One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 28

Audrey & Third Person

Audrey's POV

I stared at the cheerleading squad in complete disbelief, my jaw hanging open as they performed their routine in those all-too-familiar uniforms. The asymmetrical bodice, the sweeping skirt with that pop of burgundy, the cream knitted cardigan...

It was unmistakably my design down to the very last detail.

000 000 000000000☐☐☐

But how? I had received that email just last week, clearly stating that my submission had been rejected. So who had approved this? And why was my hard work being showcased without any credit?

Suddenly, the sensation of someone shaking my arm pulled me out of my stupor. I whipped my head around to see my friends staring at me with wide eyes, their faces just as shocked as mine was. "Audrey, is that...?"

Tina didn't even need to finish before I was turning on my heel. Gritting my teeth, I pushed through the crowd, making a beeline for the bulletin board near the gymnasium entrance. Sure enough, tacked up amongst the various announcements and flyers was an official- looking notice detailing the winning cheerleading uniform design pick.

My heart dropped into my stomach when I saw the bolded name at the top of the page.

Linda O'Malley.

Of course. That scheming little brat had obviously found a way to steal my hard work and pass it off as her own, just to spite me. Just like she had done when she trashed our studio. A white-hot flare of rage ignited within me, and I whipped around to search the gym for that familiar brunette head of hers.

"There's the little thief," I snarled when I spotted her, causing a few nearby people to jump in surprise.

my arm again. "Audrey,

a piece of my mind.

friends. Stopping a few

turned at the sound of my voice, and her eyes widened almost comically. Good-so she knew exactly why I

was just about to look for you," she purred, clutching a hand to her chest in mock surprise. "Isn't this just so exciting? They chose my

enough to draw the attention of those sitting nearby. I jabbed an accusing finger toward the cheerleaders still performing their routine in my stolen uniform design.

false sweetness disappeared in an instant, and she bared her teeth in a feral sneer that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. In the blink of an

runt?" she growled, taking a menacing

flicker. A tremor of fear

easy there, Regan," Linda purred, resting a hand on her friend's bulging arm. She fixed me with a look of pure venom. "Little Miss Priss

up every ounce of courage and lifted my chin defiantly. "You're going to pay for this, Linda. Stealing isn't going to get you anywhere in this school-or in life. Just

by my bravado. Then the mocking sneer returned. "Whatever you say, Audrey. Now why don't you run back to your little friends? Or should I ask Regan to

sent a tremor through me; the girl was at least twice my size, likely on the rugby team. Against my better judgment, I backed away-but

get her comeuppance. I would make sure

Third Person POV

the game had ended and the crowd was beginning to thin out, Linda lingered in the hallway outside the locker rooms with Regan and a few of her other new friends. She was practically glowing with smug satisfaction over having

girls," she said, dabbing at her lip gloss with her pinky finger in the mirror

ears picked up the sound of heels clicking briskly on the tiled floor behind them. Linda turned with a scowl already in

elegant confidence. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her ruby-red lips were curved into a polite yet disinterested smile.

was enough to wipe the scowl from Linda's face. The other girls exchanged hushed,

her best to keep her tone calm and unaffected despite the excited pounding of

an appraising look. "Ms. Klein was quite taken with your cheerleading uniform design. Said it reminded her of her own youth.

Unable to contain her delight, Linda positively beamed at the woman. "I would be honored. Where can I meet with