When Mrs. Infamous Loved The Masochist... (BOOK 2)

Chapter 80

Carina's POV

I wasn't really looking forward to coming back to school this week, more than usual. Most likely because the issues I've been having have made me less motivated to continue trying if no one respects my efforts to build a secure future for myself. And especially since we were midway into May now, we were about to take our final exams for the semester soon. I wasn't super nervous about them, but I hoped for the best regardless of how I might do. I didn't care if I ended up passing my Public Speaking class with a "C" at this point, as long as I wouldn't be held back and I could continue to work toward my career. And even though Nina would not be returning to this school after the semester was over, she still studied and tried her hardest to complete her courses the best she could before she'd have to move away to attend a new school. I appreciated her determination to still do her best no matter what kind of classes she was taking. I just knew she'd apply the same amount of dedication and effort at her new school.

Sometime this week between classes, I bumped into Finn who was accompanied by Leona. I was caught off-guard by them still holding hands after bumping into me and then I said to them, "Ahem, sorry about that. Didn't see where I was going." Finn smiled and shook his head, "It's cool. No harm done." I was surprised by how mellow he was towards me and not as emotional or clingy like before. I smiled as I nodded in affirmation, "Alright then. I'll be on my way now. Best of luck to you two!" They both smiled and waved goodbye at me before I went along and felt happy to know Finn was okay now and seemed really happy to be with Leona. There are times I still slightly felt bad I couldn't return his feelings for me, but it's good to know he didn't let the rejection affect him too much. While I'm still a little angry for what he did to me, I let all that stay in the past because I couldn't stay angry forever. I think it was finally safe to say that I had finally forgiven Finn for his actions in the past.

The end of the week was something that I wish I never experienced. It was the day things had changed for me concerning my education. In the middle of one of my earlier classes, I was called by the school president to come to his office to discuss the issue I've been having with my Public Speaking professor. As I was walking up to the floor where his office was located, I felt a twinge of hope that even after a long time, my problems were solved and I wouldn't have anything to worry about anymore. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be in my favor as soon as I opened the door to the school president's office and saw my Public Speaking professor in there with him. The hope I was feeling extinguished like a small fire as I approached closer and took a seat as the president instructed me and my professor to. The school president started by telling me how he was made aware of my professor's prejudiced behavior toward me even though I had never done anything to hurt him. He told me he was glad that all this was brought to his attention and he needs to make sure all his students feel comfortable and safe.

"However...", that word sent me into a worse sense of dread and despair, "Professor Alastor is someone I've known for years way before I was even made the president of this university. As much as I've helped him out, he's also helped me. He helped my daughter to graduate college and earn her career as a business partner. After all he's done for me, I can't just fire him like that. It wouldn't be fair for him or me." I was beginning to feel confused as to why I was here now, "And what about me? I'm supposed to just keep taking his shit and hope he passes me when he clearly hates me!" The school president shook his head and raised his hands up in defense, "No, no! Of course not. That's why I had two options to help resolve your issue. One is we could switch you with another professor for the remainder of the semester, or two, you can retake the course over the summer with a different instructor who will help you catch up on the subject if you haven't been able to follow along."

Is he kidding? This just couldn't be happening. I come in here during class just to have the school president side with my professor and basically shit on my problems and concerns. I could have considered one of the options presented to me since it seems unlikely that my professor will let me pass his class now. But what was the point if I knew he had no intention of helping me do the right thing? As heavy as my decision would be, I just couldn't let myself settle for such a disgraceful alternative when I knew that from the start, I shouldn't have dealt with any of this and I could continue with my education freely and with no problems. Taking a deep breath, I looked at my school president in the eyes and stated, "Neither is going to work for me." Both the president and my professor was confused and then the president asked, "Excuse me? I cannot offer any other options for your issue." I stood up from my seat and boldly declared, "Then take mine: I am withdrawing from this university and will no longer continue attending as a student."

I turned and proceeded to exit out of the office until I heard the school president exclaim in a stunned tone, "Miss Wisteria, please! You don't need to withdraw yourself from the school. There's so much waiting for you if you continue to attend as one of our best students." I was in danger of crying in front of the two men who crushed my spirit, but I managed to hold myself steady as I turned back one last time and said to him, "If you really respected me as one of your best students, you would have taken my need to feel accepted and comfortable over your ridiculous friendship with a professor who intentionally tried to fail me because I was brave enough to change things for the better. There's nothing else for me here if I can't be respected for my decision and way of thinking. Goodbye." With that, I finally exited the office as well as the building as I climbed inside my car in the parking lot where it was vacant and I shut myself in. I used this opportunity of the area being isolated to let out my emotions as I screamed out my anger and disappointment and then cried out my hopelessness and failure. My dreams of becoming something to be proud of...were crushed in a matter of minutes and now...I didn't know what to do.