job in film without his classes. Pierce clears his throat as Black storms out of the office. Straightening his tie, he says, "Well, I suppose that rules out giving him the paperwork for his files for at least a little while." Victoria straightens in her seat, "I'll take them to him after we wrap up. He's right about the career... thing. So, I think we have some more to talk about..."


A Hour or So Later

The sound of Victoria's steps echo through the silent halls. All other students were gone by now and hardly any professors were around either. The sound of Phantom of the Opera calls out in the distance. She approaches Black's room, hesitating in the doorway a moment before knocking on the open door. "I have the paperwork for your files." She walks over slowly, handing the papers to him. "...It's not just your classes I'm dropping. Your classes made me realize that perhaps film isn't my... thing. I'll be transferring out of Whitehill at the end of the semester. I'm going to major in... medicine. My father is so pleased to hear it." There is an underlying tone of sadness in her words that she just can't seem to completely mask, though she tries. "Anyway, I just thought you might like to know since you've wanted me gone since the first day. So, I suppose it's cause for celebration. Beneficial for all..." She forces a small laugh and a broken smile as she turns to exit. She pauses in the doorway, running her hands door the frame for a moment. "Thank you for your time and consideration, Prof--" She pauses, deciding to correct herself since he was no longer technically her professor. "...Mr. Black." She starts off down the hall. I should be happy. Ecstatic, even. So, why am I not?

 

[shygirl3]

Black was sitting on top of one of the desks, his hands tucked under his legs. He heard knocking a turned to see Victoria walking in. He took the papers from her without a word. Bradley watched her walk out, he glanced down at the papers in his hand, turning them over. He stood up and ran out of the classroom "Victoria." he called after her. "We both know that the whole film not being your thing is a load of bullshit." he said bluntly. "I think you at least owe me a real reason." He said to her from down the hall. Black walked towards her "You confuse the fuck out of me you know that? Since day one you have been nothing but a pain in my ass, and I give you shit every single day. But I know that you have dealt with it because film and cinematography is something you love. Someone just doesn't lose their passion, so either you're lying to my face or something happened...so Miss. Greene, which one is it?" He asked sticking his hands into his pockets.


Bradley rocked back on his heels waiting for a response. He hated being all deep and soft like this with his students, but he hated people throwing away their dreams more. He gave her a small smirk and "Here's that chance for that adult conversation you wanted, Miss. Greene." Black stood there with the papers in his hand. He had never told a student that they were talented before and he was refraining from telling Victoria that. Black feels that positive reinforcement creates an ego and egos get in the way and ultimately lead to failure. However, he had a gut feeling that in order to keep her here, he might have to swallow his pride, but he'd try every other avenue first.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"You confuse the fuck out of me you know that? Since day one you have been nothing but a pain in my ass, and I give you shit every single day. But I know that you have dealt with it because film and cinematography is something you love. Someone just doesn't lose their passion, so either you're lying to my face or something happened...so Miss. Greene, which one is it?" She stops with a soft sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. She refuses to turn around to face him. "What do you care anyway? You wanted nothing to do with me five minutes ago and now, you're suddenly concerned? Whether I'm good at cinematography or not means nothing. If I want to have a family and a future, I need a real job. And, saying it's my passion? Sure, maybe I enjoy it, but that's no reason of throwing my life away to chase a dream I'll never achieve. You know nothing about me. I'm just another pretty face that'll be forgotten and I don't want to be that. I don't want to be an outcast, a disappointment to family, to my father..."


The next two words slip out, barely audible, "To you..." She clears her throat and straightens her posture, raising her voice to a normal volume. "This school has been nothing but trouble for me. So, here's me throwing in the towel. For good. Because I'm sick of fighting every single day, sick of dreading my future. You hate quitters, don't you? Just another reason to be happy I'm leaving. Goodbye, Mr. Black. I wish you luck in your endeavors." She continues walking, increasing her pace as she puts distance between her and Black. Tears begin to well up in her eyes and she absolutely, positively did not need him seeing that.

