Chapter 3

It wasn't until Winona turned down my suggestion that she become the literature representative that I realized something had changed between us.

Only then did I notice that she was gradually drifting apart from me.

I already knew the answer deep down, but I still had to ask, "Why?"

She gave me a polite, distant smile. "Ms. Quinn, I really appreciate your kindness, but I've been focusing on physics lately. Honestly, I'd rather be the physics representative."

Just as I thought, Winona had a thing for Herman.

Soon enough, she got what she wanted and took someone else's spot as the physics representative.

I wasn't angry. I was just worried she'd fall for an inappropriate crush and let it get in the way of her studies.

So that night, I pulled Herman aside and said, "I think Winona has special feelings for you. Maybe you should keep things professional between you two."

Herman raised an eyebrow. "You think so too, huh?"

I was a bit taken aback. He'd already seen right through her feelings. "Since you knew, why'd you still let her be the physics representative?"

He just shrugged. "So what? She's the most dedicated student in class."

"She's your student. You should keep your distance," I insisted.

But Herman suddenly blurted out, "She was out of school for a year, you know. She's an adult now. As a grown woman, she can have feelings for whoever she wants."

When I didn't say anything, Herman grinned and slung an arm around my shoulders. "What, are you jealous?" he teased.

I didn't want to keep talking. In the hazy moonlight, Herman's handsome face suddenly seemed like that of a stranger.

Afraid things might get complicated, I hinted to Winona that maybe she shouldn't come over for dinner anymore.

She bit her lip, her face turning pale. "You're worried I'll be a threat to you, aren't you?" she asked directly, with a kind of confidence that said she knew exactly what I was thinking.

I didn't like her tone, and her arrogance rubbed me the wrong way.

I never thought I'd fight against my student over a guy.

To me, Winona was just a student. But to her, I was the enemy in love.

My calmness only made Winona more frustrated. "You don't deserve Herman. You don't get him at all," she snapped.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Get him? So just because you scarf down everything he cooks, you think you understand him?"

Winona's face turned bright red. "At least I appreciate his effort," she shot back.

I let out a sigh. "What you really need to respect is your own future. Your grandpa's busted his back just to put you through school."

Winona clenched her fists, her voice trembling with fury. "Spare me the act," she spat, and then spun around and bolted.

I could only keep racking my brain for a solution.

But within days, rumors that Herman and I were shacking up together had spread like wildfire across the whole school.

And to make things even crazier, some students started saying I'd gotten knocked up before marriage just to trap Herman into marrying me.

In those days, every time I walked through campus, people would be gossiping and shooting me dirty looks behind my back.

Some gutsy girls would even dart past me, hissing "slut" and "bitch" as they went by.

The only one at school who knew about me and Herman was Winona. And I knew that she was the only one who'd play dirty just to take me down.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I called her into my office.

She stared me down, totally unfazed. Then, with a defiant spark in her eyes, she said, "Bet it stings, having your mask ripped off in public, huh?"

I set my water cup down. "You're just a kid. How can you be so ruthless?"

Before I could even finish my sentence, familiar footsteps sounded outside.

Winona's lips curled into a triumphant smirk, and she quickly tipped the cup of water over her own head.

Before I could even react, Herman burst into the office.

Seeing Winona looking a mess, eyes brimming with tears, he grabbed me and pulled me out of my chair. "Yolanda, you're really crossing the line here. Do you even realize that insulting and punishing students is against the rules?"

Herman's accusation came out of nowhere, making my eyes burn with frustration. Tears welled up before I could stop them. "I didn't touch her. She poured the water on herself."

Seeing me cry, Winona looked even more pitiful, tears streaming down her face. She clung to Herman's sleeve and sobbed, "Mr. Zimmerman, please, don't argue with Ms. Quinn. I did it myself. The water has nothing to do with her."

Herman, sounding exasperated, gently wiped the water from Winona's hair. "Don't worry, Winona. As long as I'm here, I won't let her bully you."

Just then, the lunch break ended, and the other teachers started filing back into the office.

One of my colleagues couldn't help but step in. "Winona, Ms. Quinn has always treated you so well. Why would you go and make her upset?"

Winona straightened her back, eyes rimmed with red. "I know, I should be thankful that Ms. Quinn handed me her old clothes to wear. Sure, I'm poor, but I still have my pride.

"Ms. Quinn has no right to insult me, and she has no right to talk down to my family either."

With all these accusations flying, I was left totally unable to defend myself.

Herman's face went stone cold as he publicly scolded me, "Yolanda, whatever's going on between us has nothing to do with Winona. Don't take it out on her."

That just sealed the deal. Now, everyone was convinced that I was bullying Winona.