Chapter 9
David Wilder hadn't stepped foot into the dean's office since his interview at Worthington years before and even then it had been daunting. He sat outside the office now, the dean's secretary eyeing him up as he silently screamed. He felt like a naughty kid, waiting outside the principal's office to be punished. Only it wasn't detention this time, it was forced resignation or dismissal, not really something a kid worries about.
" You can go in now, Professor Wilder," smiled the secretary, twisting a strand of hair around her finger and watching him as he stood and stiffly walked into the dean's office.
" David," said the dean warmly, standing up to shake hands across the desk before sitting down and gesturing to the empty chair. David sat down. " I realise that you're not teaching until this afternoon so I thank you for giving up your Monday morning,"
" No trouble," smiled David, his nerves had ebbed but he was still pumped full of adrenalin and aching to get out of that office.
" The thing is I've had a few reports from students claiming that you were being bothered by a Miss Josephine Potter. Naturally, I ignored these claims, we all know what female students can be like when it comes to a favourite tutor," he smiled. David's heart was sinking; it was about Joey. He knew about Joey.
" Yes, of course," he muttered.
" But, I had a phone call yesterday from Anne Williams, she teaches nineteenth century poetry. Well, she claims that she called your house early on Sunday morning and Miss Potter answered the telephone. I'm not insinuating anything but would you like to explain what Miss Potter was doing at your home at such an early hour?"
" She and I were going over a paper I had set. All students know that they're welcome at my home for that purpose," David lied, hoping that the dean would believe him.
" David, let's not cause any more embarrassment to either of us. Anne's phone call combined with the student reports, it all adds up. Obviously, nobody can prove that you are involved with your student but if you don't admit anything then we will be watching you, David. If you so much as step out of line once, you are out of Worthington, I'll see to that myself. Now, do you have anything that you would like to inform me of?"
" The relationship I have with Miss Potter is the exact same relationship I have with all of my students," said David calmly.
" That's all well and good but I think you are a liar and I will be watching you," he warned. "Thank you for your time, David. Good day,"
David stood and briefly shook the dean's hand before quickly leaving the office. He ignored the secretary's eyes as he walked out of the building and towards the cafeteria where he was supposed to be meeting Joey. He lingered in the entrance, watching Joey as she sipped her coffee and waited for him.
" Hey Professor Wilder," said Audrey, David turned to face Joey's best friend.
" Hello Audrey, can you do me a favour and ask Joey to meet me at that bistro she likes?" he smiled, thankful that Audrey could deliver the message instead of him walking up to Joey and pulling her out of the cafeteria in front of everyone.
" She's right there, why don't you get her?" frowned Audrey before it dawned on her that David had just come from the dean's office. He couldn't be seen with Joey, the dean knew about their relationship. "Oh. Okay, I'll tell her,"
" Thank you," he smiled before turning on his heel and walking off.
Joey approached the café that she and Audrey had visited only the day before. The day she got the phone-call. Her heart was in her throat; part of her already knew that something bad had happened. All she could do was prepare for the worst. David was sitting at the back of the room, alone. She ordered a cappuccino and walked towards him, sitting opposite him and reaching her hands across the table to touch his. He allowed her to hold his hand for a moment before pulling away.
" What's going on?" she asked, confused by David's behaviour.
" I don't think this is working, Joey," he started. Joey went cold, tears stinging her eyes. She knew it wasn't David talking, she knew he didn't mean it. " We can't take the chance that the dean will find out about us. You don't want to leave school; I certainly don't want to lose my job. I think it's for the best,"
" You're so full of crap," Joey said, her voice low and filled with hurt. She understood why he was saying these things but that didn't stop him hurting her feelings. " Why are you lying to me, David? Does the dean know? Is that what this is about?"
" Joey, I just think we should quit while we're ahead. It makes more sense for both of us to just stop this now,"
" Just shut up. How can you say this to me? You know you're talking crap as well as I do. Please stop lying to me, it's not fair,"
David sighed and looked at her, Joey looked beautiful despite her ashen face and red eyes, desperate to cry. As much as he needed to, he knew that he couldn't go through with it. He needed her in his life.
" God, Joey. I'm sorry; I thought it would be the best idea. I'm so sorry," he smiled, reaching for her hand. A tear ran down Joey's cheek as she leapt from her seat and into his arms.
" What happened?" asked Joey, nuzzling into his neck. He held her tighter.
" The dean knows about us but I denied it, he said he'd be watching me so if anything goes wrong that can be pinned on me, I'm out of here,"
" We'll be okay, just don't ever do that again! We'll sort something out, we will," she said, tears flowing now and soaking through the shoulder of David's shirt. " I'll skip your class today, just so nobody can start anything,"
" Okay, I'd better get going anyway. I've got to get my things together before class. Will you come by later, when it's dark?" he smiled, pushing her back and wiping her cheeks with his hand. She looked up at him and nodded, still in disbelief that this could have been the end for her and David. " Good,"
He smiled at her and pulled her closer. As they kissed, Joey knew that right now, she didn't want to live without him. She wanted to be with him as often as possible and spend time with him, but with the dean breathing down their necks, what could be done?
David left Joey in the café, still sipping her cappuccino. She sat in silence, going over the events of the past few months in her mind before picking up her cell-phone and calling Dawson. She needed to see Dawson.
