frostbite

Chapter 4: After Class

Eden stayed behind after class, feeling like she was walking into enemy territory. She had always been tough, always able to stand up for herself, but Dr. Winters had a way of making her feel small, like she was always five steps ahead, watching her with those cold, unreadable eyes.

Dr. Winters sat behind her desk, not even glancing up when Eden entered. "Close the door," she said, her voice clipped.

Eden did as she was told, her nerves buzzing.

"You're an ambitious one," Dr. Winters said, still not looking at her. She was flipping through papers, perfectly calm. "But ambition without discipline is nothing."

Eden clenched her fists. She could feel the tension in the room, the coldness of Dr. Winters' words sinking into her skin. But she refused to let it show. "I don't think I'm undisciplined," Eden said, her voice steady.

Finally, Dr. Winters looked up, her pale blue eyes locking onto Eden's. "No," she said quietly. "You don't. That's the problem."

There was a long silence. Eden didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond to the way Dr. Winters looked at her, like she was some puzzle that hadn't quite been solved.

Dr. Winters leaned back in her chair, her gaze never leaving Eden. "You want to challenge me, Miss Graves? Fine. But you won't win. I don't lose."

Eden's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't back down. "I'm not trying to win," she said, her voice firm. "I just want to understand."

A small, cold smile tugged at Dr. Winters' lips. "Good. Then let's see if you can."