Chapter 2

All eyes were on me, like spotlights. I was trembling with rage, my chest burning like fire.

Derek looked embarrassed, scratching his head and hooking an arm around a guy next to him.

"Alright, let's go eat!"

"Hold it right there!"

I stretched out my arm, blocking Derek.

"What the hell were you just saying? Say it again, if you dare!"

Derek jutted out his chin.

"What's your problem? You can do it, but others can't talk about it?"

"Do what? What did I do? Which eye of yours saw it? Professor Thorne and I clearly have nothing going on, so why are you spreading such disgusting lies?"

I was so furious I could barely string a sentence together, demanding Derek show me proof.

Derek shoved Ryan forward.

"The witness is right here! What more proof do you need?"

Ryan frantically waved his hands.

"No, I'm not! I only saw Hazel come out. What they did inside the room, I have no idea."

Derek scoffed.

"You saw how red her face was, though, didn't you?"

"And her neckline was so low—"

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze sliding down from my face to my chest.

He held up two fingers, bent at the knuckles, pointing to his own eyes.

"My eyes are a ruler, I don't make mistakes."

The guys burst into lewd laughter. Around me, there were leering, malicious stares and sickening whispers.

It felt like hundreds of nails were piercing me.

I was so angry I started to cry.

"You're making things up! Come on, you're coming with me to see Professor Thorne right now!"

I reached out to grab Derek's arm.

Derek deliberately pulled back, squirming.

"Whoa, hey, don't touch me like that."

"Alistair will get mad, and I'll be in trouble."

The laughter grew louder. I wanted to pounce on him and beat him senseless.

"You're full of crap!"

"There are school rules against professors and students being in a relationship! Spreading these rumors doesn't just hurt me, it'll drag Professor Alistair down too! If he gets fired, it'll all be your fault!"