Page 27 of Jain

Immediately Mr Silver’s eyes narrowed as he folded his arms. I felt sickening jealousy run through me, and I groaned inwardly.

Did I really think a man like him would be single? I bet it was the leggy blonde.

Suddenly I felt like an idiot.

“Thank you for your approval, Mr Owen. How’s your love life going? Or lack of it?”

Harley laughed, wiping invisible dust from his shoulder.

“Who knows, no one can predict anything. Can they Jain? Like Arden and Kate.”

“Fuck off, Harley,” I hissed as Mr Silver’s eyes fell on me.

“Mr Owen, would you please read to the class chapter three, paragraph four?” He interrupted as I sent him a grateful look.

Harley sighed before beginning to read.

I didn’t pay attention. The very sound of Harley’s voice irritated me beyond belief.

Fucking Arden.

I was pissed with myself for even thinking for one second that I meant anything more to him than just a fuck. He had called and texted me loads, but I simply refused to speak to him. I knew he barely attended school, so ironically, I was safe here.

“Ok, so Layton, can you read Romeo’s lines from there, and who wants to be Juliet?”

Hands flew up around me, and I sighed.

“Jain?”

I stared at him in disbelief, and he nodded slowly, as though to tell me it was alright. I didn’t even know where we were in the book, and he narrowed his eyes as I swept through the pages trying to locate the place.

“Lucy?” He said, addressing another girl as I cringed.

“Jain, stay behind after class, please.”

I nodded, feeling incredibly upset and fed up. I was convinced that if he shouted at me, I was going to cry. Big fat tears that made me snivel and look like a beast.

It wouldn’t do.

After that, I tried to pay attention, actively turning to look at my fellow pupils as they read.

The last thing I wanted to do was study Romeo and bloody Juliet, of all things.

Everyone left the class at the end, and I remained in my seat, wondering what fresh hell fate wanted to unleash on me next.

Mr Silver walked in front of my desk, dragging his fingers over it idly, as I refused to look up at him.

“Is everything ok—”

“Sir, with all due respect, if you ask me if everything is fine at home, I’m going to scream.”

He sank to the chair in front of me, making me look at him with alarm.

“Want to talk about it?” He asked coolly.

“With my teacher? No,” I replied sarcastically when he leaned forward, his face close to mine.

“With me. Just me, not as your teacher.”