Much later that night, Andy sat forlornly on his mother's couch, head in hand, recounting the day's mortifying events.
Mrs. Bates listened in pained silence, gently stroking her son's hair.
"I never dreamed I'd end up stuck teaching at some pretentious high school for rich brats," Andy finally muttered, shaking his head. "My plan was always to make it big in the music industry, not waste my talents like this..."
"My dear, you must understand - life rarely goes according to plan," his mother said softly. "Your dream may not be following the path you envisioned, but that doesn't make your work any less honorable."
She cupped Andy's face, her warm eyes shining with pride. "As long as you approach everything you do with integrity, no job is beneath you. This is just a step along your journey, not a pitfall."
Andy managed a weary smile, bobbing his head in begrudging acceptance of her wisdom.
But part of him still seethed at the unfair injustice of sacrificing his passion and being disrespected by an entitled student in the process.
One thing was certain - if Ashley refused to learn humility, he would make sure her life at that school became a torment to put her in her place once and for all.
***
The next few days were pure misery for Ashley.
Every time she saw Mr. Andy's stern face, her stomach knotted up.
Except during his classes, that is. Ashley had to admit, she loved the way he taught with such energy and passion.
But outside the classroom, Mr. Andy seemed determined to make her life hell.
He piled on extra assignments and fired tough questions at her constantly.
His cold eyes burned with hatred whenever they met hers.
Revenge was all he could think about after her terrible mistake.
Ashley found herself in one tight spot after another, forced to obey his outrageous demands out of guilt and fear of getting him fired.
One day he'd make her mop his entire office.
The next, she'd have to sweep every corner of the classroom. Once, she even had to pull weeds outside by hand while the other students watched and whispered.
"Just say it's voluntary," she lied whenever a teacher asked, her cheeks burning with shame.
Mr. Andy showed no mercy, even when Ashley got so sick she could barely stand. He'd simply turn his back as she swayed dizzily as if he couldn't care less if she passed out or not.
His blind rage knew no limits - he ached to make Ashley suffer, no matter the cost.
For a while, Ashley managed to grit her teeth and endure his cruelty in stony silence.
But one day, the final straw came in the form of a bewildering new demand.
"Ashley, come to my office at once," Mr. Andy's icy voice crackled over the classroom speaker, interrupting her frantic studying.
"This is important."
Heart pounding, Ashley hurried down the hall. What fresh torture did he have planned this time? She braced herself as she entered his office.
"Yes, Mr. Andy?" she said in a small voice.
The teacher regarded her sternly from behind his desk. "I need you to go outside the school gates and down the road to that market you're so familiar with."
Ashley felt her jaw drop. The outdoor market where they'd first crossed paths? What was he playing at?
"I want you to buy me some oranges from there," Mr. Andy continued calmly. "That's not too difficult a task, is it?"
"Mr. Andy, you've asked me to do the craziest things lately, all to get back at me," Ashley burst out. "But this...this is the most outrageous thing yet!"
In a flash, he was on his feet, striding across the room to close and lock the office door. Ashley shrank back, eyes wide with sudden fear.
"Wh-what are you doing?" she stammered, heart racing. "Why did you close the door?"
Mr. Andy looked at her with disdain. "What, you think I'm planning to do something to you with us alone in here?" He let out a dismissive snort. "Don't flatter yourself. I simply closed it to block out the annoying noise you're making."
He tossed a permit card and some cash on the desk.
"Seniors are allowed to leave campus with a permit. So quit your whining, take the money, and go get my oranges."
Trembling, Ashley scooped up the items, seeing no choice but to obey.
But as she brushed past him toward the door, she froze. Slowly, she turned to meet his cold gaze, unable to stop the tears welling up in her eyes.
"What is that look for?" Mr. Andy snapped.
Ashley swallowed hard. "N-nothing. Just...just go ahead and enjoy abusing your power over me."
She started for the door again but then whirled around once more, hurt and anger flashing across her face.
"I never meant to take advantage of my dad's money, you know. And I didn't slap you on purpose that day! Just...just so you know."
Without waiting for a response, she wrenched open the door and fled, leaving Mr. Andy to stare after her. In her rush, Ashley nearly bowled over Miss Lily in the hallway.
"Ashley? Honey, what's wrong?" the concerned teacher asked, grabbing her arm. "Why are you crying?"
But Ashley couldn't answer. She just shook her head wildly and ran off toward the gates, gasping for air between sobs.
Inside the office, Mr. Andy remained motionless, her parting words echoing in his ears.
What had he done?
He'd only wanted to get even for that mortifying slap. But the stark pain and shame in Ashley's eyes...
The door banged open, snapping him out of his reverie.
Lily stood in the doorway, hands on her hips in a stance of reproach.
"What's going on, Andy?" she demanded. "Why did Ashley just leave here in tears?"
He opened his mouth, but Lily cut him off.
"Don't play dumb with me! Rumors are flying about that poor girl being blackmailed into doing chores by someone on staff. Supposedly she slapped a teacher and is now being punished."
Andy simply rolled his eyes, refusing to meet her scrutinizing gaze.
"And then I catch her fleeing from your office, completely distraught?" Lily said, taking a dangerous step forward. "I sincerely hope you're not the one involved in tormenting her. Because if you are, you could be in serious trouble. That girl's father is a billionaire, for goodness sake!"
Andy felt a flicker of fear, quickly smothered by anger.
How dare Lily lecture him?
"And why exactly is any of this your concern?" he shot back. "So what if I lose my job? Why do you care so much?"
For a moment, Lily's stern facade cracked, revealing hurt. "Andy...I know we didn't end well, but I still care about you. I'll always care. I don't want you getting mixed up in anything that could jeopardize your future."
Andy recoiled, unable to process her words. His jaw clenched as stinging memories resurfaced. Their bitter break-up, traded accusations, hurtful things said that could never be unsaid...
"I appreciate your concern, Lily," he said, each word dripping with sarcasm. "But I'll thank you if you stay out of my business from now on. Please leave."
With a last, withering glance, Lily turned and left, shaking her head slowly.
Andy could practically see the wheels spinning as Lily vowed to get to the bottom of what was really happening.
"Wait." Andy suddenly said out loud.
If anything should happen to Whitmore's only daughter, he could be in serious trouble.
For one, He issued the hall pass, and two, Mrs. Lily was an eyewitness.
Ashley could just decide to run away and make it look like he kidnapped her.
Dang it! Andy thought.
He had to keep an eye on her, if for nothing…
For his own good.
Andy looked at his watch, he didn't have any classes until 2 hours from then.
He picked up his jacket, locked his office, and set out for the market.