Пятьдесят оттенков серого

           “Whatashame,”oneofthegirlsgroans.

           Asthechancellorgetstohisfeetandkicksofftheproceedingswithhisspeech,IwatchChristiansubtlyscanningthehall.Isinkintomyseat,hunchingmyshoulders,tryingtomakemyselfasinconspicuousaspossible.Ifailmiserablyasasecondlaterhiseyesfindmine.Hestaresatme,hisfaceimpassive,completelyinscrutable.Isquirmuncomfortably,hypnotizedbyhisglareasaslowflushspreadsacrossmyface.Unbidden,Irecallmydreamfromthismorning,andthemusclesinmybellydothedelectableclenchthing.Iinhalesharply.Theshadowofasmilecrosseshislips,butit’sfleeting.Hebrieflycloseshiseyesand,onopeningthem,resumeshisindifferentexpression.Followingaswiftglanceupatthechancellor,hestaresahead,focusingontheWSUVemblemhungabovetheentrance.Hedoesn’tturnhiseyestowardmeagain.Thechancellordroneson,andChristianstilldoesn’tlookatme.Hejuststaresfixedlyahead.

           Whywon’thelookatme?Perhapshe’schangedhismind?Awaveofuneasewashesoverme.Perhapswalkingoutonhimlastnightwastheendforhim,too.He’sboredofwaitingformetomakeupmymind.Ohno,Icouldhavecompletelyblownit.Irememberhise-maillastnight.Maybehe’smadthatIhaven’treplied.

           Suddenly,theroomeruptsintoapplauseasMissKatherineKavanaghhastakenthestage.Thechancellorsits,andKatetossesherlovelylonghairbehindherassheplacesherpapersonthelectern.Shetakeshertime,notintimidatedbyathousandpeoplestaringather.