Not exactly an answer. “I’ll take that as a yes,” CJ replied.
“To which set have you suddenly been so enlightened of, Mr. Caldwell?”
“Refer to whichever one you need to and carry on. It concerns you as my teacher and I will respect that and explain after class. It doesnotconcern another person in this class. I refuse to address this matter in front of them.”
“Very well, Mr. Caldwell. I’ll consider this matter settled.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I suppose she will be with you the entire day?”
“I suppose so.”
“I will be sure to alert your other teachers and save you the trouble.”
Although the teacher’s about-face was a little shocking, CJ wouldn’t question it. “I would appreciate that.”
The next few hours passed without event. CJ escorted Harley to all of his classes. Not only didn’t his teachers ask questions, but Harley received an alert on her phone that she had lessons to complete on her dashboard.
Skye tried to invade during lunch, but CJ wouldn’t allow it and sent her away. He was actually starting to exhale and believe the entire day would go smoothly, especially after he escorted Harley to the auditorium once Ms. Mendez texted her that she’d arrived.
“I wonder where Mr. Grevenberg is,” Ms. Mendez said. “He has lines to run through and a set to help put the final touches to.”
Luckily, Harley was on the other side of the room, talking to a group of girls.
“If he doesn’t show up, I promise I’ll return after my last class to help with whatever,” CJ drawled. “Just tell Harley to text me.”
She smiled at him. “Will do.”
He'd just walked into his fucking history class when all hell broke loose. Ryan’s presence was bad enough. Aunt Zoann wasn’t around, so CJ didn’t even have to acknowledge that fuckface.
“Are you going to football practice, CJ?” Jaleena asked, sitting in the aisle to his left, one row behind him. “I think the cheer squad is practicing with the team today because of the theater production later tonight.”
“If I’d been enrolled during auditions, I would’ve won the lead as Juliet. According to Shakespeare, she had light brown hair,” Skye said before CJ responded to Jaleena.
“Nowhere in that play does he describe Juliet so decisively,” CJ said.
“Really?” Skye purred. “Andyou’resuch an afficionado that you’d know that?”
Hewasn’t. Hehatedfucking Shakespeare, but he knew more than he cared to because of Aunt Kendall, Mattie, and Harley. “Obviously, you aren’t, Skye. He called her eyestwo of the fairest stars in heaven.” Blegh. Whatever the fuck that meant. “Romeo, that simp, compared Juliet to the sun or moon or something in the sky and said her cheeks would shame the stars.” He remembered that because it was fucking stupid.
“What does that even mean?” Jaleena asked.
“Exactly,” Skye said. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, CJ. Because, hello, whatdoesthat mean?”
“What it means is that Juliet’s beauty was radiant, outshining everyone,” CJ said, then returned to Skye’s original boast. “Harley competed against several girls for that role. I doubt the outcome would’ve been any different even if youhadtried out for the part.”
“What is she to you?” Skye demanded.
“A question I’ve been asking myself all day,” Jaleena said. “You claimed you two were nothing to each other.”
“I’m impressed by your knowledge of Shakespeare, Mr. Caldwell. Now, please bring that knowledge to a desk and take a seat,” Ms. Flotsam ordered, one of only two female teachers CJ had.
In the Lower and Middle School, there was definitely a higher number of female teachers, but that ratio flipped in the Upper School.
“Yes, ma’am,” CJ started, enjoying the breeze of the open windows and the emerging greenery of spring. He took his seat, glad to be on the first row, close enough to smell the air. Close enough to see… “Grevenberg,” he snarled, jumping from his seat and running to the window.
Nardo was headed to the auditorium, swaggering as if he hadn’t fucked with Harley and didn’t intend to fuck with her again.
