Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
The jock nods sagely. “But I’m smart too,” he’s quick to add. “I’m going to State next year on an athletic scholarship, but I met all of their minimum academic requirements, no problem,” he boasts.
I sigh. The minimum academic requirements are probably a 1.0 or something else ridiculously low, so that’s nothing to brag about, but I force myself to smile again.
“That sounds wonderful, Chip,” I praise. “So glad you didn’t have trouble clearing the GPA hurdle.”
And he puffs up again with pride.
“So, where are you headed next year?” he asks.
The truth is, I don’t know. Now that I’m involved with Mr. Phillips, everything is different. I’m not sure what is next for me. I want to be where he is. To stay in the vicinity if he’s still going to teach at Spencer Prep next year. I need to talk things over with him, work things out, and figure out our next steps. But there’s no need for Chip to know any of this, so I just hem and haw, feeding him a white lie.
“Oh, my entire family went to State,” I say with some enthusiasm, “so maybe I’ll head there next year as well.”
It’s the wrong thing to say because Chip takes my hand, our greasy fingers suddenly entwined.
“Well, I hope we’ll see more of each other then,” he murmurs seriously, his voice low and meaningful. “I’ve had a good time tonight, and I hope you did too.”
I color a little but not from excitement. It’s because this is like taking a train to Orlando when you’re supposed to be headed to Miami. It’s off, but not so off that you’re doomed.
So I force myself to smile, reminding myself this this whole scenario is a disguise for my liaison with Mr. Phillips.
“Yeah,” I chirp with what I hope sounds like whole-hearted enthusiasm. “It’s been fun.”
Chip smiles then, his face breaking out into a big grin. “Oh great,” he exhales on a big sigh, the smell of greasy French fries hitting my face. “Great, great.”
And with that, we walk out of the joint, the envious stares of my female classmates trailing my form. Chip drives me home, giving me a quick peck on the lips when I hop out of his car.
“Evie, I had a great time tonight,” he repeats seriously while making pointed eye contact.
This time, I smile on auto-pilot. “Me too!” I chirp. “See ya tomorrow!” And I hop out, slinging my purse over my shoulder and practically skipping the steps up to my building. “Bye!” I wave over my shoulder.
As his car zooms off, I breathe a sigh of relief. My fake date is finally over, and I can relax and let myself dream. It’s not that Chip is so bad; he just isn’t the one I want. My alpha male is handsome and sophisticated, an awesome cook, and even better in bed. Stone, my mind sings. Stone, my body hums. I can’t wait to see him again, and I step into the elevator dreaming of the big man.
But he isn’t in class the next day either. Or the day after that. No reason is given, really – just that Mr. Phillips has been placed on ‘administrative leave.’ WTF? What is that? People start asking questions, our mouths agape, puzzled and confused.
“But why? For what?” presses Mindy when a vice-principal comes in to explain the absence to us. “Did he do something bad?” she stresses while shooting a meaningful look my way. I nod at my friend gratefully. There is no way I would have the courage to ask the question myself, but I hold my breath while waiting for an answer, almost unable to breathe.
But Ms. Henley dodges the question.
“Mr. Phillips had some disagreements with the administration,” she says firmly. “He’s been put on leave until the issues are resolved.”
That’s a non-answer if I’ve ever heard one, but no amount of prodding or poking can get anything more out of the administrator.
“Why?” whines Caroline Berman. “He was going to help me study!”
Mindy and I exchange a shocked glance. Had Stone been helping a bunch of female students with their classwork? Caroline is a plump blonde with generous curves, fat lips, and a dull smile. What the hell?
Ms. Henley shoots Caroline a sharp look. “Again, Stone Phillips has been placed on administrative leave, and that’s all I can say at this time,” she repeats smoothly. “Now, if you’ll let me introduce your substitute. Luther Wizener taught biology for thirty years in a neighboring school district before retiring last year.”
Upon hearing those words, the new sub steps forward. He’s a wizened, old man who looks about ready to keel over.
“Thank you, Ms. Henley,” he wheezes, pausing with his hand on a desk to catch his breath. “Let’s start at meiosis. That’s where Mr. Phillips left off, is that right? Cell reproduction, my favorite.”