8. Eduard Barre and Marie Christopher

You look at your calendar and see nothing but empty time, but just as you’re thinking you’ll have time to get some work done, Nikki buzzes for you.

“I have Mr. Barre and Marie out here wanting to see you.”

“Do you know why?”

“No, but Marie is crying again.”

Marie crying in the principal’s office accompanied by her French teacher could only mean one thing. Her getting caught cheating wasn’t a one-off.

“Send them in.”

Your door opens and a sobbing Marie is pushed ahead of the tall, wiry French teacher.

“I’m sorry!!! I’m so so sorry!!” Marie immediately begins babbling as she sees you. Eduard is clearly having none of it.

“This Marie here, she was caught cheating on her midterm.” His voice is stern and laced with an undeniable French accent.

“Again, Marie?”

She looks up at you , about to say something through her tears, but Eduard cuts in, “Again!? Marie then is a repeat cheater?”

Marie just begins crying even harder. You watch her for a moment. Through her hands, you see a flash of an expression: she’s checking on you to see how you’re reacting. The little bitch knew full well what she was doing, and she’s trying to manipulate you, you realize.

“It seems she is.” Your voice is a little colder with your new understanding of the situation.

“I demand she be properly punished for this, Luke.” Eduard looks furious. You had no idea he was such a hard ass about cheaters, not that it isn’t warranted in this situation.

“She will be. If you’ll just leave things to me, she will be.” You break eye contact with Marie to look at Eduard, hoping he’ll pick up on what you’re putting down.