Chapter 5 CHAPTER FIVE

HAILEY

I ignore Ryan’s calls for the seventh time this morning. Xavier might have embarrassed and ruined my day, but Ryan hurt me yesterday. I got back home and called him in tears and he couldn’t spare three minutes to listen to me.

I hate that he makes me feel this way. Like I’m only important to listen to his problems while my emotional needs remain unmet.

I ignore the looks I’m getting. I expected it. It feels like I’m being stung by a thousand bees but I expected it and I prepared myself for it. My first stop today is Professor Berkly’s office. I have a meeting with her about a fellowship with one of the world’s leading biologists after I graduate.

I need to be in a good frame of mind for this meeting. Professor Berkly hates it when you’re distracted. I knock on her door and open the door when I hear a small ‘come in’.

“Good morning, Professor Berkly.”

She looks at me with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Hailey, I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”

“What?” I ask, stupidly.

I take out my phone and check my calendar. “We have a meeting this morning, Professor.”

“Oh I know. I just didn’t expect you to come, given the circumstances.”

Oh God, it’s worst than I thought. My professor saw my humiliation. Xavier just keeps taking from me and I don’t even know what I did to him.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You did nothing wrong.”

“Tell that to everyone that has been staring at me since I left my dorm.”

“Have a seat, Hailey and tell me what happened.”

Is she asking me for gossip on my life? “Professor Berkly, what about the meeting?”

She waves me off. “I’ve already spoken to her, she’ll look at your application. This is the most interesting thing that has happened to you since I’ve known you. She looks out for something like that.”

My mouth hangs open in shock. Is that why she has never agreed to help me get the fellowship? She thinks I’m boring? What does it say about my life that my fifty-four year old Professor thinks I’m boring.

“Well, he’s on the same team with my boyfriend so we see each other at parties. He doesn’t like me and the feeling is mutual.”

“Interesting. What led to yesterday’s debacle?” she asks.

“I didn’t know it was his show. I thought it was just lunch with my friends and suddenly, there he was and I was being asked to leave the show.”

“Oh, what did your boyfriend say about this?”

What indeed. “He’s furious and he promised to kick his ass today during practice.”

She nods in acceptance. “That’s good. Make sure to capture it on video and embarrass him too.”

I smile but don’t say anything.

“Well,” she starts. “That is all. I called her this morning and told her that you’ll be a good fit so she’s expecting your application and she’ll look at it.”

“Thank you very much for this opportunity. You won’t regret it.”

I stand up and leave before she changes her mind. This has been the most awkward conversation and most productive  I’ve ever had with Professor Berkly. Every year since freshman year, I’ve gotten an appointment and I’ve come to her with reasons why she should refer me for the fellowship and every year, she has told me that I would not be a good fit.

Ryan calls again just as soon as I leave the building and I ignore it. I’ll definitely talk to him but for now, I’m still angry. I notice that the stares have reduced and I relax. I knew it would be over soon. Someone pulls me back and I scream, startled.

I turn to find Ryan laughing in my face like it’s the funniest thing he has ever seen.

“It’s not funny, Ryan.”

He squints his eyes. “You have to admit it’s a little funny, babe. I had to get your attention somehow, you’ve been ignoring me.”

“Of course I’ve been ignoring you. I went through something and I needed to talk to my boyfriend about it and he couldn’t because he was playing Fortnite with his friends.”

“Babe, you know how…”

“If you try to defend yourself Ryan, I will scream.”

“Damn. I’m sorry Hailey. What can I do to make this right? I’m sorry I did that to you. That was selfish of me and I’ll never do it again. I went over to his house and punched him last night.”

That does make me feel a little good.

“Your coach doesn’t like it when team members fight.” I say.

He smiles and moves closer to me. “Coach will be fine.”

He gives me a kiss on the forehead and I melt. “I hate it when you do shit like this Ryan. I’m always there for you and the one time I need you, you’re not there for me. That’s not fair to me.”

“I know baby. I’m sorry.” He says, kissing my neck. “Do you forgive me?”

“I’m starting to.”

“Good. Let me take you somewhere for breakfast.”

“We have class.”

“You can afford to skip a few. You’re smart as fuck.”

“My professors won’t like that.”

“God, you’re so cute with the way you always follow every rule.”

I smile shyly and he pulls me in for a hug. This was what I needed yesterday. It might be hours late but I’m glad he came to make me feel better.

By the time my classes for the day are done, no one is looking at me anymore. The video has also been scrubbed from the internet according to a text from my roommate Elaine. I just have to make sure I don’t see Xavier today and my day will be perfect.

The universe hates perfect days. I managed to leave campus without seeing Xavier only to see him in front of my room. He’s with Tristan and some other guy and from the way he looks, he doesn’t want to be here. That makes two of us.

I almost smile at the black eye he has but I don’t. I shouldn’t be happy about violence, I’m the better person.

“Hi, Hailey.” Tristan says.

I force a smile on my face and wave in response.

“My brother is here to apologize.”

“I don’t need his apology.”

“Great. Can I go now?” Xavier says.

“I’m sorry about this guy. I’m Zay, his manger and best friend.”

Tristan’s face scrunches up at that and I suppress another smile.

“I don’t know if you saw the apology video, it would really mean a lot to the band if you could comment and accept his apology.”

“I might have watched the first ten seconds. It was a shit apology and I don’t want it.”

“Alright. We’ll make another one. What do you need from this one?”

“I want him on his knees, begging for forgiveness.” I say with a smirk.

He’s not going to do it but it feels good saying it.

“Of course you do. Your boyfriend is not on his knees in front of you enough.” Xavier says.