Taste of Ms. Alexander

Chapter 11 - Keeping It Together

Amanda Alexander

I let out a sigh and just kept walking. They thrived on the drama, but I wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. The snickers and muffled laughter trailed behind me, clawing at my nerves. I clenched my jaw, pushing forward like their words didn't scrape against my skin.

"Good mornin, way yuh name?"

I barely glanced at the frail security guard blocking my path. His thin limbs and weary eyes were no match for the chaos of this campus. If shit ever hit the fan, he'd be the first to go. I just forced a polite smile. Fake as hell to keep it pushing.

"Amanda," I said, lifting my temporary ID so he could see it. "I'm a lecturer here and if I don't get going I'm gonna be late."

The lie slipped from my lips too easily. I wasn't late. I just didn't have the energy for a conversation. If only I could be invisible.

He simply nodded, then I veered around the back to avoid any more smart-ass remarks from any more students. I had just convinced myself I'd dodged the rest of the morning's bullshit when fate decided to remind me it hated me.

His greasy smile was already curling up as he strutted toward me. "Let me help you with that bag," he offered, his voice dripping with fake politeness.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "If you don't back the fuck away from me, we're going to have a serious problem," I warned.

His grin didn't waver. If anything, it grew wider.

"You've got a foul mouth, Ms. Alexander. I wonder if that's how you plan to speak to your students."

I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, so we're doing this today?"

"If you think I'm about to stand here and entertain your bullshit, you've got it all wrong. Stay the hell out of my way!" My voice echoed with raw anger.

He took a step back, but not before dropping something that made my blood run cold.

"I'll be watching you. Better stay away from that rasta man!"

I froze. My heart slammed against my ribs. Slowly, I turned on my heels, my eyes burning into him. "What the fuck did you just say?"

He smirked, loving every second of my reaction.

"I think you need to mind ur damn business before you come sweeping into mine. My personal life has nothing to do with you, you low-life piece of shit!" The rage burned inside me, each word like fire scorching my throat.

He let out a deep chuckle then turned and walked away. This fucking asshole.

Who the hell did he think he was, sticking his nose in my business? Could my day get any worse? I stormed into the office, barely registering my surroundings.

"Good morning," I muttered, forcing out the words as I passed the other lecturers. Their responses were half-hearted, like they didn't even want to open their mouths. Did I care? Not one bit. Without another glance, I strolled over to my desk and dropped my bags beside my chair with a heavy thud. This day was already off to a fucking disaster.

Anisha pranced over to my desk, her long weave cascading in luscious curls, framing her face in a way that made her cheekbones pop. Since the first day, I had admired her style, so meticulously curated. Today, she paired a green buttoned shirt with wide-legged denim jeans that had subtle slits at the knees and bold orange heels. An unusual combination, but somehow, she made it work.

"What you doing later?" she asked, flashing me a warm smile.

I hesitated, still emotionally raw from the morning's events. The sting of Anthony's dismissal hadn't quite worn off, and the last thing I felt like doing was pretending to be okay. "I don't have anything planned. I'll probably just be in my bed."