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CEDRIC

It’s amazing how far silence can take me. A few people have talked to me—the department's dean, the faculty dean, and the president of the college. No one has formally said anything or brought any reprimand.

And then, Sofia’s video happened. Her authenticity once again pulls me into the way she creates a story. She’s made her project a love story. Our love story.

It’s beautiful.

It makes me miss Sofia even more. I haven’t seen her in days, haven’t talked to her except in short text exchanges, and when she asked for us to give her a little time and space, I had to give it to her.

Even if it has left me with a hollow feeling in my chest. I know that if Sofia wanted to end things, she would simply do it.

Still, it’s difficult for me to refrain from texting her every hour, calling her to hear her voice. Early in the morning and before bed are when the urge rides me the hardest.

I’ve never been this attached to a woman before, had friends quite like Braxton and Orion before. Forged from a mutualrelationship with said woman, from affection and the need to care for her.

We haven’t contacted each other, either. It’s the smartest move, but it still leaves me with a new emptiness I didn’t have before.

Normally, at this time of the day, I would be shooing Sofia from my office or house to get on with her classes. But I canceled my classes today, providing my students with online assignments to keep them busy.

I don’t want them to see me hiding, but I’ll only turn into an asshole if I step foot on campus right now.

Yet, I dress as if I’m going in to work. I don’t really know what else to do with myself.

I want to go to Sofia.

Three days is too long without her.

I’ll tell her so when I see her. Whenever that is.

I’ll repeat what I sent her in text right after the premiere, that I should have done more to protect her. That I’ll take the fall for everything. That I will do whatever needs done to keep things from getting worse for her.

But I should have known better than to think she needs me for any of that.

Her strength and her character are what drew me to her to begin with.

Pacing and drinking a second cup of coffee, I wait. It’s the only thing left for me to do until she’s ready to talk. I rinse my mug in the sink and sprawl across my couch.

I’m in a hell of my own making.

My phone buzzes across the coffee table.

Her name pops up on the screen.

Meet me at my townhouse.

My heart beats double-time.

I’m on my feet immediately, grabbing my jacket and keys and jogging out to my car. She doesn’t have to tell me twice.

The drive takes a little more than five minutes. Early morning traffic settles to an easy flow.

Once parked, I’m ready to run to her, but I slow as I see Orion getting out of his car. Braxton must not be far behind.

I nod to Orion. He looks about as disheveled as I feel, golden curls a mess, bags under his eyes. The T-shirt and jeans are a far cry from the suit he usually wears to work. Although I know the blowback is worse for him somehow. No tenure. A new hire. A history of inappropriate relationships with students.

It sucks because he held no sway over Sofia.