Page 15 of The Surprise Play

I just really don’t want to go to class and hand in my assignment.

But it can’t be all bad, right?

If I don’t understand it, then it must be good.

Nodding at my reflection, I hold on to that thinking. It’s enough to get me showered, dressed, and out of the stadium.

I walk with Tyrell and Carson. We don’t say much because both guys are on their phones. Carson keeps snickering and grinning at the screen, which means he’s probably texting Nylah, while Tyrell is looking at his screen with this sad frown.

“You good, man?” I lightly punch his shoulder.

“Yeah.” He glances at me, shoving his phone away and forcing a smile. “All good. What’s your first class today?”

I shrug and he laughs at me, because he’s probably got his schedule memorized already.

I haven’t even looked at mine. All I know is that I have to hand in this assignment to Professor Pilscher before nine this morning. Shit, I better get moving.

Picking up my pace, I shout a goodbye over my shoulder and head to the Humanities building. I make it to Pilscher’s office with ten minutes to spare.

He’s just rising from his desk, grabbing his briefcase and looking about ready to leave. “Ah, Mr. Wilson. Thought you might not make it.”

“No, sir. I’ve got the assignment right here.”

He glances at his watch, obviously annoyed by my interruption to his schedule, and flicks his fingers at me.

I place the work in his hands, and much to my horror, he takes the time to skim it. My eyes bulge, and I move for the door. “Well, I’ll just let you?—”

“Stay,” he murmurs softly, his eyes still scanning the first page. Then his eyebrows pucker in obvious confusion, and my stomach twists into a knot so tight it hurts.

He glances up at me, and I put on a smile. The move is most definitely not reciprocated.

“What is this?” He waves the pages in the air.

“Um… my assignment.”

“Did you even read the book?” he snaps.

“Uh… of course.” I force a grin. “I couldn’t do it without… reading the book, right?”

His jaw works to the side as he slaps the pages down. “I’m not marking this. I’m insulted that you even think I would.”

“Why?” It’s hard to keep my irritation in check. “I did the assignment like you asked me to.”

“I was looking for a human experience and something that relates directly toyourlife. I made that very clear in my class. You trying to be all clever and choosing Moby Dick proves that you weren’t listening.”

“What’s wrong with choosing Moby Dick? He’s the main character. The book is named after him!”

He scoffs and shakes his head with a sigh. “I can tell you used AI for this. There isn’t one direct example from your life. It’s going to be an automatic fail, Mr. Wilson.”

“Come on, sir. I’ve had a busy season, and?—”

“I already gave you an extension!” He points at his desk. “And you managed to hand in all your other assignmentswithout a problem. In fact, they—” His eyes narrow, and he slowly picks my essay back up again, flicking through the pages with an ominous silence that makes my chest feel like it’s being squeezed in a vise. His keen gaze lands on me, and I put on another smile until he says, “You didn’t do the work for them, did you?”

“Sir, I…” Holding out my hand, I silently ask for the assignment back. I’m not sure what else to do. I can’t go admitting I never wrote one fucking essay for him. “Look, it’s obvious this assignment isn’t up to par. I had a busy vacation, and…” My words dribble off at the dry, very unimpressed expression on Pilscher’s face. It steals any confidence from my voice, and I end up whispering, “Please just give me another chance.”

“Everyone else managed to get their work in on time, Mr. Wilson, and I’m not makinganotherexception for you just because you play football.” He grabs his briefcase and steps around his desk. “I’m sorry you were unable to pass my class, but it really comes down to you and the fact that you weren’t willing to put in the work.” Tipping his chin up, he silently orders me out of his office, and as much as I’d love to stand here fighting for my cause, I can tell it’ll be a waste of my breath.

As soon as I’m back outside, I stalk around the building and rest against the concrete wall.