Chapter One
"So that's the reason why I didn't see you around earlier?" Suzy asked, excited to know what had happened.
"Yeah, a lot of things have happened. Yesterday, I was sick, so I stayed at home. Clark kept bothering me, and we had anal intercourse, but that was the last time. Mom caught us, and I also found out that Clark isn't really serious with me, since he brought another girl into his house. Now, my preference has changed; I don't like older guys anymore," I said.
Suzy was speechless. She didn't know how to react to what I told her. I was also shocked by the narrative; the events were happening so fast. It felt like just yesterday when Clark and I met, and now we had drifted apart. I thought we were never really meant to be, or maybe I just deserved something more—not someone who would only use me for fun.
"Hey, Marty, how are you?" Noah asked, approaching us. He was with his friend Mike.
"I'm fine," I replied, though I wasn't really fine. I was still moving on from the mess Clark had created in my life. I was barely hanging on. "How about you?"
"Great," Noah said. He looked at Suzy. "Hey, cousin."
"Hey, Noah, who's this guy with you?" Suzy asked.
"This is Mike, my friend," Noah replied.
"Hey, Mike, how are you?" Suzy asked.
"Good," Mike replied, feeling shy.
"By the way, I'm here to ask Marty if she has plans after class," Noah said.
"Why?" Suzy asked. "Are you going to ask her out?"
Noah's face turned red. "I, uh, yeah, if she wants to." He seemed nervous, though it was the third time he had asked me out.
"No problem," I said.
"Yippee!" Noah exclaimed. He looked so happy, like a kid with a wide smile on his face.
I was surprised when he suddenly held my hand. "Um, can I... accompany you to your classroom?" he asked.
"Yeah, no problem," I replied, though it felt awkward. I looked back at Suzy and waved my hand. She just smiled at me and went to her classroom with Mike.
"I'll be waiting for you in the lobby after class, Marty," Noah said as we stopped in front of my classroom. He wasn't letting go of my hand yet.
"See you later then," I replied. "Can you let me go now?"
"I, uh, I'm sorry." He let my hand go.
I smiled at him before entering the room. I continued to my seat and sat down. I heard my classmates talking behind my back about the party. I didn't know why they couldn't just move on and turn the page to a new chapter. I was also still confused about who had posted that video.
A few moments later, a man entered the classroom. He introduced himself as Clark Hamilton. He said that Professor Wheeler was taking a break due to pneumonia, so he would be our temporary professor for a while.
I really didn't know how to react to something like that. I thought Clark worked at the hospital, just like my mother had said—and now he was here as my temporary professor? What a small world. He was such a good liar, and I couldn't trust anything he said anymore, even if he had a PhD.
"Okay, class, and because it's the first time we've met, I want you to introduce yourselves and share your sex experiences if you have any," he said, smirking as he looked directly at me.
At that, my classmates began crying out in excitement. I didn't know why they always got so worked up when it came to this topic. Like, what the fuck? They also started sharing their encounters without an ounce of shame, and then it was my turn.
"I, uh, I don't have any sex experience, sir," I said, feeling nervous. Now everyone thought I was a virgin, but they only laughed because of the video.
"I wonder why I don't believe that," Clark said.
After class, I was left entirely alone in the room. My heart was pounding when it shouldn't have been. I still remembered those days when Clark and I had sex. Not now, I reminded myself; I'm at school. I stood up and picked up my bag. I walked toward the door, but he stopped me.
"Marty," he said, speaking my name.
"Yes... sir?" I asked. Since he was my professor, I knew I had to respect him, and there was nothing more I wanted than a strictly professional relationship with him.
"It seems like you forgot something," he replied.
"I forgot something?" I looked back at my desk, but it was empty. "What are you talking about, sir?"
"Just stop calling me sir, Marty, especially when it's just the two of us," he said, getting close to me. Damn! He was still so hot, even in his formal clothes.
My heart was pounding in my chest, so fast and loud, like a machine. I really thought that I'd never see his face again after everything that had happened between us, but here he was right now, standing in front of me, so close.
I stepped back, distancing myself from him, but he kept following me until my back touched the wall. This scene was so familiar. "What do you want from me?" I snapped.
"Don't be nervous, Marty. I just want to remind you of your promise," he said, his hand slamming against the wall behind my back, catching me like prey.
"W—what promise?" I asked, avoiding his eyes because I didn't want to lose my mind.
"You really don't remember?" he asked, looking down at my forehead.
"I... I don't!" I didn't know why I felt this nervous, but I couldn't hide my blushing face.
"You promised me you wouldn't leave me behind; have you forgotten already?" he asked, refusing to move away. "Why did you run away, Marty? Don't you want me anymore?"
"Why don't you answer your own question?" I replied. "Do you think you can fool me again? I trusted you, Clark, and yet you played me like one of your toys. You weren't even content, and here you are... asking why I ran away?"
"Marty," he said, touching my arms, but I immediately pushed him back, though he wouldn't even budge. "Look, I'm sorry for cheating on you. I don't really like that girl. So please, can you give me another chance?"
What the fuck? After everything he had done to me and to my mother, he was going to ask me for another chance as if nothing had happened? No way! I wasn't going to give him another chance to ruin my life again, no matter what he did.
"Just back off already, Clark, or I'll call the principal," I said, but he only laughed as if I had just said the most humorous thing in the world.
"Do you think he'll listen to you?" he asked. "This university belongs to me, Marty. I can do anything I want."
"Son of a—" I was about to say something highly unpleasant. This man in front of me wasn't just a playboy but was also full of surprises. He was handsome and rich, which was no doubt why he could easily get anyone he wanted—but not me. I wasn't going to fall into the same trap twice.
Clark put his other hand on the wall. Now, I had nowhere left to escape. I closed my eyes, my heart pounding and my legs trembling, though I didn't have arthritis. Slowly, he moved his face close to mine.
