CLAIRE ANDERSON
The campus quad is buzzing with the usual chaos of students rushing between classes, their voices a blur of laughter and stress and the kind of casual gossip that I used to find entertaining. Now, every whisper feels like it's aimed at me. Every glance lingers a moment too long. I clutch my bag tighter against my chest and keep my head down, trying to disappear into the crowd, but it's impossible. Word travels fast at this university, and apparently, marrying a billionaire professor makes you the center of attention whether you want it or not.
I've barely made it past the library when I hear it. Two girls standing near the fountain, their voices low but not low enough. "Did you hear about Professor Carrington? He married a student. Like, actually married her. I heard she
