4

Secrets Don't Stay Buried

Kendra 

"You don't have to walk me back," I say as Axel falls into step beside me. The evening air is cold, and I pull my jacket tighter around myself.

"I want to."

We walk in silence for a few minutes. The campus is quieter at this hour, with most students either in the library or at parties. I feel safer with Axel beside me, which scares me more than I want to admit.

"When did it start?" he asks suddenly.

I know what he means, but I pretend I don't. "When did what start?"

"Whatever's happening with West."

I stop walking. "Axel.."

"You said I don't understand how dangerous he is. Help me understand."

I look at his face in the lamplight. There's something different about him now. The cocky football star is gone, replaced by someone who actually cares. It makes my chest tight.

"It started last semester," I hear myself saying. "I was failing his intro class. My scholarship was in trouble."

*The memory hits me like a wave...*

"Miss Hayes, please stay after class," Professor West had said with a kind smile. "I'd like to help you with your grades."

I'd been so grateful. A professor who wanted to help the struggling scholarship kid? It felt like a miracle.

"You have potential, Kendra. You just need someone to guide you. Someone who understands your... unique situation."

He'd offered private tutoring sessions. Extra credit opportunities. All I had to do was trust him.

"He seemed so nice at first," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "Like he actually cared about helping me succeed."

"But he didn't."

"No." The word tastes bitter. "He cared about something else entirely."

Axel's hands clench into fists at his sides. "What did he do to you?"

I can't tell him everything. I can't tell him about the locked office doors, the inappropriate comments disguised as academic advice, the way Professor West made me feel like I owed him my body in exchange for my grades.

"It doesn't matter," I say instead.

"Like hell it doesn't."

"Axel, please." I grab his arm. "You need to stay away from this. From me. He'll destroy you."

"Let him try."

"I'm serious. Transfer to a different section. Find a new project partner. Pretend you don't know me."

"Not happening."

"Why?" My voice cracks. "Why are you doing this?"

He stops walking and turns to face me. "Because nobody should have to face something like this alone."

The sincerity in his voice breaks something inside me. I haven't had anyone on my side in so long that I'd forgotten what it felt like.

"You don't know what you're getting into," I whisper.

"Then tell me."

But I can't. The words stick in my throat like they always do.

++++++++

The next morning, I know something's wrong the moment I step onto campus. People are staring. Whispering. A group of girls near the coffee cart stops talking when they see me, then erupts in giggles once I pass.

In the hallway before psychology class, I overheard two guys talking.

"I heard she's sleeping with both of them," one says.

"Cross and the professor? Damn. Girl's got games."

"Or issues. Who hooks up with their teacher for grades?"

My face burns with shame. The rumors are spreading like wildfire.

I slip into class and take a seat in the back, but I can feel everyone's eyes on me. When Professor West walks in, his smile is cold and satisfied.

"Good morning, class. I hope everyone's ready to discuss the psychology of manipulation."

His eyes find mine across the room. The message is clear.

After class, I try to escape quickly, but Professor West's voice stops me.

"Miss Hayes. A word."

The classroom empties slowly. Too slowly. When we're finally alone, Professor West walks over and closes the door.

"It seems there are some interesting rumors circulating about you," he says.

"I didn't start them."

"No, but your new friend certainly helped them along. Fighting in hallways, bursting into my office..." He shakes his head. "Very disappointing behavior."

"Professor West.."

"Let me be clear, Kendra." He steps closer, backing me against the wall. "If you don't control your attack dog, I will fail you out of existence. Your scholarship, your future, everything you've worked for – gone."

"I can't control Axel."

"Then you'd better learn how." His voice is ice cold. "Because this is your last warning."

++++++

I'm sitting in the library, trying to focus on homework, when Axel storms over to my table. His face is dark with rage.

"Is it true?" he demands.

"Is what true?"

"The rumors. People are saying you're sleeping with West for grades."

My stomach drops. "You believe them?"

"No, I don't believe them. But I want to know who started them."

"Does it matter? Everyone believes it anyway."

"It matters to me." He sits down across from me, his voice softer. "Talk to me, Kendra."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Bullshit. I heard Jake telling half the team that you're West's personal stress reliever. I almost broke his jaw again."

"You can't keep fighting people, Axel."

"Watch me."

"This is exactly what Professor West wants. He wants you to lose control. He wants you to get in trouble."

"Maybe I don't care anymore."

The look in his eyes scares me. "What does that mean?"

"It means I'm tired of watching him hurt you."

"Axel.."

"No." He stands up abruptly. "I'm done playing his games."

"Where are you going?"

"To end this."

He starts walking away, but I catch up to him. "What are you planning to do?"

"Whatever it takes."

"Axel, please. Think about what you're saying."

"I have been thinking about it. All night, actually." His voice is deadly calm. "Did you know West goes to faculty parties at Dean Morrison's house? Big social events where he pretends to be a respectable professor?"

My blood turns cold. "You can't be serious."

"There's one tonight. Perfect opportunity for a conversation."

"You'll get expelled."

"Maybe. But it'll be worth it to see the look on his face when I tell everyone what kind of man he really is."

"They won't believe you."

"Then I'll make them believe me."

He starts walking again, faster this time. I try to keep up, but my legs feel weak.

"Axel, wait!"

But he's already pulling out his phone. My phone buzzes a second later with a text from him: *I'm going to ruin him. Starting tonight.*

My hands shake as I type back: Please... don't.

But when I look up, Axel is already halfway across the quad, his shoulders set with determination. Through the windows of the faculty house in the distance, I can see the warm glow of the party already in progress.

And somewhere inside that house, Professor West is probably laughing with his colleagues, having no idea that Axel Cross is walking toward him with blood in his eyes.

I try calling Axel, but it goes straight to voicemail. I send another text, then another. But I already know it's too late.

Whatever happens next, there's no stopping it now..