Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel Page B

taking their seats. I didn’t see anyone I knew except Tracy. I sat as far away from her as possible. As I walked, I noticed a familiar curve of a spine seated next to Tracy. The person had a wide, well-toned back that was hidden underneath a black button-down. It was Justin and he was seated next to Tracy. I sat down without glancing in their direction.
    Professor Lynn turned to the class from writing on the blackboard.
    “Kate Chopin. The Awakening —1899. Can someone tell me if this novel is a romance, a thriller? What genre is this?” Professor Lynn asked, catching my glance. So I guess we’re just going to jump right into this, I thought.
    I didn’t respond. Instead, I pulled the book from my bag. It was a brand-new, soft-cover copy that I had bought with Tony at the bookstore.
    “Anyone?” Professor Lynn pressed. Again, no one responded. “How about our new comedienne?” He referred to his class roster. I knew what was going to happen, luckily retaining my vampire ability to read people’s emotional intentions. I knew it, like an instinct, that Professor Lynn wanted to challenge me. He came toward my desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you read the first fifty pages? You should have received a letter and syllabus over the summer with instructions.”
    I nodded. Although I’d received no letter while I was hibernating six feet under the ground, I thought it best I didn’t mention that particular detail.
    “Why don’t you tell us what you think, Ms. Lenah”—he referred to his roster—“Ms. Lenah Beaudonte. What are your initial reactions to The Awakening ?”
    “What would you like to know?” I asked without removing my eyes from Professor Lynn’s. He was using me as an example, setting the stage—a power struggle. After the incident by the stairs with Tracy, I was going to win. Our stares were resentful, his eyes unforgiving. If Professor Lynn had ever been made into a vampire, he would have been frightening.
    “I asked what you thought of The Awakening . The initial fifty pages. Any aspect of it,” Professor Lynn said. The smugness in his voice was sickening. Just another example of human nature, I thought.
    Justin sniggered. I had never been in a classroom before this moment and already I didn’t like it. Tracy rubbed her knee against Justin’s and they both smiled at my stymied response. I shot a glance at them and then looked back to Professor Lynn.
    “Well,” I said, “I’m not a girl who likes to be controlled. The main character, Edna Pontellier, was controlled her whole life. That’s the book. The main character acts out against the social restrictions against her. She feels trapped. Now, if you are truly asking my opinion and not anticipating my failure in completing the assignment, I think it’s a dreadful book.”
    Silence. Then chuckles.
    “‘Dreadful’?” Tracy whispered in Justin’s ear, mocking me.
    “You can tell all that from the first fifty pages?” Professor Lynn asked, his eyebrows raised.
    “I’ve read the book before, sir.”
    Now they weren’t laughing. I scootched down farther into the seat and crossed my left leg over my right knee. My legs looked long and spindly. Professor Lynn walked to his desk and then turned back to face me. “You’ve already read The Awakening ?”
    I have a first copy, first hardcover edition, in my home in Hathersage, you fool.
    “Yes, sir. Three times.”

    An hour later, I dropped my English books into my bag. After scanning the room for Justin, I walked toward the doorway.
    “Miss Beaudonte?”
    I turned. Professor Lynn held out a handwritten note on a piece of paper. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked toward his desk to retrieve it.
    “Because you are so experienced with The Awakening and the rest of the class is not, I am going to assign you a few more written tasks than everyone else. It’s not fair, Lenah. Your literary experience puts you at an advantage.”
    I nodded, though I was