The Fear of Falling

Chapter Twelve

By the time I left the apartment for class, the rain had subsided. I glanced at the gray sky and figured my umbrella might come in handy anyway.

I hurried down the city streets and into the art building with minutes to spare.

After Gavin left, I changed out of my grungey outfit and I laid down on the couch to kill some time. Then, I slept for an hour.

By the time I woke up, I had ten minutes to run across campus. I barely remembered to grab my 35MM camera before sprinting out of our apartment.

I flew down the sidewalk, thanking my former track coach for those heinous breathing exercises. Other students frowned at me as I passed them on the way to the Arts building.

After weeks of hunting down photogenic objects, Professor Dames expected us to develop our film canisters.

My hodgepodge pictures of books, inkblot test cards, and couches were a failed attempt at creativity.

But so long as I pass the class it'll be fine. I reassured myself as I rounded the final corner and smoothed out my blouse.

Who are you trying to impress in the dark?

I groaned at myself and stepped into the revolving door.

My skirt flowed over my bare thighs and reminded me of how I'd sold my soul. Might as well look the part.

The lace thigh-highs might have been overkill but c'est la vie.

Gavin knew what he was getting into with his little deal. The chamber spun around me and then, I was engulfed in darkness.

Professor Dames stood at the front of the room with Gavin by his side. Their silhouettes waited against the wall and were surrounded by my classmates. Without context, the scene almost resembled a seance.

In the low-red light, I could barely make out my roommate's sharp features. Yet still, I could feel his gaze. His eyes fell on me and wandered down my body as soon as I joined the crowd of students encircling him.

I gave him a soft smile. We decided to wait a day before having any fun. After all, who wanted to fuck on a school night?

That meant that Gavin could eat his heart out for the next twenty-four hours.

"Make sense?" Professor Dames asked followed by a chorus of agreement. I frowned. Shit. What did I miss?

He clapped his hands. "Fantastic. Remember, if you have any questions, Gavin is here to help. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my office down the hall."

Before I could object, Professor Dames weaved through the crowd and left us to our own devices.

I stood there, like an idiot, while the rest of my class dispersed. Before anyone noticed how lost I was, I wandered to my station.

I dropped my bag on the ground and set my camera down on the counter in front of me. I knew enough to gather my used film and line up the canisters. I glanced at my neighbor to make sure she was doing the same.

"Cheating? Already?" Gavin's voice came from behind me.

I spun around. "I am not cheating."

"Sure looks like cheating."

"We're not taking a test."

"Technicality." He scooped something out of the box in his arms and placed it down.

I picked up the beige wheel. "What's this for?"

"Were you not paying attention?" The question hung in the air between us.