“Both of you, sit! Now!” The grumpy grey-haired man, Mr. Blackwood boomed as he shoved Becca and me into the chemistry lab.

Our steps echoed in the near-empty room as the door shut behind us. I threw him a sharp scowl fighting every urge in me to bare my teeth at him.

“You’ll all write an essay about the consequences of engaging in violent activities on school grounds, a no-claw zone,” He rambled, going on to write the topic on the whiteboard.

Ignoring him, I swept my gaze ...