I Heard A Rumor

Chapter 12: Finding My Way Back

-autumn's pov-

Not again.

Ever since I've gotten home from DC, I've been sick left and right. I'm heartbroken, and I'm still not sure if it's really set in that Jon and I won't have a future together. The days have started to blend in with each other. Every day, it's wake up, throw up, eat ice cream, watch TV, and repeat.

I've never felt so numb before. I've buried myself deep into a hole that I can't climb out of. Whenever I feel a little better, I watch c-span. It's the closest I can feel to Jon at this point.

I feel so far away from him. Not just physically, but emotionally too.

I just want him back.

I sit up, eyes wide when I realize that once again I feel like shit.

12:53 P.M.

Well, of course my sleep schedule has been fucked up.

All of a sudden, I hear my phone "ding" from the floor. And I'm stunned by the notification that I see.

"Senators Klobuchar and Ossoff: Press Conference at 1 P.M. EST"

What the hell?

I start to call Amy, but all of a sudden, I feel the ever-needing urge to puke.

"Fuck-", I yell as I run to the bathroom, throwing up once again.

Jon's really making me heartsick, huh?

Once that spell is over and I clean myself up, I realize that the press conference is starting.

I turn on the television, and feel a weird sense of ease when I see Amy and Jon together.

Amy starts talking, "Good afternoon, everyone. Senator Ossoff and I are mainly here to explain, address concerns, and answer questions about our work with the White House on the upcoming climate bill. First though, we would like to address a more personal matter."

Jon takes over, "I'm sure you've all seen the headline about my recent relationship. And I just want to say, it shouldn't have been publicized. At all. This was a private thing between her and I. It got blown up for all of the wrong reasons. Additionally, I need to say this. This wasn't an affair and she didn't trick me into anything. Both of us were all in. And she didn't.. She didn't write anything about me. She was forced into doing the assignment and did what she had to do. I'm not going to get into our personal details, but I understand. Because what she went through was terrible. And while, what I'm about to show you exposes the sexism that she experienced, we need to understand that women all over this country experience varying degrees of sexism. This is one story. People need to know that this is still a huge issue and can't be ignored. I know that I'll go forward serving in the Senate with this in mind. That being said, Senator Klobuchar, you can roll the tapes now."

I have no clue what he's talking about, but being intrigued, I keep listening.

And that's when the tapes start playing.

She's the office hot girl. Nice piece of ass and eye candy, the only reason I hired her.

-

We need someone young, more innocent and new in politics, popular... get close to Senator Jon Ossoff.

So you want me to seduce Jon Ossoff so you can make a quick buck? Don't you know how despicable that sounds? Sorry, I can't do this, it's not right.

Never said you had to seduce him. Your words, not mine. But you are doing this assignment, and my buddies and I can make sure of that. I can fire you, we can blacklist you from the journalism industry. You're just a young, naive female reporter, I can do whatever I want with you. I wouldn't recommend not doing this assignment.