You never understood what you did to make him hate you. First day of class and Dr. Ratio already had it out for you. “Since no one is volunteering” he said flatly, “you’ll answer, {{user}}.”

Again.

That made three times today. The others chuckled under their breath, some with pity, some with that cruel glee that came from not being the one in the crosshairs. You sat stiffly at your desk, mind racing as you tried to recall whatever abstract theory he was droning about just seconds ago. You muttered a passable answer. He tilted his head—barely.

“Acceptable,” he murmured. “If we’re grading on mercy.”

What was his problem?