Monday morning comes way too soon even though I finally feel back to normal.

"So whose house are we going to next?" Jenny asks at our lockers. For the first time since we started back to school, she isn't late.

Bee joins us just as Jenny said that. "Not my house, it took me forever to clean up," Bee says while putting her hair in a high ponytail.

"We'll figure it out. I had fun though, I think we should do that at least every month." Now that's an idea I can get behind.

"That would be fun!" I say. Dean's hand squeezes mine a little tighter than normal but I ignore it.

Everyone disperses to their class, leaving Dean and I. "We should skip his class." Dean says suggestively.

He wraps his arms around my waist in an attempt to pull me closer, "No he already doesn't like us. Skipping his class is not the way to go. Now, come on." I try to pull away but he holds me in place.

Licking his lips he says, "Not before I do this." Then he kisses me as if he has something to prove.

Right after we pull away he looks up. I follow his gaze to see Mr. Morgan standing in the doorway. His arms are crossed and his stare is icy. I am the first to walk into class with Dean following in suit. We make it to our seat quietly.

Mr. Morgan stands up and begins the class. I'm honestly surprised he didn't say anything to either of us but I'm not complaining. As he speaks I try to pay attention. Something about the civil war and how bad it was, death and despair, etc.

"I will be assigning partners for your first project. I will be handing out slips with your name on it, your partner's name, and your roles in the civil war. Your job is to research that role I gave you and how it either helped or hurt the civil war. Throughout the rest of the week, I will be going more into depth on the project." He continues to hand out our slips. When he hands me mine I look at the partner's name. Hunter Simmons, I glance up to him. I know who he is but I've never actually talked to him before. Regardless I wave at him and hand him my number so we can work on our projects. Hunter accepts with a small smile.

When the bell rings I stand quickly, trying to escape before he- "Gardner and Cooper stay behind."- calls my name.

Both of us grudgingly walk to the front of his desk. He writes two slips and hands them to us. Mine says detention 3 pm-4 pm, Mr. Morgan. I glance at Dean's it says the same thing only the teacher's name is different. "Why do I have Mrs. Hanson?" Dean asks.

"To keep you two apart even if it's for an hour." Mr. Morgan deadpans.

"Great." Dean rolls his eyes beside me.

I grab Dean's hand and guide him out of the classroom. Once we're out of Mr. Morgan's earshot Dean says, "I hate that guy so much!"

"It's fine, just calm down." I try but he's already worked up. Dean's had anger issues since I met him.

I notice his clenched jaw and his hand squeezing mine a little too hard. I ignore the slight pain, "Dean listen to me, It's not a big deal let's just get through it okay?" I stop and force him to look at me. His blue eyes are flooded with anger but the more he looks at me, the more it fades.

"You're right I'm sorry I got you in trouble." He apologizes.

I laugh, "It's okay you just have to remember not to make out with me in the hallways."

We begin walking again when he says, "It's just so hard."

After school, Jenny comes up to me while I'm on my way to detention. "You know the exit is that way right?" She points to the opposite direction.

"As much as I'd love to leave, Dean and I got detention," I explain.

She makes an 'O' shape with her mouth. "What did you guys do?" Jenny asks with a flip of her blonde curls.

I smile, "He just kissed me and we got detention because of the no PDA policy."

"Ah, I see. Kind of weird though." I stop walking and turn to her.

"How is it weird?"

"Oh because I see couples in this hallway making out all the time. He must really have it out for you two." She says to herself.

"Yeah maybe."

Jenny wishes me luck before dismissing herself and walking away.

I walk inside Mr. Morgan's room slightly on edge. I don't know why Dean and I are getting targeted. As much as I'd like to confront him, I push the urge down.

I look around the empty room. It's strange not hearing him type away on his computer. He's not even at his desk. "Mr. Morgan?" I call, looking around as if he's simply hiding behind a desk.

"In here!" I hear coming from the supply closet on the other end of the room.

As I enter the room I watch as Mr. Morgan reaches for a box on a shelf a little taller than him. My breath hitches when his shirt rides up and I see how defined he is. His abs aren't too intense just enough that when I lower my gaze I can see the perfect V shape that leads to his- "Do you need help?" I ask, pulling my eyes as well as thoughts away.

He turns his head and looks at me. "I got it. Why don't you have a seat? I'll be there in a minute." His tone is sharp, maybe even a little agitated.

Deciding to ignore it, I do a 180 out of the closet and take a seat right up front. Mr. Morgan walks up with a stack of papers that he drops on my desk. "These are all of the quizzes for the next month. So don't look at them." He warns.

"Why do you have them?" It's not everyday teachers just leave quizzes out and about.

"Because the printer jammed and you-" He grabs a stapler from his desk and hands it to me- "Are going to staple them."

Despite his agitated demeanor I nod my head and comply. I'm not going to give him a reason to target me anymore.

