My Forbidden Semester

Prologue I scoffed, running my tongue over my dry lips as I stared at Blake standing by the doorway. “Why did you sleep with my friend?” I asked quietly, studying his face, hoping he’d deny it. “Come on, Tessa. You slept with someone else too, so why glare at me like that? I’m not the one at fault… you are,” he spat, his cold gaze showing no remorse. He didn’t deny it. That meant he really did sleep with her. But why her of all people? I thought bitterly, watching the disgust twist across Blake’s face. His expression told me exactly what he thought of me. I sighed, my shoulders dropping under the weight of it all. “I know I made a mistake, Blake. There’s nothing I can do to fix it, but can’t you see I’m confused? Professor Derrick is…” I paused, trying to gather my thoughts as I took a deep breath. “Professor Derrick is my… he’s my…” Blake scoffed, his eyes cold as he shook his head sideways. “Cat got your tongue? Or can’t you speak since your professor obviously f****d the little self-respect you have out of your body?” he barked before storming out of my room. I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging hard as frustration and disbelief built inside me. Why is this happening to me and why today of all days? I asked myself as my heartbeat quickened, pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. It was so loud, but still not as loud as the chaos in my mind. Pushing a few loose strands of hair behind my ear, I forced myself to follow Blake. He was already in his room, pulling off the green hoodie he’d been wearing. “Blake, I know I’m not in the position to judge you but you aren’t either. You slept with my best friend, and I slept with my professor. I guess that makes us even, doesn’t it?” I said, trying to reason with him, but he pretended not to hear me. Instead, he tossed his hoodie onto the bed, exposing his bare chest. It was unfairly alluring, and despite the tension between us, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his toned body that was tempting, and infuriating all at once. “Stop staring at me, Tessa. Don’t make me be the one to calm that urge of yours,” Blake said with a careless shrug. His words snapped me out of my thoughts; I hadn’t realized how long I’d been staring. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. If Blake kept making me feel like the villain then I might have exploded in rage. I and Blake had planned to talk last night but Blake ditched me and snuck off to my best friend’s place. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go to Professor Derrick,” I whispered, forcing my voice to stay steady enough for him to hear. He scoffed. “You better be sorry,” he sneered, and in that instant, the rage I’d been struggling to hold in finally broke loose. “f**k! What the hell, Blake? I don’t think I can do this with you anymore!” I snapped, finally getting my say. “One moment you’re all lovey-dovey, acting like you can’t live without me, and the next, I’m just some whore.” I glared at him, my chest rising and falling fast. For a second, his smirk faltered but only for a second. He slid a hand into his pocket, his tone sharp and dismissive. “You should be sorry, Tessa. I’m a playboy, and that’s acceptable but you…” His words trailed off as he rubbed his chin, eyes cold and detached. I stared at him, unable to speak. Each word felt like a blade, cutting deeper than I could handle. My chest tightened, and before I knew it, tears were sliding down my cheeks. It was hot, silent, and unstoppable. Blake rolled his eyes at the sight, his expression flat. “Tessa, you’re disgusting. A woman like you doesn’t get to fool around. Go back to your room and think about what you’ve done and when you finish reflecting on yourself, come back to me and I’ll—” “Keep your f*****g words to yourself, you d**k face,” I snapped as I turned around, ready to storm out. But Blake’s next words stopped me cold. “Tessa, I’ll expose your nude pictures around the school. Everyone will know you’re f*****g your professor,” he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. I froze, my fingers tightening around the doorknob. “Don’t you dare walk out on me, you w***e,” he snarled, the words slamming into me harder than a slap.