 

[shygirl3]

Black listened to her and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. The part that shocked him the most was barely audible, she's afraid of disappointing me? I'm part of the reason she's leaving? Bradley saw her eyes to to water, No. Not tears. Don't cry. Thankfully she turned away. As she walked away "You're making a big mistake Victoria." he yelled after her. He went back into the classroom shutting the movie and going into his office. He sat down at his desk and twirled a pencil around in his hand as he stared at her transfer papers. Something inside him felt off. He had never cared what a student had done or begged one to stay in his class, but he felt like he needed to do something. Black was about to do something he'd never done before, brag about his student. He pulled up her parents' phone number and debated whether he should call them.


His hand rested on the phone for the longest time, debating. It was late but he punched in the numbers anyway. A man picked up on the third ring, "Hi, this is Dean Pierce over at Whitehill Academy in reference to your daughter Victoria. Is this Mr. Greene?" Her father answered "yes, b-" Black cut him off. "I've heard excellent things about your daughter from her professors. However, I recently got papers stating she's transferring and that concerns me because she's really really talented. I spoke to her about it and she said she doesn't want to be a disappointment to her family and she said mainly to you, sir. I completely understand your concern with job security etc, but your daughter is talented enough that she will get a job and keep one. Mr. Greene, if you haven't seen one of your daughter's projects, you should. I think they would make you proud. I know if she was my daughter I...I would be proud." he ran his hand through his hair, did I really just say that? Did I mean it? Did I just pretend to be the dean? The answer to all of the those questions, whether he knew it or not,was yes.


Her father promised to talk to her about it and Black hung up. It was the best he could do so far. He took her transfer papers and went to put it in her file when he found a sheet of paper that he had forgot putting in there. He pulled it out and made a copy. Black grabbed a piece of paper and began writing. He grabbed an envelope putting all the contents in it and sealing it. Black pulled up her file again and found what dorm she lived in. He walked up to the door and sneaked in just as someone else had walked in. Bradley walked down the hall getting a couple of glances from the girls. He kept his eyes locked on the numbers. After finally finding her door, he slid the envelope under the door. The envelope read Attn: Victoria Greene and under her name was written *Read Me*.


Inside the envelope was four sheets of paper. The first was a letter addressed to her, it read:

Miss Greene,


Earlier this evening you've expressed your desire to transfer out of Whitehall. I asked for reasons and you gave them to me. I want you to know that I think your reasons are pathetic and completely wrong. So I made it my mission to prove each of your reasons wrong, just to piss you off. You stated you needed a real job. The next sheet behind this letter will promise you any job you want in the film industry. It is also known as a letter of recommendation from yours truly. Next you denied that cinematography isn't your passion, I have yet to meet anybody who puts up with me just for fun. You have dealt with me for years, I doubt you did it because you enjoyed getting shit from me everyday. You claimed that it's a dream you would never achieve. So to prove you wrong, I've included two more sheets, one is a certificate from a contest that I anonymously submitted one of your projects into, you won. Congrats. The second is brief reviews from my colleagues of said video. Lastly you made a comment about being a disappointment. First to your family, more importantly, your father. Well I spoke to him, well technically Dean Pierce did...but it was really me. Looks like we're both good at acting. Your father may be calling you tomorrow and ask to watch one of your videos, let him. You were also afraid of disappointing me. Why does what I think bother you? But since it does I want you to know I think I'm more disappointed in you now than I could ever be no matter what you do in the future. Don't let this go to your head, but you're good. You have talent and the courage one needs in this industry. So I probably just wasted my night doing all of this for you because you're a stubborn ass and you'll do what you want anyway, but I all of this means something to you.


~"Mr." Black
​

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She takes a long walk around the campus to avoid contact with anyone as the seemingly unstoppable tears flow down her cheeks. A dam had burst behind her eyes and there was no stopping it anytime soon. The sun was nearly set, spreading colors of orange and pink across the sky all framed in white as if someone speared the colors onto an easel, causing a bitter-sweetness about the serenity of the night. The wind blows her hair in whirlwinds, the strands clinging to her damp cheeks. The emotional pain of it all was familiar and yet foreign at the same time, both comforting and disturbing like finding peace enveloped in the darkness. She paces around the edge of campus, suddenly regretting every choice she has ever made. One small mistake sent her spiraling and here she was alone, like she always had been.


