Ava Collins shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the secretary's voice echoed through the classroom intercom.
"Miss Collins, the principal would like to see you in the office."
A hush fell over the room for a moment before whispers began to spread. Ava felt the stares burning into her back as she slowly gathered her books. She hated attention, especially when it had to do with her financial situation.
The walk to the office felt longer than usual, her shoes tapping against the polished floor. When she finally stepped inside, Principal William was already waiting. His usually warm expression was replaced with one of disappointment.
"Ava," he sighed, folding his hands on the desk. "Today is the last day for your school fees to be paid. Are you certain you've spoken with your parents about this?"
Ava's throat tightened. She dropped her gaze to the floor, her lashes hiding the sadness in her eyes.
I don't have parents... not anymore.
But she forced herself to look up, pasting on a brave face.
"Yes, sir. I told them," she lied, her voice steady though her heart weighed heavy. "They said they're going to pay today."
Principal William's features softened, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Good. You have so much potential, Ava. Straight A's, top of your class... I can already see you in a courtroom, making a name for yourself as the lawyer you've always dreamed of becoming. Don't let this stop you."
His encouragement made her chest ache in ways she couldn't explain. Ava forced a polite smile, though her insides twisted with worry.
"Thank you, Mr. William. I appreciate it. I'll head to class now, I don't want to be late."
He nodded in approval, and she turned to leave. But as soon as she stepped out of the office, her brave face crumbled. Her heart pounded against her ribs.
How am I supposed to pay $4,000 in school fees by the end of today? she thought bitterly. And rent is due too, another $900 for my tiny apartment. I can barely afford food as it is.
Her mind was so consumed with panic that she didn't notice the figure in front of her until she slammed right into him.
"Watch it!" sneered a familiar voice.
Ava froze. Mike.
Her tormentor. Her bully. The one who seemed to make it his life's mission to remind her of how little she belonged here.
Mike's smirk grew as he looked down at her, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.
"Watch where you're going, dumb bitch. You might be book-smart, but you'll always be trash without money."
Before she could react, he shoved her hard, sending her stumbling backward. Her heel caught the floor, and she landed against someone else, directly stepping on their polished black shoes.
A hush fell over the hallway.
Her stomach dropped as she looked up. Mr. Charles.
Panic surged through her chest. Without thinking, she bent down and began frantically wiping the shoe with the sleeve of her sweater. Laughter erupted around her.
"Look at her, polishing shoes now!"
"Top of the class but can't even afford lunch."
"Better start cleaning floors if you wanna stay in this school, Collins!"
Their mocking voices stung like knives.
Mr. Charles' expression hardened, his lips tightening. He took a step back, brushing her efforts aside.
"It's fine. Just be more careful next time," he said curtly before walking off without another glance.
The laughter still rang in Ava's ears as she straightened her back, fighting the burning in her throat. She pulled her sleeves over her hands, lowered her head, and forced her legs to keep moving toward class.
She refused to let them see her cry.
The moment Ava slipped into the classroom, the chatter and laughter around her felt louder than usual. She kept her head down, clutching her books tightly as if they could shield her from the curious glances she imagined darting her way.
She made her way to the far corner, her usual spot, and quietly set her things down. As she arranged her notebooks in a neat pile, she couldn't stop herself from noticing how easily the other students fit together. Groups of friends filled the room with laughter, inside jokes bouncing between them like a language she was never invited to learn.
Her gaze drifted to the empty seat beside her. It had been empty for weeks now.
I wish... I just wish I had someone to talk to, she thought, hugging her sweater sleeves over her hands.
Her wishful thinking shattered when she looked up, and froze.
Mr. Charles stood at the front of the classroom, sharp eyes sweeping over the room. Even though she sat in the far corner, tucked away in shadows, she felt his gaze cut straight through her. It was the kind of look that made her stomach twist, stern, unreadable, but far too intense to ignore.
"Mrs. Britney isn't here today," he announced, his deep voice commanding instant silence. "So I'll be taking over this class. And I expect maximum cooperation. Does everyone understand me?"
"Yes, Mr. Charles!" the students chorused, their voices blending together like a well-trained choir.
Ava bent her head, pretending to write, but snippets of whispered gossip reached her ears anyway.
"Told you. Mr. Charles and Mrs. Britney are totally dating," a girl snickered from the second row.
"No way, he drove her home last week. I saw them," another chimed in.
"I swear they meet after school. Why else would she be gone so often when he's around?"
"Maybe that's why she's not here today..." someone muttered suggestively, and the group dissolved into muffled giggles.
Ava tried to block them out, but her curiosity betrayed her. She found herself imagining what it would be like if the rumors were true, if the strict and intimidating Mr. Charles actually had a softer side behind closed doors.
She was so lost in thought she didn't notice the silence that had fallen, until her name snapped like a whip across the room.
"Ava!"
Her head shot up, her pulse spiking. Mr. Charles was staring directly at her, his dark eyes narrowing. "What is the answer to my question?"
The classroom went still. Ava's ears rang with the quiet laughter bubbling from the back row. She fidgeted with her fingers under the desk, her mouth opening and closing uselessly.
"Umm... Th-The answer is..." Her voice cracked as her mind scrambled, completely blank. She hadn't heard the question at all.
Mr. Charles' jaw tightened. His steps echoed as he walked toward her desk, each one making her heart hammer harder. He stopped directly in front of her and suddenly slammed both fists onto her desk. The sharp crack of impact made her flinch so violently she nearly knocked over her pen.
"I asked you a question!" His voice boomed, low and sharp. "Answer it!"
"I... I don't know," she whispered, staring down at her lap as heat rushed to her face.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Mr. Charles' expression shifted. He leaned down slightly, smirking as his hand tilted her chin upward, forcing her eyes to meet his.
"The answer," he said slowly, deliberately, "is photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy." His voice was firm, yet there was a subtle edge beneath it. "Now... repeat it."
Ava swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she obeyed. "P-Photosynthesis... the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy."
Satisfied, he straightened, tugging at his cuffs before turning back toward the front of the classroom.
"That," he said coldly, addressing the entire class, "is what happens when you don't pay attention. From now on, I'll be choosing students randomly. Fail to answer, and you'll face the consequences."
A hush hung over the room. Nobody dared laugh this time. Ava's hands trembled as she picked up her pen again, her heart still racing from the way his eyes had pinned her in place.
.
.
.