Posters and Professors

Posters and Professors

Arabella

I'VE STILL BEEN unable to process everything that took place a few days ago. I honestly don't remember what I've done over the last few days. It seems as if I'm in a fog of some kind and the information is in there but I can't seem to process any of it. I've got all this money and I honestly don't know what the fuck to do with it. If I want to do anything at all with it. I can finally get Vinnie away from our mother by moving into the mansion in the gated community. She won't ever be able to touch us there ever again. I can make sure she's never allowed on the property through the guards at the gate. For the first time in my life we'd both be safe and there's nothing I want more than that. However, it's a matter of putting everything into place and handling the situation correctly.

None of the guys have approached me since I talked to Kash about things. I still see them more often than not around campus and I can't get away from them. However, Kash hasn't told them about my secret hiding places around campus because he knows that's the last thing I want. So, I still have my safe places to hide out and everyone is leaving me alone. Well, everyone other than Brock. He can't seem to help himself with doing anything but being right next to me at all times he can be. I honestly don't know how I feel about the guys, the bombs that have been dropped in my lap, and everything else that I've discovered a few days ago about everything going on.

I want to tell Brock about everything, but I'm honestly not sure he'd understand anything I'm feeling or going through right now. If I can't understand the situation I currently find myself in, there's no way I'll ever be able to let anyone else know or understand what's going on. He'll be able to give me advice about shit and help me make sense of things as he looks at things from the outside in. However, that would mean letting him in and understanding what the fuck is truly going on with everything. Shaking my head, I clear the thoughts of telling Brock anything. It's the last thing I can do right now. Not until I've been able to process things for a few minutes on my own and know I can take care of the situation in a way that I can handle doing so.

Walking across the campus of school, every single person I come across is looking at me as if I'm their next meal. At least when it comes to the guys. They're all looking at my body from the top of my head to my feet and back up again. Even though I'm fully clothed in baggy clothing, I still feel their gazes lingering on me and it makes my skin crawl. For some reason, Brock didn't meet me at the front gate and I know that he doesn't always meet me, but I really wish he would've done it today. These guys I go to school with on a daily basis are now looking at me the way I've caught multiple men that my mother has brought into my house look at me. There's nothing I can do to take the horrible feeling away from me until I get home and can get in the shower to cleanse myself.

I put my head down and continue on across the campus quicker than ever before as I make my way to the building where my math class is. I hate today because it means having to deal with Professor Rollins. No, he hasn't been able to grade my tests, homework, or anything else but he can still fuck with me in class and make my life miserable by telling me my answers are wrong and that I'm a fucking fool for even thinking I'd ever pass his class. He might not say the words, but both professors and Karmen are pissed as fuck that they didn't get me expelled for supposedly cheating. It's honestly just a matter of time before they all get their revenge on me.

After taking a few steps into the building, I come to a dead stop. Usually the walls in the buildings on campus are free of papers, posters, or anything else. The school doesn't like anything being put up without their permission. Today, someone didn't give a shit about that though. I step closer to the wall next to me and look at the paper that's filled every inch of the walls surrounding me.

There's a makeshift poster with a picture of me the day Karmen cut my hair off. It shows me on the ground just after she got done and the mess she made with my hair. There's also a picture of me playing with Vinnie at the park. As my vision begins to blur from the tears filling my eyes at the blatant invasion of my privacy. Of my baby brother being posted as if he's done something wrong and is now included in this attack against me. The words make me fucking sick as I read them multiple times.

To all students of High Point University:

If you're looking for a good time, you only have to look as far as the library. Arabella Moore is willing to sell her body to the lowest bidder. She doesn't need much and you can see that she already has a child of her own. I'm sure any penny would help her take care of the bastard. So, for the low amount you offer her, Arabella will serve you anything you desire. Want a blowjob between classes? Find her around campus. Need to get laid and take out your aggression on a body instead of the gym or anywhere else? Get in touch with Arabella. She'll let you use her any way you please and never once complain about what you do to her. Maybe she likes to be degraded and will let you bring out the kinks you feel you have to hide from everyone else. She's willing to do anything to make money.

I almost collapse to the floor in the hall of this building. It doesn't matter that tears are filling my eyes and I can't see past the words now filling my mind from this poster someone heinously made about me. Everything here is nothing more than a fucking lie. I want to scream and lash out, but I can't find the strength in myself to do it. Just as I get ready to collapse, strong arms hold me from behind. I don't even care who has me in their arms as I remain on my feet.

