When class was over, Richard whispered to me, "that was harsh," in reference to Professor Moore's critique on my sketch. I waved it away to show that I couldn't care less.
"I haven't eaten, meet me for breakfast in the dining hall?" I asked him. He said yea and we parted ways. I headed down to Professor Moore's office. When I got there, he was already in there waiting for me with the door open.
"Please, close the door behind you," he instructed. I did as I was told and sat on the chair across from him. He had his hands teepeed atop his desk looking at me with disapproval. I almost laughed.
"I feel as though your little boyfriend is distracting you," he began. I rolled my eyes long and hard.
"You have got to be kidding me," I said.
"No I'm very serious and I don't want to see your grades suffer as a result," he continued. Now I was getting annoyed.
"Yea right! I'm the best artist in that class..including you!" I added with a smirk.
"It's not about talent, it's about effort and your grades will reflect your efforts in my class," he said sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest. I did the same.
"I know what this is about. You're just jealous and mad because I'm showing Richard more attention then you!" I snapped. Professor Moore raised his eyebrows.
"Are you trying to make me jealous?" He asked. I didn't answer, I just gave him an exasperated look. "Is it because I'm married?"
"That definitely has a little something to do with it," I said sarcastically, looking out the window.
"I'll get a divorce," he said. I looked at him incredulously.
"Yea right! After just one fuck you're trying to convince me that you'll leave your wife?! You must think I'm stupid!" I was genuinely offended.
"It has nothing to do with the sex," he said. I rolled my eyes. He leaned forward and put his hands on the desk, reaching for mine, but I kept my arms crossed. "Dahlia, we have a connection." He was really starting to piss me off.
"You're just saying that because you don't want me fucking Richard!" I spat the words out and he cringed.
"Are you having sex with Richard?" He asked me.
"That's none of your business," I said looking out of the window again.
"Dahlia, I've never felt this way about anyone before, not even my wife. My wife and I haven't been intimate in a very long time," he told me.
"Save it. I don't want to hear it. As long as you're still married, there will be nothing going on between you and I. I'm no one’s side chick!" I said, standing up abruptly. I grabbed my things and left, shutting his door behind me. I was so mad that I was shaking. I had to get out of there.
Professor Moore text me:
‘Divorces take time.’
Before I could stop myself, I text him back:
‘Well maybe this will help speed up the process’
and sent him the pictures of his wife and Gemma. Moments later, he started calling my phone nonstop, but I didn't answer. It started raining and I had to run home. I realized that I was crying. I had got myself in a mess! I let the rain wash away my tears.
By the time I walked in our apartment, I was all wet. Gemma was there making tea. She looked like she wanted to make a snarky remark, but when she saw how sad I looked, she decided against it.
"Want some tea? I won't drug yours," she offered. This was the first thing that Gemma had said to me in days. She was trying to make me smile but I wasn't in much of a smiling mood. I sat down at the table and she put a mug with a teabag and hot water before me. Then she went in the refrigerator to get the almond milk and brought over the sugar and spoons. We made our tea in silence. Meanwhile, my phone was vibrating like crazy in my pocket. I put it on silent. Gemma's phone vibrated on the table and she smiled at it, picking it up and texting someone back.
"Sharon and I have been talking all weekend," she said happily. At this, my ears perked up. "We're planning on meeting up again..for a real date this time." I genuinely smiled at Gemma. This was good news. Maybe I hadn't made a mess after all, maybe everything would work out for the best.
"That's great Gemma. I'm happy for you," I told her. Then I remembered something that made me jump up out of my seat. "I'm supposed to be meeting Richard for breakfast!" I exclaimed as I rushed into my room to change out of these wet clothes. Gemma followed me and stood in the doorway watching me.
"Who's Richard?" She asked me.
"This guy from my Figure Drawing class," I answered her as I got dressed. Gemma nodded thoughtfully. Once I was dressed, I rushed past her, then doubled back and hugged her. "Thank you!" I said and then let her go and preparing to leave.