One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 87

Audrey & Third Person

Audrey's POV

I found Tina huddled over the bathroom sink, her shoulders shaking with **bs.

"Tina? Are you okay?"

"I just... I can't keep lying anymore," she murmured, quickly swiping her tears away from her cheeks.

"What is it, Tina? What's going on?" I took a step forward

Tina looked up at me, her eyes red and misted over with tears. She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a strangled s**. I quickly rushed over to her and pulled her into my arms, feeling her form tremble against me as she cried into my shoulder.

"Tina, it's okay. I'm here." I whispered, rubbing her back gently. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'm here."

She clung to me for a long time, her tears soaking into the shoulder of my dress. Finally, she pulled back just enough to wipe at her damp cheeks with her gloved hand. "T-I'm sorry, she hiccupped. "I shouldn't have run off like that. I ruined everything. And I ruined your dress."

I pulled back slightly so I could look into her tear-stained face. Her mascara had gotten smudged from crying, leaving dark streaks down her cheeks-and my dress. Shaking my head, I pulled my handkerchief out of my pocket, dampened it in the sink, and began to dab at her face.

"Don't apologize," I said gently as I worked. "Those people were jerks. But why did their comments hurt you so much?"

Tina took a shaky breath, avoiding my gaze for a moment. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of one of her gloves. "They hurt because... because they're true."

My eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Tm... I'm g***y, Audrey, Tina whispered, her soft voice barely audible over the m**ed music floating in from the ballroom,

"You're g**y?" I blurted out. It wasn't that I was disapproving of her revelation, but rather that I hadn't expected it in the slightest. Throughout our entire friendship, as far as I was aware, Tina had only ever shown an interest in men.

She nodded. "I only realized it recently, and I'm still trying to come to terms with it. So those comments really cut deep." I swallowed, gripping her arms tightly. "How long have you known for certain?" She sniffled, wiping her eyes carefully to avoid smearing her makeup further. "I've had my suspicions for years, but only realized it a couple of weeks ago now," "Does anyone else know?" I whispered.

Tina quickly shook her head. "No. Just you," she murmured, inhaling sharply as another choked sob bubbled throat. "I can't tell my parents. They'd disown me."

"Your parents are homophobes?"

up in her

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21:18 Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 87 0.11%8

Π

"Unfortunately, yes."

her body shake against mine as she tried to hide her s**. I'm so sorry. Tina," I said gently, rubbing large, slow circles

murmured into my

she spoke again. Thank you for being such a good friend, Audrey. I don't

Gavin," I said gently, not wanting to pressure her but also wanting her to feel safe in

just... need

the time you need. Your secret is safe with

this time there was a nervous look on her face. Her eyes darted around, not quite

tell you," she

"What is it?"

you Even though I know

wiping away a stray tear with my thumb. Her face reddened ever so slightly

can't return those feelings, but I know someday you'll find someone who's perfect for you. Someone who'll love you for exactly

out a watery laugh and hugged me again. "Thank you for not taking my confession too seriously," she said. "I think I just sort of latched onto you a bit since we've been friends for so long now." I grinned and flipped my hair over my shoulder.

"You really are the

a squeeze. "When I call you my best friend,

turned to face the sink and began to dab at her tear-streaked face. I watched her, staying by her side

bathroom vent.

suddenly, I noticed something strange; over Tina's shoulder, there was a whitish gas starting

Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 87

"Tina." I stammered, pointing.

eyes widened when she saw

the gas, seeping out of the vent faster and faster, began to fill the room far more quickly than I had anticipated. It stung ny eyes and made my throat burn, and I took a

of here," I coughed,

Grabbing her hand, I pulled her through the haze,

it. The cool air of the hallway was a relief for my burning eyes and throat, although it took a good thirty seconds before either of us could speak or see clearly

gasped once I

tears this time. Whatever that stuff was had burned her

to report this to the chaperones.

nodded, and we made our way back to the

Third Person POV