Faded Embers

06

Atlas' POV:

Yesterday, I spent the day trying to ignore everything that was going wrong with me. It didn't help that Calin's new boyfriend (or maybe a friend with benefits?) was over at our place throughout the duration of the morning. He told me he'd lift my ban from his clubs in a couple of months and was nothing but friendly when he was there, but I was embarrassed because I knew why he was in our apartment in the first place.

Miles left around two because he said he had to get stuff set up at his favorite club, and Calin opted to hang out with me for the night.

I know he's worried about me, and last night was definitely not my finest moment. I remember some of it, like when I was dragged to the office and when some guy tried to strip me in the bathroom, but I don't know why I was the one who got in trouble and not the other guy.

Why would I want to be touched up by a gay guy?

I push those thoughts from my mind as I enter my classroom and sit down at my desk. My lesson is not going to be the best because I'm still pretty tired and have a headache, but my students are good kids and will hopefully forgive my one bad day.

They all file in, but there's a weird aura about them today. They're all looking at me and back at their phones, which is strange because they rarely are on their phones during class, not that I really care whether they need to use their phone or not.

Alexander comes up to my desk and gives me a nervous look. "Mr. Romero, are you on Twitter?" he asks me in a hushed voice, and I shake my head. "Uh... well, some of the students here are..."

"Alexander, what does this have to do with class? Why are your classmates acting weird today?" I inquire, but before he can clue me in, the school director walks into my classroom.

"Atlas, I need to speak with you," Paul Dranz, the New York University director, says in a no-nonsense voice. "Now."

I look at my class and stand up, mentally rolling my eyes. "I will be back in a few minutes. Make sure you have your assignments sent in on the student portal so I can give you credit," I say as I leave the room.

"You're fired," Paul says as soon as I close the door.

I gape at him. "What?" I ask, my heart rate excelling rapidly and my mind pounding. "What the hell for?!"

Paul pulls out his phone and shows me a video on Twitter... of myself. And I am very clearly stating that I have every interest to fuck a so-called 'cute guy' in the bathroom and do not want to be disturbed.

I do not remember this experience whatsoever, but it's right in front of my eyes. On a phone. On Twitter.

Holy shit, this is what Alexander was talking about... it's on the internet for the world to see and everything!

"I will not allow a faculty member of mine to be out preying on boys young enough to be our students," Paul says, handing me an envelope. "Your last paycheck is in here."

I glare at him. "Plenty of the women faculty members go to clubs. We live in New York. Plus, what I do on my time off of work is none of your business, especially since nothing illegal occurred. There is no reason to fire me, and the shame I experience based on that video is for me to deal with and explain to my students. It will be over in a few weeks," I say, pushing the envelope back toward him.

"I can terminate your employment whenever I please," Paul says. "I don't want a faggot or a predator on my staff. If you don't leave, I'll be contacting all of your potential future employers and telling them of your attempts to seduce and use your students to satisfy your perversions."