Everyone fell silent. "Where have I ended up? What a foolish class," she said.
"Oh, it's all because of our shy boy," Luke chuckled cheerfully. He believed that by doing this, he would show everyone, including Mafiozi herself, that he could become her friend or ally. But Mafiozi didn't appreciate it.
"Did anyone ask for your opinion?" I was sure that the girl was looking at him with an unfriendly gaze. "You're creating a commotion here. Aren't you tired of it? Acting like a helpless child seeking attention."
Luke looked puzzled at Mafiozi and sat down properly on his chair, choking back the lump in his throat. I wanted to shout with joy. This was someone who could put him in his place. Not Lisa, who strained her throat, not Charlie, who was always loud, but Miss Mafiozi, who silenced him with just one biting word.
"In our Mafia, there's a rule about obeying orders. Do me a favor, and keep your mouth shut."
Silence fell. The teacher nodded at me, and I sat down. I thought Mafiozi would pick on me too, but she didn't. She sat calmly, listening.
"Now, questions for the class," the teacher said. "What is Counteracting Marketing? Who can tell me?"
Everyone was silent; no one knew the answer, though it was elementary. I opened my mouth to speak, but someone beat me to it.
"It's a marketing activity aimed at reducing to zero," Mafiozi said in a cold tone.
"What is the purpose of this marketing?" the teacher asked.
"To make people refuse a product, stop production," I mechanically answered, though I wasn't sure if it was correct.
"Excellent, just excellent," Miss Idalia clapped her hands. "Now, I'll give you a small quiz. Since you know, you can write it down."
Sighs echoed among my classmates. Of course, they don't study at all. Why should they rejoice? The teacher asked the students to pass the sheets from the front desks to the back. I turned back to Mafiozi and noticed the precise veins on her arms. Each silver ring on her fingers sparkled. She clicked her fingers in front of my face, snapping me back to reality.
"Oops, sorry, here you go," I quickly placed her test on the desk. I noticed that the girl arched an eyebrow. Mafiozi gave me a keen look, and I immediately turned away. For a moment, I allowed myself to think that she was different from all the others in the Mafia. But it could be just a facade. I had seen how coldly she acted, how she conversed with Luke, even though he was an idiot.
But the main thing was always ahead, especially when your tormentor is Luke Foris. If Mafiozi befriends him, then I won't have a chance. She will be his next puppet, and he will pull the strings. And with such an army, I will surely perish. And then a brilliant idea came to me. I quickly took a small piece of paper and started writing.
"Hey, nerdy, empty-headed!" Luke shouted at me. "What's first and third?"
Well, no, I won't help him. I don't have time for that. I have something to do. Right now!