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."

pulled her in and hugged her tightly again, feeling her body shake against mine as she tried to hide her s**. I'm so sorry. Tina," I said gently, rubbing large, slow

murmured into my

such a good friend, Audrey. I don't know what

but also wanting her to feel safe in our friend

just... need

you need. Your secret

there was a nervous look

else I should tell you," she

"What is it?"

tiniest crush on you Even though I know you're straight. I hope that doesn't upset you or make things weird between us; I just

the cheek and wiping away a stray tear with my thumb. Her face reddened

reassured her with a chuckle. "I'm flattered, actually. And I'm sorry that I can't return those feelings, but I know someday you'll find someone who's perfect for you. Someone who'll love you

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. "I mean, I can't blame you," I teased. "Just

playfully, then shook her head. "You really are the best friend I

me anything." I assured her, giving her hand a squeeze. "When I

dab at her tear-streaked face. I watched her, staying by her side and rubbing

bathroom vent.

noticed something strange; over Tina's shoulder,

Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 87

"Tina." I stammered, pointing.

widened when she saw it, to

room far more quickly than I had anticipated. It stung ny eyes

out of here," I coughed, my eyes

twice. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her through the haze, both of us coughing

slammed the door shut, coughing and gagging as I leaned against it. The cool air of the hallway was a relief for

was that?" I gasped once

time. Whatever that stuff was had burned her eyes, too. "I don't know, but if we had stayed in there any

hand. "We need to report this

we made our

Third Person POV