Dangerous Attraction

2. Stubborn

Emmett Laurier

~•~

It was only the first day of school and I was done with this job already.

It required me to talk too much. I hated it.

The vice principal kindly suggested I have a talk with everyone who repeated a grade because she felt I had an air of authority that they would submit to. I couldn't deny that, but they didn't mean I wanted to speak with a lot of spoiled high school kids.

However, I couldn't outrightly refuse because I had to pretend like I gave a fuck about my job.

I didn't know why the failure rate was so high, but I had spoken to more than ten students already. There were three more from the senior class.

The first was a boy, Liam Turner. Like others, he felt embarrassed and walked into my office with his head down. He failed because he was sick last year and took a lot of time off. He had nothing to be embarrassed about and I let him know that.

He vowed to do better and I looked forward to it.

The next was another boy, James Collins. He was the same boy who I had given a detention earlier. It was the first day of school and he was already late. How did he expect to pass this time?

"Good day, sir." He said as he lowered himself on the chair opposite mine.

"I haven't permitted you to sit yet." My voice was sharp and he stood up before his ass could even touch the chair. He looked like a stubborn one but at least he could follow orders. I could work with that. "Sit."

His lips flattened like he had a lot to say, but sat anyway. "I was told to come see you, sir."

I nodded, going through his file. "You're quite the trouble."

His expression was sheepish as he scratched the nape of his neck. "I've changed, sir."

"You pulled a prank even on the last graduation. When exactly did you change?" I saw the outline of his tongue poking the inside of his cheek, but other than that, he was silent. I sighed. "I hope you keep true to your word. I will not tolerate your mischievousness. You should know you're old enough to be jailed so your harmless pranks might not be seen as childhood plays. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." He gritted his teeth. He hated being scolded. It almost made me laugh. He should have tried his best to graduate last year then.

"You were late this morning. If you adopt the right attitude to school, you might do better." I didn't care if my words came out as a jab or not. "Don't forget your detention later today. You may leave."

He stood up to leave.

"And call the next person in."

The next person was a girl. The same girl that had told me her name this morning in the assembly.

As she walked into my office, she looked very innocent, but I could see through it. It was obvious she was a lot of trouble. Her school file proved that as well. There was a huge gap in her attendance. I didn't know what she did during that time because it wasn't recorded.

Add that to her failing her classes and she had to repeat her senior year while her peers went off to college.

"Good day, sir." She blinked down at me. "May I have a seat?"

She was polite too. I nodded once and she sat down opposite me, crossing her legs, making her school skirt rise slightly. She looked quite familiar, but I couldn't remember where I saw her from. I decided not to dwell on it.

"You called for me, sir."

"I did. Before we talk about your grade, we'll have to talk about your appearance first."

Her lips turned in a frown and she looked down at herself. "What's wrong with my appearance? I don't look good?"

I blinked at her question, not expecting that. However, I chose to ignore it. "For one, you're not wearing the school shirt." She was wearing a crop top with the school skirt. They had a uniform but it was almost nonexistent amongst the students. They wore whatever they liked, as long as they had on a piece of the uniform. I liked orderliness and their chaotic dressing wasn't falling in line with that.

"I've always worn this."

"Two, your piercings. You are going to have to take them off." She had a nose and a navel piercing.

"What? Why?"

"Because we'll be enforcing a metal detector check and..." I trailed off, letting her imagine the rest of the sentence. Last year, a silly boy had attempted a school shooting. He merely brought a gun but he didn't know how to use it, so he was caught before he could shoot anyone.

The school hadn't done anything to prevent what again. Maybe they actually needed me.

"So I can't wear my earrings as well?"

I pursed my lips. "You can."

"Then what's so special about the others? I'll just let them know it's nothing dangerous."

She had a mouth on her. It annoyed me.

"It is distracting and attracts unnecessary attention." I gritted out, staying calm.

"Oh?" She questioned, leaning forward to place her hands on the desk. "Are you saying I'm distracting you? Are you attracted to me, Mr. Laurier?"

I kissed my teeth at her pathetic attempt at seduction. "Did you flirt with all your teachers? Is that why you're held back?"

Hurt flashed in her eyes at my words and she leaned back, but she was quick to harden them. "I doubt I was called here so you could make fun of me, sir. I heard something along the lines of motivation if I remember correctly."

I pinched my nose and took a deep breath. I was usually calm and she was getting me worked up. That annoyed me even more.

"Focus in class and don't skip lessons." That should be enough motivation for her. "Dress properly tomorrow and get rid of the nose ring and navel ring. Look up the updated school rules on the website." If she had listened during the assembly, she would be aware of this already but she kept zoning out. I wondered if that was how she was in classes.

"I'll wear my plaid shirt but I'm not taking off my rings. They're just rings for fuck's sake. What's the big deal?"

This girl was a real piece of work. I didn't know why I agreed to this job. How could I go through the rest of the year without shooting someone?

"I doubt you're allowed to curse in front of your teacher."

She looked me straight in the eyes. "Fuck."

"That's it. Detention after school and wash your mouth before you arrive." I couldn't help but add the last part.

"I'll bring soap. You can help me."

I took another deep breath. God help me.

"You may leave now."

She shrugged and as she turned to leave, I realized a piece of her skirt had been folded, revealing more skin than she already was.

I didn't know why this girl was able to get on my nerves this much. I expected to meet brats in high school, but I never thought anyone could get under my skin like that.

She was polite but wasn't afraid of authority and would speak up if she felt offended. I was irritated but also intrigued.

Hazel Whitlock.

I didn't want to have to deal with such a character. Maybe she should have graduated before my arrival.

So second chapter

Now, what do we think of Emmett?

He has a lot of... thoughts.

Thank you for the title suggestions. I still need a cover though and that might take a while because I'm ass at it.

Don't forget to vote, thank youuuu