“Alright class, before we start...” Murmurs, a smattering of chuckles. “Yeah, exactly. Let’s get this out of the way. Go on, laugh. I’ll wait.”
Some did, most remained silent.
“Good. It looks like everyone has seen the TikTok video. Not much to say about it—I just hope that you learned something yesterday. And sorry to disappoint, but today we go back to our regular scheduled programming.”
This was met by a chorus of boos, and Ivy couldn’t help but grin. Just a little.
“Now that we got that out of the way, today’s lesson is on Monte Carlo simulations. And before you ask, no, I won’t be talking about casinos or gambling. Monte Carlo simulation is used to predict outcomes from uncertain events.”
The lecture went well. The students were looser than usual. More engaged, even though Ivy stayed far from any taboo subject matter. She wrapped up the lesson, saved her digital scribblings as the students collected their phones from Tristan.
“Dr.Reeves?”
Ivy raised her head from the lectern.
“Rebecca, how can I help you?”
“I—”
“Dr.Reeves? I have to get to my own class.”
Ivy turned to Tristan.
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll meet you in my office later.” Ivy waited for Tristan to pack up his computer and leave before addressing Rebecca again. “You wanted—Rebecca? What’s wrong?” The woman was crying. “Rebecca?”
Ivy reached out and gently stroked the back of her arm.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffed, wiped her face. “It’s just... it’s Zeke.”
Ivy tensed, let her hand fall.
“What about him?”
“I know he’s—well, his dad is like this big shot. But it’s just—”
“Rebecca, what did he do?”
Ivy’s eyes narrowed as she pictured Zeke at the bar, yelling in her face.
Do you know who my father is?
“He said that if I told anyone, he’d get his dad to talk to the department. Get my scholarship revoked. I can’t—I can’t lose my scholarship.”
Rebecca’s gaze was locked on the floor. Tears streamed from her green eyes.
“That’s not going to happen. If he did something to you, you need to tell me.”
“But—”
“No, stop that.” The words came out a little more sternly than Ivy had intended. “You need to tell me what he did. I’ll go to bat for you with Dr.Moorehead. You’re a smart kid, a pleasure to have in class. Zeke is...” Ivy trailed off.
Rebecca wiped her face again. Now, she looked skyward. Exhaled loudly.
“I was leaving yesterday afternoon, and he came up to me. Got in my face. Y-yelled at me, said I told on him for cheating. B-but I didn’t say anything. I just want to do my work.”
Ivy nodded, waited for the fear-stricken girl to continue.
“Then he... hegrabbedme.”