She curses herself for wallowing in her self-pity. There were people starving to death, being brutally murdered, being raped or robbed, homeless, or jobless and she found discomfort in the slightly unkind words of her professor. Ex-professor. She drops to the ground, the grass damp from the coolness of the night. She finally lets her tears run against no resistance. Collapsing in gentle sobs that were swept away in the wind as the sun set and the darkness envelopes her.


Back in Her Dorm

Victoria leans against the door, staring blankly at the unopened envelope laying on the carpet in front of her. Allison pounds on the door, shoving and shouting, as she tries to get in, "Victoria! Come on! I know you're in there. Open the door. Talk to me." Victoria sits still, a unresponsive blockade to Allison's goal. "Victoria. Vic-tor-ia!" Suddenly, as if shaken from a trance, Victoria reaches forward and snatches the envelope from the floor. She opens it and finds the letter. As she reads it over and over and over, the deafening silence drowns out Allison's anger. The letters were somehow foreign to her, the words not registering in her mind. A jumble of 26 letters on a sheet of paper meant nothing to her. She stands, using the door to help herself lift the weight of her body which seemed to much more of a challenge then she recalled. She drops the letter and the remaining papers to the floor, turning to face the door only to check that it's locked.


She picks up a box, sweeping everything off her desk into it. Ripping down posters and papers, filling her suitcase with any clothes she can cram into it. She drops onto the stripped bed, the blankets and pillows a heap on the floor, and stares at the ceiling for a moment. Allison's voice there for a while before it faded away, the pounding and knocking of various friends coming and going in what felt like moments. Words and voices blurred into the background, all meaningless chatter that they never really meant. No one ever really meant their kind words, did they? They were empty promises so the deliver wouldn't feel guilty. They could say that the tried. They can promise and swear that did all they could. But, words were nothing. They always are nothing. No one ever really cares.


Finally, Victoria heads turns and her gaze falls on a clock hanging with its corded stretched across the desk. It's red numbers sharp in her vision compared to the blankness of the ceiling. It had been hours since her encounter with Black and it registers 4:23 in the morning. She swings her legs around, dangling them over the edge of the mattress as she sits up. She glances around her dorm, the walls only held fragments of posters and the only clue that anyone was living there was the heap of bedding and things packed haphazardly.... And, the two other things she had refused to touch. The mask sits on her desk with the moonlight catching the breaks in the metal and the gems, casting a strange shadow along the wood of the desk. Her dress hangs in her closet, a ghostly sight framed by the void of the lightless closet. She stands numbly and undresses slowly before slipping on the dress. She digs through boxes to find her makeup, lifts her full body mirror that had fallen in her haste, and sits on the ground in front of it. After applying her makeup, she slips on her mask. She examines herself for a moment in the mirror before picking up all she can carry of her things. She opens the door to the dorm.


"I'm leaving now..." she says to no one. The only response was the soft echo of her own words in the dark hallway. She carries her things out to her car, making trips back and forth until the backseat and the trunk could hold no more. She shuts her car door, another echoing greeting her and taunting her. She stares at the car a moment before a sad smile flashes in her features. She climbs onto the roof of the cheap car that most people receive as they first car and lays down. She stares at the stars, her sad smile deepening. "Now, isn't this poetic?" Again, she speaks to the empty air, this physical loneliness feeling no different than the persistent emotional that had always tortured her before.

 

[shygirl3]

That night Black decided to bury himself in work. He sat in his office grading papers. Part of expected...no hoped that Victoria would come by and yell at him about how rude it was for him to go above her and call her parents or some other comment. He glanced at the clock 2:17am, he shook his head realizing she probably was asleep by now. Bradley went on to continue grading papers, he finished the last one and glanced over at the clock 4:53am. He sighed, now was usually the time he'd just be finishing breakfast and going to the gym before work. There was no point in going all the way to the gym now, but he couldn't ruin his routine. He always had gym clothes in the closet in his office, he got changed, grabbed an ipod and began his run around campus.


