Dirty Secret With My Professor

Back in class

Lana's POV

After saying my goodbyes to my dad this morning, I was dreading to go to campus. I knew that I would see Brady and he would see me. There is no way for me to hide away from him. Walking down the hall with Cynthia as she gushes about my dad, is all tuned out. My heart was beating at a rapid pace as we neared the classroom door.

When we reached the door, I stopped. "Are you okay?" Cynthia asked me as she now stood in front of me.

"I just need some air." I answered as my throat felt like its closing up again.

"Are you still not feeling well?" she asked with concern.

I nodded. "I will be okay," I said.

"Lana Stern?" I looked over Cynthia's shoulder and Brady's smile was so huge and nothing about him had changed, according to me. "I'm glad to see you, and we are in the same class," he beamed.

I tried to catch my breath as I placed my hand against my chest. "You can enter class now," Arden said as he now stood in the doorway, scowling at Brady.

"Just catching up with a good old friend, professor," Brady replied, still smiling. I looked away as Arden stepped out of the way so that Brady could enter the classroom. I cannot take this anymore, coming face to face with the person that has caused my panic attacks and nearly ruined me just made it worse. I didn't want to see him and I sure as hell hoped that Arden would do something about it, but he couldn't.

"Miss Stern?" Arden asked with concern in his voice, but it was now at a distance and my rapid heartbeat was beating in my ears. I try to find the air to breath as I get none. My breathing is shallow.

"She isn't feeling well, professor," Cynthia said, but I began to walk towards the bathroom. Everything around me just blurred out as I focused on getting to the bathroom. Hearing my own breathing, I entered the bathroom and there was one student in the bathroom. She looked at me with concern. Right now, I don't care what I look like, I want to be away from Brady.

The student walked out of the bathroom and I clutched the basin, closing my eyes and just trying to breathe. I need Arden. I feel a gentle hand on my back, "I'm here. Can you breathe?" Cynthia asked me.

I shook my head, no. "I need Arden," I managed to say, but it felt like I was being choked. Cynthia rubbed my back.

"Who is Arden? Does this person attend this university?" she asked with confusion.

"Ask Professor Moses," I said. I don't want her to get suspicious.

"I will ask him." she replied and I knew that she was trying not to freak out as she hurried out of the bathroom.

Opening my eyes, my knuckles are white with the grip that I have. Inhale and exhale, don't let Brady get to you, he is not worth it, he won't do anything again. I am safe, I have Arden watching over me. I can do this. I chanted to myself as the door opened.

I looked in the mirror and Arden was by my side, Cynthia was standing by the door, concern was written all over her face. Arden placed his hand on my back. "Breathe, everything will be okay. We are here for you." he said soothingly as we held eye contact in the mirror. I breathed and I felt a bit better. "That's it," he said.

"Do you really think it's okay for her to attend class today, professor?" Cynthia asked.

"I would say no, it is entirely up to Lana and how she feels." he replied.

"I will be in class and I need to catch up on work," I said.

"Are you sure?" Arden asked me.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Just remember if you do not feel well, or cannot breathe, then I am here," he said.

He knows the reason why I am like this, but I'm grateful that he isn't saying anything about Brady in front of Cynthia. "Thank you," I said.

My breathing had improved, but not one hundred percent. "Are you ready?" he asked as I stood up straight and turned around to face him.

"Yes."

I followed Cynthia out of the bathroom. Arden was behind me and we walked down the hall. I took in a deep breath as we entered the classroom. I looked down at the ground as Cynthia and I walked up the steps and I took my seat.

It was like I could feel eyes on me. I didn't look up as I took my books out and placed them on my desk. I kept my eyes glued on my books as Arden explained about the sole propriety sh^t. Each term we have to memorize for the next test. I don't need to worry about failing because I have my deal with Arden.

I feel suffocated just sitting here because I know that Brady is here and I don't know what he would say to anyone about me in this whole university. I hope that he keeps his mouth shut, because I don't want to be looked at like a slut and what Arden and I agreed to doesn't make me any less than that, because I am basically sleeping my way to the top.

The only thing is that no one will know about it, because it will be my dirty secret with my professor. A secret that we have to be extra careful with and I will make my father proud with his damn business. He wants that, he will get it. The only thing is that he doesn't know that Brady is here in my class.

I have a plan to get rid of Brady and I hope that my father will help. If he helped me in high school, then he could do it again.