Chapter 3: He’s My Professor

Brielle’s POV

I woke up the next day, getting ready for school and silently praying to the Moon Goddess that today would go well.

But deep down, I knew the chances of avoiding trouble were slim. 

My eyes landed on the coat from last night, still draped over the chair. 

The same coat that had wrapped me in warmth. I reached for it, fingers brushing the fabric, and brought it closer, inhaling the faint trace of his cologne.

Memories came crashing back as I hugged the coat tighter. The way he had looked at me while applying the balm. How he had calmly wrapped the bandages across my legs—he is so fucking romantic. 

Just then, a hand suddenly touched my shoulder, causing me to shiver in fear.

“Camellia! Goddess! You scared me!” I gasped, nearly jumping out of my skin as I shoved the coat off me. Casting it to my bed as if it burned me.

“Sorry,” she said with a mischievous smile, her gaze dropping to my still-bandaged knees, and back to the coat.

“And… sorry about last night—”

“I’m glad you didn’t interfere,” I cut in, rolling my eyes. “We both would have lost our jobs.”

“But the boss asked me to tell you that you can come back to work. And that he’s sorry for acting the way he did,” she probed.

The relief that washed over me was almost dizzying. Last night, I’d been certain I’d never step foot in that club again. Not after everything that happened.

“Oh, and,” she added, her voice turning playful, “Mr. Handsome came back last night to pay for the drink you broke. And he’s the reason why the boss asked you to come back.”

I froze. “He came back?”

“Not just that,” she went on, eyes wide, “he threatened the boss, his life, his family, because of you. He looked so cool when he spoke. And so damn handsome.”

I stared at her, stunned. “He… did that?”

“You know what,” she said, waving it off, “we can talk about it later. You’ll be late for school.” She handed me a small lunch. 

Rolling a few dollars into my palm, she hugged me tightly. “Don’t miss the bus. And get your food from the kitchen. You know we cannot afford your school’s cafeteria meal.” She smirked painfully. 

And as I stepped out of the house, she called out. 

“Brielle,”

“Yes, Cam,” I answered calmly.

“Promise me you won’t get into trouble. You know it wasn’t easy getting you in.”

“I promise,” I said.

And just like that, she nudged me toward the roadside, waving until I was on the bus.

The ride was long and quiet. People kept their distance from me. I guess Alice’s threats had done their work.

But honestly? I didn’t care. I just wanted to finish school, get my degree, work anywhere, get rich, and repay Camellia for every kindness she’d shown me.

I was about to step into the car when one of them almost caused me to trip by placing their legs on the way. 

I quickly held one of the poles for support as they all burst into laughter. 

I heaved a sigh, pulled through amongst them as I tried to get a seat for myself. But they all wouldn’t even allow me.

“Sorry, but this seat is taken,” one of them said as he placed a book on it. 

“Can I–”

“No,” Another answered as I made my way towards the backseat, and none was ready to offer me a seat. 

And like that, I had no choice but to hold the pole while the driver moved along the wet road. 

“Why would Jace be interested in someone like her?” I could hear some people whisper.

“I mean, she’s pretty–” 

“She’s a poor loser. She cannot be compared to Alice Cole. Have you forgotten the rules?” Another added as I looked away with tears pricking my eyes.

I just knew it was going to be a long ride.  Dipping my hand into my bag, I took out my headphones, plugged them into my ears, and listened to music. 

My knees hurt from the whole journey, and my toes were already aching when the driver pulled up in school.

I was about to get off when I felt something smack me from behind. It was a ball. Just as I looked behind, the ball hit the ground— laughter erupted.

“Here we go again,” I muttered, pushing myself up as I made my way towards the classroom. 

“Isn’t she the scholarship student? The one who lied her way in pretending to be an orphan?” I heard a girl whisper to her friend.

My stomach turned cold. How did they know that? My grip tightened on my bag. I thought Camellia said she got it all covered.

“Yes. That’s her,” another voice said. “I doubt she knows her secret’s out. Why lie about being an orphan when you have a mother?”

