Page 5 of Spearcrest Knight

“I’m not lying. See? I have to report to Miss Bailey for the academic mentor programme!”

Araminta reads the letter with narrowed eyes and sighs.

“Shit.”

With a smug grin, I take my letter and stomp away, waving at them over my shoulder.

“Whatever!” Araminta yells, pulling out her tongue at me. “We all know who you’d pick anyway! Ev—”

The rest is muffled by Audrey’s hand, but it’s too late. I turn to throw a thunderous glare at Araminta. She gives me a thumbs up.

“We love you, Sophie!” Audrey says warmly.

I pull a face at them and hurry away. Based on how warm my cheeks feel, it’s a good thing they didn’t get to see how red my face probably is.

Not that Araminta is right. She’s just saying it to wind me up because she knows how much I hate him. Still, the disgusting thought of sleeping with Evan Knight follows me like a shadow all the way to Miss Bailey’s office.

Miss Bailey is one of the younger teachers at Spearcrest, and she used to be my English teacher back in lower school. I miss having her because she has this incredible calming influence on everyone around her.

The kind of calming influence I need right now.

When I walk into her office, she’s watering her little collection of ferns and succulents. She’s wearing a cream satin shirt and loose trousers. Her heels are lying abandoned under her desk, and her dark bob is pinned back by tortoiseshell hair clips.

She gives me this huge grin when I come in, and even makes me a cup of green tea when she makes herself one.

“I can’t believe this is your last year,” she says. “I’m never going to be able to replace you in this programme.”

I can’t help blushing a little bit, even though she probably doesn’t really mean that.

The truth is that no matter how hard I work, I’m nowhere near the smartest student in Spearcrest. Still, I’ve done everything in my power to be the best mentor I could be to every student Miss Bailey has ever entrusted me with.

After a quick catch-up chat, Miss Bailey turns towards her computer.

“Right, down to business, then. This year is going to be a little bit different. Normally, I have Year 12s mentor students in the lower schools, and Year 13s mentor Year 12s, but I’ve had some special requests from the governors this year. So…” she looks up at me, widening her eyes, “how would you feel about mentoring another Year 13?”

“Someone frommyyear?” I say, unable to stop the surprise seeping into my voice.

She nods.

That definitely doesn’t fit well into my plan of keeping myself to myself this year. I don’t feel good about it at all, but Miss Bailey is looking at me with her big hazel eyes, waiting expectantly.

“Alright…” I say. “I suppose I could.”

“Oh, Sophie, that’s wonderful! I know it might be a little awkward for you, but I’ve been put under some pressure to make sure certain students get their target grades.”

“It’s okay, Miss Bailey,” I say.

I can see how hard Miss Bailey works, and I can only imagine the pressure she must be under. Besides, this is my last year. So it might be a bit awkward tutoring a kid from my year, but how bad can it be?

“You’re a superstar, Sophie,” Miss Bailey says, sounding genuinely relieved. “Since you’re doing exceptionally well in your Literature class I’ve paired you with a student who is currently failing Literature.”

“Failing?” I wince.

How can someone fail English Lit? I’m pretty sure all you have to do to pass is just read the books.

Miss Bailey sighs. “Unfortunately, yes. Except that failing is not an option this student’s parents are willing to accept.”

“I can imagine.”

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