11

Sophia's POV

Three days.

It’s been three days since that humiliating night, since he'd walked into my room, watched me touch myself, called me a whore, and left me unfinished on the bed.

Three days of avoiding him like my life depended on it.

I'd become a ghost in the house. I woke up early before anyone else was awake, and crept down the stairs like a thief. I made sure to leave for campus before Thorne even came down for breakfast.

I came home early and refuse to come down for dinner making sure to lock my room so mum won’t be a bother.

I didn't look at him, speak to him or even breathe in his direction.

If we happened to be in the same room, I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, on the wall, on anything that wasn't his face. The one time I'd accidentally made eye contact with him at the dinner table my stomach had lurched so violently I'd had to excuse myself.

Diana had noticed.

She'd asked if I was sick, if something was wrong. I'd told her I was just stressed about school.

She bought it or maybe she just didn't care enough to push.

Either way I was surviving.

Barely.

I was in the bathroom on campus staring at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like hell with dark circles under my eyes, pale skin, hollow cheeks.

I’ve been having sleepless nights cause everyone I close my eyes I see his face baring that disgusting look and reminding me of my place and every time I hated myself a little more for letting him get to me.

Two girls walked into the bathroom laughing and chattering.

"Did you see Professor Sinclair today?" one of them said. "God he looked so good in that grey suit."

"Right? I swear that man gets hotter every day. How is he even real?"

"I heard he's like forty-five that’s insane. He looks thirty-five at most."

"Age doesn't matter when you look like that. I'd let him bend me over his desk any day."

They both laughed.

I pressed my hand to my mouth nausea rising in my throat.

"I heard some of the female professors have a thing for him too like, they're always finding excuses to go to his office."

"Can you blame them? He's married though. To some rich socialite apparently."

"Yeah but that doesn't stop anyone from looking. Have you seen the way he walks? Like he owns the whole damn campus."

"He basically does. Have you seen his car? It's probably worth more than my parents' house."

They kept talking their voices fading as they walked out of the bathroom.

I stayed in the stall for a long time my hands gripping the sides of the toilet trying to breathe.

When I finally came out Ashley was standing by the sinks.

"Sophia! There you are. I've been looking for you."

"Hey." I forced a smile. "Sorry I was just—"

"Are you okay?" She stepped closer, her eyes scanning my face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine just tired."

"you've been 'just tired' for like three days now. Every time I see you you look worse. What's going on?"

"Nothing." I turned to the sink splashing cold water on my face. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine." Ashley crossed her arms. "I've known you for like a week and even I can tell something's off. You've been acting weird ever since Professor Sinclair called you into his office."

I froze. "What?"

"I mean that day when he made you stay after class. You came out looking like someone had just run over your dog and you've been weird ever since."

"It wasn't—that's not—"

"What did he say to you?" Ashley's voice was softer now. "Was he really harsh? I mean I know he can be brutal when he wants to be."

"No he wasn't—I mean he was, but it wasn't—"

"Sophia. You're pale like actually pale. Are you sure you're okay?"

I opened my mouth to answer but before I could Ryan appeared around the corner.

Lifesaver

"There you two are." He was grinning his eyes bright. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Hey." I forced another smile. "What's up?"

"There's a party tonight Off-campus. Some of the upperclassmen are throwing it." He looked at me. "You should come."

"I don't know—"

"Come on Sophia don’t be so boring?”

"I'm not really in the party mood—"

"She's been moping," Ashley cut in. "She's been acting like Professor Sinclair drained her soul out of her body or something."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What happened with Sinclair?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "He just…he told me to pay attention in class that’s all”

"Are you sure?" Ashley asked. "Because you've been walking around like a zombie ever since."

"I'm sure. He just warned me about being distracted that’s it."

Ryan studied me for a moment his expression concerned. "Well that's all the more reason to come to the party. You need to loosen up and forget about school for a night."

"Exactly," Ashley agreed. "You need to have some fun, get out of your head, drink a little and maybe even find a cute guy to hook up with."

My stomach twisted. "I don't think—"

"Too late." Ashley grabbed my arm. "You're coming. No arguments."

"Ashley—"

" I'm not taking no for an answer."

I looked at her then at Ryan.

Maybe they were right maybe if I did need to get out of my head, if I drank enough I could forget about Thorne for one night.

Just one night.

"Fine," I said. "I'll come."

Ashley cheered.

Ryan grinned.

"This is going to be great," he said.

I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes.

Great.

Yeah.

That was one word for it.

"Come on," Ashley said still gripping my arm. "We're going to my dorm. We're going to find you something hot to wear”