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."

Without saying anything, I 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

murmured

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

her but also wanting her to feel safe in our

just... need

you need. Your

back again, and this time there was a nervous look on her face. Her eyes darted

else I should tell you," she said, shuffling

"What is it?"

tiniest crush on you Even though I know you're straight.

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

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

she said. "I think I just sort of latched onto you a bit since we've been friends for so long now." I

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

hand a squeeze. "When I call you my best friend, I mean it. Best

and began to dab at her tear-streaked face. I

bathroom vent.

something strange; over Tina's shoulder, there

Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 87

"Tina." I stammered, pointing.

her eyes widened when she saw it, to "What the

more than a blur, 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

out of here," I coughed, my

her hand, I pulled her through the haze, both of

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

hell was that?" I gasped

stuff was had burned her eyes, too. "I don't know, but if

I said, grabbing her hand. "We need to report this to the chaperones. There must be some kind of air vent issue

our

Third Person POV