Page 9 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

Iwalked into the admin building ten minutes early for my meeting with Headmaster Walter Richmond, which was, frankly, a feat deserving of a medal after my morning. I had slept fitfully, a mixture of nerves and excitement for the 9 a.m. meeting, so I was incredibly groggy when my alarm went off at six.

My brain was still booting up while I shuffled to the path around Cedar Lake for a run, which I suspect, was how the abs-hole managed to sneak up on me. I had been minding my business, plodding at a glacial pace and getting lost in Taylor Swift’s new album, when something hulking materialized out of nowhere, inches from my shoulder.

I screamed and leapt off the side of the path, where I had a perfect view of his rear striding off around the lake. His strides were relaxed and fluid at a speed that I wouldn’t be able to hit even if I sprinted. I cursed him under my breath for making it look so easy.

Distracted by my wounded pride and dignity, I answered my ringing phone without checking the caller ID. Stupid.

“Melanie.” My mother’s voice burst through my ear buds, and I flinched.

“Mom—”

“I can’t talk—your father and I tee off in a few minutes—but I wanted to wish you good luck this morning.”

“Mom. Thanks?” I replied.

“Make sure you wear your hair back. It’s more professional—be careful with the clubs!” she called to someone. “I have to run. Give Walter our love.”

And then the line went dead.

Even after a shower hot enough to cook a lobster, and a full skincare routine, I still felt on-edge. First, the abs-hole, and then my mother—nobody should have to start a day like that. The feeling would go away with time, but I really needed it gone in the next two to three minutes before I reached the admin building.

“Good morning!” I said when I saw TJ’s warm smile. I had received a good-luck text from Silvia earlier, but a friendly face was just what I needed to bolster my mood back to its usual level.

“You’re here to see the Headmaster?” she asked.

“Yep.” I drummed my nails lightly on the counter. “I’m calling this my official first day.”

“Nervous?” Her perfect brow arched.

I shrugged and flipped my fall of blonde waves over my shoulder. “Probably not as much as I should be. I’m mostly excited.”

She gestured for me to take a seat, and we chatted for the next ten minutes. TJ was all fired up about the new landscaping company that she had contracted with for the school year, and it was exactly what I needed to get my mind off my own problems. Plus, it was a relief that at least one person here liked me.

At two minutes to nine, the paneled oak door swung open to reveal an older, grayer version of one of the few authority figures from my youth that I had genuinely liked. My bright smile split my face, and I jumped up to greet him with an outstretched hand.

“Headmaster Richmond, so good to see you.”

“Likewise, my dear. Likewise,” he said in his clipped way. “It is a pleasure to have you back on campus.” Rather than shaking my hand, he raised it to his dry lips and brushed them across my knuckles.

My chest swelled at the praise, even as I tried not to recoil at the overly familiar gesture that would have been more appropriate for a donor at a fundraising gala.

“Not half as pleased as I am to be back,” I said. “Thank you again for the opportunity.”

“Of course, my dear. Of course,” he said. “And how are your parents?”

I should have expected this question, but it was still disappointing.

“Well. They’re golfing this morning, I think.”

Richmond hummed. “I trust you will pass along my regards.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, hoping he didn’t pick up on the hint of resignation in my tone. I wasn’t eager to speak with them again. Maybe a text would suffice.

Turning his attention to something over my shoulder, Richmond added, “And here is Mr. Cooper too. Right on time.”

A fresh trickle of apprehension slithered up my spine, and my smile faltered. The meeting notice said we would discuss the terms of my employment and expectations for the role—basically, a normal first-day meeting. There was no mention of another attendee.

Time slowed to a crawl as my gaze slid to none other than the abs-hole himself.