Page 81 of Volik

I bite my lip as I glance back at my laptop and the video links.

Keeping my voice down, I lean toward Jenny. “Do you think all the kids have seen the videos of…?”

Jenny reaches out and pats my shoulder. “Yes.”

I huff a laugh at her direct answer. “Great.”

“Welp.” She takes a step back. “Good luck today.”

I want to ask her to stay, as my emotional support person. But Jenny has a job too. And I can handle this.

Icannot handle this.

There are still fifteen minutes left before class starts, and almost every seat is full.

In theory, not a problem. Except the headcount for today’s classes is about the same as yesterday’s. Meaning the room should be half full. Not… this.

I keep my eyes on my laptop screen, pretending to read the article about interviewing techniques we’re going to discuss today.

Am I supposed to do roll call and ask everyone else to leave?

Do I just let them all stay?

Stress winds its way around my throat.

What am I supposed to say if they ask me about yesterday?

I can’t just cover my face if they ask if we slept together.

Would a student just ask that?

I raise a hand and press it against my chest. Over my heart.

Murmurs fill the room.

I lift my gaze, then follow everyone’s attention to the door.

And find Volik standing just inside my classroom.

I didn’t hear any thundering footsteps.

No one screamed when they saw him.

He just appeared.

And the sight of him makes my heart thud.

Chapter 41

Volik

My heart gives an extra beat at the sight of her.

And I wonder if she can feel it.

Then I see her hand over her heart, and the edge of my mouth pulls up.

She can feel it.