14
I enter the classroom building with a bittersweet feeling. I”ve spent half the night working on homework and preparing for an exam. So I”m tired, and on top of that, grumpy.
As I cross the corridor, my eye is caught by a large poster on the wall. It looks like the End-of-spring Gala is only two weeks away. Already... the academic year has flown by!
The idea of an evening of fun and dancing seems both seductive and remote to me at this moment. Still, it”s very tempting to go.
I lean against the wall and stare at the colorful image.
University galas are events I”ve studiously avoided. I didn”t have the heart to go with Cassy and Maddie. They”re more like couples” nights, and I was sure I”d be a good sport. But this time, I feel different. I”m in a relationship that, although ‘secret’, is important. In a way, I want to show the rest of the campus how happy I am. And maybe it”s time we tell the truth about Liam and me as a couple...
I miss him, and not seeing him today gives me a little twinge of sadness.
As I enter the amphitheater, a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty spreads through me. A message from Liam pulls me out of my reflections and brings my first smile of the day.
* Hi there! Guess what? I leave the hospital today! Can we meet at the end of the day? I have something to tell you! 3
I”m relieved to hear that he”s doing better and can”t wait to see him, and I’m also curious about this thing he wants to tell me about. But I still have work to do. I tell him I”ll drop by later this afternoon, can”t wait to see him, and get back to concentrating on the course.
Later, when I go to the campus newspaper to pick up the list of articles I have to write, the editor seems to be waiting for me.
“Hey, Emily!”
“Hi David,” I greet him, surprised that he”d come to talk to me, as he”s usually overworked and pays little attention to his subordinates.
Let”s not forget that I”m still a first-year!
“How”s your internship at the New York Post going?”
“Uh, great... Thank you...”
“It”s really exceptional for a first-year to be selected to work there. I hope you realize how lucky you are!” he exclaims, his mouth pursed, as if vexed at not having been chosen.
Man, it”s not my fault I got the job...
“I saw that they had published the list of players possibly drafted for the NHL.”
My heart misses a beat.
I”ve been so busy today, I haven”t even glanced at today”s publication, and I didn”t know the list was coming out now! I can”t wait to find out if a particular name is on it... Suddenly, apprehension knots my stomach as if it were my own future.
“Ha?” I feign, my surprise for the moment being genuine.
“Yes, and two members of our university team seem to be in a good position. That”s great!”
My mouth goes dry.
“I want you to write an article about them.”
“And who is it?” I ask, putting an end to this unbearable suspense.
“Chase Carter and Liam Scott. Both are promising talents, and our readers would certainly be interested to know more. I”m sure you”re familiar with them, having covered every hockey game since the start of the season.”
Now my heart is racing and I”m nodding, trying to look calm.
“It”s a great idea!”
“Of course, I”d like you to go a little further in your research...”
I frown.
“What do you mean ‘further’?”
“Find something that attracts attention, surprises and captivates.”
Faced with my silence and refusal to understand, he adds with a sigh:
“A scandal, Emily!”
Shock overwhelms me.
The idea of looking for scandalous details about Chase and Liam seems disgusting to me. Yes, I”m a journalist and my job is to find interesting stories, but I”m also bound by certain principles. Interesting doesn”t mean it has to be juicy gossips!
“I understand that you”re looking for a compelling story,” I begin, taking a step back. “But I don”t think the emphasis on sensationalism serves the paper. It should be about their success and performance, not potential scandals.”
David sighs, looking annoyed.
“Emily, you want to be a journalist, don”t you? That includes getting your hands a little dirty. A little controversy will make the paper more appealing.”
I can understand his point of view, but do I have to betray my principles?
“I can always put someone else on it, but inevitably, if it reaches the ears of the New York Post that you”re already being picky about the subjects you”re given for our university paper....”
He stretches out a knowing smile.
This guy is an asshole!
My work here will inevitably be reflected in my academic record, and if he gives me a bad grade, that”s it for me!
All of a sudden, I feel lost and can”t think straight. I can”t dig up scandals about Liam and Chase. That would be... horrible! On the other hand, being a journalist is everything I”ve ever dreamed of and the campus newspaper is an important, if not mandatory, step in my career.
I close my eyes and breathe deeply.
I reluctantly nod and leave the office with mixed feelings.
Journalists, as I have learned, have a responsibility to ensure balanced and ethically defensible coverage. Up to now, I”ve always respected this principle. But now...
