Page 117 of The Teacher of Nothing
“And it’s immediate grounds for termination.” Wayne throws his hand in the air. “Depending on when this video was taken, we may need to get the police involved.”
I don’t flinch because the police know and they’re not doing shit.
“You’re firing me?”
“You were…” Wayne trails off. “A student.”
“The word you’re looking for, Wayne, is fucking.” I shrug, no longer interested in denying the truth. “Yes, I was fucking mylegalstudent. Still am. In fact, she lives with me because she’s my goddamn girlfriend.”
Wayne gapes in shock at my brutal honesty. Quickly, he recovers and clears his throat. “You can no longer remain employed at this school. I’ll need you to gather your things immediately and leave the premises.”
“I’ll leave,” I agree, “but not until you transfer him”—I say, jabbing a finger toward Levi—“to another class. I will not have my girlfriend putting up with his abusive shit if I’m not there to protect her.”
“I’ll see what I can do—” Wayne starts, but I cut him off.
“You’ll do it now,” I growl. “Do it now and then I’ll be out of here.”
“You’re in no position to make demands,” Wayne bites out.
“And you’re in no position to deny my one, simple request.” I narrow my eyes. “It’s like you forget who makes the most sizable donations to this school. You wouldn’t want me to tell my fatheryou’re not capable of protecting his future daughter-in-law from rapists, would you?”
I can feel the hatred radiating from Levi, but it’s easy to ignore. I may not be able to smear his and his dad’s name through the mud for fear of getting Willa’s mother sent to prison, but it doesn’t mean I have to lie down and take his shit.
“Mr. Park,” Wayne mutters. “I’ll handle it. Now, please leave. I’ll have someone gather your belongings and you can pick them up at a later date.”
“I have to switch classes because he bullies you?” Levi gripes. “Unbelievable.”
“You’re playing games way out of your league, kid,” I state, sneering at Levi. “You’ve already gone too far.”
“Out of my league?” Levi scoffs. “Maybe I’m just getting started.”
“Stop while you’re ahead,” I warn.
“Or I could just send a certain video to every damn person in this town.”
His threats have me fisting my hands, barely able to keep the rage at bay. He knows he has the upper hand here. Even if he shares it with everyone, I still won’t be able to leak his father’s illegal shit because then Darren will expose Willa’s mom.
“Am I missing something?” Wayne asks, confusion wrinkling his brow.
Willa clears her throat and lifts her chin. “Levi, you won’t post that video because then I’ll tell Darren what you’ve been up to.”
I stroke my hand down her back, proud as fuck that she’s standing up to this twat. Wayne scowls at my touching her. He can fuck right off because she’s mine. I’m fired anyway, so who gives a rat’s ass?
“You know how my dad will take to you threatening us,” Levi spits back. “Whoit affects if you do.”
Willa leans into me, her arm wrapping around my waist. “I don’t care anymore. So be it. I’m done living in fear, though. She’s a big girl and can handle herself.”
“Who?” Wayne butts in.
We continue on as though he’s not present.
“You’re bluffing,” Levi hisses, but his eyes flash in defeat.
“I can assure you, I’m not.” Willa shrugs. “Your call, Levi. Do you want to ruin your dad’s life because you’re an asshole? Because the only person who’s going to hurt is you. You won’t have your daddy to rescue you anymore when you screw up. And, newsflash, Levi, that’s all you do. You’re a loser.”
She’s right. She has me and I’ll take care of her for the rest of her life. Willa is mine and as soon as she’ll let me, I’ll marry her. Make that shit permanent. Levi, though, won’t manage well without his dad. If Darren is sitting in prison, Levi, who can’t seem to stay out of trouble, will inevitably fuck up bad enough to follow his dad there. He’s a dumbass, but he’s smart enough to know this to be true.
Levi glares at us, nostrils flaring. Then, he jumps to his feet and mutters a defeated, “fuck this shit,” before storming past us. As soon as he’s gone, the tension in my neck releases itself.
