Chapter 3My Dad Uses Me to Rule the Class

Zack's POV

I went to school as usual the next day. When the recess bell rang, I pressed my right cheek to the cool surface of my desk, hoping that it would alleviate some of the pain.

Steve suddenly entered the classroom with his nose stuck in the air. He brought his lips close to my ear. He didn't even bother to hide the glee in his voice when he whispered, "You're done for."

I calmly closed my eyes and got lost in my thoughts. I wondered if Dad would acknowledge Steve as his son once I was dead. He probably would since he liked Steve so much. But I didn't know if Steve could endure Dad's punishments whenever he needed to assert his authority.

Just then, the door slammed open. At the loud noise, everyone looked up with startled expressions.

Dad stood at the door. His chest was heaving, and his expression was steely. He walked to the middle of the classroom. His eyes were reminiscent of poisoned wolf's as he slowly swept his icy gaze across everyone's anxious faces. Finally, he pinned his gaze on me.

My heart felt like it had been thrown into an icy cave.

"Our class is truly something else," he hissed as a storm raged in his eyes. "Someone is dedicating their attention to the wrong things. They picked up some bad habits and had a date on school grounds. They were even caught red-handed in the act!"

A deathly silence descended upon the classroom. Everyone held their breath.

"Step forward right now, Zack Curtis!"

All the blood in my body immediately rushed to my head before dispersing in the next second.

My voice was shaking when I mumbled, "It wasn't me—"

"It wasn't you?" Dad roared, interrupting me.

He stepped forward, casting his shadow over me.

Just then, the sound of a chair scraping softly against the floor came from the front row. Steve had stood up. He lowered his head slightly and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. His face was scrunched up, making him look incredibly conflicted.

"Mr. Curtis," he muttered, sounding like he had more to say.

"Go ahead, Steve. What do you know? Don't worry. Just tell it as it is."

Steve rubbed the back of his neck with an uneasy expression. In the end, a defeated expression crossed his face before he said, "It's not my intention to target anyone, but last Friday, I saw Zack kissing a female student from Class 7 at the school's back gate after school was over."

The air around me seemed to turn to ice in an instant. A chilling sensation of being strangled gripped my throat.

"You're lying! You're slandering me, Steve!" I shouted, leaping to my feet as my body trembled with rage and displeasure. "I don't know anyone in—"

"Zack Curtis!"

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning when I heard Dad's furious shout. He stood before me and raised his hand, mustering all his strength and ruthlessly slapping my already-swollen right cheek.