I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs.

“I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true,” I said.

“She doesn’t care about the truth,” Derek said.

“She cares about the appearance.”

He walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder.

His touch was warm and steady.

“I’m going to go find my friends,” he said.

“But I wanted to tell you this first.”

“Thank you, Derek,” I said, my voice cracking slightly.

“I’ll see you later,” he said.

He turned and walked back down the corridor, his black gown billowing slightly behind him.

The heavy door clicked shut behind him.

I was alone again with the smell of old paint and dust.

Priya stepped back into the room from a side door.

She looked at her tablet, her face pale.

“Dr. Mitchell,” she said.

“Your mother just called my phone.”

“She wants you in the faculty reception room immediately.”

“Is she still there?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“Yes,” Priya said.

“The dean is there too, but she said she wants to speak to you privately first.”