"I think that should conclude our meeting" Charles stood at the head of the table as he conducted the meeting, I was supposed to have been more vocal but I was still reeling from the shock of Jennifer Warren in the same room as me for the first time in ten year, I suddenly felt like the ugly bullied girl again as her perfectly straight blonde hair and cherry lip-gloss gleamed in the light.
"If you any of you need the minutes from this meeting go ahead and find Jenny afterwards for them" He was still talking and she smiled up at him like he had complimented her in some way and my stomach twisted again as my hand shook while I reached for the water glass in front of me. "And last but not least, let's not forget to congratulate one of our own on her award for her paper, Dr. Lutsy is a brilliant mind we can all learn from" He smiled and my department clapped as I felt the subtle glare from Jennifer's direction.
I stood, wincing slightly as the wheeled chair squeaked "Thank you all, I truly appreciate everyone's support. Even though it's just a nomination right now and not an actual win yet" I said pointedly to Charles and he only smiled ruefully at me "I've got a good feeling about the class studies laid out, now let's get to work everyone."
Everyone began shuffling out and Charles stayed in the corner of the room as he took a phone call. I began picking up some of the spare papers left on the table from the department and let the tension leave my body that I was feeling during the meeting.
"Imagine how shocked I was to hear that "Clutzy Lutsy" was a prized staff member here" A smug voice said lowly behind me and I jerked around to see Jennifer standing with her arms crossed and her hip cocked out to the side. "I mean, you must think you're really something now."
I felt my back straighten, recognizing the self loathing she was about to make me feel "I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here." I tried to say confidently "Charles has been extremely helpful in my research." My voice trailed off as she stared down at me.
She suddenly through her head back in what could only be described as a cackle "Oh, I know Clutzy" she sighed after for laughing fit "You never could stop following him around when we were kids, I just didn't realize you'd still be chasing his shadow after all these years."
She suddenly stepped closer as her voice dropped to a threatening whisper "Don't you think if he felt the same way about you, he'd have said something to you by now? He's out of your league, Clutzy, always has and always will be, the number of papers you publish or the number of years you follow him around won't change." She stepped back and smiled brightly at me "He should be with someone who matches his status" She clicked her tongue at me as she spun on her heel and threw her words over her shoulder "That's not you, Clutzy"
I watched her walk out of the door with the discarded papers hanging loosely in my hands.
"How nice is it to have a classmate around, huh?" Charles appeared next to me as he began picking up the papers I hadn't gotten to
"Just great" I said numbly "Makes me feel ten years younger."