Starlight

XI: The History of Wrong Guys

Women have been making bad choices
Since the beginning of time
Are you gonna be another one of mine?

But I've been here before
Have I come back for more?

- 'The History of Wrong Guys', Kinky Boots

xx.xx

As soon as she saw the letter, early that December morning, she knew it had happened. The university's shield on the front corner, the formal print: she tore it open and her eyes were drawn immediately to the key word.

Expulsion.

There was no need to read the rest; she would get round to it later. For now...

"FINN!" She ran upstairs, two steps at a time, the old staircase in the student house creaking and whining. She knocked on the door, but didn't wait for a reply before bursting in.

"Is that what I think it is?" There he was, sat up in bed in his nest of crumpled sheets, coffee in hand. He slipped his glasses on, beckoning for the letter.

"Yep." Robbie was breathless, thrusting it into his outstretched hand.

"Dear Miss Franks," Finn began to read, as Robbie nestled down next to him. "We the board of governors have been informed... blah blah blah... Mr Scott Thomas' vastly inappropriate behavior... blah blah blah..."

Robbie nodded, shaking with adrenaline. "He's gone! He's already gone; he's been asked to vacate his apartment and everything."

Finn handed it back. "Damn. Hidgens really went all out, huh?"

She nodded again, now breaking a smile. "Yes he did."

She held the paper in her hands. For all the tears, anxiety and uncertainty the process had caused her, the result felt a lot like freedom.

Finn pulled her in for a hug and they lay on the bed, snuggling. He knew that he didn't have to say anything to her: Robbie knew how much he loved her, how happy he was that she had been brave enough to do the right thing.

"We should celebrate!" He broke the hug, sitting upright. "Let's go out someplace tonight."

"Orrrrrr we could finally have that movie night you promised me?" Robbie jumped up and began to pace around Finn's immaculate room. She braced herself - it was now or never. "I kind of have some stuff I wanna talk to you about. I got some big news."

Finn cocked his head. "Is this not the end of the Scott drama?"

"No. It's not about him."

Finn squinted. "So...?"

Robbie winced, her tone pleading. "Please don't make fun of me."

He clapped his hands together, wiggling in bed. "Oh my god, what's the drama? You've got to tell me now!"

She took in a deep breath.

Here we go.

"I might-- And I know it's really weird-- but... I might have a tiny crush on Professor Hidgens."

She stood, frozen on the spot, waiting for Finn to react - anticipating the inevitable tirade of teasing that was sure to come her way. She had built this up in her head for days. She always told Finn about her crushes, but this one felt even more ridiculous than usual.