Nick groans as he stands and then saunters over to Mr. Park’s desk. He winces when he sees his grade. As he begins passing out the tests, I attempt to keep my eyes averted anywhere than on my teacher.

It’s useless.

He looks like a vengeful god perched on the edge of his desk, pulsing with authority and dominance. One of the things I find so attractive about him is how he makes people like Levi seem weak and worthless.

Our eyes clash, seemingly against their will, and all sound fades around me.

I’m not imagining this.

Mr. Park’s gaze is cutting into me, hot and unapologetic. The fiery heat of it leaves a trail over my skin. The urge to look away prickles through me, but a stubborn streak, hidden deep within keeps me motionless.

I’m not imagining this.

His brows deepen in their frown and his lips press together. A sudden wave of panic skitters through me as I wonder if I said those words aloud.

Smack!

I jolt in surprise when Nick slams my test down on my desk. Precise red ink mars the top of the paper. 100% - Nice work, Miss Reyes.

Nice work.

My stomach flutters at the note. He’s never written anything on my work before. It feels like a secret message between the two of us. Glancing up, I find him watching me intently. A rare smile tugs at my lips. His own lips twitch and then he winks at me.

Winks!

Heat floods through me. I’m not going insane. My teacher, Callum, is flirting with me. This isn’t some fantasy or dream. It’s real.

“Willa got the only A,” Nick grumbles, tossing the last test on someone’s desk. “I wonder how she got that.”

The room erupts in a cacophony of sexual grunts and moans. Humiliation burns hot in my gut. My test—that I’d been elated over just moments before—crumples in my tight grip. Tears threaten, but I blink hard, fiercely keeping them at bay.

“Out,” Mr. Park growls. “Get out of my classroom right now.”

“Mr. Park,” Nick whines. “I was just kidding—”

“OUT!”

I flinch at the booming order. My palms are clammy and my heart is beating a hundred miles per second.

Nick mutters under his breath about what a dick Mr. Park is but doesn’t speak it loud enough for him to hear. The classroom grows deathly quiet as Nick leaves.

Is everyone staring at me?

I just want this day to be over with.

“Now that you’ve all had your childish fun, open your Chromebooks. You’ll find today’s assignment waiting. After the lecture, I expect you all to complete the assignment and pass it with flying colors.”

With shaking hands, I shove my test into my backpack and then pull out my computer. It feels like everyone is watching me.

Except for Mr. Park.