Page 25 of Make You Mine

This is how every teachers’ meeting goes when we have a big event coming. We indeed like to go big. We celebrate every freaking holiday with an event of some sort.

“We had a costume party and contest a year ago,” Mr. Broadsmith, history creep, reminds us. “But not all of us have been here that long.” He smiles, proud of himself, running a hand over his shiny head. “We could do it again and add a bunch of new games for the kids. There’s nothing wrong with recycling content.”

Principal Schultz rubs his chin, his eyes scanning the rest of us across the room. We’re sitting at a round table close to the desks Hannah and I usually enjoy our lunch at.

Kayden’s next to me, unfortunately.

“We could do a treasure hunt. Like a scavenger hunt,” Hannah suggests from her place in front of me.

“We did that two years ago,” Berta, one of the two senior Kayden certified fangirls, says. “What about a bake sale? I make some killer chocolate chip cookies.”

“I’ve got a better idea.”

We all direct our gaze to Kayden. Except me. I’m too close to him to want to meet his eyes.

“Love the confidence. I’m all ears, Mr. A’gosto.”

Kayden smirks, something sinister passing through his dark blue eyes. “How about we go spooky this year? Let’s do a haunted house.”

“That’s not very different from holding another costume party,” Mr. Broadsmith argues. “We may as well go with my idea then.”

“I’m loving the ‘Halloween before Halloween’ vibes. A haunted house is pretty much my jam,” Ethan says. He is the science teacher, even though he looks like he’s the lead singer of a punk-rock band. “I could even come up with some spooky background music. I love composing in my free time.”

Kayden smiles, bumping a fist with him from across the table. “Sounds awesome, man.”

“I agree with the kids. I personally find interactive activities more engaging for students.” It’s Martha, Kayden’s second fangirl, and our other senior teacher who corroborates.

“Yeah. Some youngsters are embarrassed to dress up, but they sure love to get scared! I vote for a haunted house, too,” Berta agrees.

Mr. Broadsmith clears his throat. “Ladies. You can’t possibly be serious? Imagine the risks of heart attacks from sudden jump scares! You two, more than anyone else, should agree with me.” He points at Martha and Berta.

The two older women gasp, pressing their hands to their chests.

“Excuse you?” Martha groans. “Are you implying we’re old?”

“Yeah,” Berta says. “You’re not fresh out of college yourself, Broadsmith. How dare you!”

“Teachers, this isn’t the best time to—” Principal Schultz attempts to stop the bickering.

“Yeah, you aren’t looking your best, Broadsmith,” Martha spits out, standing up from her seat. “At least my skin is glowing.” She presses a hand to her stretched-out face, and another to her white bob.

“Yeah. We’re hot for our age,” Berta says, standing up too. “Right, Kayden, darling?”

The two women stare, with big eyes, at Kayden.

Are they—flirting with him?

The look on Kayden’s face is gold. He’s being put in the spotlight by his two biggest fangirls. If he fucks up, he won’t be any better than Mr. Creep himself.

“You’re both gorgeous. If only I were a few years older, I’d be all over you ladies,” he says without a problem. “Chill, Broadsmith.”

I gasp. The women swoon, giggling to one another.

So he’s only a horrible human being to me, not to others.

Okay, I can appreciate that.

“But, what about the parents?” Mr. Broadsmith asks now, trying to take the heat off himself while the rest of us watch, entertained. He got into this one all by himself. “They can’t possibly go into a haunted house. They⁠—”