Opened again. Chloe, let's keep the commentary focused on the material. That was it. No reprimand. No, that was out of line.
Just stay on topic. He turned back to the whiteboard like nothing happened. Olivia didn't flinch. She looked down at her notebook and wrote, "Not class notes, date, time, exact words, professor's response, 30 students, room 214, 8:45 a.m. She had been doing this for weeks.
Page after page. This wasn't the first time Khloe aimed at her. It started small. So small you'd miss it if you blinked. 3 weeks ago, Khloe leaned toward a friend and whispered just loud enough for Olivia to catch.
Some people should really stick to community college. Know your place. Her friend giggled. Olivia stared ahead and said nothing. Two weeks ago, same class.
Khloe didn't bother whispering. She glanced at Olivia and told the girl next to her, "God, does she ever stop eating? Look at that body. No wonder she takes up two seats. Three people laughed.
Professor Campbell was writing on the board and didn't react. Olivia gripped her pen until her knuckles turned white. Last week, hallway between classes. Khloe walked straight into Olivia's shoulder. Hard, deliberate, knocked the binder out of her hands, papers scattered across the tile.
Nobody stopped. Khloe kept walking. Her friends laughed behind her. Olivia got on her knees, picked up every paper, then sat on a bench and wrote it all down. Every single time she did what the system told her to do, she reported it.
Student affairs office. After the first incident, small room, motivational posters on the walls, be the change. Respect starts here. Fake plant in the corner. A woman named Mrs.
Taylor typed on her laptop while Olivia talked, said she'd flag it in the system, and assured Olivia they take these things very seriously. Olivia waited a day, 3 days, a week, no email, no call, nothing. She went back once. Mrs. Taylor wasn't there.
The receptionist said she'd pass along the message. Nobody ever called. President Greer's office. After the second incident, op desk, leather chair, framed diplomas on the wall, a photo on his desk, Greer shaking hands with Mayor Anderson at a fundraiser, both smiling wide. Greer leaned back, folded his hands, looked at Olivia over his glasses, not with concern, but with the tired face of a man who's already decided this conversation will be short.
I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding, Olivia. Kloe comes from a very good family. Her father does a great deal for this university. Let's not escalate this. Let's not escalate this.