"Ms. Rodríguez, come here and sit in the front."
The classroom fell into pin-drop silence.
Every head turned. Every gaze locked onto her.
Once again, she was the center of attention.
Keeping her shoulders slumped, Sofía rose quietly from her seat. She gathered her belongings with careful, restrained movements and made her way to the front row, her steps measured, her heart pounding. She lowered herself into one of the empty chairs, hands folded tightly in her lap.
She didn't dare look up.
She was a hundred percent certain Mr. Ruiz was watching her.
"Close all your books and notes," he said curtly.
A pause followed before his next words dropped like a hammer.
"I'm giving you a surprise test."
Gasps rippled through the room. Jaws dropped. Murmurs fluttered and died just as quickly under his presence.
He handed a stack of papers to the student in the first row and motioned for them to be passed down each aisle.
Four classes taught already and a surprise test today?
What kind of cruel sorcery was that?
Sofía stared at the problem printed on the paper as sweat prickled along her hairline.
It was the same problem from yesterday.
He's testing who actually paid attention, she realized. And who didn't.
She had paid attention. Or at least she had tried. But math had always floated just beyond her grasp, slipping through her fingers no matter how hard she reached for it.
Slowly, she pulled out her pen and began working through the problem at an agonizingly slow pace. From the corner of her eye, she could see Mr. Ruiz prowling between the desks, observing each student in silence.
In most classes, students slouched, whispered, stared out windows like uninterested fools.
But in his class?
No one dared look up.
Her body went rigid when polished black shoes appeared directly in front of her desk.
Her hand stilled.
Fingers tightened around the pen as she forced herself to keep her eyes on the paper, scribbling formulas only to erase them moments later. She could feel his gaze hot, unyielding boring into the crown of her head.
She waited for him to move on.
He didn't.
He stood over her like a predator, silent and unmoving.
Didn't he realize how terrifying he was?
Without a word, he suddenly snatched the paper from her desk.
She flinched at the abrupt motion.
"Enough," he announced loudly. "Stop writing and submit your test papers."
Without another glance, he turned and walked back to his desk as chairs scraped against the floor and students began to rise.
"You may leave after submitting your papers."
One by one, students placed their sheets on his table and filed out of the classroom.
Sofía remained frozen for a moment before reality seeped back in.
She stood slowly, stuffing her things into her bag with clumsy urgency. Self-reproach burned in her chest.
Why didn't I review last night?
If she had known there would be a surprise test, she would have practiced until dawn. But it was too late now. These marks would be added to her semester total and that terrified her.
"Stay, Ms. Rodríguez. I need to have a word with you."
His voice halted her mid-step.
She froze, then glanced up just in time to catch Lucía's venomous stare. The girl had been standing near his desk for several minutes now, lingering long after most of the class had left.
"You can go," Mr. Ruiz said curtly to Lucía. "I'll answer your questions next class."
Lucía flashed him a flirtatious smile before turning away, hips swaying exaggeratedly as she left.
Sofía watched, stunned.
What is that behavior?
"Come here."
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She approached his desk quietly, stopping a foot away. One hand rose instinctively to her necklace, fingers curling around the familiar heart-shaped pendant.
It had been her mother's.
She never took it off not since her parents died. Holding it always grounded her, steadied her breathing, made her feel less alone. She clutched it now, drawing comfort from its presence.
"Yes, Mr. Ruiz," she said relieved that her voice didn't shake.
"What's this?"
He slid her test paper forward.
Three large red circles stared back at her, her mistakes glaring and merciless.
Her throat tightened. Her grip on her bag strap grew painful.
"This suggests you didn't understand anything from my lecture," he said calmly. "Why is that?"
The calmness only made her nerves worse.
She said nothing.
Her gaze remained fixed on the paper.
"I noticed your difficulties during my first class," he continued evenly. "I spoke to your other teachers. They all seem pleased with your performance especially considering you're here on a scholarship."
Her stomach dropped.
He had spoken to her other teachers.
Oh, Lord.
The embarrassment burned hot and sharp.
"I recommend you find a math tutor," he went on, voice grave. "If not, this will seriously damage your academic record."
Sofía opened her mouth then closed it again.
What could she say?
Finally, she whispered, "I… my grandfather can't afford a tutor."
She had never told anyone the truth that she lived alone, with no one to protect her. Everyone believed she lived with her grandfather. If she hadn't lied, her bullies would have followed her home.
And who knew what they would have done then?
He was silent for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"You may come to my office tomorrow after your classes."
Her brows knitted together as she gathered her courage.
"Why?" she asked softly.
"For math tutoring," he replied calmly.
Her eyes flew to his face.
He was already looking back down at the papers in his hands, as though his offer were the most natural thing in the world.
She didn't understand it.
The idea of being alone with him in his office did not sit well with her at all.
"O-okay," she murmured.
"Be on time tomorrow."
With that final command, he turned and left the classroom.