I start reading and the classroom around me gets drowned out. I ignore the buzz of conversation, the students around me filling in the desks, nothing but the story I’m engrossed in. Which just so happens to be a particularly raunchy, dirty as they come, erotic romance. Completely taboo, and something I’ve come to love to read in the last few months. As much as I live for the classics, I love a taboo book just as much. I’m so absorbed in my book, I don’t see the shadow approach, and suddenly my iPad is ripped from my hands.
I’m in such shock, I almost fall out of my chair into a heap at their feet. I look up and dark, cold, eyes stare back at me. Rhys Blackwood is standing in my English lit class, dangling my iPad in front of my face with a cruel smirk.
Oh no, no, no. Please no.
He glances down at the screen and I leap forward, trying to swipe it from his hands before he can see what I’m reading.
“Ah, ah,” he says, jumping back just out of my reach. My fingers grasp his shirt but then he’s even further away, swiping across the screen at the last page I was reading with his eyebrows arched in surprise.
I feel the eyes of everyone in the room on me, and my face burns with embarrassment at being the center of attention. I hate it.
“Whatcha reading, little lamb?” he says with a vicious tone.
I’m too stunned to find words, and stutter like a fool, still trying to rip my iPad from his grip.
He stands on a chair in the back of the classroom and clears his throat loudly, getting the attention of our classmates. I want to strangle him with the uniform tie that he’s wearing. I pull on his pant leg, but he's so much taller than me, even not standing on a chair, he easily shakes me off.
Loudly, he starts to read, “She takes the head of his cock deep into her mouth, humming a sweet little groan around his girth.”
Snickers and laughter ring out in the classroom around me, and I feel like I might actually die right here in this spot. If I don’t fall over and die, I might puke in front of everyone, furthering my embarrassment.
“My brother slides his cock inch by inch into her ass, hovering above us, while I’m seated balls-deep into her pussy below. The sensation of how tight she is makes me wild with need,” he continues, octaves higher than the last sentence he read.
“Wow, Valentina. You know, if you’re so desperate for cock, I guess I could let you gag on mine.” He laughs mockingly. It’s cold and unyielding.
There’s a whistle from the front of the room, and my eyes dart around the classroom and I see Sebastian sitting in the front row, looking smug. He elbows his friend as they laugh at me.
As if this could get any worse.
“Wait, is this like DP?” a girl cries from the front of the classroom and Rhys smirks, dragging his eyes down to mine. Everyone hoots and hollers, and I want to shrink down to nothing.
But instead of cowering to him, I stand taller and lift my chin.
“You are such a fucking asshole, Rhys,” I tell him with so much malice, it drips from my words. My nails are cutting crescent-shaped wounds in my palms from clenching my fists so tightly.
I’ve never been so angry in my life. Never been so embarrassed. Never felt so completely powerless at the hand of any other human.
“I feel my cum shoot into her womb and—” He’s cut off by Sister Camille as she walks into the classroom and the heavy door slams shut behind her.
“That’s enough, Mr. Blackwood. You and Ms. Carmichael can both meet me in the library for detention this afternoon at four o’clock for your crude language and disruption of my class. You’re lucky I don’t send you straight to the Father William. Have a seat.” She looks down the nose of her glasses at us both, and I feel completely murderous at this point.
Not only did this asshole humiliate me in front of the entire class, he got me the first detention of my life. I may kill him, with my bare hands. If he jeopardizes my future at Harvard, there will be blood spilled. I have worked my entire life for this.
I snatch my iPad from his hands the second his feet touch the ground, and he gives me a grin. Even if he is ridiculously attractive, I want to slap the grin right off his smug face.
Why is he doing this?
He told me to keep my mouth shut, and I did. Why the sudden torment?
I take my seat and shove my iPad back into my bag, shrinking further in my chair as people still look my way and whisper to each other. Thankfully, Rhys sits at the very front of the classroom, so I don’t have to see his face, only the back of his head, and even then it’s too damn close.
“Now, everyone, settle down and listen up. This year, not only will you be preparing to graduate, you’ll be preparing to start college. We feel at St. Augustine, we have prepared you in all ways possible for your new future. You are all bright, accomplished, children of God, and you will surpass all expectations.” She gives us a small smile before continuing. “With that being said, this year we will focus on preparing you for what you will expect in college-level English classes. This year will focus on a semester-long thesis that will be your final, and will be the most weighted assignment in this class, counting for a significant portion of your final grade.”
A few sharp intakes of breath sound, and I roll my eyes.
I forget how many people in here probably don’t even know what the word thesis means.
Sister Camille continues, “Not only will you be expected to complete a thesis on a given topic, you will list all references and research used in your thesis. I am assigning each of you a topic, but there’s also one more thing. This will be done with a partner. It is important to learn to work together with another peer using communication skills. Those skills will be needed from here on and into your adult, working life.”
She grabs a paper off of her desk, and begins reading off partners.
“Sebastian Pierce and Alison Lacroix,” she continues and I freeze when I hear my name called.
“Carmichael and Blackwood.”
Oh no. No no no. This cannot possibly be happening to me.
Rhys looks back at me and scowls, all of his amusement gone, then turns back in his desk facing forward. I’ll just have to speak with Sister Camille privately and explain to her that I cannot possibly work with him. He’s completely incapable.
She passes out the class syllabus and topics for our thesis, then the bell rings, and students scurry out of the classroom. I’m still sitting in my seat when everyone has left the room, including Rhys.
“Sister Camille? Can I speak with you for just a moment?” I ask, gathering my things from my desk.
“Sure, Ms. Carmichael. Although I must express how disappointed I am by today’s behavior. It’s very much unlike you.”
“That’s part of what I wanted to speak with you about. Is there any possible way I could be switched to another partner? I just can’t work with Rhys. Please?” My eyes hold her gaze and plead silently.
“Valentina, the purpose of this project is for you to find the ability to work with someone out of your social circle, and communicate. When you are at Harvard, do you think the professor will be so willing to switch your partner simply because you dislike someone? You will be kicked out of class before you can blink. I understand Mr. Blackwood can be… difficult. But both of you are competing for Valedictorian of the senior class. I think this assignment will prove to be beneficial to the both of you, academically and personally. My job is to nurture, and help you grow into thriving young adults. I cannot coddle and give favoritism.”