Chapter Thirty-One: The Scandal Spreads:

I had no idea how bad the cheating scandal was. Watching it on the news was just painful. I heard the rumors, but never paid them any mind. Turns out, there was some of the teachers helping some of the students cheat. I felt embarrassed for them. The news didn’t release their names, but I knew.

“Turn it off,” I said. “It’s just embarrassing.” My family wasn’t listening. Of course they weren’t. I threw up my hands and walked out of the living room. I sighed as I reached into my pocket for my phone. I should probably look at my texts. They won’t stop you matter what I do. I already know what they were going to say. Still, I decided to humor them for a bit.

Before I could tap the screen, my phone buzzed in my hand. My eyes widened as I saw who was calling me at this time of night.

“Hello?” I asked.

“How are you holding up?” Heather asked on the other line. I frowned and rubbed my forehead.

“I feel embarrassed for them,” I said. I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. I flopped down onto my bed.

“You saw the news too?” I asked.

“Yeah, grandma had it on in the background,” she said.

“Damn it,” I muttered. My phone pinged again. I rolled my eyes.

“My students won’t stop texting me,” I said.

“You gave them your number?” Heather asked. I rubbed my forehead.

“It was an emergency contact thing,” I said. “I’m not a creep, I swear.” Heather laughed on the other line.

“Never said you were,” she said.

“Oh,” I said. Another thought about earlier today crossed my mind.

“Hey, Heather,” I said.

“Yeah?” she asked. I sat up on my bed. I pressed my lips together as I gathered up my courage.

“I really do like you,” I said. There was a pause on the other line. My stomach dropped.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Nathan…” she began. Oh no. I should’ve known that this was coming.

“Listen,” Heather said. “I like you too, but I am already in a relationship.” My face dropped.

“Oh,” I said.

“My boyfriend is in the Air Force and he’s in Afghanistan right now,” she added. “But we can still be friends.” My frown deepened. I should’ve known that something like this was going to happen. I forced myself to smile.

“Sure,” I said. “Friends. Right.” I resisted the urge to cry. Why couldn’t anything go right for me this summer?

“Hey Heather,” I said.

“Uh-huh?” she asked. I tried to pull my knees to my chest.

“Can you stay on the phone with me for a while?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said. I lowered my head and sighed.

“Thank you,” I said. We didn’t talk much over the phone for that night. Somehow, I was okay with her answer. Maybe we could work out as friends. We’re adults here, right? I wouldn’t get time to get hung up on love drama, however.

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The next day, news about my former school’s scandal spread all over the town. That was all anyone could talk about. They didn’t need to say anything to me. I could see it in their eyes.

“Do you think you will have to testify?” mom asked.

“Why would I have to do that?” I asked with an eyebrow.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“There aren’t any criminal charges,” I said.

“Not yet,” mom said. I just stared at her as I picked up my coffee cup. I came home to get away from the drama that derailed my life. And now it followed me home. The question was what the hell was I going to do now. After close to a week, I was back where I started. Why couldn’t I just stand on something stable for a change?

I finished my breakfast and got up from the table.

“Have a good day, dear,” mom said behind me. I waved her off as I walked out of the house without saying a word. I was not ready for another day at the library.