Mr. Woods' voice exploded from the front of the room, sharp enough to snap my focus in half.
I blinked at him, stunned.
"If you want to make noise and distract everyone else, get out of my classroom!" he barked again.
His eyes were wide, his brows pulled so tightly that even from the back row, I could see every sharp line.
"But, sir—"
"Out. Now!"
I had no choice but to walk out.
I had only whispered. Barely. And Tessa had been talking to me too.
As I passed her desk, Tessa whispered, "That weird teacher likes picking on students he thinks don't have strong backing."
I stared at her, surprised, but she just lifted her shoulders as if it was simply the truth of the world.
I walked out with heat burning under my ribs.
It wasn't only the students who were ridiculous. The teachers were too.
Before leaving completely, I glanced back. Shannon was looking at me with worry. I forced a small smile to reassure her.
Outside the classroom, I lingered near the door.
