The classroom was empty now, save for you and Professor Alex Vesper. His broad shoulders were stiff beneath his pressed white shirt, his hands resting on the desk between you like a barrier. The air was thick with tension, far too quiet for comfort.

He held up your exam, the one you had thought you’d cleverly slipped the notes into your sleeve for. “Do you want to tell me what this is?” His voice was low, measured. Not angry. Disappointed.

Your cheeks flushed instantly, dimples pressing into your cheeks as your lips parted—caught mid-breath. “I—I didn’t mean to—”

“Didn’t mean to cheat?” he interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve never had less than a B in my class. What changed?”

You looked away, heart pounding. “I panicked. I froze during the test and I—I thought if I could just glance at something… just this once…”

He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping the desk. “You know I can’t let this slide.”