Rosewood School for Boys

Chapter 12 - Showdown

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The scratchy sound of pens on paper fills the room as the class works through the algebraic problems on the board. At least, most of us do. Felix is intensely concentrated on balancing his pen on his nose. He's been at it most of the lesson and yet - judging by his progress - he isn't having a lot of luck.

It clatters to the desk once again and Professor Saunders turns around with an exasperated sigh.

"Mr Beck what are you doing now?"

Felix looks at him, blue eyes wide with feigned innocence. "Nothing sir, just busy solving for X."

The professor scowls, dark eyebrows furrowed in consternation. "If you've completed one question this entire lesson I'll eat my hat."

"What kind of hat is it sir?" He sits up straighter, "I've heard that some in countries woolly hats are considered a delicacy."

The class dissolves into laughter. Professor Saunders' shiny round face has turned from an exasperated pink to an alarming shade of mauve.

"This is not acceptable behaviour Mr Beck, you could excel in Mathematics if you chose to apply yourself. Yet you waste my time with childish antics and nonsense remarks about hats!"

"Technically you're the one who brought up the hats sir." Felix points out.

The professor's moustache twitches with fury. The whole class freezes, even I know that the moustache twitch is a warning sign.

"That's it! Detention!" He explodes, "You can come back here at dinner and finish your work then!"

Felix starts to protest but he dismisses the class and storms out.

I nudge Felix as we begin the walk to the gym.

"Probably gone to fix his toupee in the staff room."

He mutters some angry curse words under his breath. "Save me a bread roll at dinner, I'm gonna be starving."

"Sure you don't want a woolly hat?" I smirk.

He has to laugh at that.

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My steps make almost no noise over the soft mats and Ace almost jumps out of his skin when I tap him on the shoulder. Felix's incident delayed class a bit so the others are already there, stretching and warming up. Coach Carson claps his hands twice to summon everyone's attention and begin the lesson. He announces that we're working on attack today which im happy to hear because it's where the strength in my style lies.

When we start getting into partners the coach starts moving towards me,

"You can go with me again Amaryllis, don't you worry." He say confidently.

Ace grabs my arm, "She already has a partner sir."

Coach Carson frowns but then his gaze flickers to something behind us and his doughy face cracks into a grin.

"So glad you could join us Mr Donahugh, we were just getting into parters for some sparring work."

I turn around to see none other than Josh grimacing at me sinisterly with his yellow-teethed leer.

I suddenly call out before thinking, "I'll be his partner Coach!"

Ace and Josh both give me a shocked look but Coach Carson nods.

"Perfect, off you go then you two." He waves me away.

This may be a terrible idea but it's be a great way for me to get back at Josh for what he did to Caspar. Plus, I really want to beat his arrogant ass again.