Classes had been in session for a week and I had gotten pretty good at keeping Adria on the right side of the line. I had learned a lot of things about my girlfriend and how she viewed our relationship. She was obsessive, protective, and jealous, but she was also doteing, endearing, and affectionate. She saw our relationship as the one absolute in the world. She didn't lack confidence but she remained humble in front of me. She was not even officially registered in the school she was only auditing some classes here and there. Her father was a big time crime boss who had hidden her here while he dealt with some legal troubles. Her temperament and way of viewing problem solving had clearly been influenced by his upbringing. I had to admit though she was gorgeous and her loyalty unwavering and the way she pampered me was impossible to resist. With her support I had grown more and more secure. Now in place of a fear being bullied I had to balance my girlfriends volatile temperament.
"So I have a group assignment this week. I'll let you pick I can bring over a man with glasses, a stutter, and a stigma in his eye or I can bring home a girl with a boyfriend," I informed Adria, already knowing it would be an up hill battle getting her to agree, "I love you babe, but I need this class and this project is 20% of our final grade. So a little understanding."
"Whichever, but if they do anything inappropriate all cut off one of their fingers," she responded calmly before leaning in to kiss me on the forehead. I was touched, but nervous at the same time. From what I'd witnessed her idea of what was inappropriate to do with me was extensive. So for the first time I challenged her. I have to be honest I was more than a little scared. She loved me of that I had know doubt, but I didn't know if that meant she would never hurt me.
"Adria sweety, try to remember not everyone sees right and wrong the same way so can we agree on a less violent way to enforce your rules this time. I really need this class," I felt like I was being brave and standing up too her, but honestly it sounded like I was pleading for her help.
"My sweet little thing. You know I'm sure you've learned by now I'm not always good and I'm rarely nice, but I will never hurt or abandon you. So keep that in mind and say what you need too to me."
"Ok then. I love you and I don't want to make you angry, but if I bring a project partner over I want you to promise you will not under any circumstances hurt them. If you hurt them I'll never get another partner and there are a lot of group projects in this program."
"Ok, unless they make an intimate advance on you I will not hurt them. However you owe me a favor for showing restraint and you can't get angry if they cross the line. This is my bottom line. Nobody gets to touch you."
I knew this was as good as it was going to get so I meekly shook my head, "Thanks babe. I love you."
I went with the girls I figured a girl with a boyfriend was a safer bet then some boy who looked like he'd never been with a woman. However I was wrong. We were moving through our assignment quite well and we were taking a break to have a snack. Adria had gone to get groceries for dinner.
"I hope this proves I trust you babe," she whispered in my ear as she left. I was touched, but now on the couch as Gabby, my lab partner was leaning into my personal space I was regretting sending my security girlfriend away.
"Um my girlfriend is kind of jealous so maybe don't," I awkwardly told her as she brushed the hair of my neck.
"Yeah but I'm sure she's jealous of people that might steal you. I'm straight so I'm sure she's not gonna care. Besides there's all kinds of rumors about you and I'm dying to know what all the fuss is about."
"Don't you have a boyfriend what's the deal here? I really love my girlfriend."
"That's fine I'm straight like I said so this is just a little goofing around, letting off steam. My boyfriend knows what I do with girls doesn't count. So how can your girlfriend get upset?"
"She will and I'm not happy about it either. If you don't want to see what the fuss is about get back on your end of the couch. I love her, but I need a lab partner. Please don't get hospitalized. I'll never find another partner."
"Babe that was so sweet," Adria said as she walked back inside, "And you, you're in luck my Sammy needs you. So you can still work together and I will not hurt you, much," Adria told Gabby as she walked up to her and slapped her hard twice in quick succession. The red imprint welted up instantly and Gabby glared at Adria.
"How can you be upset? We're working together this is what lab partners do we make sure we stay relaxed. This isn't even worth it. Sorry Sammy, but I'm out of here. Good luck," Gabby said standing from the couch and brushing her hands across her skirt. She took one step toward the door and Adria stepped toward her pressing firmly against Gabby,
"My woman requires your help that's the only reason you're not hospitalized right now. You sure you want to bail on the only thing keeping you upright?"
With that awkward exchange we returned to our work and as Adria was setting the dinner table for the two of us Gabby left for the day. As she did Adria hugged me from behind and I patted her arm, "Thanks babe. You did great I love how you always put me first. I hope you know no part of me wanted to be with her."
"I know if I thought you wanted her I would've thrown her out the window. This school as gracious rules to help students deal with suicide of students there close to so your grades would've been fine."
I just smiled. Trying to convince myself she was just making a bad joke, but I doubted even I could stop her from eliminating perceived competition. So I just took solace in the fact that I had no interest in ever replacing my devoted guardian. We ate, made love, and went to bed. The next day when I was supposed to meet with Gabby she was a no show and I had to go hunt her down.
"Gabby weren't we going to work on our project today?" I asked happily approaching her on the path leading from the administrative office to one of the dorms.
"Sorry my schedule is so packed I dropped that class, so I can't be your partner any more," she responded with a panicked tone her pace increasing as I approached. I dropped my head as I noticed the figure in front of her. Adria had been following from a distance and now I had to run to smooth things over.
"Adria," I shouted as I approached, "Listen babe I know you're upset and I'm not thrilled either, but think about what you do. If you get locked up and I have to sleep without you I'll never forgive you," her mood softened when I reminded her of how affected our relationship could be by a careless action here.
"Gabby, Sammy wants to work with you. I know you need that class to and you guys have already done a lot of work on it. I'll explain why you wanted to drop I'm sure they'll let you back in. I promise not to bother you. I can even get my dad to write you a recommendation when you graduate. He's wired in to like every industry. Just do this one little favor for my girl ok?" Adria smiled brightly and patted Gabby on the back, but I couldn't help but think there was a dark warning in her sickly sweet tone. Either way Gabby nodded meekly and followed me to the library for a couple hours to work on our project. Adria did not follow us she went to keep her promise and got Gabby back into my class. I told myself no harm no foul, but in the back of my mind I couldn't help but think what about next time.