Betty
I sat at my computer, staring at the half-finished biology project on my screen. Marcus’s shirt was still crumpled on my desk, right where he’d left it after everything got... interrupted. Without thinking, I picked it up and brought it to my nose, breathing in the scent, expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely him.
For a second, I felt something soft rise in my chest. Almost sentimental. Then I caught myself.
“So... where were we?”
I jumped and spun around. Marcus was standing right behind me. I dropped the shirt like it was on fire.
“W-what are you still doing here?” I said, trying to sound casual.
I turned back to my laptop, pretending to focus while he picked up the shirt. But instead of leaving, he came up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders.
I tensed immediately. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t be mad,” he said gently, his fingers beginning to knead into my shoulders. “Stacey was being a bitch, so I... sorted her out.”
I turned to look at him, shocked. “You did what?”
“Relax,” he said with a little shrug. “I just locked her in the laundry room. She’ll have time to think about her attitude.”
His hands kept moving, and despite myself, I felt some of the tension start to melt from my neck.
“That’s not necessary—” I began, nervous.
“Shh...” he whispered near my ear. “You’re way too tense. Let it go…”
A few more strokes and my body started betraying me, leaning into his touch. I let out a slow breath.
“There. Much better.” He paused, and I heard something shift in his tone. “So... should we continue?”
“Yeah. Uh... sure. Where were we?” I fumbled with the trackpad, pretending to be focused, even though my fingers barely worked.
Then Marcus gently placed his hand over mine. I went stiff.
“You misunderstood,” he said, his voice lighter, teasing. “When I said ‘continue’... I wasn’t talking about the project.”
Before I could say anything, he lifted me onto the desk. His lips hovered just over my skin, grazing the side of my neck. A jolt ran straight through me, and my breath caught.
“Marcus... don’t...” I whispered, but I could already feel the betrayal in my own voice.
“Why not?” he asked, soft against my skin. “Your dad just get home?”
I shook my head, eyes closed, biting my lip. “No... he’s on a business trip.”
Then nothing. I no longer felt his breath, his hands. I opened my eyes and saw him buttoning up his shirt.
“What happened?” I asked, blinking.
“I decided not to force you,” he said. But something in his voice didn’t feel right.
I studied him. “Okay... But you did understand what I meant? He’s not back till tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I got it.” He looked away, glanced at his watch, scratched his head like he suddenly remembered he had somewhere else to be. “Anyway... just finish the project and email it to me. I’ll throw it into a slideshow. Cool?”
I nodded, even though disappointment rolled over me like a wave.
“Awesome. Later then.”
And just like that, he was gone—leaving me staring at the door, more confused than ever.
***
The next morning, I walked into the biology classroom with my stomach twisted into knots. Most of the students were already there, including Marcus, who was doodling in his notebook. Our eyes met for a second, then we both looked away.
I slid into the seat beside him. “Did you finish the slideshow?”
He looked at me like I’d insulted him. “Come on. Of course.”
He handed me a flash drive. I took it, my fingers feeling shaky.
“Good,” I said. I glanced toward Professor Hamilton, who was arranging papers at his desk. “Still... I’ve got this awful feeling...”
My hand trembled until Marcus gently placed his over it. I looked at him, surprised. He winked.
“Good morning!” Professor Hamilton said, loud and clear. “Betty, Marcus—you’re up first. Let’s see your project presentation.”
My heart pounded as we walked to the front. I could feel eyes on us, especially from Stacey, who looked far too smug in her seat near the back.
I plugged in the flash drive while Marcus set up the projector.
“Say goodbye, Betty...” I thought I heard Stacey whisper, but I didn’t register it. I cleared my throat and began.
“Today, we’ll be presenting our research on the cardiovascular system—”
Suddenly, the screen behind us lit up.
With graphic, pornographic images.
The class gasped. Some screamed. Others started laughing, a few pulling out their phones to film it. I was frozen. Mortified. The obscene slideshow just kept going.
I turned to Marcus. He looked stunned.
“Shut that off! NOW!” Professor Hamilton shouted, yanking off his glasses, his face going crimson.
I stood there, my whole body trembling. The laughter kept growing louder, sharper, crueler. And above it all, I heard Stacey’s giggling.
This was planned. Someone did this on purpose.
And Marcus was part of it.
“You’re such a jerk!” I screamed, my voice cracking.
I stormed over to the teacher’s desk, grabbed the water pitcher, and dumped it over his head. It poured down his face, soaked his shirt, his lap, everything.
The class erupted. Not with laughter this time, but shock.
“That’s enough!” Professor Hamilton bellowed. “Both of you, detention!”