ten.

"I said no," Jane says. "To Tony."

Neither of them have felt the need to talk about it until now at the breakfast table just before class.

"You did?" Grace says, a little surprised.

"Didn't you tell me to turn him down?"

"Yes, but I didn't think you would," Grace replies with a shrug. She must have thought she would ignore her and say yes anyway. But Jane isn't like that at all.

"Well, I did. And now I'll be attending alone," Jane adds dryly.

"No you won't. You've got me," Grace says, giving her a reassuring smile.

Upon entering their Geography class, they notice the headmaster seated at the back, waiting with a few other students for the teacher to arrive.

"Do we finally have a new teacher then?" Grace whispers. They knew the old one was about to retire, but nobody could predict exactly when he would. But the only reason the headmaster would be attending a class that is not his own is to watch a new teacher take their first lesson.

He glances impatiently at his watch. The new teacher is not late, but he must be bored already.

"I guess so," Jane replies as they take their seats side by side.

Soon the rest of the students rush in and finally, the new teacher arrives.

She's young. Definitely as young as the headmaster, Jane assumes. With silky blonde hair cascading around her perfect face in big, bouncy curls.

She turns to look at him, hoping he would remain as unimpressed and indifferent as always. But instead, he seems to have straightened his back and now wears a small smile.

'A smile???' Jane faces the new teacher again, watching her lips part in a bright smile.

"Good morning, girls. My name is Meghan Moore, your new geography teacher. You can call me Miss Moore," she begins, setting her material on the front desk.

"I hope we can all get along," she adds with a reassuring nod.

The whole class claps suddenly, startling Jane a bit. She claps too, even though an unsettling feeling rises in her chest.

Miss Moore draws the classroom map down. "I'd like to begin by testing your knowledge," she says. Her voice is sweet and gentle and everything about her is stunning.

"You must all know what these blobs all mean," she jokes, waving her hands over the map, "but how much of these lines and numbers actually mean something to you?"

The class is silent as she stands, waiting patiently for a response.

"Any volunteers?" She prompts.

Jane looks around at anything but Miss Moore. She hates geography more than anything, but her parents wouldn't let her drop it.

"How about you?" She hears the teacher say. She prays silently in her heart that this woman has not singled her out before looking up to see who she is pointing at.

Her heart drops as her eyes meet Miss Moore's bright brown ones. 'Oh, no'.

She looks around, seeing that everyone else is not staring. She can feel the headmaster's eyes on her too, but she cannot bring herself to look at him.

Instead she stands and makes her way to the front of the class.

"I'm quite confident in identifying countries on the map," Jane lies, keeping her chin up and her eyes focused on the map.

"What's your name?"

"Jane."

Brilliant. Take this, Jane," she says, handing her a marker. She takes it.

"Now, class, this is a fun activity I love to try with my students." She turns to Jane. "I would like you to circle five flags on this side, and circle their exact locations on the map as well," she instructs.

Jane sighs in relief. This should be easy. She nods. "Of course."

She screws the marker shut and leaves it on the desk once she's done, before heading back to her seat.

Just before she sits, she notices the headmaster. But he's not looking at what she has done like the rest of the class. His eyes are on her. Miss Moore.

"Looks like Jane has been paying attention," she says, nodding in approval. "I sure hope the rest of you have been too. Well done, Jane."

She cannot bring herself to accept her praises. Instead she just sits and sulks behind her desk until the class is over.

***

"You don't like her."

Grace has noticed a change in Jane's mood since this morning. They haven't spoken at all until now, a few minutes into lunchtime.

"Miss Moore," Grace clarifies, taking another bite off her sandwich.

"Don't be ridiculous, Grace."

Grace laughs. "What is your problem? You've been glaring at everyone all day like you're about to punch them in the face. Especially Miss Moore. Why don't you like her?"

"Nothing except for the fact that she tried to embarrass me today," Jane mutters sarcastically.

"Oh, please. You've been called upon like that many times and it has never bothered you. In fact, I've always though you enjoyed showing off how smart you are," Grace replies.

"Well she didn't know that. I'm just a little annoyed. I'm in a bad mood. I'll be fine if you let me eat in peace," Jane says.

"Is this about Tony?" Grace asks, now sounding a little concerned.

Tony? She hasn't thought about Tony all day. She shakes her head. "I really don't give a crap about Tony."

***

When she arrives at the headmaster's office, the door is slightly ajar, and she can see Miss Moore in there with him. They are stood over his desk, talking.

His expression seems plain, but she wears the same smile she did while she taught her first lesson earlier.

She wonders if she should leave, but she still has detention and it would be really bad to try and avoid it.

But before she can think of what to do, the door creaks and they both turn their heads to her.

"Oh, Jane," she says, flashing her a smile. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm here to see the headmaster," she replies. Miss Moore turns her head back to him as if looking for some kind of confirmation. He stares blankly at both of them.

"Well, then. I was just about to leave."

She takes her bag from his desk before walking out. "Stay out of trouble," she says to Jane at the door before she leaves.

Jane glares. 'Stay out of trouble? Please.'

She walks in. "You gave me detention," she reminds him, avoiding eye contact.

"Yes. But I wont be your supervisor today. Mr. Gregory will. I'm sure he's already waiting for you in the lab."

All the life drains from her face at the thought of spending the next three hours in there with him. She's heard he falls asleep during detention and sometimes forgets to wake up and let the students leave.

"A few other students will be there as well. Turns out you're not the only one who enjoys getting in trouble," he says, returning to his seat.

"Will that be all, Sir?" She says through gritted teeth.

"Yes," he replies with a smirk.

She turns on her heels and leaves, making her way towards the laboratory.

"This is turning out to be one hell of a day," she mutters under her breath.

Her annoyance only mirrors his. It was not his intention to make her serve detention with the other delinquents. Jane is nothing like them.

But he had forgotten that he must drive to his mother's home tonight and have dinner with her and her obnoxious friends.

He'd much rather spend time here, no matter how much he dislikes his job.