Which might be forever.
Chapter 7
Ivy
The interaction gets worseafter our library meeting.
It's subtle at first. Small things that could be coincidence if I didn't know better.
Monday, he's in the campus coffee shop when I arrive for my morning order. "Funny seeing you here," he says, even though I come here every single morning. He orders the same drink I always get, my usual then takes it for himself. "Oh, was this yours? My mistake."
The barista makes me another one while Ethan smirks over his stolen coffee.
Tuesday, in Business Strategy, Professor Hendricks calls on me to answer a complex question about competitive advantage. I'm mid-response when Ethan interrupts.
"Actually, Professor, I think Ivy's missing a key element. Porter's framework requires analysis of all five forces, not just competitive rivalry." He proceeds to elaborate on my answer, making it sound like I was about to give an incomplete response.
I wasn't, but now the whole class thinks I need Ethan Zhang to rescue my analysis.
Wednesday, he shows up at the library thirty minutes before our scheduled meeting. Takes my usual seat. When I arrive, he looks up with mock surprise.
"Oh, were you planning to sit here? I didn't realize you had a monopoly on this spot."
"You know I always sit here."
"Do I? I must have forgotten." His smile is razor-sharp. "But I'm already settled in. You don't mind taking that chair, do you?"
He gestures to the seat with the broken wheel. The one everyone avoids. I take it anyway. Won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me react.
Thursday, he corners me after class.
"We need to discuss the October trip. For our project."
"What trip?"
"The overnight research trip. To NovaShop headquarters. It's required." He pulls out his phone, shows me the email. "Hotels are already booked. We leave on the fifteenth."
My stomach drops. "Overnight?"
"Two nights, actually. Company visit on day two, presentation prep on day three. Didn't you read the project guidelines?"
I did read them. Somehow missed this detail.
"I'll find a way out of it."
"Can't. Professor Hendricks already confirmed attendance. If we don't go, we fail the project."
"Then I'll request a different partner?—"
"Based on what grounds? That you can't handle being professional for two nights?" His voice drops. "Everyone will want to know why. Should I tell them? About winter formal? About how you threw yourself at me and I had to publicly reject you?"
The lie is so audacious I almost gasp.
"That's not what happened?—"
"Isn't it? I'm sure people would be very interested in hearing both sides of the story." He leans closer. "So here's what's going to happen. You're going on this trip. You're going to be civil and you're going to keep our history to yourself. Unless you want the entire business college to know how desperate you used to be for my attention."
He walks away before I can respond, leaving me shaking with rage in the hallway.