The sun was just above the horizon and he began approaching the building he paid a visit to last night. He passed a car and saw fabric blowing in the slight breeze that was usual this early in the morning. He walked over curious as to what was on top of the car. Black reached up and tugged at the skirt of the dress, realizing it was a dress and someone was in the dress. Bradley peered over the car roof and saw a familiar dress, "Victoria?" he said confused. "What the fuck are you doing?" he asked. "Here, slide down the windshield and come down." he said walking around to the front of the car.


He was so confused by this girl. Why the hell is she on the roof of the car? He stared at her waiting for her to come down. Black glanced in the car and saw all the boxes. "Are you leaving?" he asked his eye widening slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck "was my letter really that bad?" he asked. "I knew I wrote it quickly, but I thought it wouldn't drive you further away from this school." He sighed and ran through his unkept hair, "Victoria, say something."

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Victoria?" Her own name, spoken aloud... It sounded so different than before, so sharp and so broken. "What the fuck are you doing? Here, slide down the windshield and come down." The voice causes her to turn her head toward the source, staring at the space around him rather than at him. "Are you leaving? Was my letter really that bad? I knew I wrote it quickly, but I thought it wouldn't drive you further away from this school." She tilts her vision back up to the stars, counting how many she could see at the moment. "Victoria, say something." There was a long pause. For some reason, she forgot what came after sixteen. "I... don't want to come down."


Everything was in slow motion in her mind. The words were jumbled in her mind and it was taking her a few moments to sort everything out. Letter. What was a letter? "Letter..." She says it slowly, taking each syllable and swirling around her mouth until she could find the right words. "That... I couldn't read it. The letters looked..." Another pause and her gaze shifted back to him. "What comes after sixteen? I'm counting the stars." A soft sound of metal against metal rings out as she turns her head. She raises her fingers gingerly to her face to touch the mask. "Oh..." She says, sounding a little surprised but then she laughs softly, looking back up to the stars. She counts out loud, just above a whisper, pausing when she gets to sixteen with a puzzled expression. "You should... be sleeping or..." Her sentence trails off and she starts counting again, still unable to get past sixteen.

 

[shygirl3]

"What comes after sixteen? Did she seriously just ask me that? "Victoria? Are you high or something?" He had never seen her act like this and he was...he was concerned alright he admits it. Black sighed, drastic times calls for drastic measures right? He climbed up on to the roof of the car, taking her into his arms. He slid back down the windshield as he held her. "You're fucking impossible." he muttered. Bradley felt his feet on the ground and placed her down. "Now, what the hell has gotten into you?" He asked, gently sliding the mask off her face.


Black didn't really know how to handle the situation, but he was determined to get her back to her usual self. "Victoria..." he started softly. He ran a hand through his hair, "listen to me...I'm not going to tell you who you are. Only you can tell yourself that, but this..." he motioned his hand "this isn't you." He shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged "What do you want me to say? Do you want to hear me tell you I'm concerned about you? Fine, I am...Victoria...I'm really concerned about you. You're on the roof of your car, counting stars not being able to get past 16 in a ball gown and some mask." He said frustrated. Black wasn't sure what else to do. "How about you go put some normal clothes on and we can talk in my office over coffee." He tried reasoning with her.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Victoria? Are you high or something?" She giggles at the thought. "Wouldn't that be nice?" Suddenly, she was vertical again but she didn't quite know how it happened. The mask is lifted off her face and she reaches for it childishly. "I'm so much prettier with it on..." She mumbles, looking to the ground. "What do you want me to say? Do you want to hear me tell you I'm concerned about you? Fine, I am...Victoria...I'm really concerned about you. You're on the roof of your car, counting stars not being able to get past 16 in a ball gown and some mask. How about you go put some normal clothes on and we can talk in my office over coffee." She lifts her head, her eyebrows knit in confusion. "Stop that. Why are you doing that? That thing. Pretending to care. You don't really care so just leave, will you? You can tell whoever the hell you want that you tried. They all will. They'll say the same thing. They always do. They want to be 'heroes', too. But, I'm not your god damn damsel in distress. I'm not your charity. I'm not a stray animal. I'm not your good deed to humanity."


