*Y/N's P. O. V.*

I must say, I'm disappointed at myself. I didn't think I could do something like that - get myself so drunk that I don't even remember a thing from last night.

I hate that I made Meagan worry, I hate that I've turn into someone so reckless and I hate that, if true, he saw me on that state.

"Meagan, I love you and I appreciate you so much and I'm sorry for what I did last night, but please stop joking around," I said, practically pleading her to just dismiss that idea. She looked at me with a mix of emotions - a little frustration, but a lot of apologetic gaze.

"I was so worried, Y/N. I've been searching for hours but you're nowhere to be found. You're not picking up and all our mutuals has no clue where you went. He's the last person I could see that could know where you are. Maybe you made up or something, but I was wrong. But I'm being honest, Y/N, Mr. Stump's the one who found and brought you here. He had to stay a little longer too because I was still an hour away," she explained.

"Oh, I'm so ashamed," I murmured as I buried my face on my palms.

I didn't want to look that broken and weak. I didn't want him to see that part of me and worse comes to worse, he saw me on my worst night. He's probably pitying me now, in a negative way for sure.

A student, pleading for her professor's affection.

What has my life turned into?

"I'll just...I'll just apologize for my actions," I said, accepting defeat.

"I'm really sorry, Y/N. But I'm really glad he found you, we can't tell what could have happened to you if he hasn't," Meagan stated.

I continued with my usual routine before going to the campus even with this bothering headache and hangover. I'm actually impressed that I still managed to be up this early and be going to school. I went on with my routine, but suddenly finding myself fixed on my shirt - it smells so familiar.

Patrick's perfume.

The scent hit me like a brick and I hate the fact that I'm so fixated on it now, "Goddammit, prof," I muttered under my breath. I guess I'll never really get over it this easily.

~~~Short Time Skip~~~

The moment I arrived at our part of the campus, I immediately felt tension.

For some reason almost all students are looking at my way as I walk. My anxiety began to kick in - is it something about my looks? My clothes? Can they tell I'm so hungover? What's happening?

"Y/N! You cheeky sneaky girl. Didn't know you had a thing for older guys," one of my classmates from one subject said to me the moment I walk acrossed her.

And I swear, I think I lost all the blood on my face.

"What are you talking about?" I really tried to play it cool. I'm even chuckling with her.

"Oh shush. How did you do it? And out of all of them, you got him - Professor Stump, you go girl," she teased with a wink.

"You're insane, I have no clue what you're ----

"Yeah right. It'll be our secret," she winked before walking away.

Suddenly, I wanted to run away. Is it because of that? But how...how did they know?

I continued to walk, a lot quicker this time and as quick as my feet, a lot of questions rapidly pop inside my head too.

"Ms.Y/L/N? Please come to the office with me," I almost jumped when I heard our dean's voice. I just realized that he was already walking next to me.

"O-of course," I said.

My heart is pumping like I've been running in a marathon. Is this it? Is our secret out...but why would he? No. Patrick could never.

"I'm pretty sure you know what's going on, Ms. Y/L/N and I must say, I'm shocked too...but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. You're one, if not the top, of the best student within your music course. You've always shown good talent, conduct, and attitude. That's why this sudden rumor shocked me. Just tell me right here, right now. Is this photo true?" he suddenly handed me a folder.

I'm trying my hardest not to look so distressed and stop myself from shaking from this nervousness. I took the folder and opened it, seeing several pictures of me and Patrick being a little too close to each other. It's nothing vulgar, but it's enough to raise a lot of questions, there are also some here that shows us holding hands.

And I know that all these pictures are taken by Patrick.

"Y/N, you're a remarkable student and even if something really did happen. I'll try my best to get you out of this mess...but is this true?" he asked. Our dean has been a really big help and he also has a big-heart. I know he's genuine to what he's saying...but I can't. I can't say it. I'll lose all - my scholarship, my chance to get to my dream graduate school, and I'll also ruin Patrick's name.

"M-Mr. Stump and I have been so close ever since the beginning. The moment I got into this campus, he was there and I admit that we became too comfortable with each other. But that's it. We respect each other a student to a professor and vice versa. Yes, there are these times when we play around, but it means nothing more," I explained.

He gave me a small smile and I felt that he was relieved with my answer, "I'll see what I can do to control the situation, Y/N. But you have to look after your actions. Your application for that graduate school is still in process. I trust you, but don't do anything reckless. Alright?" he said and I nodded. I'm so lucky that he's so understanding.

Our dean dismissed me after that and I finally got out of the office. I gave it my all to stay normal as possible - not show any sign of panic or distress. Thankfully, I'm somewhat good at pretending. I just cared less about other people's looks and focused on myself.

I need to keep myself together and just confront him. I know what I did last night was stupid, was so desperate. I think Patrick's just sending me a message to leave him alone and just forget him. And even of it's hard, for both our sake...I'll just completely let go.

*Patrick's P. O. V. *

"What did you do?!" I have never risen my voice this loud to anyone for a long time, but after what Elaine did...it's guaranteed that I'd be like this.

"We have a deal, Patrick and don't worry, it's not the full story. Just a warning about your little trip last night," she said.

"For fuck's sake! The girl needed help! She's still my student, she's still my responsibility, and I still love her, of course I'd do everything just to be sure she reach home safe and sound! I never did anything, we never did anything. I just found her and ---

"Doesn't matter, Trick. Pictures have already leaked. Maybe next time you'll think before acting. I told you to cut all ties. Come on, Stump! You've done so well for months, hold back for a few more...she'll be gone by then and you'll be able to move on," she stated so casually while I'm here, almost exploding in anger.

She sent out some of my pictures with Y/N during our dates out of the city. Fortunately, the pictures she sent isn't really something that would outright tell that Y/N and I have something, it's just enough to spark a conversation.

Now, I'm just worried how this could affect both me and Y/N. I really hope shit doesn't go down so fast.

