Tenderness is a Dangerous Thing

Chapter 68: Validation

The first-period bell rings overhead, signaling the start of classes. Students begin gathering their belongings and heading for the library exit, but neither Zack nor Anna makes any more to leave their cozy corner booth. “We should probably go to class eventually,” Zack said reluctantly. “Ugh, just when we were getting comfortable. But you are right we should go,” Anna says slightly frustrated. She sits upright, moving away from him slightly and starts packing her books into her purple backpack. “We have English for the first period with Ms. Wayne,” she says casually. Zack stretches languidly as Anna begins packing, the brief comfort of having her body pressed against his fading too quickly.

He watches her efficient movement– the way her brown hair falls across her face as she bends to gather her books, the way her hands move with practiced familiarity. “Ms. Wayne,” he groans dramatically, running a hand through his hair. “Of course it is her. She will probably give us that stupid poetry analysis assignment today.” Despite his complaints, he stands up and collects his history book from off the table. His movements are less hurried than Anna’s, still savoring the lingering warmth of their moment together. “At least we will be sitting next to each other,” he adds with a wink as he zips up his backpack. “Maybe I can pass you notes about how much I hate sonnets instead of actually paying attention.”

“Or you could start working on the assignment? Then we will have more free time together later,” Anna says suggestively. Zack’s eyebrows shoot up at her suggestive tone, the implication of ‘free time together’ sending immediate sparks of interest through him. The idea of using class time productively holds significantly more appeal when it means extra time with her later. “Start working on the assignment now?” he repeats, falling into step beside her as they exit the library. “Are you trying to turn me into some kind of responsible student, Anna?” his hand finds hers naturally as they walk down the hallway toward their English classroom. The familiar gesture feels both comforting and charged with new possibilities. “If I finish this stupid poem analysis early, does that mean I get bonus points for good behavior this weekend?”

“Definitely. I will even help you edit the final draft. I can get into tutor mode again,” Anna says excitedly. Zack’s lips curve into a smirk at her enthusiastic response, the image of her in ‘tutor mode’ conjuring up all sorts of intriguing possibilities beyond English literature. The thought of her critiquing his work– her fingers tracing over his words, her voice taking on that authoritative tone she used earlier– sends a fresh wave of heat thought him. “Tutor mode,” he repeats with raised eyebrows as they approach the classroom door. “I have a feeling you are going to be a very demanding tutor. Lots of red marks on my paper, maybe some extra homework for mistakes?” His grip on her hand tightens slightly, pulling her closer against his side as other students begin filing into the classroom. The hallway noise fades behind them as they enter the familiar space of Mrs. Wayne’s classroom.

In front of the classroom, In the front of the class… Ms. Wayne sits on the edge of a dark wooden teacher’s desk with one leg crossed naturally over the other. Both her hands hold several sheets of white paper, probably the English poetry analysis assignment she discussed in previous lessons. she has dark brown hair styled in a neat, slightly tousled updo, with soft bangs framing her face. She wears black rectangular eyeglasses, and her expression is thoughtful and composed as she looks slightly to the left, toward the classroom windows. She is dressed in a coordinated cream-colored business suit consisting of a tailored blazer and matching trousers.

Underneath the blazer is a cream blouse with a modest V-neck and a row of buttons down the front. her desk is organized and uncluttered and beside her sits a black ceramic mug with the phrase ‘in my teacher era’ printed in white lettering. Next to it is a black mesh pen holder containing pens and pencils. At the front edge of the desk rests a polished black-and-gold nameplate reading: Ms. Wayne– English Teacher. A small stack of classic novels is arranged beside the nameplate: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’; ‘1984’; and ‘The Great Gatsby’. Behind her on the large whiteboard, ‘ENGLISH’ is written prominently across the top and beneath it is a lesson outline titled ‘TODAY’S FOCUS’ with four bullet points: tone and mood; symbolism; character development; and themes.

On the lower right side of the board is an inspirational quiet that reads: ‘Words have power. Choose them wisely.’ To the left of the whiteboard stands a wooden bookshelf filled with books and mounted on the wall above it is a black motivational poster that reads: ‘Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.’ The quote is attributed to George Santayana. The classroom is arranged in rows of wooden desks with attached chairs. Several students are seated at these desks already. On the desks are various school materials such as notebooks, pencil cases and pens. Large windows stretch nearly the entire length of the right-hand wall. They are covered with white vertical blinds, which are partially closed.

“Find our usual spot,” Zack says quickly, nodding toward the desks were they usually sit in the middle, second row. Anna walks in behind Ms. Wayne’s light brown wooden desk and down the row to their desks. She passes a girl with curly shoulder-length red hair, wearing brown-framed glasses and a dark brown cardigan over a white shirt. An open notebook rests in front of her, and she holds a pen as if ready to take notes. She is talking to the boy beside her who has short, curly black hair and is wearing a dark navy sweater. The back wall of the classroom features several educational decorations, including a large black motivational poster that reads: ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.’ And the quote is attributed to DR. Seuss.

Beside it hangs a framed portrait of Edgar Allan Poe. A wooden bookshelf beneath the poster contains numerous books arranged neatly on its selves. A small green potted plant and a pair of framed photographs sit on top of the bookshelf. Anna sat down at her desk. “Your work is not that bad, I am actually very impressed by what I have seen so far,” she continues, her words laced with honesty. She takes out her English books from her purple backpack and places them on the table. Zack follows her to their shared desk, his earlier fatigue momentarily forgotten thanks to her encouraging words. The honest compliment lands differently coming from her– not just as validation, but as proof that she genuinely believes in him.

“Not that bad?” he says with a surprised laugh, sliding into the seat beside her. “Coming from the girl who gets perfect scores on every single assignment, that is practically high praise.” He sets his backpack down with more purpose that usual, opening it to retrieve his own English notebook. For once, the prospect of tackling Mrs. Wayne’s poetry assignment does not feel like a chore. “Maybe you are right,” he admits grudgingly, flipping through his notes from last week’s class. “If I actually apply myself for once instead of coasting on my charm…” his gaze drifts over to Anna organizing her books neatly on the desktop. “You could rule the school,” Anna said with a light laugh.

“Especially considering how much hidden charm you do have.” Zack’s lips quirk into a genuine smile at her praise, the words “hidden charm” landing with surprising warmth. He is so used to others seeing him as just another bully that her belief in his potential feels like a secret they share. “Rule the school?” he scoffs playfully, leaning back in his chair. “That sounds like way too much effort. I would rather just rule you instead.” His green eyes held hers for a moment longer than necessary, the suggestive undertone clear in his voice. The classroom begins to fill around them– other students settling into desks, Mrs. Wayne calling out attendance from her desk and marks off the absent students on a notebook.