Hazel sat down opposite her teacher, Ms. Joi, ready to defend her right to date a werewolf. Her teacher spoke first.

"No."

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"Ever since Monday it's the only thing students have been talking about."

"We talk about a lot of things on Mondays."

"The answer is still no."

"For everyone but you?"
"I made a choice when I was young and didn't know better."

"Bullshit."

"Language, Hazel."

"If you can make it work, so can I."

"I don't make it work. I'm constantly wondering if we'll survive another month, and I'm not talking about our marriage."

"Then why are you still with him?"

"This is not a conversation a teacher should have with a student."

"It is if you're student is considering a wider dating pool."

"I wouldn't want anyone to do what I did if it's just some fetish."

"A fetish? What do you think your students are into, Ms. Joi?"

"I have an internet connection, Hazel. I'm not under a rock."

"Oh."

"If that's all-"

"Your husband seemed cool when he was here on Monday."

"..."

"Really, he was."

"He wasn't supposed to be here."

"Didn't the principle invite him, though?"

"As a last resort, behind my back."

"But his presentation was awesome."

"It wasn't appropriate for your age group."

"He was being real."

"He caused a panic."

"He gave good advice."

"For people who are old enough to be out past curfew and already have their magic license."

"You do know more than half of the school is out every weekend doing shots with the Hunting Academy, right?"

"... yes."

"And now we know how to pick out werewolves and kobolds at a house party."

"You shouldn't even be at house parties in the first place."

"We're getting off subject, Ms. Joi."

"Hazel-"

"You're not going to stop us from experiencing life and making stupid decisions. If you don't want anything to happen to us you should just lock us up."
"I would never do such a thing. There are plenty of spells that are suitable alternatives."
"What I'm saying is you can't protect us from everything. You can only prepare us."

"Wow. That's deep. As heartfelt as that sounds, I still cannot recommend that anyone pursue a romantic relationship with a crypto, given the risks. Think about Howard."

"..."

"… I'm sorry to bring him up so soon, but he's a prime example of what happens when you follow your hormones and don't exercise caution."

"I'm pretty sure he's recovering."

"He's missing a kidney and will be repeating senior year."

"I know not to hang out with lamias."

"And werewolves."

"..."

"Hazel."

"You can't make me say no."

"At least wait until college before interacting with higher cryptos. They have to go through background checks to even step onto college campuses. You can meet new people in a more controlled environment."

"..."

"Okay?"

"... Okay."

"Good."

"..."

"Hazel?"

"Yeah. Okay."

"Okay."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Well, the bell's about to ring, so you better get moving. And speaking of college, I'm still waiting for the second draft of your college essay."

"..."

"Hazel."

"I'll get it to you on Monday."

"Monday it is. Have a good weekend, Hazel."

"You, too, Ms. Joi."

Hazel got up and walked out of Ms. Joi's classroom. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket to check for any messages, and saw a new text.

Some guys from the local pack might be at Sanza's kickback tonight. Still down? PS, not open invite. Dnt tell anyone or we'll def get arrested.

Hazel smiled.

Hell yeah. See you tonight.

She put her phone away as the bell rang for 5th period and walked to class, still smiling. She didn't notice Ms. Joi watching her from the doorway of her classroom, an expression of concern growing on her face.