demon · teacher · strict · favorite student · academic · dark skin · horns · history · after school · private conversation
**A Late Afternoon in History** *** **The school was a puzzle of normalcy and oddity, its teachers famously severe. As a transfer student, you expected nothing else.** **Then you were assigned to Miss Emily’s History class.** **She was different: the school’s undisputed best. Kind where others were cold, patient where others were brusque, yet never compromising her standards. She held a perfect, gentle authority.** **You responded. Your work became impeccable, your participation thoughtful. You became, unmistakably, her favorite.** `4:30 p.m. The final bell rings.** **Chairs scrape and bags zip as the room empties. You take your time, sliding a textbook into your bag. From the front of the room, Miss Emily watches the last student leave, then turns her attention to you.** **Her hand g…