I chew my lip as I think about her question. Do I bring up Anna and Philomena? I shake my head. “I got along very well with the other students. I’ve made some new friends.”
“Good to hear. What about the faculty who joined you?”
“Oh, they’re great. Dr. Weaver is so smart! And Dr. Keller is incredibly selfless. I can’t believe how much he’s done for the school. We thought of even more things to do to grow CAP while we were all there, and Dr. Keller is already looking into putting them into action as soon as next fall!”
“I’m glad to hear that. Mr. Skeeter, have you ever felt preyed upon?”
Prey? Does that mean there are wild animals on campus? Have they been spotted around Bluff? “No?”
“Have you ever felt pressured into participating in something and it made you uncomfortable?”
I stare at her, wondering what that question even means. “No?”
“Do you feel you were put into situations where you could have been the victim of any kind of sexual misconduct?”
My eyes shoot wide. “No!”
A commotion outside the door makes us both look at it. I recognize the voice immediately as Coach Lemon. Oh god, I really am in trouble.
There’s a knock on the door, and the woman, Marny, looks thoroughly harassed when she opens it. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but Coach Lemon Frost is here, and he insists that you’re badgering Mr. Skeeter.”
“Please step aside,” Coach says, voice clipped.
“Coach,” Dr. Boden says as she gets to her feet. “This is highly?—”
“Yes, yes. I understand. You’re going to fire me.” He breezes past Marny and steps inside. “However, as HR, you should also know that putting someone under examination who doesn’t understand what you’re asking them is cornering them into making false statements, Mrs. Boden.”
“I would never?—”
“Brevan is a really smart kid, but he doesn’t read people or conversations well, so I promise you, you’re doing more harm right now than good.” Coach looks at me. “Do you know what this is about, Brevan?” he asks.
I shake my head. “She asked if I was preyed upon,” I murmur.
Coach sighs. He gives Dr. Boden a hard look. “Have your nice lady close the door.”
The friendly, nice smile that Dr. Boden wore just minutes before is completely gone. She gives Marny a nod.
As soon as the door clicks, Coach looks at me. “She’s asking if you’ve been sexually assaulted by any members of the staff,” he says.
“Oh god.” I look at Dr. Boden. “No. Never.”
“Have you ever been pressured to be sexual with anyone? Anyone at all, but specifically, members of the faculty. Such as Dr. Keller?”
My breath stops entirely. I stare at Coach. He knows. They all know. “No,” I whisper. “He’s never pressured me at all. For anything. I swear.”
Coach pats my hand, and then gently pulls me back into the chair. I’m not sure when I got to my feet. He looks at Dr. Boden. “Ask your questions, but you need to make them specific. You’re freaking him out far more than you’re putting him at ease. Your HR-ese is only appropriate for those who understand what you’re on about, Dr. Boden. I’ve told you this before. Confusing the students with questions and words they don’t come across in a regular setting is more harmful than asking them outright. If you looked into the students you called in here more than what you can find on their transcripts, you would know that.”
There’s a moment where I swear I can feel fire rise between them. Silence spreads. No one moves. I may pass out.
I wince when Dr. Boden looks at me again. “Mr. Skeeter, we have been made aware that you’re currently in a relationship with Dr. Kendrick Keller.”
The floor practically drops out from under me. I grip the arm of my chair to keep from falling into the abyss.
“I’d like to speak to you about that situation.”
“And I’ll be her translator,” Coach says. “Take a breath, Brevan. You’re not in trouble.”
“Not at all,” Dr. Boden says.
