Chapter 6

In Derek's words, he'd already apologized, paid the price, and admitted his mistake to the school.

So, what, was he supposed to write another report?

He'd just sign it again; it didn't matter to him.

His words grew even more disgusting, spreading everywhere.

This time, not just our class, but the entire university was buzzing with gossip.

They said Professor Alistair and I had left "battle scars" all over the media lab, in the little grove on campus, by the lake pavilion.

So many people were saying it that even my usually supportive roommates started to believe them.

One day, my roommate, Chloe, looked troubled, saying she wasn't sure if her name was on the scholarship list for this semester. Maya, another roommate, glanced at me and chuckled.

"What's the big deal? Just ask Professor Alistair, Hazel."

I was lying on my bed reading, and casually replied, "Why me? Chloe, go ask him yourself."

Maya retorted, "She's not you, not that close to Professor Alistair.

She definitely won't get anything out of him."

"We're good roommates, Hazel, just help her out, will you?" Her tone was full of sarcasm.

I closed my phone, sat up straight, and stared at Maya's face.

"What do you mean by that?"

Maya shrugged.

"Whatever you think it means, that's what it means."

"Just say what you mean!"

Seeing my serious expression, Maya's face hardened. She snorted.

"Why are you yelling at me?"

"You dare to do it but don't dare to admit it? It's not like you can be a slut and still expect a good reputation!"

I hadn't expected Maya to say something so vile.

We weren't incredibly close in the dorm, but we'd never fought before.

We'd always been friendly, bringing each other breakfast or drinks.

When Derek first started spreading rumors, everyone in the dorm had sided with me.

Maya had even put her arm around my shoulder and called him a jerk, telling me to ignore him.

It had only been a few days, and she was completely different. My eyes welled up with tears of anger.

"You believe Derek's lies too?"

"We both signed Professor Thorne's report, and Derek admitted he was—"

"Oh, please!"

Maya interrupted me dismissively.

"Who knows if that report even exists? We've never seen it!"

Chloe chimed in, "Yeah, if Derek really admitted his mistake, why is he still spreading rumors out there?"

Seeing me glare at her with red eyes, Chloe flinched, hastily waving her hands.

"Of course, Hazel, I'm not saying I don't believe you."

"It's just that Derek's stories are getting more and more outrageous. All the students are saying—it's what they're saying, not my opinion—that since Derek made such a fuss and Professor Thorne didn't deny it, you two are probably really involved."

It was then that I truly understood.

This wasn't over at all. Derek had been busy spreading so many new lies behind my back.