✦ Kristen Ford has always been fiercely independent-a trait that threatens her family's reputation. Her father, Evan Ford, decides to send her to Blackwood Academy, an elite school known for straightening out troubled kids. But Blackwood is no ordin...
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Alexander
I strode through the administrative building, my mind preoccupied with the demands of the upcoming semester. Truth be told, I was irritated at the thought of dealing with official formalities. Yet, beneath that irritation lay a deeper motivation. I needed my father's trust for a plan I was carefully making.
As I moved through the crowded hallway, I accidentally bumped into someone. I turned to see a young woman, clearly flustered by the accident. Her hazel eyes widened momentarily, framed by a cascade of rich brunette hair that caught the light in soft waves. Her skin was smooth, with a touch of natural blush on her cheeks. Her features were delicate yet strong, with high cheekbones and a slender nose. A small freckled patch on her left cheek added a charming detail to her otherwise flawless complexion.
As she stammered an apology, I hesitated, struck by a sense of familiarity. Her voice, her name, resonated with me.
"Kristen," I repeated, more to myself than to her, my voice steady but my thoughts racing. In that moment, I realized maybe she was the girl from last night.
As she took her seat, I introduced myself, studying her closely. Her eyes widened in surprise moments later when she glanced back at me upon hearing my name, confirming my suspicion. A subtle smile graced my lips as I continued to observe her. The more I gazed at her, the more she squirmed in her seat, revealing a strange sense of enjoyment within me. Reluctantly tearing my gaze away, I composed myself to begin the class.
It was the start of a new term, but for these students, I was an established fixture in their academic landscape, a formidable presence they had heard about but now faced firsthand.
"This semester will be demanding, but rewarding. I expect nothing but your best." A few nervous chuckles rippled through the room, and I narrowed my eyes slightly, my gaze sweeping over the rows of attentive faces. "Let's establish one thing from the outset," I continued, pacing deliberately in front of the whiteboard. "This is not a social hour. You're here to learn mathematics, not exchange pleasantries."
As I fired off questions at random students, testing their retention from previous years, I couldn't help but notice Kristen's unease. Each time my gaze lingered on her, she flinched, her attempts to blend into the background failing miserably.
"And what about you, Kristen?" I asked, my tone laced with subtle sarcasm. "Care to enlighten us with your insights on the fundamental theorem of calculus?" Her body tensed visibly, and she stumbled over her words before managing a hesitant response. "Um, well, it's about... uh, finding the... derivative of the... integral?"
I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Close, but not quite," I remarked dryly. "The fundamental theorem of calculus actually relates the concept of differentiation and integration, demonstrating their inverse relationship. Perhaps a topic for further review, wouldn't you agree?"
