Page 25 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

I know I’ve missed out on a lot in my sheltered life.

Playdates, sleepovers, movies at the mall.

Kissing.

Sex.

I’ve always been intrigued by the concept. What would it feel like? Who would be the one to finally deflower me?

Against all logic, I’d resisted the thought it would be with the scrawny, pimple-faced kid from our church Mom kept trying to set me up with.

My dreams had centered around someone a lot more like Zachary. Tall and handsome and charismatic in his own way.

Maybe that’s why I’m reacting like this. Since I’d started here, I’ve been bombarded with good looking boys.

Well, four, anyway.

I doubt I’d have felt the same way about anyone in this class. But it’s not just the way they look. There’s something else. At least with Brother Zachary, it’s a little more obvious. He exudes a dark aura. His steely eyes, and the way he walks like he owns the room and every stick of furniture inside it.

Even the students.

Especially me.

Every time I step into this class, it’s blatant I’m entering his domain, and I’m only here because he allows it.

Chapter 8

Trinity

Yesterday I spent my entire Psych lesson trying to ignore the fact I was apparently head over heels in love with my teacher. Today isn’t going much better but at least I’m taking some notes.

Every time he happens to glance at me, I blush.

“…next stage, which is postnatal. Those can include neglect andwhat?”

It’s the quiet that drags me from my thoughts. I’ve resorted to staring at my notebook and doodling circles in the margins so I won’t catch on fire.

I look up.

Yup—everyone’s staring at me.

What now?

Reluctantly, I look over Zachary.

He’s holding a piece of chalk against the board, poised to write.

“Neglect andwhat?” He taps the chalk, dipping his head a little.

Dear Lord—he wants me to answer? My mouth opens as my eyes take in the diagram he’s drawn. This stuff all sounds veryfamiliar. I’m sure Mom already went through this part of the curriculum, but for the life of me I can’t remember anything.

“I don’t know.”

My heart turns to lead when disappointment darkens his eyes.

He turns and points to one of the boys. “Eric?”

“Abuse?”

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