"It's okay, Arabella. I've got you," Brock's deep voice washes over me and comforts me when I need it the most. "I'm gonna lower you to the floor for just a few minutes."

Without hesitation, Brock sets me on the floor so I'm against the wall and out of the way of people still entering the building. Before I can blink or think about anything else, Brock is practically running down the hallway ripping every single piece of paper from the wall and bunching them in his hands. Every time his hands are full, he drops them in one of the trash cans before continuing on with making sure he rips every single last one of them down. It's too late since so many people have already seen and read them. However, Brock trying to prevent anyone else from seeing what's been written about me means the world to me. He doesn't have to do this, but he still is.

I'm not sure how long it takes Brock to actually rip all the papers from the wall, but before I can move, he's back in front of me. Brock kneels down and presses his finger under my chin to lift my head so I'm looking at him.

"I'm gonna find out who the fuck did this shit and I'll make them pay," Brock promises me, his voice full of rage and hate to the point it scares me and I shrink back from him. "Don't be afraid of me, Arabella. I will never do anythin' to hurt you."

"We both know who did this. It was Karmen and Collette. I'm sure all of their little minions put them up, but they're behind the words against me. I'd like to know how they got the picture of my brother. None of them would ever be caught dead in the poor section of town for any reason. Not even to fuck me over. So someone else took that picture of my brother and me at the park. It's too late, Brock. There's nothing that can be done. Too many people have seen this already. And this is just one building. We don't know if they're in any other ones or where else on campus they've been hung up," I tell him, more tears spilling from my eyes as I realize this is more than humiliation and their attempts to hurt me.

Karmen and Collette have taken things too far this time. Now, they're putting my life in danger by telling everyone here I'll do anything sexual for mere pennies. There's nothing stopping the guys from taking what they want from me. The reality of the situation is that I'm a virgin and I don't see that changing any time soon. After this shit, I know the words Kash told me days ago are going to go up in smoke. Not that I can blame any of the guys. For some reason, a part deep in my soul breaks with the knowledge that I'm going to be completely alone until I make decisions and get the fuck out of High Point for good. Now that I have the means to leave, I believe that's exactly what I'll do. I can sell my grandparents' mansion, put all the assets in storage to keep for Vinnie and myself, and take the money and run from this horrendous town. No one will ever see me again and no one can stop me from leaving here if that's the decision I make.

"You're right, we don't know where else this shit is posted. But, I can tell you right now that you're not alone, Arabella. I'll go through every fuckin' buildin' and make sure that they're all gone. It doesn't matter how many people have seen them because no one will get close to you. I won't let anyone hurt you because of this shit," Brock promises me as I give him a weak, watery smile because there's no way he can be with me at all times. "Let's get to class before Rollins has any more reason to treat you like shit."

Brock helps me from the floor and we make our way to the lecture hall our math class is in. He leads me to the back row we typically sit in and I don't move to pull out anything I'll need for today's class. There's no point when I doubt I'll be here much longer. Still, I try to keep my focus on the board at the front of the room where Professor Rollins pretends to teach us anything. He has no clue what the fuck he's doing as he copies everything from the book he's loosely holding in front of his body. When it comes to actually explaining the problem to us and how to solve it, the professor doesn't know what to say or how to show us a damn thing. I want to laugh at his inadequate teaching, but I can't find anything to laugh at right now.

Brock is busy taking notes from the board as I remain in my seat without worrying about notes or paying attention at all. When I hear my name called, I answer the question without thought even though I know for a fact that Professor Rollins will tell me that I'm wrong. Karmen keeps looking back at me with a smirk on her face and I know without a doubt she's the one who put those posters up in the hallway. It's written all over her face and I want to hurt her in some way. However, before I can let myself think about all the ways I'd want to hurt her, the door of the lecture hall opens and a man I've never seen before steps inside as he looks around until his eyes land on me.

"Professor Rollins, I'll be taking Miss Moore with me. She's to be excused with no consequences from you at all. That comes straight from Dean Maddison," this man states, his voice letting Professor Rollins know that he won't get away with trying to punish me in any way.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Brock asks as the man steps closer to me and I grab my bag from the floor where I dropped it.