Mr. Morgan moves to his desk, typing away on his computer like it's his passion in life. Fifteen minutes go by when I set my stapler down momentarily. I haven't even made a dent in the stupid pile. After a moment I pick it back up and continue with my busy work.

"Can I ask you something?" I figure talking to him will make this go by a little faster. Without looking up from his computer, he gestures for me to continue, "What did Dean and I do to get on your bad side?" I try to seem nonchalant about it like it doesn't bother me.

His typing doesn't even falter when he answers, "I told you there's a no PDA policy."

I can't help but reply with, "Bullshit."

His typing stops and for the first time in eighteen minutes, he looks at me. His glare is just as icy as early this morning. "Bullshit?" He asks back.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat but nod anyway to keep my composure somewhat. "Couples show PDA in that hallway all the time and you never say anything to them. What makes Dean and I different?" I'm surprised that I haven't relented or asked for mercy by now because his eyes quickly narrow on me.

"Ms. Gardner let me explain something to you." He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his chair, not breaking eye contact. "I'm a new teacher in a new school. Do you think anyone would respect me if I let everyone get away with breaking the rules? Especially a couple like you two." Mr. Morgan looks as if he's won the argument.

Instead, he's just pissed me off. "So what? We were just there at the wrong place, wrong time? You have to know how unfair that sounds." I decide not to touch on this, especially a couple like you, comment. It's not my fault he has issues.

Mr. Morgan shrugs, "I'm not here to be fair. Now get back to work, the hour isn't up." Before I can reply he is back at his computer, working as if nothing bothers him.

I sigh heavily and do as I'm told. After a while, my anger eventually subsides and I finish my task five minutes early. Mr. Morgan looks up and sees that I'm done, "Good, once you put those back in the box that's in the supply closet you can leave." I nod, standing up and grabbing the quizzes. When I get inside the supply closet I look up to see the box labeled 'Quizzes.' It's on the third shelf up, definitely impossible for me to reach. I look out the door to see Mr. Morgan is back on his computer with no interest in helping me.

Groaning, I set the papers down on the table and grab a very old looking ladder. It doesn't seem safe but whatever, I don't need help from an insolent teacher. I move the ladder in the perfect position and take the first step. It wobbles but I ignore it, taking the second step slowly. Very carefully, I manage to get to where I can reach the box. I stand extending my arms as far as I can and smile when I'm able to reach the box. Grabbing it, I lift it and immediately regret it. The ladder wobbles and I lose my balance. I fall and brace for the impact, screaming. I close my eyes and wait to hit the ground but I only hear the sound of the ladder hitting the floor.

When I open my eyes I see Mr. Morgan, I feel his arms wrapped around me. He caught me. "Well if this isn't the most cliché-"

"What?" He interrupts.

"Nothing." I quickly say, "Perfect timing." I lower my legs and put my weight on my feet. Once I'm standing, I look down to see Mr. Morgan's arms still wrapped around my waist. "You can let go of me now, Mr. Morgan."

Shaking his head, he quickly removes his arms and grabs the box that I dropped on the floor. "Next time be more careful." He tells me.

I put my hands on my hips and scoff, "Next time don't ask me to grab a box on a high shelf." I defend, it's no secret I'm not the tallest girl in school.

"Your hour is up, get out of my classroom. I'll see you tomorrow." He demands, placing the papers inside the stupid box. Deciding not to argue, I walk quickly out of the closet and begin to make my way to the door. "Wait." Mr. Morgan calls from behind me.

I turn to face him, "You were right about me using you two as an example. I apologize Ms. Gardner." Something about his tone has completely changed. It could only be described as sincerity.

I'm speechless. Not knowing what to say, I nod and then leave.

Dean is already outside the door waiting for me. I feel relief when I see him and smile. He takes my hand in his and we begin to walk down the hall. "How was detention?" He asks. I wonder if he notices how flustered I am.

"Long," I reply before stopping in my tracks. "I forgot my bag," I say before telling him I'll meet him outside, and run back to Mr. Morgan's room.

"I thought you left." He mutters as I walk in.

For some reason, his words get to me, "Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt your sulking. I just forgot my bag." My words are laced with attitude but I stopped caring an hour ago.

Once I grab my bag I turn to leave but Mr. Morgan's hand wraps around my wrist. My breath hitches for the second time today when he turns me to look at him, "What makes you think you can talk to me like that?" He doesn't seem angry, just aggravated. I look into his eyes, they're green with a hint of emotion. What did I stir up inside him?

"The same reason you decide to talk to me the way you do. You're so full of shit." I didn't mean to sound so cold but he's always cold to me so it seems fitting.

"Excuse me?" He asks. I pull my wrist from his grip.

"You apologized but you're still rude to me. Honestly, what is your problem?" I question to which he doesn't answer. Instead, he looks down like he's thinking hard about it. I'm glad he doesn't respond, my adrenaline is through the roof right now. I've never talked to a teacher like that before but there's something about him that is making me crazy. I calm down and say, "Goodbye Mr. Morgan." Then I turn and walk out of the room. This time he doesn't stop me.