“I’m sorry, Professor, but I have to leave. It’s important.”
Gideon frowned. “Oh, okay. No problem.”
Jennifer was holding her phone as she gathered up her things and darted out the door.Strange.Gideon glanced at the clock on the back wall. Only fifteen more minutes.
He closed his computer and opened up the rest of the class for questions since his energy was sapped. He answered a few queries about their next recording project, and then when no other hands went up, he dismissed them early.
When the room was empty, he sat at his desk and pulled out his phone. No messages. It was the first time in days that Alli hadn’t texted, which meant their conversation last night had sunk in. At least there was that.
“Gideon, wait.”Alli crossed the distance between their cars in the parking lot. “I just need to know if there’s a chance.”
Gideon’s hand tightened on his door handle. “A chance for what?”
She gave him a look that said really? “A chance for this to work. You and me. Round two.”
Gideon chuckled. He liked Alli. She was fun and bubbly, just like she’d been in college. But based on the fact that the whole time they’d been walking through the maze he’d been wondering where Megs was, he knew there wasn’t anything more than friendship on the table for him.
“I’m glad we were all able to reconnect.”
Alli waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she asked, “But?”
“But I think friendship is the only thing I’m looking for right now.”
She’d taken it well,all things considering.
Gideon tapped on his messages and scrolled to Megs’ number. He should apologize. Say something so she knew it wasn’t her fault. But he shouldn’t text a student.
Though, a claim had already been filed, so what more harm could he do? He pulled up their text chain and started typing when a call came through.
“Hello?”
“Professor Adams?” a woman's voice asked.
“Yep, that’s me.”
“Hi, this is Lucy. I’m the Title Nine Coordinator here at Champlain.”
Gideon’s chest tightened. “What can I help you with?”
“Actually, I was just calling to let you know that your meeting tomorrow won’t be necessary. The student listed in the claim that was filed against you submitted information detailing how she was the responsible party. I just sent some information to your email regarding your rights and the process you would need to follow if you’d like to pursue this further.”
“As in file a claim against the student?”
“Right. Though, based on what the student already admitted to, I don’t believe it would be necessary. It wouldn’t result in any further disciplinary action, but it could be good to have a written record on file.”
“Disciplinary action?”
“Yes, the student in question has been dropped from all classes at Champlain. She’ll no longer be on your roster or allowed to register for classes. We didn’t feel her actions warranted any further investigation or local authority involvement, but again the information I sent via email details that process if you wished to press charges.”
Gideon nodded, working to take this all in.The student in question has been dropped from all classes at Champlain.He thought back to Jennifer leaving class early. Had she gone over to the admin building and admitted to harassment? Yes, she’d been flirty, and yes, she’d triedto get him alone on multiple occasions, succeeded twice, but she hadn’t done anything harmful. She’d never crossed a line.
“Do you have any other questions for me?” Lucy asked.
“No, thank you. I appreciate your help.”
“Of course, Professor Adams. Take a look at that information and I’m always available via email or at extension four twenty-one if you have any questions.”
“Thanks.”