Her eyes start to burn, her throat tightening as she tries to speak. "J-just leave, okay?" She turns away, taking to a step to leave but then she pauses. There was nowhere to go. This was leaving. This was running away. And, she couldn't find the car keys. She pats her dress, her voice breaking as she tries to make a joke, "They... They really should make these... these dresses with pockets, h-huh?" She bites her lip to try to stop it from quivering, trying her absolute hardest to not do this. Not now. Not in front of him. "W-what, a girl doesn't need... doesn't..." She swallows the words, cursing herself under her breath for being so absolutely pitiful.

 

[shygirl3]

"Pretending to care" Ouch. Black looked at her with a slight smirk "hey...I'm not leaving till I know you won't do anything stupid." He stared at he patting her dress and couldn't help but laugh "Victoria, despite what this campus thinks...I'm not a complete asshole." He looked into her eyes, "If I didn't care about my students why have I stayed a professor for so long?" Bradley leaned against the hood of her car, "My job is to educate and help students on the road to achieving their dreams. Their dreams become my dreams." He stood up, "So contrary to popular belief, I do care." He said bluntly.


Black watched her move and smiled a little "I've dated enough girls to know the leave means stay. So I'm not going anywhere." he said as he crossed his arms. He was at a loss for words, he wasn't sure what else he could say to make it better, bring back the normal Victoria. He told her he wasn't going anywhere so he just stood there with his hands in his pockets waiting for her to say or do something. He found himself staring at her thinking about the dance they shared. He ran his fingers across her mask that was still in his hand. Black brought his gaze back up to her, "Victoria..." he changed his mind, "here." he said holding the mask out.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"Stop it." She slams her hand on the hood of the car, the pain slightly comforting as it jolted up her arm ebbing away the numbness for a moment. "Why?" She spins around to face him, her gaze flitting to the mask for just a moment. She keeps trying to fight the tears, trying to be strong. "Why do you care about me? I'm stupid and useless. I'm the least important person on the planet. I know that. I grew up being told that. I'm everybody's mistake." A sob splits her words. "My friends', every relationship I've ever been in, my parents', yours..." Saying she was his mistake had an extra sting to it and she didn't know why. With every word, her voice gets louder and breaks more often. "I could find the cure to fucking cancer and my parents still wouldn't be happy. I'm nothing but a disappointment. I'm not their child. I'm not their little girl. I'm not their miracle. I'm their fucking bragging rights. I am not a fucking special snowflake. I'm broken and pathetic and I have no reason to aspire to be anything because I'll always be compared to someone better." She inhales shakily, hugging herself as she forces out her last few words, just loud enough for him to hear. "You don't have to do this... act. I already know where I stand."

 

[shygirl3]

Black was surprised by her outburst to say the least. He had no idea she felt that way, he wouldn't have been so hard on her. He remained silent and let her finish talking. Bradley was reminded of his childhood with each word she said. "My disappointment?" he asked confused. "Victoria, you're probably the only student I'm not disappointed in." he said as he took a step towards her. He took a deep breath and glanced around. He wrapped his arms around her "You are a fucking special snowflake" he whispered. He kept his arms around her as he leaned back to look at her, "Look, life's hard. There's no doubt about that, but use film and counting stars to get through it." he gave her a small smirk. He let go of her "We're more similar than you would probably like to admit. So I've been through it all, I can help....if you want." He shrugged a little. Black couldn't believed he just hugged his student. This was all so new for him he wasn't sure if anything he was saying was helping or just making things worse.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

As he hugged her and she felt the warmth of his body against hers, she realized just how cold she was. Maybe she had started shaking because of the sobs or maybe she was shivering because of the cold. Either way, the warmth was a comfort and she again felt incredibly vulnerable when it was taken away from her. "We're more similar than you would probably like to admit. So I've been through it all, I can help....if you want." There was a small hesitation, a silence broken only by soft sobs until she wraps her arms around him, pulling him into proximity again. She clings to him, sobbing heavily into his chest. "I-I'm sorry..." She mumbles into him. She didn't know what she was apologizing for, but the words felt right. It takes a moment until she realizes what exactly it is that she's doing and she jerks away from him. "Oh, f-fucking... I'm sor-- I..." She takes a few steps back, hugging herself and looking to the ground. Another thing to add to the list of most embarrassing things I've ever done...

