Page 108 of Bad for Me

“Sure you have, Miss Gable, sure you have.” He tilts his head, and a mean smile cuts across his face. “The movie version of books won’t cut it in this class, you know. This is English 102at Graveston University. Students must have passed advanced placement courses in high school to bypass the requirements for English 101. From what I recall in your file, you were held back a year, weren’t you?”

My stomach lurches at what my stepbrother just revealed to the whole class, and I refuse to meet the gazes of any of my classmates.

What. A. Prick.

Despite how awful he’s being right now, what he’s saying is true. My mother moved us around all over the country and public schools have different curriculums in each state. One state might be ahead with the best education there is, while another might be two years behind. My education suffered because of the flip-flop.

Moving in with my stepfather changed everything. He switched me to a private school with great tutoring programs. Yes, I was held back, but only good came from repeating my freshman year. I was given a fresh start in the best of circumstances, and I was finally able to thrive.

Either Woods looked into me or his father told him about me at some point. But how much does Woods know? I can’t see sweet, protective Thad ever talking poorly about me. If Woods knows the bad, he likely knows the good and, for whatever reason, is choosing to hurt me with the information that will wound me most.

Woods’ evil smirk widens, deepening my rage. I’ve put up with a lot of bullies in my life. I never let them get to me growing up, and I won’t let one get to me now.

“The brochure boasted about Graveston University’s attentive faculty, but I didn’t realize the professors memorized student files. I thought non-tenured professors had to put a lot of work into proving themselves, so I’m surprised you have the time to be so interested in me.” I tilt my head just like he did and frown. “Or am I just special, Professor Woods?”

Snickers fill the room, reminding me that we have an audience. Woods’ fingers whiten as his grip tightens around his mahogany podium. Pride puffs in my chest, and I flash him a smirk of my own. After a silent standoff that feels like an eternity, he pushes off of the podium and turns to pick up a stick of chalk from the chalkboard tray.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

Pride puffs in my chest that I won, until he finishes scrawling across the ancient green board and a collective groan rolls through the auditorium.

Themes in Pride and Prejudice. 5 pages. Due Monday.

“I was going to have you merely read William Faulkner’sThe Sound and the Fury, but thanks to our resident smartass, you’ll readPride and Prejudiceand write a detailed essay about Jane Austen’s themes. Due Monday.” He drops the chalk onto the metal tray and wipes his hands before facing the class again. “And I swear to God, if I see so much as one double-spaced paper, every single one of you will get an ‘F.’”

“But, p-professor—” the girl in the front sputters. “It’s only the first day of class, and noteveryonehas readPride and Prejudice‘five times’ like Miss Gable supposedly has.” She glares at me as she says the last part, and my lips thin in response.

Woods scowls at her and she flinches. “If you thought the most prestigious school in the world was going to be easy, then you hold even less promise than Miss Gable.”

Jerk.

“Complaints in my classroom won’t be tolerated, and I won’t answer to your senator mommies and daddies. Do the assignments, take the ‘F’, or pack your Louis Vuitton luggage and take the train through the mountains back home. I couldn’t care less which path you choose. I’m here either way.”

For the briefest of moments, I felt like I could fend off another bully. I was already gearing up for the next episode in this little drama between me and my stepbrother, but I’m not prepared to have to answer to the rest of the class because I stood up for myself.

Woods crosses his arms and juts his chin at me.

“Miss Gable, see me after class. I’ll see the rest of you Monday morning, sharp, with your five-page, single-spaced essay in hand. No excuses. Class dismissed.”

Chairs groan and students grumble as they leave, but I can’t move. Woods holds me captive again, glaring at me as if he can make me disappear if he thinks hard enough. I wouldn’t mind it after the way he embarrassed me just now.

No. Screw that.

Woods is a bully, and bullies only back down from a fight when they realize you won’t roll over. I just need to show him I have a backbone and he’ll back off.

Cadence and Marleigh give me lingering looks of sympathy before they disappear with the crowd. One by one, all of the students leave through both sides of the auditorium. Then there’s just me and Woods. My stepbrother.

I gulp down the dread threatening to choke me.

He suddenly uncrosses his arms, and I flinch as he hops from the stage, landing with a thud. I half expect him to leap up the rows to throttle me. Instead, he takes two long strides toward his office, thrusts the door open, making it squeal on its hinges, and points inside.

“Everly. My office.Now.”

3

WOODS

My bratof a stepsister takes her time as she slowly closes her notebook and stows it inside her leather backpack. I have to admit, I’m impressed that she’s kept her composure even after I eviscerated her in front of her peers. I was even more fascinated when she argued back. I thought I was dealing with a ditzy blonde, but the way she defended Jane Austen was a pleasant surprise. Her quip at the end about being “special”, though? Well, I certainly can’t have her thinking that.

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