Jan. Week 4: Tuesday planning period...Leah visits Mr. Howard (Tenure: +10, BBC Silence: -25)

Leah’s planning period flickered into view—the sole flash of quiet in her wildfire of a teaching day—but instead of gratitude, her stomach crackled with tension.

Howard’s orders hung over her like a fuse lit and burning down, and Leah’s instincts—once quick and bright—had been dimmed into obedience.

She knew Mr. Bill would be pissed. But she didn't think he would make a scene. At least she hoped he wouldn't. Besides Mr. Howard was the Principal. {if pl > 58} Or maybe...just maybe...she wanted to see Mr. Howard. {endif}

She lingered at her door until the corridors emptied, the last students racing to their next period as the bell’s echo fizzled away. For a heartbeat, she teased herself with rebellion: stay in her classroom, feign illness, forget. But her mind ignited with every possible horrible consequence—the angry emails, the veiled threats, the humiliating video splashed across every screen—until her resolve snapped: she would go.

She strode down the near-deserted hallway with the energy of a live wire, passing Amber’s desk in the administrative suite. Amber sparkled with officious drama, wrestling a parent over a field-trip refund. Leah kept her gaze ahead, but Amber’s eyes sparked recognition.

“Mr. Howard’s waiting for you,” Amber chimed, the phone cradled at her shoulder, her tone sugared but her stare judgemental with opinion.

“Thanks,” Leah said tensely.

At Howard’s door, she paused—her pulse pulsing like a bonfire—and stepped inside at his summons, the click of the door echoing like the strike of a match. He sat behind his desk, fingers interlaced, eyes glinting but got up to greet her.

“Miss Williams,” he drawled softly, “Punctual. I appreciate that.”

“Do you know why I called you in?” he asked, voice low, unsettlingly warm.

“Of course.” She raised her eyebrows as if it wasn’t completely obvious

“Show me, then.” he smirked.