 

[shygirl3]

He stiffened as he felt her arms back around him, but relaxed slightly letting her cry. He hated crying and wasn't sure what to do. Black heard her mumbled apology and couldn't help but chuckle as she pulled away. He took the sleeve to his sweatshirt and put it over his hand. He took the other hand and tilted her chin up, and gently dried her tears with his sleeve. "You're freezing, you should really go inside and change."he suggested. "Look, you clearly need a day to...get yourself together." He glanced down at his sleeve which was damp with tears and makeup.


Black looked back at her. "Go get changed, come to my office, we'll chat, we can go talk to Pierce if you want to stay here, or you can leave if you feel you need to go find that cure for cancer." A genuine smile came across his face, "how does that sound?" he asked. When Bradley felt the smile he was sort of taken back by it.He rarely smiled, especially at students. He unzipped his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her shoulders, "That's my favorite sweatshirt. I better get that back okay?" He patted her shoulder "I gotta finish my run. I'll see you later." He began to jog away and turned back "by the way 17 comes after 16." he called back to her.


After his run, he got dressed in proper work clothes and sat in his office. He wondered if she was going to take him up on the offer to chat. He hoped so, in part because he needed to get his sweatshirt back in case she decided medical school was the way to go.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"That's my favorite sweatshirt. I better get that back okay?" She nods, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, "I should probably try to get that makeup out, huh?" She mumbles more to herself than to him. Absolutely embarrassing. "By the way 17 comes after 16." Nope, embarrassing was definitely an understatement. She turns back to her car, searching for the keys and finally finding them sitting on the roof of the car. Laughing softly, she realizes it was unlocked the entire time. She pushes boxes around, sifting through her things to find an outfit. Digging out a sweatshirt of her own and yoga pants, she shuts the car down - and locks it - before heading to the women's showers to get cleaned up.


Quite a chunk of time passes before she finally makes it to Black's office. Makeup-less and incredibly causal, she slips into Black's office with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. "I know, I know. This is my most sexy appearance since the ballet skirt for toddlers, but please restrain yourself." She chuckles lightly, setting his folded sweatshirt on the corner of his desk. "I managed to get the makeup out. But, uh, I think I've bothered you enough for today." She gives him a small nod before heading toward the door.

 

[shygirl3]

He looked up when she came in. He put his hands up "no comment. I wouldn't want to set you off edge again. That better be the last time I have to coax a student off the roof of their car." He grabs his sweatshirt and looks at it "oh cool, you even got the ketchup stain from last week out too. Thanks" he said as he tossed his sweatshirt over on the floor in the corner of his office with his other stuff. He saw her retreating for the door "Not so fast Miss. Greene." He points to the chair. "sit."


Black rests his elbows on his desk "you can't just go awol then act like everything's okay." He looked at you "Either you talk to me or I tell Pierce of the little event this morning and suggest you talk to the school's therapist. So who'll it be? Dr. Quack or your charming professor." he said sarcastically. Bradley was still concerned with her behavior, and he couldn't get the fact that she was still technically not his student anymore out of his head. He made a mental note to address it later.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

She stops in the doorway and sighs, turning back to face him. "I promise you I'm perfectly fine. I should be getting on the road. It's a long way home and, considering I'm already packed and the majority of the paperwork is complete, I'd like to deal with the consequences of choosing a film major initially sooner rather than later. Your concern is kind, but I'm no longer your responsibility - as much as you seem to not quite..." She waves a hand as if swatting the words away. "Anyway, thank you for... For everything." Again, she turns and starts to walk out the door, hoping that her little speech is enough to satisfy him.


Especially considering what happened not too long ago, there was no way she could attend Whitehill anymore, let alone face Black everyday. His kindness would eventually fade and he would become himself again. She'd rather leave with a bit of dignity rather than become Black's running joke. The halls were still empty and she was glad for that. She didn't need Allison getting pissed at her for last night or anyone questioning her current appearance.

