Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I run to my classroom, but the door is locked, so I impatiently wait just outside.
A minute later, I see Brittney bounding down the hall looking all too happy.
“Hi,” I’m wary, lowering my voice. “What the hell?” I accuse.
“Oh don’t even,” she immediately jumps down my throat.
“I’m sorry, what?” I follow her into the classroom.
“Like you don’t even know!” She laughs. “You had to know this was coming if I didn’t get what I wanted.”
“You got what you wanted!” I shout.
“I didn’t,” she crosses her arms. “And I don’t appreciate being stood up at the last minute.”
What?
“So you didn’t go on a date with Josh Harrington this weekend?”
“Like you don’t know,” she rolls her eyes.
“What’s your problem with me?” I demand. “I never did anything to you!”
“You have something I want,” she spits. “And now you’re going to pay for it.”
“Why?” I narrow my eyes.
“He’s chairman of departments. He has pull around here. More so, he has money,” she shrugs.
“So? Is he not giving your department enough money or something, because if so, that seems ridiculous, or is it his personal money you’re after? I ask, dumbfounded. “Because he doesn’t have any. It’s his parents money, not his.”
“You’re so obtuse,” she shakes his head. “Have you never heard of a trust fund?” She laughs. “He also makes a ton on his own through private research, and if you don’t know that than maybe you don’t know him as well as you thought.”
“But-”
“He’s hot and smart,” she interrupts. “He’s an entire package.”
“Are you even for real?” The words rush out of my mouth, because this simply isn’t real life. “You realize you’re threatening us both. On something that’s not even true.”
“Not true?” She laughs.
“I don’t-”
“Spare me,” she holds her hand up. “I finished grad school when some of your little high school friends were freshman. I heard the stories.”
“What? Who?” I ask. Surely Chloe and Ashley, two of my ex-high school best friends wouldn’t make up something like that.
“I don’t remember who,” she says. “I just know they attended this school.”
“They are just rumors,” I tell her. “Rumors!” I stare at her expectantly, but all she does is smile. “Just like the ones floating around about you!”
“Oh, honey,” her cold eyes narrow in. “Those aren’t rumors. I most likely did whatever you heard,” she pauses. “You know the only reason you got this last minute position is so I wouldn’t tell Mr. Oliver I slept with his wife?”
“Why would you do that?”
“Sleep with him or tell her?”
I shake my head angrily.
“I wanted a student teacher,” she shrugs. “It comes with more responsibility and I want to leave my mark. I do what I need to do to get what I want.”
“That’s cruel!”
“Cruel, maybe, but it comes with a pay raise and it brings me one step closer to becoming the math department head, which means more time with Josh.”
I storm out of the classroom, enraged.
This is crazy!
My phone lights up with a text from Gracie, and I start down the stairs, pacing the halls. People are staring, and I take a deep breath, trying to hide anything that wouldn’t be construed as normal.
“Luci Cunningham?” I spin around, hearing my name. “Right?” Principal Finch smiles. “Can we speak?”
I nod, my heart pounding as I follow her into the main office and down the hall.
“You attended here as a student?” She asks, opening her office door for me as we step inside.
“Yes,” my voice croaks.
“Look,” she smiles, taking a seat behind her large oak desk. “I’m going to be blunt, since I can tell by your face you’ve heard what’s happening.” I swallow hard as she continues. “I don’t know you, which is a good thing. You clearly didn’t get into trouble during your time here.”
I shake my head, watching as she cups her hands in front of her.
“I received a call from Josh Harrington this weekend, warning me about overhearing a bunch of students and faculty talking about a rumor involving you and him. I’m having a hard time tracing down where these rumors began, and quite frankly, it’s not something I’m going to tolerate in my school.”
I nod, understanding.
“So first I’m going to ask you if there’s any truth to them, and if so, if you’d like to report anything?”
“No!” I jump. “Absolutely not! Yes, he was my teacher, but that’s all he was.”
“And now?” She raises an eye.
“Now we’re friends,” I choose my words carefully.
“He tells me now you’re dating now.” She leans back in her chair, and I sink into mine, rolling my eyes.
“I can assure you, we’re not.”
“You’re just a student teacher here,” her mouth presses into a heavy line. “Personally, I’d simply rather have you go-”
My eyes widen, and I open my mouth to say something, but she shoots her hand up, stopping me.
“Personally, I’d simply rather have you go- with full credit of course,” she finishes. “I can’t afford to have this going around the district.”