“At our school, all the girls have short hair and no bangs allowed..." Sean hadn't even finished before Claire jumped in. "Yeah, that's your school. I don't go to your school, remember?" She gave him a look, eyebrows raised. "And by the way, it's not the nineteenth century anymore. Did you wrap your head in the same cloth people used for foot-binding?"
Kathy couldn't help it. She was the first to burst out laughing. Sammie stayed quiet, and the other two teachers tried to keep straight faces, but their lips were twitching. Fletcher wanted to laugh too, but he was facing Sean and didn't dare risk it.
Sean clearly hadn't expected any student, especially a girl, to talk back to him like that. "Claire!” he snapped, his face turning red.
But before he could really lose it, Norris stepped in with a perfectly calm voice, like he was taking control of the whole room. "Claire, how can you talk to Sean like that? Don't you think you should apologize?"
If it weren't for the hint of laughter in Norris's eyes, Claire might've thought he was actually angry. But that look gave him away, and suddenly those eyes felt familiar, almost like an inside joke just between the two of them. "You're right, Norris," Claire said immediately, not missing a beat. "Sorry, Sean. It was my fault. I shouldn't have said that to you."
She looked like the perfect, obedient student, but Sean could see right through her, spotting the stubborn pride underneath her sweet smile. He hated students like her, but with everyone watching, he had no choice but to keep it together.
"The teacher says a few words and you should just listen, not talk back," Norris went on, still sounding cool and collected. "But since you've apologized, I'm sure Sean is big-hearted enough not to hold a grudge against a student. Isn't that right, Sean?"
With Norris putting it like that, Sean couldn't really say anything else. "Norris is right. I'm not going to stoop to a student's level. But Claire, you really need to work on your attitude. Not respecting your teachers, not getting along with classmates, and even getting into fights..."
Claire just nodded, totally unfazed.
"Whatever you say, Sean. But honestly, Carr kinda had it coming He spreads rumors even better than you do Sure wanted to call the
cops, but figured you'd say Dwasn't being a team player."
Her voice was sweet, but every word dripped with sarcasm. Sean looked like he wanted to explode all over again, but then Sammie finally spoke up. "Carr."
At the sound of his name, Carr stepped forward, looking nervous.
"Tell us exactly what happened in the cafeteria. No hiding, no twisting the facts. If you lie, you're not welcome at this winter camp," Sammie said, his voice suddenly serious.
Carr's heart was pounding. He was
already worried about getting
expelled, and now Sammie's
warning made him even more
nervous. He had no choice but to tell
the truth about what happened the cafeteria and admit he was wrong.
Sean realized he'd been completely played, and his face turned stormy. "Carr, that's not what you told me earlier!"
Carr didn't even look at Sean. He just mumbled, "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't explain it
right. I made you misunderstand. It's all my fault. Sorry for causing trouble."
He'd learned fast from Claire how to
fast
apologize in a way that left Sean
stuck. Sammie glanced at Carr and
then at Sean. "Carr misled his teacher, and there will be there will be
consequences. As for Sean. Sammie's eyes lingered on him, flat
and unimpressed. "Some people just aren't meant to be teachers."