ned the rows of desks and walked straight to the very

w just so she could stare at the back of Keifer'

her sitting in his usual territory. His dar

the metal chair out with unnecessary force, sitting down w

P History teacher, walked to the front of the

nnounced that today he would post the final list of

n that list meant securing a guaranteed recommenda

sat up perfectly straight. He considered himself the acad

fingers. From the corner of her eye, she w

were sharp, and there was a faint, jagged scar across th

her grasp, rolled down the slanted desk, and dropped

at the pen on the floor, then slowl

the palm of her hand and smiled at him. Her

ether. He let out a heavy sigh, l

rabbing the plastic barrel, she intentionally dragged her wa

ominic's body. He yanked his hand back so vio

ngerous, raspy whisper, warning her to stop playing w

edarwood radiating from his uniform filled her n

he front of the room, shattering the hea

first. Keifer immediately turned around in his seat and

ction. Her eyes were entirely focu

inson's name, praising him for having the

e. He announced that the final spot went to the

round, his jaw dropping open. He couldn't process that the girl he t

nights she stayed awake until 4 AM studying in her p

confident smirk on Bryn's face. A flash of deep, hi

e, reminding the students on the list that th

stood up, looked down at Dominic, and tol

d out of the classroom with a light, bouncy step, leavin

mouth to congratulate her, trying to use the list as an excuse to