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The others laugh, probably mostly out of politeness, because my joke wasn’t that funny.
“Well, I can’t help you with that. You’ll have to stand on the right side of the studio yourself. But as for the rest, I’m not worried a bit. I’ve seen your report cards and read your homework, Phoenix. You did well in your classes,” Francesca says.
“You’ve read my papers?” I look at her in disbelief, but she just shrugs and gives me a mischievous smile.
“I have the right contacts.”
“Why am I not surprised?” John says with a broad grin.
“Because I’m very predictable when it comes to things like that.”
“That’s true,” Pearson confirms.
It feels strange to stand there between my former teacher and principal. It doesn’t feel like I belong here. But I also no longer belong with the students who are gradually leaving the theater. I have to find my own place here, I just don’t know how.
“We’ll manage to make you a good teacher,” Francesca tells me, sounding surprisingly confident. “We need teachers who are properly trained, not former dancers who only go back to teach because they can’t think of anything better to do.”
I swallow hard and shift my weight from one leg to the other. If she knew that was in fact the reason I was here, she would probably ask Pearson to get rid of me immediately. But it seems he hasn’t told her anything about why I came back to this school.
“I’ll do my best,” I promise.
She nods. “I’m not worried about that. You’ve always tried hard. I think you’ll be good for my class.”
I think of Lia, and all at once, my stomach cramps. Because she’s here, and so am I. Because we slept together. Because even after three months, I haven’t forgotten her, and not just because she stole something from me.
But above all, it’s because no matter how much potential Pearson and Francesca see in me, if anyone finds out that I slept with one of my students—even if I wasn’t her teacher at the time—I’ll lose my job immediately.
Chapter 8
Lia
“I can’t believe you talked to Mr. Sutherland without me,” Susannah complains, sipping her wine.
We’ve been on the roof terrace for two hours now, and the freshmen have gradually begun breaking off into small groups, leaving us with a moment to ourselves. Right now, though, I wish we weren’t alone. Then we wouldn’t be talking about Phoenix.
“You could have waited for me.”
“Yeah, but you left and didn’t tell anyone. We didn’t know when you’d be back,” Katie says, dismissing Susannah’s complaint.
“I was just showing the newbies where the bathroom was.” Susannah pouts indignantly. “I hurried back. I would have liked to talk to him too.”
“Of course you would.” Katie pats Susannah on the shoulder. “I think everyone wanted to. He’s hot.”
“Oh my God, stop it.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can censor myself. But they really shouldn’t be talking about Phoenix like this. I slept with him, and they have absolutely no idea.
“What?” Katie says with a giggle.
“Nothing,” I reply quickly. Fortunately, it’s already too dark out for anyone to see how red my cheeks are. Instinctively, I reach for the necklace again but immediately lower my hand. I have to break this habit, urgently. Phoenix knows I have the necklace. He hasn’t seen it, not really, but I’m sure he knows anyway, because I couldn’t control myself. My hand moved all by itself to the small silver compass pendant resting between my breasts. That’s right where it’s belonged for the last three months. I should take it off immediately and hide it. But unfortunately, I’m all too aware that I can’t do that. Since I took it, it’s become a part of me, my anchor, something I can hold on to.
“When you say that, it’s never nothing,” Katie replies. “Come on, fess up.”
“Really. It’s just . . . he’s our teacher. It’s inappropriate.” I try to talk my way out of it and fail miserably.
“Lia, don’t be so uptight.” Susannah rolls her eyes and laughs.
“I’m not,” I protest, even though she’s usually right. I just wasn’t uptight on that one night. Not with him.
“Yes, you are,” Katie says. Why can’t she stick up for me instead?
