Facts were facts. Liz wasn’t on the paper anymore. Massey was taking over her position. That was going to cause strain no matter what they said or did.
Liz had known that her relationship with Brady would affect her career, since it did call into question her objectivity. She just hadn’t thought all of that would happen so quickly, or that it would mess up her friendships.
With a sigh, she pulled out her MacBook to take notes.
She felt stares all throughout class. That she had been prepared for, so she just tried to ignore them. People had the paper out on their desks, and some were giggling or whispering among themselves. That was fine. They could say whatever they wanted. It didn’t matter.
When class ended, Liz took her time putting her things back into her bag. She was a little behind, since she’d missed part of last week. She wanted to check with the professor about makeup assignments, but she didn’t want to do it with anyone else around.
“Hello, Professor,” Liz said amicably. “I just wanted to ask you when I could come by to make up missed assignments while I was out last week.”
“Do you have a doctor’s note?” the professor asked, staring down at the legal pad in his hand.
“Oh . . . no, sir. I didn’t end up going to the doctor, but I wasn’t feeling well.”
“Are you sure you weren’t out with your boyfriend?”
“Excuse me?” Liz asked. She couldn’t believe the professor had the audacity to say that to her.
“Just seems convenient is all, Miss Dougherty. I’ll need a doctor’s note or the assignment can’t be made up,” he said indifferently.
“Beg your pardon. This is the second class I’ve had of yours, and I’ve never missed before. I’m not sure how you could consider it convenient.” Liz was struggling for control. She had been out sick last week because after she had told Hayden about Brady he had made her feel guilty about the whole thing and then forced her to have sex with him. She had been nauseated, depressed, and unable to function. A doctor wouldn’t have done shit for her!
“I understand that, but that is my policy. It’s written in the syllabus.”
“You didn’t say it was a problem when I emailed you last week,” Liz cried in frustration.
“After reviewing the syllabus, you’ll see that a doctor’s note is required. I wasn’t aware last week when you emailed me that you wouldn’t have one when you returned. I’m sorry, Miss Dougherty. That is my policy. Is there anything else?” he said dismissively.
Liz’s jaw slackened. Since when was she an untrustworthy student? She had always made it a point to get to the professors, go to their office hours, and overall show that she worked very hard for her grades. This just seemed . . . out of the realm of possibility.
“No, thank you,” she finally answered. Polite to a fault.
She walked out of the classroom feeling heavier than she had before entering. She couldn’t even fathom the effect zeros would have on her grade for this class. She had kept her 4.0 GPA for four years straight; she couldn’t lose it her last semester!
Liz had a lunch break between editing and the advanced political journalism class with Dr. Mires. She walked out of the journalism building and started toward the Pit to eat before thinking better of it. Maybe being at the heart of campus surrounded by people reading about her wasn’t in her best interest.
She turned around and started walking toward Franklin Street to pick something quick up when she was stopped suddenly by a flash. She staggered back a step.
“Miss Dougherty, do you have a minute to speak with me?” a woman asked.
“Sorry. I’m in a hurry,” Liz said, trying to scurry past her.
“I’m Cynthia Redd with Raleigh News. I’d just like a minute of your time.”
Liz shook her head. It was her instinct to want to talk to the reporter, find out more about her, find out what the article was on, but she knew what this was about. This woman wanted information about Brady. Liz couldn’t provide that. “No comment,” Liz said.
Another flash followed and Liz noticed that Cynthia wasn’t alone. There were three other reporters waiting for her. “Miss Dougherty, Carl North with the Herald-Sun,” one said, talking about the Durham newspaper. “We’d love to talk to you about your affair with Congressman Maxwell.”
Liz didn’t stick around to see who else was there. She just shook her head and repeated herself. “No comment. I have no comment about anything.”
Then she turned and fled. The worst part was that she could hear the reporters following her. They probably thought that by tagging behind they could corner her and get her to speak. It gave Liz an entirely different perspective on the career that she loved so much.
Her name was called behind her and her stomach twisted. How could this be happening? She was in a relationship with a politician. That didn’t mean she needed to be tracked down at school!
Since it was the end of a class change, there were still enough people milling around that Liz could veer through them to try to evade her tail, but it also had the problem of making her look entirely ridiculous. If people didn’t already know who they were, having a swarm of press show up on campus and follow her around wasn’t helping anything. Without a second thought, she darted into the nearest building, wove around the bottom floor until she found a women’s restroom, and then closed and locked the stall door.
Her breath was coming out ragged and her hands were shaking. Holy shit! Her world had officially flipped on its head. Since when was she the person running away from reporters?
Liz fumbled in her purse for her cell phone and dialed Brady’s number without thinking. He answered on the third ring.
“Hey, baby,” he said pleasantly. “Do you think I could call you back? I’m on the line with D.C.”
“Reporters,” she gasped out. “Reporters on campus. Everywhere.”
“What?” he growled, his voice fierce.
She ran a trembling hand back through her hair and took a shuddering breath. “I had reporters waiting for me after my first class. Raleigh News, Herald-Sun, and at least two or three other papers that I didn’t get the names of.”
“Shit! I’ll get Heather on it now. She should have already handled this.” Liz was sure Heather was not going to like being on the end of Brady’s anger. “Where are you now? Did you say anything to them?”