The class watches him intently, laughing at the scene that was about to unfold in front of them

Jake stood frozen at the front of the class, his face flushed red. Ms. Carter gave him an awkward smile. "Jake, if you'd like to start..."

Jake stammered, "I—I didn’t volunteer!"

Aidan, sitting in the back, grinned wider. "Jake, this is NOT funny, you did, I received your email!" Ms Carter said, biting her tongue.

"That wasn't me!" Jake snapped, but the class was already laughing, eyes glued to him.

Ms. Sanchez stepped in, trying to smooth things over. "Jake, if you're not comfortable, you don't have to—"

But Ms Carter interrupted, "No! Mrs Sanchez, don’t pity him, he is just trying to get out of involving himself in class, he will do this one way or another."

Jake's heart raced as he realised there was no way out. The class was watching, waiting. He was trapped.