 

[shygirl3]

Black stared in shock as she left. He couldn't believe she was really leaving. He got up and stood outside his office door, "so you're really leaving..." he said in a state of disbelief. "I guess that envelope didnt persudae you enough to stay." He let out a exhale and shook his head "I really thought you were the one who was going to make something of herself." He shrugged "good luck with...whatever you intend on doing." He said casually as he walked back into his office.


Bradley closed the door behind him. He sat at his desk and stared at it, still in shock. Black wasn't really sure what to do, he felt...lost. He shook the feeling and opened up the drawer with his students' file. He took Victoria's out and dropped into the trash bin next to his desk. "Good job Bradley, you drove another one to quit." He muttered to himself. "You must be so fucking proud."He mumbled bitterly as he grabbed his books and went off to go teach his freshmen class. He wondered who he could make cry today.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

"I really thought you were the one who was going to make something of herself." She turns around to face him, walking backwards as she speaks. "I am going to make something of myself. Just... not here." She flashes him a smile, turning around to face forwards again. She whistles softly, twirling her car keys around her finger as she walks out to the crammed car. She opens the driver's side door and drops into the seat with a huff. "Goodbye, Whitehill. Hello... medicine." She mumbles as she puts the key in the ignition, starting the car. She places her hands on the steering wheel. "Alright... Here I go. Back home... I'm leaving... Now..." She couldn't bring herself to move the car. Something wasn't right, an odd feeling that she's never felt before. The feeling that she was leaving something incredibly important behind.


She puts the car in park and hops out, leaving it running. One more stupid thing, one more embarrassing thing, right, Victoria? Might as well leave with a bang. She jogs through the hallways of the school. Better be quick. Classes start soon. She knew what class he was in right now. She had the class her freshman year. She comes skidding into the room, nearly sliding into the desks. "One more thing that I forgot... You're not my professor anymore." She expects some sarcastic response here from him, but she was too caught up in the moment to listen. She hops over a desk, walking over to Black. There's a hesitation, a flash of a smirk, and then her lips are pressed against his. When she pulls away from the embrace, she looks shocked at her own actions. She laughs nervously with a quick and embarrassed, "Bye." Then, she's gone, sprinting down the hall and back to the car, still unsure how to feel.

 

[shygirl3]

Black was writing notes on the board, in preparation for class. Most of his students had made their way to class. He turned towards the door as she came sliding in, "You're not my professor anymore." he rolled his eyes as she came to a stop. "Well no shit, captain ob-" his words were cut of by her lips. His class stared in shock. Bradley stared after her looking so confused. One student shouted out "go after her!" He turned to his class " I'll be right back." He said as he ran out of the classroom.


He finally caught up to her just as she was reaching her car. Black squeezed himself between her and the door so she couldn't get inside her car. He stared at her, breathing heavily from the run. "Do you really think you can just come into my classroom and do...that...in front of my entire class?" He asked, yelling slightly. He stared as her for a bit and before he realized what he was doing. His body had turned and he was pinning her up against her car. Bradley had his hands on either side of her face and then began kissing her passionately. His kiss was strong and intense, but there was also something soft about it. "That's how you kiss somebody good-bye." He commented as he strolled away and back to his class.


Black returned to his class and the freshmen immediately started asking questions. He ignored the questions and immediately began lecturing. When he turned to the board to write a small smile crept across his face. He wondered what Victoria was thinking right now. Bradley had a brief moment of worry about the kiss, but he assured himself that she was no longer his student and it was fine. Before turning around he put on his usual hard facial expression, and went on with hid lecture.

 

[RealisticFantasy]

Nearly to the safety and security of the car, her hand grasping the handle and just seconds from pulling it open, Black blocked her path. "Do you really think you can just come into my classroom and do...that...in front of my entire class?" She was whirled around and pinned between the vehicle and his body. Do you regret your decisions yet, Victoria? If he didn't hate you before, he does now. Well, congratu-fucking-lations, you stupid-- Her thoughts were interrupted by yet another kiss, stronger and much more passionate. Just as her mind began to process what exactly was happening, he was gone. "That's how you kiss somebody good-bye." Those were his parting words? That was all she was left with? Her hand blindly reaching out for the handle of the car do, she finally finds it and opens the door. She whirls around and drops into the seat, slamming the door shut in one fluid motion. "What... the actual fuck... just happened?"


