"Even though you're joining us halfway through the school year, you will be held fully responsible for learning the material from the first semester. Do you understand, Mr. Odinson? Mr. Odinson? Loki!"
Loki slowly brought his eyes up to the severe woman glaring down at him. She was young and she had natural beauty, but her harsh demeanor curtailed it. Her light brown hair was parted down the middle and fell to her waist, where her sky blue blouse was tucked into her khaki slacks. Loki didn't find it hard to imagine that many of the students fantasized about her. She scowled at him as he carefully placed a bookmark inside the book he had been reading and closed it.
"Apologies," Loki spoke with his usual drawl that clearly indicated he felt no remorse whatsoever.
"Did you hear one word that I just said?" The woman placed her hands on her hips.
Loki's eyes flicked down to the name badge that all teachers at his new high school were required to wear at all times. Eloise Grey. World Literature, American Literature, British Literature. "Yes."
"And what was that?" Ms. Grey lifted one thin eyebrow.
"I will be held accountable for the knowledge that you attempted to teach my newfound peers in the five months prior to my arrival at this dismal failure of a school." Loki remained completely still in his seat, hands folded upon his book.
The teacher was quiet for a moment, seemingly unsure of how to respond. "I beg your pardon?"
"From the childish paraphernalia you have displayed on the walls and the general disinterest of the students, I can deduce that hardly anything is genuinely learned in this atmosphere." Loki cast a quick sweeping glance around the classroom and learned that every eye was trained on him.
He looked back to Ms. Grey, whose little brown eyes were now wide, though with rage or shock he couldn't tell. She stood motionless in front of him for forty-two seconds. Then she pivoted and walked to her desk. From a drawer, she removed two pieces of paper: one pink and one white. She removed a pen from a mug filled with many other writing tools and scratched several things onto the pink page, followed by a looping signature. She made a few marks on the white slip and then signed it as well. She straightened, clicked the pen so that the tip was not visible, and replaced it in the mug.
"Darcy," Ms. Grey finally spoke, summoning a short girl with curly, dark brown hair and thick glasses to her desk. "Take these and Mr. Odinson to the main office. Tell him to bring his belongings. He will not be returning to this class." She fixed her venomous gaze on Loki, to which his response was a passionless stare.
Loki stood, picked up his book, and slung his knapsack over his shoulders. He went to the door of the classroom, not waiting for the girl. He left.