Chapter 24

The spring semester was coming to a close and Beau knew Victoria's last moments on the campus were getting nearer. Despite knowing where she lived, he knew his relationship with her, even as mere acquaintances now, would be over if he didn't act soon. He'd spent the past weeks debating with himself who was right: his principles or his heart. He was still blown away at what she had done to save his reputation. It made her stand out even more in his heart as an angel.

He listened to Victoria's speech verbatim about how her courage was all that she had to get her by, and Reed's lecture about how maybe, he should just get over himself and stop creating useless obstacles in the route of his happiness.

But Beau didn't know how to let go of the only identity he ever knew. He had no regular friendships outside of the university social hierarchy. He knew he'd be barred from hobnobbing at social functions for being with a stripper. The notion of disdain from his peers bothered him more than the idea of Victoria being on stage, being watched as she removed her clothes for total strangers.

He'd witnessed Victoria walking around the campus regularly, never missing her sight. He admired how she still walked with her head high despite all that occurred. Unfortunately, he'd also had to notice Adam Walcott's unpleasant presence as he crept along the campus. Walcott made it a point to avoid Beau and Victoria. Even Reed had noticed that Walcott was no longer being so terribly obnoxious when they went out. Beau had more decorum than Adam, and decided to keep what had transpired to himself. For that, Adam made sure he'd never speak ill of Beau again.

Back to square one, Beau was once again working on his dissertation. He was nearly finished with it, having pushed it aside for a long while when his mind was distracted. Now that there were no more relationships to cultivate, no one to impress, no one to pretend with, he had all the time in the world.

He thought back to the first day he'd met Victoria. It was the first day of English 4401, and just the sight of her made him forget all about his educational endeavors. He'd also thought back to the first prompt he'd assigned the class.

"For your first assignment, I'd like for you all to take a piece of literature you are familiar with, and discuss how one character influences other characters to change in a true, meaningful way."

But what if it wasn't literature, what if it was real life?

While Beau pondered this lesson, he found a message from the university email system. Assuming it was a mass email per usual, Beau skimmed it with disregard until he realized it was indeed a personal message to him. The dean wanted to see him. Beau gulped silently, but didn't hesitate to get whatever this was over with. He peered outside and noticed it was raining rather harshly to boot. Not that it wasn't expected in the pacific northwest, it still wasn't anyone's cup of tea to walk outside during it.

#

"Professor Edison, it's with great pleasure that I summoned you to my office today. I apologize for the long walk across campus in the rain."

"It's no bother," Beau lied, shaking himself like a dog to rid himself of the droplets covering all over his trench coat. He took it off and placed it on the hooks before having a seat at the Dean's high end guest chair. Beau feared something had happened and that he was aware of what had transpired earlier in the semester.

"It's almost time for the graduation ceremony, and I thought that perhaps I'd bestow to you the great honour of giving a speech beforehand."

"Me?" Beau was speechless.

"Yes, you," the Dean laughed.

"Oh…" Beau paused a moment, quickly realizing he wasn't in any sort of trouble at all, and that he was probably being rewarded. He needed to take the moment and run. "Yes, of course!"

"Excellent. There area few masters candidates graduating with high honours in english, therefore I thought you'd be a good choice to deliver the memo that will thrust them into their future.

"Absolutely, thank you very much for thinking of me, let alone giving me the opportunity."

"I hope I haven't burdened your schedule too terribly, as I am aware that you are currently working on your dissertation. It's just that when I posed the question, Adam Walcott suggested you would make a fine candidate for the speech and that you deserved it."

"He did?" Beau was taken aback. Since when did Adam play nice?

"Yes, he spoke quite highly of you. I know a few of your colleagues do find him to be pompous, but he seems to have been turning the other cheek lately. You should have seen him, he was even volunteering in the admissions office."

"That's amazing, truly." Beau gave the utmost truth. He half didn't believe it. Maybe the dean was drunk? Maybe he mistook Adam for someone else with a big nose?

"Well, I suppose you should get back to your office. You have lots of work to do Professor Edison!"

"Yes, yes I do," Beau laughed at he stood up and began retrieving his trench coat. There was more glee in his step than he'd ever felt.

On Beau's jaunt back across the campus to the English department, he kept replaying what the dean had said. It wasn't some strange twist of fate that he'd be delivering Victoria's farewell speech. It was Adam Walcott's doings! Perhaps it was time for him to turn a new leaf. After all, if Adam had it in him to change, anyone could.