As I return to my room, I reflect on the balance between my personal convictions and the demands of my profession. Generally speaking, the line between interesting reporting and sensational journalism is often blurred. But I”d hoped I”d never find myself in such a situation and have to reconsider my convictions. Besides, this is the man I love and his best friend we’re talking about, which makes the situation even more complicated.
Eventually, we get to this problem of bias! What will people think of my journalistic integrity when they find out I”m sleeping with Liam Scott?
I sit down at my desk and stare at my laptop screen.
There must be some way to satisfy David without jeopardizing my personal relationships or my career.
Maybe I should start with Chase; we haven”t been friends for long. My relationship with Liam is much more complicated. And maybe I won’t find anything scandalous after all!
A simple Internet search won”t do, so I”m going to start with social networks. There”s always a lot of information out there. I”m always surprised to see how much people reveal about themselves. After that, I might also interview a few members of the team.
The afternoon passes quickly and suddenly I realize what time it is. I hurry to gather my things. I promised Liam I”d come and see him at the end of the day.
I completely overlooked the fact that he was on the draft list, and I guess he wanted to talk to me about it tonight.
When I stand in front of his room and knock, the door opens with lightning speed. Liam stands in front of me with a big smile on his face.
“Em!” he exclaims excitedly, hugging me tightly.
I realize how much I”ve missed him when I snuggle up to him and breathe in his scent. His arms are a familiar place where I feel good. But tonight is different - excitement dances in Liam”s eyes.
“There”s something I need to tell you,” he begins, euphoric, unable to conceal his enthusiasm.
I smile inwardly.
He”s so cute when he”s excited.
He imitates a drum roll before continuing.
“I made it! I”m on the list of young hopefuls for the draft! And so is Chase! That”s fantastic!”
A smile spreads across my face as I try to look surprised. I don”t want to spoil his joy by telling him I already know.
“That”s amazing, Liam! Congratulations!”
I hug him and kiss him hungrily. His face lights up with pride and his eyes sparkle.
“I can hardly believe it. Well, it”s not over yet! The next few games will be decisive for the standings, but Mr. Turner has assured us that he”ll be bringing in teams who might be interested in our recruitment, to come and watch us play. It”s a great opportunity, and it means we”ve still got a good chance of going pro!”
I take his face in my hands.
“I”m so proud of you. You”ve worked hard and you”ve really earned it!”
Liam just smiles and kisses me effusively. We talk for a while about his plans and upcoming games. Then I decide to turn the conversation to another subject.
“By the way, the End-of-Spring Gala is coming up,” I say innocently.
“I”ve heard yes! Are you planning to go?” he asks, like I’m talking about the weather.
Slowly, I nod and consider how best to phrase the next question.
“Would you... er... well, maybe... consider going together? As a couple, I mean?”
His eyes narrow slightly.
“Ha... It”s... an important decision...”
His reluctance is palpable.
“I... I understand your concern. But I think this could be a special moment and take the pressure off us to hide our relationship from everyone.”
I look into his eyes.
“Besides, Coach Franklyn already knows, and he”s the one you were worried about,” I conclude.
He sighs and strokes his growing beard.
“Yes. It”s just... there are so many things I have to think about. My career, how the public will react....”
I put my hand on his.
“I”m not asking you to give me an answer right away. Just think it over calmly.”
A smile passes over his face, and he shakes my hand.
“You”re the best, Em.”
I wrap my arms around him, and rest my head in the hollow of his neck.
Suddenly, I feel him take a breath.
“Let”s go to the gala together,” he says in a deep voice. “If you”re ready, I”m ready.”
***
It”s finally the weekend, and I”m relieved to have a break from work. It”s time to get ready for the gala, and I”ve been looking forward to it for days.
Maddie and Cassy are also going and we agreed to go last-minute shopping, as they were unsure of their outfits, and I haven”t had time to buy one yet. So far, every day has been packed to the brim.
As we rummage through the racks, I”m overwhelmed by the multitude of options. Sparkling evening gowns and elegant gala dresses hang everywhere and seem to compete with each other.
We spend hours trying on different clothes, chatting and exchanging opinions.
Cassy observes me as I look at a particularly showy dress.
“Emily, this is the one for you!”
I laugh and shake my head.
“I think it might be a little too sexy for my taste.”
Maddie approaches me and looks at the dress critically.
“You”re right, maybe it is a little too... hot.”
