Page 2 of Jain

I glanced down, noticing he wore the trainers that were sold outeverywhere.

“That’s a late mark every day,” sighed the lady behind the desk, as her eyes fell on me. “Ah, Miss Martin. What a surprise, you’re here too. You have a way to go to keep up with Mr. Charter here, but A-star for effort.”

The man before me turned around, his dark eyes narrowing upon seeing me.

Arden Charter.

“Doe,” Arden muttered in acknowledgement as I tried not to make eye contact with the school’s resident bad boy.

“Hi. Can I go? I’ve got English, and I need to—”

“Get to class. Wake up early tomorrow, please, both of you.”

I turned and walked out of the door, unable to help glancing behind me to see Arden lighting a cigarette outside the office before walking back out of the school.

I envied him.

Arden didn’t seem to care about school, whereas I had made a deal with my mum a while ago.

I wouldn’t ruin my life by getting pregnant at a young age, and I would focus on my studies before doing anything stupid.

Her words.

After apologising for‘ruining her life,’ to which she laughed heartily-‘don’t be silly, Jain,’I decided that I didn’t want to be like her anyway—a single mum struggling to make ends meet.

I liked school, don’t get me wrong. I had loads offriends, and I got invited to all the nights out and parties. I was always amongst those picked first in sports, not because I was good, but because I was popular.

I pushed the door open to my favourite class, which was English. Not because I was good at it, quite the opposite. But because I adored my teacher. I slid into my seat, pleased I’d made it there before Mrs Fern. I couldn’t bear another bollocking for being late.

I dragged my books out, my stomach churning with the thought of discussingDickensin detail. I had a presentation to give, and it involved reading an extract that I justknewI would trip over verbally.

After ten minutes, the class started to get unsettled, and people began chatting loudly and throwing papers at one another.

I dragged my phone out, seeing a text from Kate, my best friend.

However, before I could read it, the classroom door opened, and my jaw dropped when I saw who walked through. The man looked like he had walked from a photoshoot on how to look like the world’s hottest teacher, and I realised he must be in the wrong class. His hair was dark and tousled, his thick black glasses framing his enormous green eyes. He wore a light blue shirt, rolled up at the arms, and a dark navy waistcoat over cream trousers. He dropped a briefcase on the desk before us as the class began to pay attention, especially the girls.

“Good morning. I’m your new English teacher, in case you haven’t gathered. I’m Mr Silver, and I would like to start with your names.”

Holy fuck.

Chapter Two

As the class reeled off their names, my heart pounded in my chest. This man couldn’t be our new teacher, surely not. This had to be a prank.

Mr Silver’s eyes drifted over to me, and I met his gaze, silence filling the room.

Why is he staring at me like that?

I finally looked away before turning to see the girl beside me staring at me blankly.

“Your name? You do know it, right?”

I whipped my head back around, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. So that explained Mr Silver’s curious gaze.

“Jain.” I smiled as he nodded with disinterest. “With an I,” I added, more from habit than anything else.

Mr Silver frowned before glancing down at the sheet before him.