Page 48 of Forbidden Lessons

Rooke’s tweed jacket? It’s custom made.

It just makes her that much sadder to look at.

The professor’s voice drops low, and my ears prick up in anticipation. “We choose how we treat our monsters.”

He scans his captive audience, and there’s this ripple as students shift whenever his gaze falls on them. It’s fucking awe inspiring to watch from my seat behind the desk. I almost feel like the prison warden in Zimbardo’s Stanford experiment. Watching these interactions play out with no intention of stopping it until it’s run its course.

“Do we keep them caged? Or do we let them out to play?”

So is Rooke her bodyguard now? Is that why she dared come back? Guess I’m gonna have to track down her dad’s phone number and get Mr Meth Lee himself down here for a chat.

There’s a sick feeling in my stomach but it’s got nothing to do with Haven’s dad. Okay, maybe a little. That guy’s been winning Druggie Dad of the Year awards since Haven was five.

What if she told Rooke what happened?

I snort softly to myself.

Doubtful.

The dean would have suspended me already. I’d possibly even been picked up by the sheriff for ‘a quick chat’.

Maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Sometimes, a student needs extra help with course material. Rooke is always willing to tutor them for an hour or two a week. I should follow his example.

“Assignment!” He claps his hands together, and while there are a few uneasy laughs, his students are getting used to how he signals the end of his lectures.

“Pair up with someone in class, be it friend, or complete stranger. Grab an envelope from Mr. Jordan on your way out. Your instructions are inside.”

I grab the stack of envelopes out of his satchel that we’d prepared the other day.

Fuck. These guys don’t have a clue what’s in store for them.

“This assignment is due next Tuesday, along with your art submissions. Coincidence? I think not.”

Haven immediately turns to redhead Parker, but Melissa’s on her phone. Haven’s shoulders slump and she stares down at her notepad with a blank expression.

Yeah, all brave and shit until you realize there’s a ‘no friends’ situation here at AHC, hey, Haven?

I doubt any of her Riverside pals are here. Grants and scholarships are thin on the ground in Agony Hollow. I’m still not sure how the hell she scored one, but I’m pretty sure her money maker was involved.

Guess it’s time I went round and visited Mr Meth. But that will have to wait for the weekend. In the meantime, maybe I’ll get Haven somewhere private and explain things to her again.

She’s always been a stubborn one.

Chapter 15

Bastian

I love letting my animals out of their cages. Watching them tousle and play-fight with each other. A little nip here. A little growl there. It’s how they learn and grow and bond.

Interacting with others makes them feel less alone. Being chased makes them feel wanted.

They all enjoy it at first.

Until one of them plays a little too rough. Until feelings get hurt.

A bark, a snap.

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