My Professor Is My Caregiver

The Leaves Are Crunchy

It's been a few weeks since Jesse and I had that mall incident I haven't seen her much since then. On top of my classes and isolating myself in my dorm room I have been sort of depressed and I don't want to burden Jesse with my mental health. That seems kind of ironic seeing as she teaches that course, I haven't made any new friends besides that guy in the cafe..but if you consider the people who have been harassing me by banging on my door and calling me slurs in the hallways friends then yes I have made friends. I have Jesse's class today and I'm sort of nervous to go. I have been avoiding her class and her class only. She's been texting me every day I just keep responding dryly I feel fucking terrible about it. I'm gonna play some video games and have a few seltzers just to take the edge off before her class, I don't feel like putting effort into my outfit or doing my hair and makeup because no matter how much concealer I use I can't get rid of these dark circles under my eyes. I did put on deodorant though I can handle looking like a hot mess but not a stinky one. I walked through the college doors to grab a drink from the cafeteria I saw some of my classmates there I don't know what I did but they always stare at me like I'd done them dirty somehow. Well, remember those seltzers from earlier, for me, alcohol is liquid courage so I flipped them off and said "Hey assholes, speak up if you have something to say" Well, that did it for them, One of them came up to me and told me I was an attention-seeking whore for wearing short skirts and getting men to buy me drinks. I was so confused so I asked her to go into detail. She mentioned how I let her boyfriend buy me a drink I remembered she was talking about Darren from the first couple of weeks who offered to buy me a monster and asked for my socials. "Well don't worry Alyssa I like Women, Also have you ever considered Darren was trying to make friends?" I shot back. "He doesn't need friends who are girls," Alyssa said angrily while getting more in my face "Woah you're one of those Jealous controlling girlfriends it's 2024 don't you think that's a bit cliche, Even for you?" I said to her and began to walk away. I could hear some of her friends laughing then the sound of obnoxiously loud heels clattering behind me "Don't you walk away from me midget" She began saying as she grabbed my shoulder to turn me towards her. I turned around and punched her as hard as I could in the face. Now I am well aware violence is never the answer but I was known as the queer kid in my small town so naturally I know how to throw a punch. Her friends stood behind her frozen in shock, People who were walking past stopped to look at the commotion, and as the blood poured from her nose the first droplet hit the floor she attacked. We were both on the floor punching, kicking, hair-pulling, you name it because we were doing it. Eventually, some staff members came and pulled us apart, people had already recorded most of it at that point. Luckily some bystanders vouched for me saying Alyssa touched me first and the security cameras in the hallway confirmed it. I was let off with a warning while Alyssa got in MAJOR trouble. I don't know the extent of her punishment but I did see her cleaning garbage off the ground around campus. I was seen by the nurse and my hand was bandaged. I didn't sustain much damage just; a black eye, bloody lip, bruised knuckles, and a bruise on my side. I was told I could go to class or skip. I wanted to skip but I thought better and decided to go. I was late as per usual and ALL eyes landed on me as I walked in Alyssa's friends gave me the dirtiest looks rightfully so I kicked their friend's ass in front of most people at the school. Jesse looked pained to see me as her eyes raked my body and took in the assessment of damages she stared at me for most of the class so did some of my classmates as well. Finally, the two-hour lecture was over and I just sat there waiting for the room to clear out until it was just me and my professor. "So, You've had quite a day hm?" Jesse said as she sat next to me. I leaned my head to rest on her shoulder and I don't know what came over me but I began to cry actually, I sobbed I used my sleeve to wipe away the snot and tears and then I started rambling and coughing from crying and talking without taking a moment to breathe. Jesse just started playing with my hair and trying to calm me down "Shh, It's okay baby girl let's get out of here and go back to my place okay?" Jesse said as she began packing my things up then Jesse lifted my chin with her finger and kissed me "I'm not mad or upset with you, I understand what's wrong It's okay" she said and held her hand out to me making me notice she packed my stuff and hers as well up. I took her hand and let her lead me to her car out of the backdoors of the college she buckled me in and we were off.