She takes the few moments of uncertainty to apply her makeup, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Aren't you one fucking special snowflake, Victoria?" She says to her reflection. "Special, indeed." She shifts the car into drive and pulls away from Whitehill. Her hand leaves the steering wheel to turn up the radio, deciding to give herself something to focus on instead of what just occurred but it seemed every radio station was playing some song about love or sex. She sighs and shuts the radio off. She counts every minute that passes as she drives away from the school that once was home. "Fifteen." How could a minute seem so much longer? "Sixteen." This was the right choice. There was no other choice. "Seven- What the fuck am I doing?" She turns sharply to head back in the other direction, horns blaring and tires squealing at the unexpected change in direction.


Exactly 17 minutes later

She pulls back into the parking lot of Whitehill academy. She turns around in her seat, kneeling as she digs through the boxes for a much more presentable outfit. Changing in a car as fast as possible turned out to be much more challenging than she thought and she accidentally hit the horn more than once which scared her shitless every time. Finally, she stumbles out of the car a changed woman, both physically and mentally. She strides through the halls of Whitehill and into Black's office. To no surprise, she found it empty. His first class wasn't over yet and she was rather certain he had more afterwards. She drops into the chair across from his desk. "Guess I'll wait then."




Victoria didn't know exactly how much time had passed before Black showed up. She just knew she was bored out of her mind. She sits sideways in the chair, her feet dangling over the armrest. In her hands is some choice reading material - her file. "That's nice... Nice... Ooh, not so nice. Hmm, seems like he liked me more than he let on." She smirks to herself, carefully examining his notes on every page. When the door finally opens, she swings around to sit upright and closes the file, holding it in her lap. "I thought home could wait. We have quite a bit to talk about."

Spoiler

(because it's totally crucial to story development)

 

[shygirl3]

The door open and a young female, around 28, came bouncing in "where's my b-" she stopped upon seeing Victoria. "I'm sorry, am I in the wrong office?" She looked around and then back up at the door which clearly had Bradley Black Ph.D on it. She gave a puzzled look "No, I'm in the right office...I-I'll just wait outside." She slowly backed out of the door. His first class had just been dismissed and he was walking back to his office to refill his mug and go on to his next class in an hour or two. No sooner did he open the door, he ambushed with a hug from behind. He stiffened, slightly and tried dodging the kiss on the cheek she was trying to give him. "Liz...cut it out." he said shrugging her off of him. "I missed you to Bradley" she said sarcastically.


He turned around and spotted Victoria and froze. "Victoria...what are you doing in my office?" he asked slowly. The girl stood behind him and looked at her curiously. Black walked into his office "doing some light reading?" he asked, walking over to his coffee machine and pouring himself a cup. "Can I interest either of you ladies in a cup of coffee?" He asked as he sipped his coffee. Bradley sat in his chair, the woman sat on the chair next to Victoria. "Okay so what are you both doing here?" He said as he looked at both of them. The woman sighed "really? You don't remember?" He looked at her, clearly trying to remember. "Check your e-mails, Bradley." He turned to his computer when the sound of a small child echoed down the hallway. "Sophie, Bradley. You promised you'd watch Sophie." A young girl ran into his office "Uncle Bwadley!!" He looked up as the little girl ran around his desk.


"Hey there!" he said picking the child up. "I remember now." he said giving the woman a smile and nodded to a man that was now standing in the doorway. "We'll pick her up when we get back." She walked around and spoke to the girl who was sitting on Black's lap "you be good for uncle Bradley okay?" The girl nodded and started going through his drawers. "You're the best Bradley." the girl said as she walked out "I know!" he called out to her. He turned his attention back to Victoria. "Now for you. What were you doing in my office?" he asked as he kept grabbing things out of the child's hands.

Spoiler