Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
But I can’t do that shit.
She’s my student.
She’s. My. Student.
Tomorrow I’ll do better. I’ve been a teacher for one day. Surely this gig will get easier with time.
Chapter 3
Addison
This isn’t home.
I’ve lived in the house Mom shares with her new husband, Lloyd, for a week now, and I hate it. I want my room at my dad’s—my childhood bedroom. This place feels like a tomb.
Plus, it’s always cold here. The furniture is minimal, there’s no carpet to warm your feet on, and it echoes too loudly for my liking.
I miss Dad, his wife, Mei, their baby twins, and Cason.
“You’re up early,” a deep voice says as I enter the kitchen.
Forcing a smile to my lips, I turn and greet my new stepfather. “Just want to have time to grab an iced coffee and get a good parking spot at school.”
Lloyd nods and studies me, eyes narrowed as if to pry inside my brain. He’s a lawyer and every conversation I’ve had with the guy feels like he’s cross-examining a witness at a murder trial.
He’s not attractive like my father. I know Mom was far more interested in this man’s success and the name he’s made for himself than his looks. Lloyd is balding so he shaves his head with a razor each day as if he meant it to be that way. But, when you look closely, you can tell there’s zero hair up top.
“How are you liking Brown High?” he asks, head tilting slightly, eyes never unlatching from mine. “Anyone giving you any trouble?”
“It’s great,” I say quickly, smiling wider than feels natural. “Everyone’s so nice.”
He makes a chuffing sound as if he can’t believe it. “Well, you let me know if that changes. I’d be happy to have a talk with the principal.”
I don’t know much about Lloyd, but I do know I don’t want him doing something Dad can easily do if I need him. It’s a nice gesture, though. Mom certainly doesn’t worry about my wellbeing.
“Where’s Mom?” I ask, noting she’s nowhere to be found.
“Breakfast with Rhett. I’ve been encouraging her to mend their relationship. She’s a grandma now and I know she wants to see the baby.”
I highly doubt she wants to see Rhett’s baby, Buck. Rhett’s Team Dad since the divorce which I know annoys her. Plus, Rhett made waves at our country club when he slept with his fiancée’s sister, Abby, and got her pregnant. There was all kinds of family drama involved with that. It embarrassed Mom, so it’s surprising to me that she’s trying with Rhett. Maybe Lloyd is actually good for her and isn’t so bad after all.
“When Cason comes to stay for the weekend, maybe we can all go to Smoke & Sugar. I know you all love that place,” Lloyd suggests. “My treat.”
“Sounds fun,” I lie as I grab a banana and head for the door. “See you later.”
Guilt at lying about wanting to hang out with my stepdad claws at me as I slide into my Audi RS-7. It’s a hand me down from my mom who got a new car this summer. It’s sleek and fast which I like but sticks out like a sore thumb at my new school.
My phone buzzes after I get the car started. I groan, hoping it’s nothing bad.
Nick: I saw the picture that caused all the trouble. Nice rack.
Blood rushes in my ears and my face turns hot.
Me: Who showed it to you?
The cops told me I was to report it if the picture started circulating because of my age at the time of taking it. Anyone in possession of the photo could get into a lot of trouble for having child sexual abuse material. When everything blew up and I told the cops it had to be Lucy, she was able to prove she didn’t have the photo on her device.
Nick: It was Mr. T. Caught him jerking off in the boys’ bathroom looking at it.
He’s such a liar. I hate Nick. There’s a reason I never wanted to date him.
Me: This is harassment. I’m blocking you now. Hope your nose doesn’t get broken again today.
It’s a threat, but I want him to know he can’t get away with this.
Before he can respond, I block him and then text Cason to tell him all about it.
On the way to school, I try not to panic about Nick’s text. Even though it sucks being at a new school, I am thankful to be away from my old one when all this went viral. Having to face the public shaming and mockery with people I grew up with would have been much harder. At Brown High, people know, but I don’t care as much with strangers.
What about the teachers?
Mr. Langford’s face materializes in my mind. Kind, vibrant green eyes. Gentle demeanor. Cute smile.