The Dating Lesson

Later, at the end of the day, I’m walking back to my dorm across the quad, wondering what the hell I got myself into. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to have any distractions this year. Three more years to go until I reach my dream. Leo seemed to have come out of nowhere. I’d been so focused, worked so hard, and then this sexy stranger threw everything for a loop. This is not good. I haven’t been able to think about anything else today aside from being bent over that desk with him and his tongue. I don’t know if I even heard a single word any of my professors said. If I don’t get my shit together, I’m definitely going to struggle this semester, and all that I’ve worked for will be lost. I can’t let this happen. I’ve got to find a way to get myself out of this messWhen I get back to my dorm room, Brenna is sitting on her bed with a mirror and a desk lamp, carefully applying a thick layer of eyeliner to her top lid.

“There you are. How was your first day?” she asks.

“Interesting to say the least.”

“Were you late for your class this morning?” she asks.

“A little. Not too bad.”

“Who’s your professor.”

I almost say “Leo”, but catch myself. “Professor Whitford.”

She laughs. “That’s the worst possible teacher to be late for. I actually took a class with him last semester. He’s a hard ass, but a lot of students like him. I bet you will.”

I nod. That’s what I’m afraid of.

“Meet any cute boys? Or do you have a boy back home?” Brenna asks. “I haven’t seen you flirt with a single guy since you’ve arrived—let me guess.” She looks at me, studying. “You have a high school sweetheart, been together since the fifth grade, captain of the football team. Am I close?” She laughs. It’s obvious she thinks I’m a prude. I may look clean cut, but I’m far from prudish. I want to tell her about what Professor Leo and I did while I was bent over the desk, but I’m not one to kiss and tell, and I don’t want mine and Leo’s—relationship?—whatever it is between us, to get out in the open. It’s private and I want to keep it that way. I need to keep it that way. I have a professional reputation to worry about. If I want to be seen as a serious lawyer one day, what I do now matters. I can’t be going around, acting like a wild co-ed. Men might be able to get away with it. In the court room people will just think they’re some kind of stud who can talk his way into bed with anyone. It’s probably considered an asset, even. But I don’t have that luxury. If anyone found out I slept with my professor, they’ll say I have a habit of sleeping my way to the top. It’s a bullshit double standard, but that’s the way it is.

“No high school sweetheart,” I say. “I had a boyfriend for a minute, but it didn’t work out. I spend too much time on schoolwork to get wrapped up with romantic relationships. I can’t risk having any distractions.”

She laughs again. I start to find the cackling, witchy sound of her laughter annoying. She says, “That’s what I thought.”

I’m not sure if I should be offended by that or not. I decide it’s not worth pursuing. Let her think what she wants. It doesn’t matter to me.

“So, I have a couple friends coming over tonight. You’re more than welcome to stay and watch. You can even join in if you want.” She winks at me. “But things tend to get a little loud and rough.” She lifts up a set of handcuffs and a whip. I lift my eyebrows and blush.

“I’ll go study at the campus coffee shop,” I say.

She shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

There’s a knock at the door as I’m loading my schoolwork into my bag. Brenna answers it. I hadn’t noticed it before, but all she’s wearing is a thong and a cropped t-shirt with an Ouija board graphic on it.

I’m a little surprised to see two very large men standing at the door. When she said a couple friends I thought there would be a woman in there somewhere. The two guys walk in, and instead of a “Hi, how are you?” or any sort of verbal greeting, they each take turns kissing Brenna long and deep with a lot of tongue.

Well then, I guess that’s my cue to go. I scoop up my bag and laptop and make my way to leave.

“Sure you don’t want to stay?” Brenna says as I’m walking out the door. One of the men looks at me with a smile and a wink.