Darren's room was identical to mine in structure. Like all dorm rooms at the Xavier School, it had a small sitting area, a bathroom, and a bedroom. I dawdled near the doorframe, losing some of the drive that had led me here. Surely no good could come from hanging out with Darren after midnight alone. I recalled hearing a phrase that if someone called you after midnight, they only wanted one thing. Something told me the same thing went for heading up to an acquaintance's room.
That said, my room and Darren's room were only alike in structure. To say his room was a mess would be an understatement. Papers littered the floor carelessly near the over-flowing trash can. Empty cans of beer lay abandoned on side tables. To top it all off, the heavy scent of pot lingered in the air. I tried not to visibly cringe. Shrugging off his jacket, I handed it to him, trying to think of a way I could politely weasel my way out of his room and back to the comfort of my own dorm on the other side of the building.
"Thank you," I said awkwardly, still not making a move to enter the room any farther. "I probably should start heading back though. Early day tomorrow," I said taking a hesitant step toward the door. If I was going to chicken out now was the time. I could still leave with my dignity. Still, part of me wished Darren would stop me. Charles had really hurt me earlier. It felt like no one was concerned about the possibility that some people could get seriously hurt if we integrated the school. If Charles cared about me so much, shouldn't he have at least respected my opinion?
"Megan, you can't seriously go back to your room now," he said laying a hand on my shoulder. I raised a brow. Although I had been hoping for an interruption, I didn't like being told what I could and couldn't do.
"I don't mean it like that. It's no big secret you don't like me. I know. I just meant it's after midnight and it's dark. You're room's on the other side of campus. What if something happened to you? I know you like to act all tough but you're still a young girl walking alone at night."
I stood there stopped in the door gob-smacked. It's true. I was never very nice to Darren. He had the ego the size of a submarine and was a known man-whore of the school. In class, he was dumb as rock and I took caution to avoid him. Up until tonight, I mainly would blow him off with a rude remark. As a matter of fact, I think tonight was the longest civil conversation we had, had.
"I guess so," I said reluctantly stepping further into the room.
"Nothing needs to happen. I mean, unless you want something to happen," he said with a lewd wink.
I just rolled my eyes. I didn't want to give him a reply, partly because I wasn't too sure of myself. It was easy to say I would stand my ground and leave the next morning with a clear conscious but it was another thing when I knew staying would mean lying in bed next to one of the school's more attractive students pressed up against my back.
"So, what's on the agenda for tonight? I'm not tired yet," I said, settling myself in on his couch.
"We could watch a movie, I guess," he said scratching the back of his neck. It was clear he wasn't used to having to entertain a guest in a way that didn't involve sleeping with them. It was sort of comical at how lost he was.
"Sounds good," I said forcing myself to stay chipper. If I was going to have to spend the night in the bone-head's room I was going to enjoy it!
"I think I have some popcorn I can microwave," he said in a fit of genius, heading to the kitchen to do just that. I took the opportunity to take him in while his back was turned. He really was quite handsome. There was a good reason half the girls in the school went gaga over him. Soon enough, he was back with a bowl of popcorn and we decided on 'What's Your Number?' Well, I decided on it. He just went along with it.
Surprisingly, watching it with him wasn't so bad. We made fun of all the crappy clichés that went along with a romantic comedy. I hadn't remembered laughing so hard with someone that wasn't Annie in a while. As the credits rolled, Darren let out a loud yawn.
"Well, I think I'm going to head to bed."
"Boo, you whore!" I said chucking a piece of popcorn at him.
"I know you didn't just throw that at me?" he said in mock anger.
"Oh yes I did," I said with a giggle, chucking two more pieces. One hit him square in the head, bouncing off to the floor causing me to lose it.
"Do that one more time," he said coming at me faux threateningly.
"Or what?" I countered with a grin, throwing a fistful at him.
"That's it!" he said grabbing the bowl from my lap and dumping it over my head.
"Oh no you didn't!" I said before launching myself at him in a poor attempt to beat him up. Darren joined in, using not even a quarter of his strength. Somehow the play fighting took to the floor and culminated in him pinning me down to the floor.
"I win," he said in a voice dripping with pride. I don't know if it was because I was having such a good time, if it was because of my anger at Charles, simply having a good looking man on top of me, or perhaps a combination of all three, but I arched up the few inches and kissed him. He looked surprised for just a second before kissing me back with gusto. The kiss grew more frenzied and passionate before he finally slowly lead me into his room.
I woke around 5:30 the next morning. I knew I should attempt to sneak back to my building now. I had never done a proper walk of shame, seeing as Charles' room and office were conveniently located in my building. This time I would actually have to take care not to be seen. I carelessly tossed on the same clothes I wore from last night and raked my fingers through my hair. This would have to be good enough. Washing my face to rid myself of the makeup that was sure to have run after last night, I showed myself out the door.
Thankfully, I didn't see anyone I knew on the walk over to my building. I thought for sure I was home free until I walked through the large set of double doors and who should be standing there looking distressed but Charles. Shit. Anyone could look at me and tell what I had been up to last night. My only hope was that he'd be so wrapped up in whatever he was holding that I'd be able to sneak right by. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
"Megan?" he questioned as I tried my hardest to blend in with the walls.
"Charles," I said in a small voice.
"Where have you been?" His voice sounded hurt, almost betrayed. It was all too familiar of how I'm sure I sounded last night moping over how no one saw my side. In that exact moment, I wished I could take back the night with Darren and start all over again. I wished I could make the right choice and go straight up to my own room.
"I stayed with a friend," I said leaving the statement purposefully vague.
"And was this friend a male?" he said with a bite in his voice; jealousy.
"Yes." I knew it would hurt him but I couldn't bear to lie to him. I'm sure that says something about how I learned from my experience or some sort of drippy nonsense but I couldn't be bothered to think about that now. I was too concerned with the mix of hurt and anger that was splashed all over his face.
"Why on earth would you do that Megan?" he said letting his voice rise a bit too loud for a very public place. "I didn't think I'd have to tell you not to sleep with someone else. I thought you'd use a bit of fucking common sense! You knew I cared about you. I'm not a young kid anymore Megan. I don't just sleep around with people. Is that what this was to you? You thought it would be fun to see if you could sleep with your professor? My God, Megan, I put my job on the line for you."
I stood in shocked silence. I had no clue he felt so strongly for me.
"Of course you meant something to me. Sleeping with Dar-, sleeping with him was a mistake," I decided it would be best to try to keep Darren's name out of this. Professor X was far from vindictive but he was still a jealous male. "I was stupid. I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean much now but if I could take it back, I would. I made a horrible choice last night. I was just frustrated and upset and he was there. It doesn't make it right but I don't want you screaming at me like I'm some whore who sleeps with any guy that crosses her path!"
"You're right. Sorry doesn't mean much now," he said in a clipped tone. "Now if you excuse me I need to find a substitute for your German class considering Professor Lehnsherr up and left. Try not to sleep with him!" He promptly turned on his heel and stomped into his office locking the door with a satisfying click. I felt both upset and offended. I couldn't have picked a worse night for such a transgression. Clearly, Erik had left. I was sure I'd find the particulars out eventually but in the same night Charles had lost his closest confidant and his girlfriend? Mistress? Whore? I winced at the word. I couldn't believe he had the balls to insult me that way. I knew I'd find out the full story from Annie. I had plenty to tell her too. I was sure she had a whole lot of bitching to do about Erik as well.
