The Professor

Chapter Thirty-One

I can't believe i'm doing this. I say to myself over and over again as I go to the gym and get ready to go out with Collin. The gym helped to relieve my stress and built up anger I have towards Dean and the upcoming events this weekend. I can't believe we've gotten in an argument this stupid and it's built up this bad. It's partially my fault for agreeing to go out with Collin, but Dean shouldn't have overreacted like he did.

When i'm done showering from my workout, I blow dry my brown hair and curl it into loose waves. I put on some denim, high-waited shorts, and an army green shirt with brown sandals. The door opens after i've dressed and started to apply my makeup, and Jessica walks in. She takes a second to observe my appearance and gives me an odd glance.

"Can I ask where you're going or are you going to keep that a secret too?"

I'm getting really tired of his sarcastic remarks. I decide to dismiss it as I shake the hair out of my face and rub my light shade of lip stick on. 

"I'm going out to dinner with Collin before his party."

I see Jessica freeze and look taken aback out of the corner of my eye. I force myself to not smirk at her reaction even though I desperately want to.

"You're going to his party?" She asks with her voice raised in shock.

"Sure am." I say as I zip up my cosmetic bag. I literally told you that a few days ago.

Jessica slides her book bag slowly off her shoulders and onto her bed. There's something about the way she's acting and looking right now that makes me think this bothers her. Does she like Collin?

"Oh... where are you two going to eat?" She asks. I open my mouth to respond but I close it when she decides to talk again immediately. "Wait, let me guess. Chinese? That's always Collin's first go to." She says with a slight chuckle. Jessica says this in a way that sounds like she's trying to have some kind of dominance over me. I also don't like the way she's making this dinner sound like a regular occurrence for Collin and it's nothing special... even though I don't need to feel special. I don't like Collin like that. 

Yet for some reason, I don't like the hint of jealously i'm getting from her. It makes me stand straighter and defend myself like she is doing. 

"Yeah, well, he asked me in our Brit Lit class and I like Chinese. It should be fun. Did you get invited to the party too?" I know she got invited, I just wanted to ask and get a reaction out of her. Just as I expected, Jessica narrows her eyes slightly and squirms on her feet. She clears her throat and looks at me with a fake, light smile.

"I always get invited." She says flatly. 

We stare at each other for a second until my phone vibrates on my desk, causing us to both look at it at the same time. I walk over to see a text from Collin saying he's parked at the round about outside my door. It's exactly seven on the dot, someone's time punctual.

"Well, I have to go. He's here." I say cheerfully as I slide my purse onto my shoulders and grab my phone. I look up to Jessica who's standing in the same spot and I smile at her. "See you at the party." Jessica doesn't smile or say anything as I pridefully walk away, feeling good about that petty encounter. 

When I walk out of the building, I find Collin standing and leaning against the passenger door with his arms folded across his chest. Collin's dressed in khaki pants with dark brown loafers and a white t-shirt with his fraternity letters on it. His dark hair lays on his head and he smiles when I walk up to him. Embracing me in a hug, I can smell his expensive cologne and I try not to cough at the overwhelming sniff I just got.

"Hey," He says, releasing me. "You look great, you ready?"

I force a smile back, trying to ignore the pitt in my stomach as I think of Dean and how i'm going to be in a lot of trouble the next time I see him.