Page 36 of Baby Duke

"Oh!" Mrs. Welsh gasps, clutching her chest. "Welcome, Mr. Leacher! What an honor to have you in my classroom this year!”

I groan at her obvious infatuation. Girl was at least forty years our senior, and even she wilted at the very sight of a Duke. Felix slaps a hand over his mouth at my annoyance, though he sobers quickly when Mrs. Welsh encourages Brett to find a seat, remembering the only remaining chairs are at our table.

I am intrigued by the sudden shift in his persona, the tensing of his body, andthe ticking at his jaw. Curiously, I look back to find a similar expression on Brett's face before he quickly wipes it clean, feigning indifference.

Brett slides into the seat next to me, dragging it unreasonably close.

"Roe," his deep, timbre tone reverberates through me.

"Brett," I smile sweetly. Sure, the guy attracts me, but his silence and watchfulness are kind of creepy.

Brett's eyes fall to my lips, darkening slightly before he looks past me and meets Felix's stare. After a moment, he turns to face the teacher. I look at Felix, he is casually easing back into his seat, but the friction between the two isbuzzing. I can literally feel it under my skin. I shake it off as Mrs. Welsh continues.

"As I was saying, the first subject we will be covering is sociology! Can anyone tell me what that means?"

The Asian twins down the front are quick to raise their hands while I slump in my seat, feeling like an imbecile.Social-what-a-gy?

"Ah, the Chang sisters! What a delight!" Mrs. Welsh gushes. "Shin, dear, if you please."

Shin turns smugly in her seat to face the room, ignoring her sister, who has apparently snubbed her over being second best.

"Sociology is the science of social behavior amongst humans."

"Very good, Shin! Cho, will you elaborate for us?"

Cho sends a triumphant smile to Shin. "Scientists study patterns to identify social order and social change. To do this, they use critical analysis whilst observing different social groups, like religion, gender, or social class."

Mrs. Welsh claps, "Very good, Cho! Excellent!"

The twins glare at each other while I try to figure out if they have some sort of Wikipedia implantation in their brains. How else could they spout off such utter nonsense, yet logically accurate, bull shit?

"You look confused," Brett says, studying me intently.

I scoff, "just trying to figure out how someone integrated two robots so seamlessly into the world without anyone being the wiser."

I say it too loudly, apparently, the row in front of us turning to scowl at me. I grin and finger wave at them.

"Now then, you may have noticed the special seating arrangements," the teacher says. "You will be working in groups of four, and one lucky group of three at the back," she waves at our table and I fight to keep my eyes from rolling. Not sure if lucky is the word we are looking for, ma'am. "In your groups, you will be researching and preparing a slideshow to present to your peers, your choice of social group. Take a moment now to discuss amongst yourselves what subject you wish to study and we will regroup in a moment to announce them to the class."

Immediately, from the group in front of us, some dufus with a pimply, red nose, jeers loudly, "Let’s study poor people! We can interview Weiner."

The guy next to him laughs. "Nah, we will do porn stars and whores; that's more your scene, right, Weiner?"

Seething, I am about to spit out a comeback when an angry rumble comes from my left.

"Enough," Brett says. He doesn’t need to yell for his voice to carry, and everyone instantly cowers. "Her name is Roe, and Roe will not be participating in any interview."

The boys nod dumbly, like puppets on a string, before turning and whispering amongst themselves about other social circles.

I turn to face Brett. "I don't need your help."

"Didn't say you did," he leans back, spreading his legs wide, resting one against mine.

I glare at him.

Felix clears his throat, "so, ah, the assignment-"

"Gays," Brett says with a sneer.

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