Page 50 of Unwritten Rules

“The main debate will be star-crossed lovers versus the bonds of the family, but students may use the text as a whole to make their point.”

Holding up two fingers, I go on. “Break up into debate pairs of two, with as little fuss as possible. Please and thank you.”

There’s a minor scuffle as most students opt to debate with the person they’re seated beside.

Of course, that fucking Hellcat opts for Mr Richards while giggling coquettishly. Talking closely, almost intimately with him – something I’ve only seen her do with me before, and I don’t like it.

I don’t like it one fucking bit. It turns my stomach, souring the sandwich I’d had for lunch, making it swirl uncomfortably.

Each twosome debates quietly, though Mila’s soft laughter chimes through the classroom on a continuous, torturous loop until it’s time to discuss who won the mini debates.

It is no surprise that Mila has trounced mini Leto with her debate in favour of the star-crossed lovers.

Glancing around the classroom, I see that only Mila and one other female student sitting close to her have won their individual debates, the rest of the debate winners having opted for the safer, more straightforward debate point of familial bonds.

“Can the debaters in favour of the star-crossed lovers please stand down at this podium?”

The two girls move forward. Mila flashes a broad smile to her teammate as they make their way to the middle of the classroom. Her teammate returns her smile, albeit more shyly.

Safe to say Hellcat will be the speaker. Great!

“And who wants to speak against these two?”

Twenty hands shoot into the air, and I casually point at the two closest to me.

I barely acknowledge the two Sandersons as they approach the other podium, but I can’t miss the immature giggling and elbowing going on mere feet from my fed-up body.

“Right. Introductions, please, ladies.”

“I’m Larissa.” The blonde on the familial bonds side speaks up first, tossing her long hair and throwing me an unveiled fuck-me look.

Oh, sweet mother of mercy. Kill me now!

“I’m Tina.” Her raven-haired team member is less obvious in her intentions, or at least I initially think that until she openly winks at me, giggling insipidly like a village idiot.

Fucking Sandersons.

“I’m Mila.” She speaks matter-of-factly, not glancing up from whatever she’s suddenly found so fascinating about her nail polish.

“I’m Percy.” A meek, timid voice comes from Mila’s debate partner. She smiles shyly, unable to hold my eyes for longer than a split second.

“Isn’t Percy such a sweet name?”

Mila’s dulcet tone carries easily through the room as her teammate blushes profusely before shooting Mila a shy smile.

“It’s short for Persephone. My mum’s weird.”

I stifle a grin – my first of the day it feels like – before I continue. “Now, we shall have two opposing sides. Clarissa and—”

“It’s Larissa, Professor.” The blonde cuts me off, further feeding my irritation.

Who the fuck cares, Sanderson?

Gritting my teeth, I smile apologetically. “I’m so terribly sorry, Larissa.”

She grins idiotically, batting her lashes so quickly I’d think she was having a febrile convulsion if I actually gave two shits.

“Larissa and Tina. You shall be in favour of the bonds of family as opposed to Mila and Percy. They shall take up the mantle in favour of the star-crossed lovers. You may now choose who shall speak first.”