Page 19 of De Vil

"Well, it looks like you are going to be late for your next class, Ms. Falcon." Two can play this game.

Her pout is instant, and I let her go. I walk away and head straight to my desk. Sitting down, I turn on my laptop to pull up Tia's schedule. It's interesting how she lied to me. Ah, another good thing to give her a punishment for. I smile as the other students walk into the classroom.

Ignoring the daggers that Tia sends my way, I pick up the syllabi and pass them. "This is not a room to be playing around in. We will start with chapter one and go through to the end of the book by the end of the semester. There will be reading assignments, online quizzes, and written essays throughout the semester. Please make sure you hold on to your syllabus because this tells you when everything is due."

A student in the back raises their hand and I tell them go ahead. "You want us to read three chapters a week?"

"Yes. If you were reading your favorite novel, you'd have three chapters done a night—maybe more. You have seven days to complete a simple task, answer the questions after each chapter, submit a quiz, and then come to class and discuss things. This isn't high school anymore. You want to pass, you'll work for it."

I can hear the students sighing, and I roll my eyes. It's like this every year. They all think they can get away with doing the bare minimum. Not in my class.

"In order to receive full marks in attendance, you will need to be here for every class. Every day you miss, is a ten mark deduction. After ten missed days, I will drop you. This is real life now, and no one is going to give you anything for free. You want something, work for it."

I turn on the projector and go over the outline for chapter one. "Each chapter will have an outline. There are notes in the Dropbox that are titledTexas History—Landrey. In order to pass this class, you will need those notes. You will also need to complete your essays. They count for fifty percent of your grade."

Each student takes notes except Tia. She stares ahead, watching the board, and I know I'm going to lose my shit on her. "Ms. Falcon, are you not wanting to take notes?"

"I've already downloaded the syllabus, notes, outlines, and the lecture videos." She sits there so proud of herself as if she's meant to receive recognition for her initiative. I don't give it to her.

"Moving on, ladies and gentlemen." I cover the first section of the Texas Constitution, giving information on each portion and how it affects us today.

"Bullshit," Tia says and everyone looks at her.

"Excuse me?"

"This is literally all bullshit. You can't possibly believe it." Tia is testing me. Fine.

"Get out of my class, Ms. Falcon. Expect this to be documented as a no show. Nine more of those and you are dropped from the class."

Tia looks at me and shakes her head. Gathering her items, she storms out. I guess we will be in the dean’s office faster than I thought.

Regret and anger swarm inside of me. I shouldn't have acted out like I did, but she ignored me. It's clear I want my coach's attention. I haven't heard fromMommy's Watchingand I feel out of control. Everything is upside down, and I don't understand why.

I don't have a class for another three hours. The whole time I was lying to Coach, I felt bad. It's eating at me as I make my way to the gym. Might as well get some kind of workout done while I'm waiting. Waiting for what, though?What if this is some kind of weird punishment? Will Coach show up?God, I hate having doubts. Besides, she said to meet her down here.

Coach:Your ass better be in the library studying or down in the gym workout room.

Me:Don't you have a class to be teaching?

There's no response for quite some time. When I get one, I'm in the middle of my third set of squats. Resetting the bar, I push away from them on shaky legs. Pushing myself is going to get me in trouble. I normally don't squat more than one hundred pounds. Today, I did one hundred and fifty. Coach will probably kick my ass, but I don't care. I needed to get the aggression out of my system.

Coach:No need to be a smartass. You are already going to be in a lot of trouble when I get a hold of you.

Me:If you get a hold of me.

Why am I tempting her? I just keep pushing her buttons, and there's no reason for it—other than I want her to smack my ass until it's black and blue. I moan as I imagine how it would feel to sit on the hard desk chair and listen to Coach—no,Mommy—teach.

Dammit to hell. There's no way I'm going to finish working out today. I decide to get in the shower and then head down to my next class. It doesn't start for another hour, but I can at least walk across campus and try to stay out of Coach's way. We are volatile together. Two bombs waiting to explode.

Me:Jazz, are you still in class?

Jazz:Nope. I'm headed to the psychology building. You too?

Me:Yeah. I mean I don’t have anywhere else to be. LOL

Jazz sends me an eye roll emoji and then another text message right behind that.

Jazz:Always such a smart-aleck! Have you noticed how hot the guys are here?

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