~~~Short Time Skip~~~

Yep, there are definitely those kinds of conversations now and the moment I got into our building, I was called by the dean immediately.

"There's nothing going on between us. Yes, I admit that we've been a little too playful, but I decided to correct that. This has been the reason why I asked for her to be assigned to Ms. Elaine instead," I lied confidently.

"I trust you, Mr. Stump and I trust Ms. Y/L/N too. Don't worry, we'll be able to handle these rumors, just as long as you both are telling the truth. Also, who has these pictures?" he asked.

"I did. I've always kept it with me as I know it will start this kind of situation, but I lost my phone and that was it," I explained.

"Well, that explains it. Just continue as normal, Patrick. Nothing should change and I'm sure this will fade out in no time ---

"Did Y/N receive any sanction?" I cut him off.

"No. The pictures are too weak to prove a point and you two have stated the same thing. Well just have to take some extra precaution, most especially her because of her on going application and scholarship," he explained.

"Understood." I said.

We discussed the situation a little more, coming up with solutions to the issue at hand. I'm so thankful that he's so understansing and I kinda feel a little bad that I'm somehow lying.

But does lying really help? Most especially lying to her?

Yes it's so stupid of me to question this thinking now considering the fact that I've done a lot of stupid things already. But this situation made me realize that it may be better if she knows. Maybe we could work out something, maybe it's worth the risks. Beside, this kind of thing happened already.

Maybe I could compromise. Maybe if she knows everything - together we could work things out better.

~~~Short Time Skip~~~

I'm going to tell her.

I had enough of this and I'm going to tell her tonight.

I'm just waiting for the school hours to end, get her someplace where there can only be the two of us, apoligize for being stupid then tell her everything.

I just can't do this anymore.

"I'm sorry," out of the silence of the music room that I'm currently in, a voice echoed which made me jump, "I'm sorry for being a disappointed, I'm sorry for being like that last night. I'm sorry if I came off as desperate, prof. I'm really trying my best to keep all emotions in," Y/N said. She was meters away from me, but I could already clearly see her eyes glittering from...tears.

"Y/N," I waa so caught off guard that that's the only thing I was able to say.

"But please, please. I already got your message, what you're implying by doing this. I'll stop, I'll never do anything that could cross our paths again. I'll forget it all, I'll leave everything behind and pretend nothing happened...just please don't do this. Just let me graduate and get into that school, I'll definitely go out of your way after this. I won't ever bother you again. I'm begging you, just don't."

She's trying to be so firm, but her voice is shaking a lot and tears flowed from her eyes but she's always quick enough to wipe them away. Her voice has a mixture of anger, fear, pain...everything that I don't want her to feel.

"I...." Suddenly, my confidence in telling her vanished just like that. Telling her would account to a huge risk and here she is, begging me not to risk it.

"Please, that's the last thing I'll ask from you, prof. The moment I walk out of this room, I'll forget everything. Just...

"I heard you. You can go now," I said with my cold voice again. I saw her bit her lip and hold back a whimper. She gave me a sad smile that broke my already messed up soul.

"Thank you...for everything," she muttered before leaving. Somehow I'm glad that she did because I'm on the brink of crying too. All these emotions and frustrations being bottled up is too much.

I really shouldn't have done that...but I can not ignore her wishes.

///
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