3

The Rules of the Game

Kendra 

I slip into class three minutes late, hoping to avoid eye contact with anyone. Especially Axel. But as I hurry toward an empty seat in the back, I feel his eyes following me.

"Miss Hayes," Professor West calls out. "Since you're late, perhaps you'd like to share your thoughts on yesterday's reading?"

My cheeks burn as every head turns toward me. "I'm sorry, I.."

"Actually, Professor," Axel interrupts from across the room. "Kendra was with me. We were discussing our project. My fault for making her late."

I stare at him in shock. Why is he covering for me?

Professor West's jaw tightens. "How thoughtful of you, Mr. Cross. But Miss Hayes can speak for herself."

"Can she?" Axel leans back in his chair. "Because it seems like you're always putting her on the spot."

The tension in the room becomes suffocating. Students glance between them like they're watching a tennis match.

"That's enough, Mr. Cross," Professor West says coldly. "See me after class."

"Looking forward to it," Axel replies with a smirk that doesn't reach his eyes.

I spend the rest of class trying to disappear into my seat, but I can feel both of them watching me.

+++++++++

After class, I practically run for the door, but Axel catches up with me in the hallway.

"Wait up, partner."

"Why did you do that?" I ask without stopping.

"Do what?"

"Cover for me. Argue with Professor West. You're going to make him angry."

Axel grabs my arm gently, forcing me to stop. "Good. Someone should make him angry."

"You don't understand. He's.."

"What? Powerful? Scary?" Axel's voice is harsh. "I've dealt with plenty of bullies, Kendra. He's not special."

"He's not a bully," I whisper. "He's worse."

Before Axel can respond, his teammate Jake appears beside us.

"Hey, Cross! This is the girl you're babysitting for psychology class?" Jake looks me up and down with a nasty grin. "I heard she's West's little pet. Must be nice getting A's on your back."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I hear Axel's sharp intake of breath.

"What did you just say?" Axel's voice is dangerously low.

Jake doesn't notice the warning. "Come on, man. Everyone knows West has a thing for damaged goods. This one probably.."

He doesn't get to finish the sentence. Axel's fist connects with Jake's jaw so fast I barely see it happen. Jake stumbles backward, blood dripping from his lip.

"Axel, don't!" I grab his arm as he moves toward Jake again.

"Say one more word about her," Axel growls, "and I'll break more than your nose."

Jake wipes the blood from his mouth, looking shocked. "You're crazy, man. She's not worth it."

"Get out of here before I change my mind about letting you walk away," Axel says.

Jake looks like he wants to argue, but something in Axel's expression stops him. He stumbles down the hallway, holding his jaw.

"You didn't have to do that," I say quietly.

"Yes, I did." Axel is still breathing hard, his hands clenched into fists. "No one talks about you like that."

"Why do you care?"

He looks at me for a long moment. "I'm starting to figure that out myself."

++++++

Two hours later, I'm standing outside Professor West's office, my hand shaking as I knock on the door.

"Come in, Kendra."

He's sitting behind his desk, but he stands when I enter. Today he's wearing a dark blue sweater that makes his gray eyes look almost predatory.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Close the door."

I hesitate. "I'd rather leave it open."

"Close. The door." Each word is sharp, final.

I turn and close it, feeling trapped.

"That's better." He walks around his desk, stopping just close enough to make me uncomfortable. "We need to discuss your behavior today."

"My behavior?"

"Your new association with Mr. Cross. I don't like it."

"He's my project partner. You assigned him to me."

"I assigned you a partner for academic purposes. Not to have him fight your battles." Professor West reaches out and touches a strand of my hair. "You belong to me, remember?"

I flinch away from his touch, my whole body shaking. "Don't."

"Don't what?" His voice is soft, dangerous. "Don't touch what's mine?"

"I'm not yours," I whisper.

"Aren't you?" He steps closer. "Your scholarship, your grades, your future – I control all of it. That makes you mine."

The door bursts open behind us. Axel storms in, his eyes taking in the scene, Professor West standing too close, my obvious fear, the way I'm backed against the bookshelf.

"Get away from her," Axel says, his voice deadly calm.

"Mr. Cross." Professor West steps back but doesn't look worried. "This is a private meeting."

"Looks pretty public to me." Axel moves to stand beside me. "You okay, Kendra?"

I nod, even though I'm not.

"You should leave," Professor West says to Axel. "This is between Miss Hayes and myself."

"No, it's not." Axel crosses his arms. "Anything involving my project partner involves me."

Professor West's smile is cold. "I see. Well, Mr. Cross, I hope you understand the consequences of interfering in things that don't concern you. I'd hate for your scholarship to be reviewed. Or your position on the football team."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm educating you." Professor West sits back down at his desk. "I have significant influence in this university. Cross me, and you'll regret it."

"We'll see about that," Axel says.

"Yes," Professor West replies quietly. "We will."

Outside the office, Axel and I walk in tense silence until we reach the quad.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I finally exploded. "You can't just barge into his office like that!"

"I can't?" Axel stops walking. "He was touching you. You were terrified."

"You made everything worse! Now he's angry, and when Professor West gets angry—"

"What? What happens when he gets angry, Kendra?"

I can't tell him. I can't tell him about the threats, the after-hours meetings, the way Professor West makes me feel like I'm back in that basement room from my childhood.

"You don't understand," I say instead.

"Then explain it to me."

"I can't."

"Why? Because you're protecting him?"

"I'm protecting myself!" The words come out louder than I intended. "You think you're helping, but you're not. You're making everything more dangerous."

"Dangerous how?"

I start walking again, faster this time. Axel keeps pace beside me.

"Talk to me, Kendra."

"Why?" I stop and face him. "Why do you care? Two days ago you called me spineless. Now you're starting fights and storming into professors' offices. What changed?"

Axel is quiet for a moment. When he speaks, his voice is softer. "I don't like watching someone get used like that."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" He steps closer. "I know he's got some kind of hold over you. I know you're scared of him. And I know those bruises on your wrist didn't come from nowhere."

My breath catches. "Axel.."

"I also know that I've never seen anyone look as terrified as you did in that office."

Tears start forming in my eyes. "You have no idea how dangerous he is."

Axel steps even closer, his voice low and intense. "And you have no idea how dangerous I can be when I care.”