The Truce

Chapter 20

It was a small consolation that most people didn't seem aware of the whole prostitution thing, but like I guessed, most people had seen the pictures. It wasn't too bad at first. I was late to my first class, but people acted normal when I walked in and sat down. Once I got into the hallway after class, however, I began hearing the jokes. No one bothered to keep their voices down, of course. The worst was watching even more people view the pictures for the first time as their friends showed them their phones. I knew by the giddy and scandalized looks they sent toward me that they weren't looking at anything else.

By the time I went to meet Sebastian for lunch, I was ready to hit someone. It seemed as though everyone had some clever remark to make, and I didn't even try to tell them the truth anymore. No one believed me or cared.

"Nice outfit, Michaela." Jacob stepped in my path, grinning. "I prefer the sheet though. Any chance you'd wear that tomorrow?"

I glared at him for a second until Sebastian's shoulder rammed into him from behind, shoving him out of the way. Jacob stumbled and was about to make a complaint until he saw the murderous glare Sebastian was sending his way. Keeping quiet, Jacob hurried away.

Not wanting to add to my humiliation, I'd managed to keep from crying after I left Logan. But seeing the obvious concern on Sebastian's face when he brought his gaze to mine made my eyes fill with tears. He walked the few steps that separated us and pulled me into his arms. Grateful for the comfort, I leaned into him and allowed myself to cry for a few minutes.

"Man, I'm gonna kill that guy," he muttered as he rubbed my back.

Much as I shared the sentiment, Sebastian could actually do some damage. While appealing, it wasn't smart, and I pulled away to see his face. "Figuratively, right?" I asked, wiping under my eyes. "I don't want you getting suspended over this."

He frowned.

"I mean it, Sebastian. You have a future to think about. Don't let him ruin that."

"Did you hear what he's been saying?"

My face reddened and I nodded. It was humiliating having him know about that, but at least I wouldn't have to repeat it.

"And you just want to let him-" He was incredulous.

"No. But this won't last forever, and I won't give him the satisfaction of anything else."

He huffed. "We're going to fix this. We'll figure something out."

I did my best to force a smile, but I know it didn't come out right. Whatever we might be able to do, this would never be fixed. It wouldn't matter if everyone knew the truth. Those pictures would be out there forever.

Taking my hand, he intended to go to the cafeteria as we usually did, but I refused to move.

"I don't want to go in there," I said when he looked at me curiously. "It's bad enough in the halls." Maybe it wasn't really any better, but I felt like I'd be on display in there. At least there was only so much space in the halls, so the number of people I had to see at once was limited.

"You just said you don't want to give him the satisfaction. Don't let him chase you away. He wants you to hide."

"Bastian..." I whined.

He wasn't moved. "Before long, he's going to be the one hiding. We're going to treat this like the idiotic lie it is, and cowering and acting guilty won't help."

"This isn't just a stupid rumor, Sebastian! Everyone's seen those pictures."

"And they're not real."

I loved that he understood that fact without me having to say a thing, but they were still out there. "But they don't know that."