He crouched several feet away rather than grabbing her. Did you hit your head? No. Dizzy. She shook her head. My ankle just rolled.
Jordan nodded. "Can I help you sit on the bench?" She gave permission. He supported her carefully beneath one arm and helped her up. Across the hallway, Tyler, Chase, and Logan had stopped.
Tyler said something Jordan couldn't hear. Then came laughter. Jordan ignored it. He helped the custodian to the bench, gathered the bottles, and folded cloths from the floor, straightened the cart. You want campus health called my supervisor's coming.
You sure? She smiled despite the pain. You're very persistent. My mother says worse. That made her laugh.
Jordan placed the cart beside the bench. Don't put weight on that ankle until somebody checks it. Thank you. He picked up his backpack. Only then did he look across the hall.
Chase was watching him. There was no smile now. For a moment, Jordan wondered whether kindness bothered Chase because it made the joke harder to believe. Then Logan raised his phone. Jordan walked away.
Professor Hayes caught up with him outside. I saw what happened. Jordan glanced at her. With the custodian with all of it. They crossed toward the engineering annex.
Leaves scraped across the concrete in the wind. Professor Hayes lowered her voice. This is getting worse. I know. You need to file something.
Jordan looked ahead. And who reads it? I do if it comes through the department. And after you? She hesitated.
Jordan noticed. Exactly. Professor Hayes stopped walking. Jordan, he stopped too. She studied his face before continuing.
Crownbridge has procedures. That sounded painful to say. It was. Jordan almost smiled. Professor Hayes didn't.
There are families around this university with influence. Jordan looked toward West Haven, visible beyond the trees. The Witmores. Yes, he had expected it. Hearing it still landed differently.
Professor Hayes continued, "Richard Whitmore isn't just Chase's father. He's a major donor. His firm has represented Crownbridge on outside matters for years." Jordan absorbed that money, law, donor access. A son who behaved as though consequences were things that happened to other people.
Suddenly, Chase made more sense. So, that's why everybody stays quiet. Some people stay quiet because they're afraid of being wrong. Others because they know exactly who his father is. Jordan looked toward the campus buildings.
For the first time, the polished stone seemed less permanent, more like a wall built by people, and people chose who got through. Professor Hayes touched his arm lightly. Listen to me. Powerful families can make complaints disappear. Jordan's eyes returned to hers.