When I walked away from Julie, I had been disappointed. I had just been about to ask Julie to go out with me sometime. Sure. we went out all the time but as friends. What I was about to suggest was way different. But then one of my professors had called me over and we had been interrupted. Julie had assured me that it could wait, I doubted that but didn't argue, and I went over to do my duty as the proper young student.

I was supposed to go right back and meet her but I didn't. At first I just had to go to the bathroom but then I started thinking about the power of what I was about to do. If I did this then everything would change and I didn't know if I could handle that. When I first told her I was ready to but I hadn't really thought about that. Was I really ready to do this?

So I did what I do best: I ruined everything that had been going well. I knew there was a way for me to get Julie as far away from me as possible: hook up with someone else. So I chatted up this girl who had come with one of my classmates, she had brought a bunch of friends with her, and we eventually made it to the coat closet. Nothing serious happened but it definitely wasn't innocent.

The worst part was, as soon as I did it, I regretted it. I had feelings for Julie, I even thought I loved her, but I knew after this thing happened there was no chance of us getting together. We both knew that there was something between us but it just hadn't been said yet. There was no way I would be able to brush this off and pretend I was just flirting for fun. She was going to kill me. What had I done?

My best course of action was to explain everything to Julie. If I didn't tell her right away and do everything I could, she could be lost forever. I couldn't even imagine what would happen if she saw me with that girl.

"Have you seen Eli?"

"Eli? No, I haven't seen him in a while."

"Where the hell did he go? He was just gone for a second and now I can't find him."

"That's so weird."

"I'm going to check the other room."

"If I see him I'll tell him you're looking for him."

"Thank you."

"Wait, I think I see him over there."

"Where?"

"There. Coming out of the coat closet. Why was he in there?"

"I don't know... Eli!"

"That's so... Oh."

"..."

"I guess he decided to get to know some more people..."

"I, uh-"

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Guys are just stupid sometimes."

"I have to get out of here."

"Of course, of course. Go to the man who's answering the door and he'll help you get a cab."

"Thank you."

"It's no problem. It wouldn't be the first time he's had to help someone get out of here fast."

"I am so indebted to you, you have no idea. It's just-"

"Oh, my dear, there's no need to cry. Just take a deep breath and go home. Take a bath if you need to. I'll handle things here."

"You're right. I'm going. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"..."

"..."

"Excuse me, professor, have you seen Julie anywhere?"

"She just left."

"She left! Why?"

"She saw you leaving the coat closet just a few minutes ago. And let me tell you, Mr. Masters, even though many of my colleagues doubted your commitment to your studies, I was always waiting for you to prove yourself. And tonight when you brought that young woman here I thought you were finally going to. But you just showed me you are not capable. I thought you were better than this."

"Professor-"

"Do not say another word. Frankly, after seeing how upset your friend was I can't look at you anymore. Good night."

"Please, just let me-"

"Get your house in order before you go searching for my help again."

"What have I done?"

~~~

Please don't hate me.