Exclusively His

Nothing had changed about Valemont Academy; the ivy still clung stubbornly to the limestone, and the fountains pulsed with their usual grace but to Noah, everything seemed alien to him. 

As he crossed the quad toward his first lecture since the news about him and Elliott broke out, the world watched him. The whispers followed him like a bell tied around his neck.

Students who once looked at him with envy or curiosity now watched him with a sharpened disgust. Noah wished for the ground to open and swallow him. He could hear the whispers.

“He was the reason a renowned professor had lost his job,” one said. 

“He must have seduced him and then threw him under the bus to save himself,” another added. 

“Don’t mind them,” Bena murmured, walking so close to Noah that their shoulders brushed. “They don’t know half of it and they are just bored.”

Suddenly, a shadow fell across their path.

Sebastian.

He looked different than he had the last time they cornered him. The guilt and fear had vanished, replaced by a cold, brittle shield of arrogance. He stood in the center of the walkway, his arms crossed over his chest, blocking their way.

“So, it’s true then,” Sebastian said, his voice loud enough to draw the eyes of every passing student. “You really were trading sex for grades, Noah. And here I was, feeling like the villain for spreading the news about Black Halo and taking your phone.”

“Sebastian,” Bena snapped, stepping forward. “You don't know the full jist and besides Julian lied.”

“Did he?” Sebastian’s eyes drilled Noah “Were you not fucking the professor?”

Noah maintained a bold face. “I don’t owe you or anyone any explanation.”

“Of course,” Sebastian smirked, turning to Bena. “Never knew you were a hypocrite. Choosing one moral act over another doesn’t make you a better person.” 

He didn't wait for a rebuttal. He walked past, intentionally slamming his shoulder into Noah’s. Noah stumbled, but he didn't fight back. 

***

The usual murmur of pre-class chatter died the second Noah stepped through the door.

Noah stopped for a moment. His gaze shifted to his usual row. It had two empty spots. As he and Bena neared the seat, those seated stood up and left. 

Almost immediately, the new professor, a woman in her late fifties with silver spectacles and a gaze like dry ice entered. She was a living reminder of the void Elliott had left behind. 

“Alright, settle down,” the professor said, her voice echoing. “I am Professor Aris. I believe in merit, transparency, and decorum. We have much to cover before your exams.”

As she turned to the chalkboard, Sebastian leaned back in his seat three rows behind.

“Thank God it’s a woman,” Sebastian whispered loudly to his friend. “At least we know Noah won’t be getting an 'A' for effort this semester. I don't think she’s his type.”

A ripple of cruel laughter echoed through the hall. 

“Enough!” Professor Aris shut the laughter down immediately. 

Noah stared at his notebook, the tip of his pen digging into the paper until the fiber tore. He looked at the empty chair where Elliott used to sit, and for the first time, the reality of the sacrifice hit him. 

***

Shere Police Station: Private Consultation Room

Julian Thorne sat at the small metal table, his grey jumpsuit was the only thing about him that suggested a loss of status. Across from him sat his lead attorney and, in a shocking display of misplaced loyalty, Elliott Vance.

Elliott looked rough. His head was still bandaged, and he leaned heavily on his mahogany cane, his eyes fixed on Julian with a flat, unreadable intensity.

“The kidnapping charge is the anchor,” Julian’s lawyer said, sliding a legal pad toward Elliott. “If you maintain that you were held against your will, the prosecution will push for the maximum. But if you refute it... if you say it was just a 'misunderstanding' between partners then they don’t have a criminal case against Julian.

Julian leaned forward, a small, triumphant smile playing on his lips. “Do it, Elliott. For old times' sake. You know I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just... protecting what was mine.”

Elliott looked at the statement. He thought of Julian pointing a gun at him. He thought of the way Julian had hit him so hard he fell and then dropped him on the gravel like trash. But then he thought of the Kingston incident. Julian had him signing a confession. He could argue he was coerced but if the police carry out another intensive investigation they find out the truth. 

And finally he thought of Noah. He was barely surviving their affair going public. If the kingston incident should come out, the media will find a way to rope him and gradually society will ostracise him all for loving a flawed man. 

“I’ll sign,” Elliott whispered. “I’ll tell them I went to the cabin voluntarily. That I fell and hit my head on the porch. But I have my conditions.”

Julian looked at the lawyer. He brought out the documents Elliott had signed. 

“I knew you would ask,” Julian 

“For the theft accusation against Noah, you pay the damages they put in front of you. No argument. And promise never to go after him again.”

The smile on Julian’s face gradually fades. “You really won’t let it go until I agree to that, right?”  

“Either that or...,” Elliott pulled himself up from the chair. “I maintain I was kidnapped. You go ahead and tell them about Kingston. We both end up in jail but one will face more consequences than the other.”

Julian’s furious gaze lock with Elliott’s for a long moment. 

***

The Bail Hearing: One Hour Later

The Silver-Haired Man sat in the back row of the gallery, holding a sleek, encrypted tablet. He watched as the judge reviewed the revised police report.

“In light of the victim’s formal refutation of the kidnapping charge,” the judge announced, his gavel hovering, “and given that the prosecution have no other criminal charge brought against the defendant, Mr. Thorne, you are free to go.”

Crack. The gavel fell.

The Silver-Haired Man didn't wait for the room to clear. He stepped into the hallway and hit a speed-dial. “He didn’t just get bail,” he said, his voice low. “The charges were dropped. Elliott refuted the kidnapping claim. Either they are both in on it or Julian has leverage on Elliott.”

On the other end, there was silence for a moment. Then we hear the voice with authority. 

“Then the boy is in more danger than I thought. Be prepared, we will bring him home soon.”

***

Noah didn't return to his dorm after class. He couldn't stand the stares. He went to the hospital first and was told Elliott had checked out, then he went straight to Elliott’s apartment.

As he entered the lobby, he saw the doorman. 

The doorman looked at him with sympathetic eyes. “Hey Noah.”

“I’m here to see Elliott ”

“Prof. Vance asked me to give you this,” the doorman said, pulling out a sealed white envelope from his pocket and handing it to Noah.  

Noah’s brow arched in confusion. “What is this?”

Noah’s breath seized as his fingers grazed the paper, and tore it open.

Noah,

I’m sorry. I thought I was strong enough to stay and fight with you, but seeing the way they look at you... knowing it’s my fault... I can’t be the one that drags you down. If I’m here, you’ll always be the 'Professor’s boy.' If I’m gone, you can just be Noah.

Julian is out. I had to do it, Noah. I had to refute the kidnapping claim. It’s best for both of us. I have also made sure he pays for damages on the theft accusation and will not come after you. 

Please, don't come looking for me. It’s better this way.

I love you but this is where the story has to change.

—E.

By the time Noah was done reading, he had tears streaming down his cheeks onto the paper.