Teacher's Pet

"What's up Prof?" he asked.

"Libby here needs a safe chaperone home. That means you find her friends and get them all home together. You got me? None of the girls go off on their own." I caught him in a stare that made beads of sweat pop out on his strawberry-colored hairline.

"You got it. Operation Gentleman." The football player gathered a giggly Libby under his arm and boomed down the hallway. "Ashley, Farah, time to get your girl home!"

I swore if I couldn't find Clarity, then I would confront Dean Dunkirk with my indiscretion. He would help me face the right consequences and put my mistake-ridden past behind me.

The glimmer of redemption sent me striding down the hallway and into the kitchen, just in time to see Adam try to kiss Clarity. I jumped back into the shadowy hallway and clenched my fists.

"Adam, stop. This was supposed to just be a casual date." I heard Clarity trying to keep her voice light. She pushed the tall quarterback on the chest, but he didn't step back.

"Come on, you can't say you're not attracted to me," Adam leaned in again.

"But I can say ‘no.’ Do I have to say it again?" Clarity asked.

"Uh huh," Adam nodded and reached out to grip her shoulders.

Before I launched myself at the unsuspecting kid, Clarity took care of the overeager football player herself. She hooked a foot around his ankle and gave his chest another hard shove. The shocked quarterback stumbled back and plopped down on his ass.

He laughed and held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, I give. How about you let me walk you home?"

The right hook I had cocked and ready itched to knock him down as soon as he got to his feet, but, again, Clarity took care of it.

"Best stick around here and sober up," she said. Clarity spun on her heel and marched towards me.

I lowered my fist just in time.

"Ford? I mean, Professor Bauer?" She skidded to a halt in the shadowed hallway.

"Your father asked me to check in on the party. He's out in the backyard." I hoped Dean Dunkirk would understand me ratting him out so fast.

If the flashing look in Clarity's green eyes was any indication, then the dean would understand perfectly. I backed up against the wall and left the hallway open for her to pass.

She glanced back over her shoulder where Adam was laughing and giving high-fives to his friends. "Dating is the worst. Especially trying to date college guys."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "My sister, Liz, says the exact same thing. Which is good, because I told her I would stop paying her rent if she skips class for a boy. She's in med school and better stay focused."

Clarity stepped closer to me. "Is that why you're teaching instead of chasing after big stories? You're supporting your little sister?"

"How about I walk you home?" I said.

She smiled. "Thanks, but, like you said, my father's outside. It was nice of you to help him out."

I nodded and didn't trust myself to say anything else. There was no reason for me to feel so relieved knowing that Clarity had turned down the football player and would be heading home safe.

Chapter Five

Clarity

The shuffle of the Sunday newspaper was always relaxing. My father and I spent Sunday mornings at the wide kitchen table in front of the French doors. Morning light poured in and caught the swirls of steam rising from our coffee mugs.

I loved the quiet routine. Except my eyes wouldn't focus on any words, and I burned my lips on my coffee. My mind kept wandering back over the moonlit campus walk with Ford. As soon as we stepped out of the frat house party, my father had jogged up with a breathless frown.

"A group of streakers is causing havoc outside the gym complex, and I have to go deal with it."

"There's a great article in there somewhere," Ford nudged me.

"Professor Bauer will see you home safe, won't you?" My father had waved as security swung by in a truck to pick him up.