Author's note: I have a new editor - me. Any mistakes that were made was because I knew what I was trying to say so my mind added the missing words or fixed the poor grammer when I reread it. Any complaints or any feedback saying I need an editor should actually try to find an editor before critiquing me first. Happy Reading!
As always:
Thanks to my story consultant Moralez18PT. Your honest feedback was truly invaluable.
Chapter 14: College
Emma, Lucy, and I reached the red brick walkway and paused. Each of us took one more step with hushed breath and then smiled as we all knew it but Lucy was the one to speak, "We are officially in college now!" The two girls let out squeals of excitement and I shook my head and let out a shocking sigh of relief. I was happy my old domineering life was over and was actually looking forward to becoming a normal, awkward freshman trying to find his way around the immense campus of State University. The girls didn't even wear there engraved charms anymore, nor did Lucy call me Boss. We walked arm in arm in arm, my wife on my left and my best friend, her maid of honor on my right as we strolled to the large buildings in front of us.
Unfortunately, we didn't have any classes together. I was going to major in Business Finance and Marketing. My father was promoted to President of the Research and Development Company he works for, Ingenious Ingenuities. He assured me a position in senior management with the completion of my degree. Emma decided to major in Computer Analysis. Accomplishing what she did in High School convinced her, and she spent all her free time this past summer becoming more astute in her prowess. So much so, she told me she was lucky when she hacked Hilldale High's database. Lucy was determined to go into a field of Government. Running the Student Council, not to mention all my schemes, she had proven herself more than able to handle the workload and I would not count against her becoming President someday.
It was a fun first year and that continued for the first couple of weeks into our sophomore campaign. We all carpooled together, Emma and I usually picking up Lucy and driving the twenty minutes. We attended school, ate lunch together in between classes, and then headed home. I did have to wait around an hour before they got out of their respective last classes, but hanging out together was fun. It was the High School experience we never had. Being with friends, talking, laughing, and not getting bullied for random crap. All three of us felt it. And it was the best time of our lives.
I wished that was my life in High School. With it being over a year ago, I had started to feel guilty over my transgressions. Who was I to do all those indiscretions? Couldn't I have done things differently? I knew I couldn't sit by and do nothing but... I don't know. Hilary, Rachel, Lindsey, and countless other lives had been altered because of my actions. Was it immaturity that caused me to dominate in the way I did? Looking back, I know I would do it again, but could I have done it differently? More amicably, maybe? It was Sydney Harris, however, that said, "Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."
I was walking outside, enjoying the fall air, waiting for Emma and Lucy to get out from classes. I only had ten minutes left but found myself going at a snail's pace to reach our normal meeting spot. My head was up and I inhaled deeply. The crisp breath was relaxing. With my backpack over my shoulder, I continued onto my destination. After a few more steps, okay, I'll admit it, they weren't steps, I had begun skipping, I heard some rustling coming from the trees lining the sidewalk further up and to my left. I stopped, paralyzed that some wild animal might come charging toward me. Granted, I knew at most it would be a squirrel or maybe a raccoon, but still, I was leery. I gingerly pressed on, not really wanting to be late for the girls. Suddenly I saw a female calf shoot out from the edge of the foliage. It was apparent that someone was going to get lucky as a male leg quickly appeared as well. I smiled, thinking I might have to have Lucy drive home while Emma and I handle 'Business Marketing' in the backseat. I have no problem marketing myself to my wife and she would be delighted to be my consumer. I snickered at my thought.
"No. Please. Leave me alone."
I stopped dead in my tracks. One out of every four women will be sexually assaulted in college. One out of eight will be raped. Whoever this girl was, she was already a part of that first statistic, I'll be damned if I let her be a part of the second. I made a whole lot of noise as I darted toward the scene.
"Hey, stop that! Let her go! AAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
As I got closer, I was halted by campus security. He was a big fucker too. "Thank goodness you're here." I pointed to what was transpiring just beyond his shoulder.
"What's your name, son?"
"Will Harrison." I answered, slightly winded. I went take a step and his big hand pushed against my chest. By now, I only heard the girl crying and mumbling her thanks to God. I didn't see any part of the guy. He must have fled through the trees. "What are we waiting for? He's getting away." I took another step and he didn't. But I did notice he was pulling out his baton.
My head hurt while my crying wife was cradling me. "What the fuck?" I went to try to sit up, but to no avail. Emma wouldn't allow it.
"Not yet, Will. Just relax." Her smile was as beautiful as ever. "Are you okay?"
I heard someone sigh, and realized Lucy was also there.
"Is the girl all right?" I asked as I reached up to feel the lump that was causing me so much agony only to sharply hiss at the touch. "Ah." I cringed.
Lucy looked over her shoulder. "I don't see anyone?" She turned back towards me, "Are you saying a girl did this to you?"
"No." I sat up and Emma clutched at me. "It was campus security. I'll be fine." I needed help to get up. I staggered two steps before I almost crashed down again. Emma grabbed me before I could. "At least I think I'll be."
I explained everything on the way home. They were both relieved I was fine and I believed I was able to prevent the rape of the poor girl, so I took solace that the migraine I was feeling wasn't for naught, but why was I attacked? By campus police of all people? It was a question that needed an answer.
The three of us arrived an hour early to school the next day. Our destination was the Dean. We walked into the administration building and navigated our way to his office.
"We would like to see Dean Wright please?" I spoke to the older secretary whose hair was already thinning and white. Her nameplate said Francine Knepper.
"Do you have an appointment?" Her voice was raspy, as if years of smoking had taken their toll.
"No Ma'am," I shook my head. "But it is urgent that I speak to him."
"Let's see when I can get you in," Francine flipped open a large appointment book, "Mr..."
"Harrison. Will Harrison."
Francine stopped what she was doing and gazed quizzically at me for a moment. She closed her book and pressed the intercom button. "Dean Wright, a student by the name of Will Harrison is here to see you."
A big sigh came through the speaker along with a muttered, "Damn." Dean Wright then coughed, "Send him in." I had to repress a laugh as the speaker made the Dean sound robotic.
I went to the door, Emma and Lucy right behind me.