Page 69 of Student Seduction

20

Emersyn

Ipassed Collin and Alexis on my way into the museum and they both avoided eye contact with me.

Strange.

At first, I thought maybe I was paranoid. But I knew something was off the minute I stepped into Jecca’s office. For one, there was no three foot stack of files for to put away.

She stood when I entered, her jaw flexing as she told me to have a seat. And she called my by my actual name, which she’d never done before.

I did as I was told, spinning my sun and moon rings around and around on my fingers.

“I have consulted the board of directors, and the decision was unanimous,” she began in her typical dramatic fashion. “This internship is a highly coveted position and while you had the grades necessary and exhibited some unique artistic talent, you are severely lacking when it comes to the ethical standards required.”

Her words stabbed me in my weakest places.

This is about Aiden.She hadn’t said that, but I knew as well as I knew my own name.

I did my best to breathe evenly, keeping my nerves at bay.

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Have I done something here that was unethical?”

I had, several things, but none here at the museum.

She stared pointedly at me. “I think you know what you’ve done.”

My body heated from the inside out. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

She couldn’t do this. It wasn’t fair. My personal relationship shouldn’t be a factor. What in the world had she said to the Board of Directors?

She sat across from me. I refused to back down.

“Aiden is a good guy. I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve seen him do some questionable things, but I have never seen him do anything as stupid as what he’s doing now. With you.”

I didn’t say a word, deciding to plead the fifth and let her continue instead of saying anything that might incriminate myself or Aiden.

“I know you’re eighteen, Emersyn,” she carried on. “But you’re a student. At the school where he teaches. Do you have any idea the severity of the consequences for what you’re doing? Engaging in a relationship with a teacher is beyond unethical, it’sillegal. But I’m betting, as intelligent as you are, you already know that. What’s more, I’m pretty certain you know which one of you will pay the price when this all comes crashing down.”

That touched a nerve. I had no intention of anyone finding out. But Drew knew, and so did Axel, Derek, and Devon. Camille probably had a pretty good idea.

My dad definitely suspected.

Aiden said his hockey coach from Southeastern was suspicious also.

Now Jecca was calling me unethical.

Our secrets had turned to wildfire, spreading uncontrollably.

She leaned forward, and her tone turned almost pleading.

“He won’t just get fired, Emersyn, if that’s what you’re thinking. He’ll be publicly outed, lose his teaching license, the university can revoke both of his degrees, and he could possibly have to register as a sex offender. It would be a major scandal and I doubt he’d be able to go anywhere in the nearest three counties where someone wouldn’t recognize him.”

I’d pushed a lot of this out of my mind, living for the moments when we were together and it felt too right to be wrong.

Drew’s words echoed in my mind.

You’d have to testify against him. This is sexual misconduct on school property we’re talking about. It will make the news.