"No. I can handle whatever happens now on my own. Thank you, Brock. Your friendship has meant the world to me. I want you to know that," I tell him, knowing I have to get the fuck out of High Point because there's no way I can remain here where I'm constantly beaten down and tortured for no good reason at all.

"Don't do this shit, Arabella. You're not fuckin' tellin' me goodbye like this. I'll see you the second this class is over with and we'll go from there. I'll get you lunch," he says, pain filling his eyes and voice as my friend looks at me with concern filling his features.

With a subtle nod of my head, I stand from my chair and leave with the man who came in to get me from this dreadful class. The second we're out the door and in the hallway, I feel as if I can't breathe and my chest is caving in on itself.

"All of those vile posters have been removed from campus, Arabella. You don't have to worry about seeing them again. Forgive my manners. I'm Mr. Hayden, your counselor. I'd like to talk to you in my office about this and make sure you're okay," he says, leading me to the door to exit the building as he opens it and holds it open for me to step through before him.

"It's nice to meet you," I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper as we walk across the campus and I see the guys all standing a short distance from the building we just left.

I can't determine what's going on with a single one of them from where I'm walking as they stand side-by-side with their arms folded over their chest. Each one of them stares at me and only me. A large part of me wants to run to them and let them comfort me. However, I remain at Mr. Hayden's side as we make our way to his office. I can feel the guys' stares on my back after we pass them. It feels as if something is shifting in the air and there's nothing I can do to change it from taking place. I feel out of control and like a runaway train is heading straight for me to ensure I'm kept off balance at all times because there's no one to save me from whatever is about to happen.

When we finally get to Mr. Hayden's office, he unlocks the door and lets me go inside before him. Mr. Hayden motions for me to take a seat in front of his desk after he turns on the light and closes the door behind him. He takes his seat behind the desk and takes a minute to simply look at me. He's relaxed back in his chair and if he's waiting for me to say something first, we'll be sitting here in silence for a long time. I'm not ready to say anything to anyone right now.

"Miss Moore, I'm sorry you had to see that when you got to school today. If any of us had known about it, we would've removed it immediately before you were forced to see it. Dean Maddison has had each building searched thoroughly and removed all the posters that were hung up. We're looking into the situation and will do everything in our power to ensure whoever did this is dealt with as harshly as we can. This is not something the school tolerates and will let slide," Mr. Hayden states as he looks at me and allows me to see the truth of his words.

"I appreciate that. For the first time, I can honestly say I don't want to be here and that I'm scared to walk around campus after what was said on those papers," I admit, tears filling my eyes once again.

"That's understandable, Miss Moore. Is there anything we can do to make you feel safer while you're on campus?" he questions me, his voice remaining gentle and making me feel safe for the first time in a long time. It's a feeling I've only felt when Brock is around me.

"I honestly don't know. I've got so much going on and my only goal has always been to protect and take care of my baby brother. No, he's not my child and I wouldn't be ashamed of him if he were. My mother isn't able to take care of us properly at the moment. We're staying with a responsible adult and it won't be long before I'm nineteen. I have the means to take care of my brother now and I have a feeling that things would be for the best if I simply leave High Point and quit school," I tell him honestly of the thoughts running through my mind at the moment.

"I don't believe that's the solution at all, Miss Moore. What I will say is that the decision is yours to make at the end of the day. You are of age to leave on your own and protect yourself any way you choose. While I don't know your personal circumstances, please know that I'm here if you decide to remain in High Point and get your education with this university. If you could let me know the second you make a final decision, I'll make sure to gather your records together so you can take them with you and continue your education at another school," Mr. Hayden says with a small smile on his face instead of a serious expression.

"I will. Thank you for letting me know the posters have all been removed," I tell him, standing from the chair I was in and leaving his office without another word.

While looking around the campus, I see the guys haven't left the area as I head straight for the library. I can sense them following me as I head inside and take my table like nothing has happened here today. I'm sure as hell not going back to my math class when there's no reason for me to be there. Professor Rollins won't allow me back in the room now that I've left and he's been reminded that my absence is excused. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand with those damn posters. However, I remain silent as I watch the guys take the table directly in front of me. They talk in whispers so I can't hear them, but more often than not, their eyes stay on me. I'm choosing not to look too closely at what I see there. For now, I'm going to focus on my work as I pull out the textbooks from my bag and let myself get sucked into the work that I need to have done.