Page 11 of Learning Curves

Michelle’s mood had performed a full 180-degree turnaround by the time she left the restroom in the student center.

She felt so much better it was almost laughable.

She’d been so miserable during that meeting, she barely remembered any of the information discussed.

Then Audrey had thrown her a lifeline, and Michelle had been so embarrassed on top of being so physically uncomfortable, she’d snapped at her for it instead of thanking her.

It was time—past time—for Michelle to apologize for her bad behavior. She was very aware of how Audrey had idolized her when she was a student. It had been evident every time they interacted. With that context in mind, the way Michelle had treated her recently was inexcusable.

And she was going to fix it, right now.

Michelle crossed the campus at a brisk pace, hoping to catch Audrey before she’d left for the day. Inside Holman Hall, she hurried up the stairs to the second floor, not slowing until she saw that the door to Audrey’s office was open, light spilling into the hallway.

When she reached it, Michelle glimpsed Audrey at her desk, packing up her laptop. She leaned a hip against the doorway, feigning a nonchalance she didn’t quite feel. “Hello.”

Audrey looked up at her in obvious surprise. “Oh, Dr. Thompson ... hi. Um, sorry again. I was just trying to help, but—”

“I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Michelle interrupted. “I’m sorry for how I reacted when you pulled me out of the meeting. I was embarrassed, but that’s no excuse.”

Audrey looked down at her satchel, fiddling with the zipper as if she wasn’t sure how to react. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. I can only imagine what you must think of me.

I’ve been on my worst behavior with you this semester, and you’ve done nothing to deserve it.

” She paused as an uncomfortable flush crawled over her skin.

It was so difficult to say these things, but Audrey deserved to hear them.

“I’m deeply sorry for the way I’ve behaved, and I will try to keep my unpleasantness directed where it belongs in the future, which is anywhere but at you. ”

Audrey stared at Michelle, her eyes suspiciously wide and glossy, which confirmed just how much Michelle had hurt her and how overdue this apology was. “I ... thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Michelle managed a wry smile, surprised to realize that she wanted the camaraderie Audrey had been trying to foster between them.

Lord knew she could use an ally in this building .

.. perhaps even a friend. “And thank you for the ruse to get us out of that meeting. I was dying in there, which you unfortunately noticed.”

Audrey let out a burst of embarrassed laughter. “I was dying on your behalf. I just couldn’t sit there and watch you try to be stoic about it for another moment.”

“Well, I am grateful, despite how I initially reacted.”

“You do drink a lot of tea in the afternoon ...” Audrey was still laughing, her cheeks a rosy pink.

“I do, though I should probably curtail my tea drinking on committee-meeting days.” She forced a self-deprecating smile.

Audrey’s expression sobered, her eyes questioning. “Why did you tell me you only needed to touch up your lipstick? I would have covered for you. I was trying to help.”

Michelle sighed. “Again ... I was embarrassed. My family is very proper, very formal. My mother taught me from an early age that ladies only visit the lavatory to powder their noses. Nothing else should ever be mentioned. As far as I’m aware, no one in my family has ever used the toilet . .. or so they’d have people believe.”

“Wow, that sounds miserable.”

“Maybe, but that’s how I was raised, and it’s often served me well here on campus, especially in primarily male spaces.

” Michelle paused, debating how much to say.

But she was trying to forge a connection with Audrey here.

“You know how it is for a woman, the comments behind our backs. ‘Oh, it must be her time of the month’ or ‘she spends too much time primping in front of the mirror.’ No one ever questions a man for needing to use the restroom.”

“I actually haven’t heard any of that here, but I’m sorry you have.”

“Maybe things are starting to change for the better, then. I sometimes have a tendency to catastrophize, and I’m very sorry—again—that I took any of it out on you.”

Audrey waved a hand in front of herself. “Apology accepted. Clean slate.”

They exchanged hesitant smiles, and then Audrey fiddled with the zipper on her bag again.

Just like that, the conversation stalled.

Michelle was terrible at this, but ...

she wanted to try. Audrey seemed interesting to talk to, if Michelle could get over her bitterness about the damn Women in Art class.

Right now, though, she was exhausted. “I suppose I should get home, since you so kindly got me out of the meeting early.”

Audrey grinned. “They’ll probably be talking for another hour.”

Michelle chuckled. “Oh, they definitely will. And despite all that talking, they’ll leave without having made any solid plans for improvement.”

“We’ll get them on track next time,” Audrey promised, sounding so optimistic, Michelle almost believed her.

“All right. Good night, Audrey.”

“Night.”

Michelle turned to leave, then glanced back over her shoulder. “Oh, and Audrey? Please call me Michelle.”

“Glad to, Michelle.”

Audrey’s joyous smile lingered in her mind all the way home.