She winks at me and wiggles her eyebrows knowingly.
She”s right. The dress is daring, but it would make me look my best. And the gala is the best opportunity to think outside the box!
Back in our student room, I sit on my bed and brood.
So far, my research into Liam and Chase hasn”t turned up anything that would satisfy David. Even interviews with team members haven”t turned up much. Nobody has anything negative to say about them. But damn it! I”ve got to find a solution if I don”t want to get fucked over by the other moron. Of course, I could explain my position to the New York Post if they found out, but they”d think I was a pain in the ass and, after my internship, they”d drop me from their list of open positions altogether. I”m well aware of how the business works, and when you”re seen as being too demanding, they prefer not to follow through.
I shake my head.
I shouldn”t worry about that now, because tonight we”re dancing. And with Liam! Probably under the curious eyes of the whole university too! David”s the one who”s going to feel his jaw drop...
I don”t know if I”m right to do it, but maybe it”ll also help me get out of this mess. Maybe he”ll decide I shouldn”t pursue my research if he knows I”m likely to tell Liam?
Cassy snaps me out of my thoughts by nagging me to get ready. Maddie then joins us and we help each other finalize our outfits.
When I look in the mirror, I have to admit I”m pretty proud of my look. A floor-length red dress molds my body perfectly, with a side slit that highlights my legs. I wear it with red lipstick and a high braid with a red silk ribbon.
A little more bust and I could have looked like Jessica Rabbit1 !
Cassy and Maddie are gorgeous. In her short sequined dress, Cassy is as cheerful and radiant as ever. As for Maddie, she opted for a classic look: a short black dress, high heels and loose hair.
I look at them, proud and happy to have such good friends with me. This evening can only be exceptional!
A moment later, they”re picked up by their respective dates, while I”m still waiting for Liam.
I look nervously at my watch and head for the bathroom for the fourth time to check my eyeliner. He”s late... and I”m beginning to wonder if he”s changed his mind.
In the end, maybe it wasn”t such a good idea to suggest that we make our relationship public. Maybe he”s...
A knock on the door jolts me out of my dark thoughts.
Relieved and excited at the same time, I rush to the door. Liam is there, in a breathtaking suit. His eyes sparkle and his brown curls fall seductively over his face. He whistles with approval when he sees me and blows me a kiss on the cheek so as not to ruin my lipstick.
“You”re stunning, Em!”
“You too!”
Right away, all I want to do is take off his clothes and find out what”s underneath. But I decide to be reasonable and keep the urges in check. However, as I approach him to leave the room, he holds my hand and presses me against the door.
Slowly, I feel his warm hand move up the slit of my dress to nestle between my boiling thighs.
“Not so fast,” he murmurs against my mouth, still careful not to smudge my make-up.
I feel my body catch fire, and soon one of his fingers slips past the edge of my lingerie to titillate me.
I groan, arching against him to encourage him.
“You”re hot, Em...”
And with his other hand, he guides me to the bulge in his pants, turning me on.
His index finger makes circles on my pleasure-swollen intimacy, and I start to pant. Slowly, he inserts himself inside me, as if testing my desire.
“You”re so wet...”
His husky voice transports me, and I beg him to continue.
Unable to take it any longer, he penetrates me with a second finger and sends me soaring into the clouds. I come hard against the door, unable to hold back a scream.
Satisfied, he withdraws, licks his fingers greedily, his gaze incandescent with lust, and suddenly turns me around.
I can hear him undoing his pants, grabbing a condom, as he lifts my dress over my butt and pulls down my panties. With my hands flat against the wood, I push my hips towards him, impatient. Soon, I feel his hot dick at the entrance to my intimacy. He rubs himself against me, lubricating himself with my pleasure before penetrating me with force. There, he takes me without warning, giving his all. After only a few minutes, our excitement is so obvious, we climax at the same moment.
“Fuck... you got me too excited...” he almost apologizes. “But I didn”t want to risk ruining your beauty routine!”
We laugh and adjust our clothes, our cheeks flushed with shared pleasure.
Finally, we set off, more united than ever after this exquisite moment of sex.
With every step we take towards the gala, I get a little more nervous. I wonder how everyone will react when they find out we”re here. And together.
“Are you ready?” Liam asks before we enter the room, stroking my back.
I nod nervously and we push open the heavy doors.
1 Jessica Rabbit is a fictional character created for the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).