Their words dug in like claws. I kept walking, refusing to give them the reaction they wanted.

Then came the one that broke something inside me.

“I think she’s ashamed of her mother. I heard she’s a whore who sleeps with rich men after leaving her first mate. She abandoned her daughter.”

“How pathetic,” the girl snickered. They ran off, giggling.

My vision blurred as tears burned hot down my cheeks. Papers and scraps rained against my back, followed by the sound of more laughter.

But I didn’t turn around. I just kept walking.

With trembling hands, I brushed the dust off my skirt and turned to leave, only to walk straight into Alice and her pack.

The infamous A4 of BriarWood Academy. Alice, Angie, Allison, and Amelia. 

Four perfectly painted faces hiding claws sharper than glass. Alice was their leader, and unfortunately, I’d become her favorite target, all because I caught the eye of the guy she couldn’t have.

But I had made up my mind. No matter what they threw at me, I wasn’t going anywhere. I needed this certificate more than I needed my pride. It's the only way I can make a good life for myself. 

“You slept with the man from last night, didn’t you?” Alice’s voice sliced into my thoughts.

I froze. “What?”

Her minions closed in, their eyes glinting like they could already taste the damage they’d do.

“You think you can come in here and take my spot?” Alice scoffed, stepping right up to me.

“I’m not trying to get in your way, Alice. Just leave me alone,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady even as my legs felt like water.

A sharp yank on my hair from behind made me stumble forward with a whimper.

“Look at that,” Alice taunted. “The little scholarship girl finally talks back.”

She raised her hand, ready to slap me, but the bell rang, loud and sharp, cutting through the air. The first period was over.

“Everyone to your classes, now!” a staff member barked from across the hall.

Alice didn’t move. Instead, she stepped closer, grabbed my tie, and yanked me forward until our faces were inches apart.

“If I ever see you with my boyfriend, Jackson, ever again—”

“Your boyfriend?” I scoffed, unable to help myself.

Her eyes narrowed. “You still have the right to—”

“Miss Cole. Is everything okay there?” The vice chancellor’s voice came from behind, calm but carrying authority.

Alice’s expression snapped into sweetness. “Yes, sir. We’re just… welcoming the new student.”

Before I could say a word, the A4 closed their circle tighter around me, smiling for the authority figure—but their eyes promised me something far wicked.

“Leave for class. Now.” His voice was calm, but it carried the kind of weight that left no room for argument. He stood there, waiting until we all stepped inside.

The moment the door shut, the A4 turned on me. Alice’s arm shot out, pinning me against the door. My glasses slipped down my nose as I tried to steady my breathing.

“If you ever take my cheerleading spot, or even look at the J4 boys, Jackson, Jace, Jayden, and Jason—I can’t promise you’ll walk away in one piece.”

Students began filing in, their chatter filling the room.

Alice’s smile returned like a mask as she smoothed out my collar, making it look like we were friends instead of predators and prey. 

Then she strolled to her seat with the others, leaving me frozen for a moment.

My heart thudded against my ribs. “I can do this,” I whispered. “It’s just a phase, Brielle. You’ve survived worse.”

I bit down hard on my lip and headed toward my desk, only to notice a thick bluish substance smeared across the seat. Ink.

“Alice says you’re sitting there,” one of her minions purred.

Are they really asking me to sit on that, knowing fully well the harm it will cause to my uniform?

My stomach twisted. I adjusted my glasses, searching for a way out, when a voice rolled through the classroom.

It was deep. Controlled. Unmistakably familiar.

“He’s so hot,” one of the female students whispered excitedly. 

“He’s the new history teacher?” another gasped, her jaw dropping.

“I’m pregnant for him already,” someone blurted, and the room erupted in giggles.

“I still love the J4 more,” a hater sneered. “He looks… too stiff.”

I barely heard them. My pulse quickened. I knew that voice.

“Miss Parkman,” he called, leaving me startled. “Why don’t you have a seat? You’re holding up my class.”

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat.

It was him.

The coat. The silver eyes. The man from last night.

My lips parted, but the words tangled in my throat. My knees wobbled under me.

“You—”