Read Underneath It All for Free Online Page A

“Now let’s discuss what you came here for.”
    A thick fog of tension filled the room. I swallowed the hard lump growing in my throat, I felt my cheeks burn up a few more degrees.
    Mr. President didn’t even bother to sit down. He walked around Reeve’s office looking at each painting hanging on the wall.
    “I’ve been receiving complaints from students, parents, and some faculty members on the way you run your department,” President Gates started as he walked and touched everything.
    “Those who believe University faculty have not acted according to outlined policies are encouraged to make efforts to resolve conflicts formally, such as writing a letter to seek resolution of their concerns, and I haven’t received any such letters,” Reeve said, his gaze following his father’s moves.
    “How can they resolve such issues formally if the cases were deemed indisputable in the first place?”
    “Then the grievance and complaint procedures may be initiated.”
    “Or you can simply open your mind and heart to your staff and be a little considerate to your students and their parents under your jurisdiction!” The president’s voice grew louder, startling me, my upper body jolting at the sound and causing me to lose my grip on the papers I was holding. I immediately picked up the papers and sat frozen in my seat.
    At that moment, Reeve stood up from his chair with the same intense look as his father.
    “Are you questioning my judgment?”
    “I’m not questioning your judgment, Reeve,” his father snarled softly. “Though, perhaps I should be. If that’s all the care you can muster, don’t be surprised if your staff and the entire student body turn against you.”
    “Don’t try to lecture me about caring, of all things! Fifteen god-damn years, Mr. President! What were you doing all that time? Caring?” Reeve hissed. “Do not dare to question my effectiveness,” he added. If looks could kill, President Gates would probably be dead by now.
    Mr. President didn’t respond to that one; he just left.
    Reeve was left standing still. He remained that way for a couple of minutes, lost in his thoughts.
    I cleared my throat as a way to bring back his senses. “Uhm, I think I should go.”
    He turned to look at me and sat back on his chair. “Go ahead.”
    For a moment, I looked at him, but he didn’t seem to notice my desperate gaze. Just the lifeless stare of vacant eyes.
    His treatment felt cold and distant, unlike the heat I felt a while ago that seemed to burn everything on the inside.
    “Uhm, you want to talk about it?” I was surprised I voiced that out.
    He looked at me under his fringe, “Just go.”
    That’s just it? He was hot then he was cold. He was sweet then was a complete ass.
    Shaking my head, I had to remind myself this guy was a jerk, a very delicious looking jerk, but a jerk all the same.
    I walked out of his office making a mental note not to let any of my friends know of this eventful morning. I knew I would be having thoughts of Reeve on my mind for the rest of the day and I knew I would be lying to myself if I said they would all be bad.
     
    ***
     
    My friends were insistent on making me go to a house party a fraternity was throwing that night, but I needed rest, not excitement.
    “I know you’re faking, Gats. Let’s get a move on! We want to be appropriately late, not obnoxiously late,” Tats said as she pulled the blankets off my head.
    “Tats, I’m not feeling well. I just wanna sleep. I don’t feel like going to a party tonight.”
    “That’s the point of going out tonight! You need to get that sick vibe out of your system!” Apple said.
    “Let’s drink while you’re sick and tomorrow you’ll be fine. Booze is made of alcohol. Alcohol is a disinfectant. Booze travels through the blood. Diseases are in your blood which is making you sick. Therefore, booze will disinfect your blood and get you better. Party down, man!” Raven preached.
    “I’m not a doctor yet,