Page 19 of The Flirty Forward

“That idiot Sebastian happened,” I tell her.

Her eyes widen. “What did he do now?”

I shake my head. “He’s made a mess of everything. I was looking online. I—”

“Oh, don’t do that,” she interrupts me quickly. “Just...don’t.”

“Too late.” I sigh and shake my head. “I don’t usually care about what people think about me, and I still don’t, but this is so bad. The things people are saying about me, the names they’re calling me…”

“I know it’s easier said than done but ignore it. Ignore it all. Remember when you told me that? Remember when you told me not to read everything that was online about me?”

“Yeah.” I don’t say anything more.

“You at least need to eat,” she says gently.

“I will.” I take a deep breath and look up. “I’m fine. Correction--I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”

Her concerned gaze shows me that she’s doing just that. “I gotta get to class, but please don’t let it get to you. You’re a really good person, Stephanie.” I snort at that, and she grins. “Except maybe when somebody sets you off.” We both laugh, and she leaves. A quick glance at the clock shows I only have a few minutes before my next class starts. I reluctantly turn back to the task at hand. I need to get my focus back on my job. I do well until nearly the end of my day.

I’m in the middle of teaching about Napoleon’s invasion of Russia when somebody knocks on my classroom door. I finish the thought and turn to see who’s interrupting me. “Hi, I’m Chloe. I represent the Green Thunder. Are you Stephanie Winston?” I nod. “Is now a good time?”

I stare at the woman for just a moment. She’s every inch a professional; I can respect that. She’s wearing a classic pencil skirt, heels, a soft blue blouse; and every hair is pulled back into a perfect bun. But the fact that she’s interrupting my class and doesn’t see a problem with it...yeah. That’s the part that’s bothering me. I keep a professional smile on my face. “Hi, Chloe. It’s nice to meet you. As you can see, I’m in the middle of teaching, so if you wouldn’t mind—” I don’t get to finish what I’m saying because a tall man walks into the room behind Chloe.

Sebastian strides forward like he owns the room. “Hey Class, is your teacher doing a good job?” He grabs the history book out of my hand. “Ooo World History.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Fun stuff.” Before I can say anything, he turns to my class, looking down at the page it’s open to. “Napoleon. Oh, man. Did you know that he wasn’t even actually that short? Everybody depicts him as a short man, but he really wasn’t. Did you know...” he moves away from me as I reach for the history book, keeping it just out of my reach. “...that he wrote a romance novel?” He nods at my class, who are staring at him with amazement all over their faces like he’s the best thing since sliced bread. “It’s true. Look it up.” I manage to grab the history book and tug it back.

“Thank you, Mr. Hart, for your extensive history knowledge. We are all in awe,” I say deadpan. I meet his gaze head-on, ignoring his grin. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a class to finish.”

“Actually, Miss Winston, we need to talk,” Chloe says without looking up from her phone.

I resist the urge to let any response show on my face. “Well,actually,I’m in the middle of teaching. So, you will need to come back when I am finished.” I manage to say the words evenly without letting my anger show.I think.

She looks up from her phone. “I believe you called this morning and said it needed to be taken care oftoday. It was urgent. Right?” she challenges.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my cool. Before I can say anything, Sebastian leans close. “It’s your turn, Teach.” I turn my glare on him, but he only grins. “It’s your turn to say something to Chloe,” he whispers loudly. I feel my face heat, and I literally feel like I’m going to explode. “Want me to cover your class for you while you two go duke it out in the hallway?” he asks. My class cheers in response to that and calls out a chorusof yeses. Sebastian grins at my class. “Yeah?” He tries to take my history book from me, but I jerk it close to my chest.

“You are not teaching my class,” I tell him heatedly.

“Miss Winston, we need to deal with this. Mr. Hart and I have a busy schedule and don’t have time to waste. So if you want this dealt with, now is the time.”

I wonder in that moment if it’s possible to literally see the steam coming out of my ears. My eyes lock on Sebastian.I’m going to—

“You good, Teach?” he asks, leaning towards me. “Your face is looking a little red. Maybe you need to take a break. I can take over for you.”

With that, I snap. “Class, read until the end of the chapter. No talking. Only reading.” I turn to Chloe. “Let’s talk in the hall.” She steps toward the door, and I whirl on Sebastian. “You,” I say in a heated whisper. “Hall. Now.”

His grin nearly stretches across his face. “Yes, Teach.”

“Stop calling me that!” I snap. I close my eyes, trying and failing to calm down. When I open my eyes, he’s still there.

“After you, Miss Winston,” he says with a flair.

I turn on my heel and march out into the hallway, reaching for some sort of control so I don’t lose it. I take a deep breath.You’re a professional, Stephanie. Act like it.I plaster a fake smile on my face. “Thank you for coming over to the school.” My chest feels tight, but I push on. “I appreciate you taking the time so we can fix this situation.”

Chloe frowns. “Yes, we saw the demonstrators on the front lawn.”

I’m taken aback. “Demonstrators?” I question.

“Yeah, those people out there holding signs informing us all of your fine character,” Sebastian says. I can hear the humor in his voice. I make my way over to the window that looks out onto the front lawn. I stare at the crowd that has gathered. I can makeout the signs from here. I see everything from#forsebastianto #stopthehateto a bunch of them that have what apparently is my new nickname.

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