Breaking Noah

Stupid fucking whore, but nice pussy…

I’d eat that…

I knew there was a reason I should’ve become a teacher…

I bet that cunt’s seen a lot of dick…

My stomach churns. The video has gone fucking viral. It’s everywhere. Slamming the laptop shut, I curl up on my side and wipe my eyes. I pick up the phone Mel gave me and stare at the screen. I so badly want to call him, but what’s the point? He won’t answer. I have to think of another way to get his attention.

How the hell am I going to make him listen to me?

—

Mel is gone the next morning when I get up. I make myself a coffee and lie down on the sofa, feeling sorry for myself.

I open my laptop and click on my email, crossing my toes and fingers that Ryan has emailed me. My body tenses when I see his name. Noah. He emailed me. My hands shake as I click on the email. I was not expecting this. What does he want?

You want to talk, so let’s talk. Meet me at the Walker tonight at six. I can’t wait to hear this. Maybe leave your phone at home so I know you’re not recording it.

I’m officially in panic mode. What am I going to say? Sorry, I did set out to ruin you, but then I fell in love with you? This cannot possibly end any other way than him hating me. Even if I explain everything, the fact is I planned to bring him down. He would have to be fucking crazy to be able to move past that.

It takes me a few seconds to realize that Ryan has also replied.

I’m guessing what you don’t want me to say is that I’ve seen the video? Sorry, sis…I saw way more of you than I ever wanted to see. I’ll need years of therapy to get that image out of my head, but on the plus side, you’re pretty popular around camp ;)

In a weird, fucked-up way I know your heart was in the right place, and I really think this guy will understand that if he feels the same way about you. Sure, you ruined his career, but didn’t he technically do that himself by messing around with you, too?

Let the dude cool down, then talk to him. Make him listen. If there’s one thing you excel at, it’s not letting up until someone has heard your side. That’s why I love you so much. You never give up.

Losing Karly messed you up big-time, Zars. Honestly, I think what all this shows is you still haven’t gotten over that, and maybe you feel a little responsible for not being able to help her? Then to find out about her and Dillon…I don’t know how you’re functioning at all right now.

Anyway, keep me posted.

Love you

I grab the phone and text Noah: See you at six. Thank you for giving me a chance to explain. Z

Talking to Ryan has really put things into perspective. I feel better than I have since this whole mess started. Ryan is right. If there’s one thing I do well, it’s get my point across.

I will make him listen to me, because losing him is not an option.

Chapter 26

Noah

Against the advice of my attorneys, the school board, and my own conscience, I agree to meet Zara. I shouldn’t. She doesn’t deserve one more second of my life, but I have to know what I did that was so terrible she felt the need to destroy my career and reputation.

For the last few days, I’ve dodged an obscene amount of interviews and even more phone calls from other faculty members, my family, and, believe it or not, Shannon. I’ve tried to stay away from the Internet, but it’s like a train wreck: so terrible and tragic, yet you can’t look away. I needed to see. And I saw, all right.

“I knew something was going on with Noah and his student from the moment I saw them together. I started mentoring her when she approached the fashion and design department at Northwestern. At the time I had no idea she was a stud

ent of my ex-boyfriend’s, but whenever the two of them were together, the secret glances and sly smiles were hard to miss. Had I not been blinded by love, I would have reported the improper conduct. I send my deepest apologies to the student in question as well as her family. Maybe if I would have opened my biased eyes, I would have been able to save her from this travesty.”

Yeah, that was Shannon’s interview she gave to CNN yesterday. So much for ending on good terms, right? Oh, well, she’s not the only one who commented on the relationship between Zara and myself. One of my worst students, the one who refuses to hand in any assignment yet aces all the tests and passes by only a fraction, had the nerve to tell the local newspaper that I favored Zara. She received special treatment in exchange for sexual favors.

The whole damn thing makes me sick to my stomach. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve spent building my credibility—one stupid email ruined everything I’d worked for.

Zara had responded: See you at six. Thank you for giving me a chance to explain. Z