Fae by C. J. Abedi Read Free Book Online Page A

physically, some mentally, and some even have an overall package. Does this give this blessed section of society the sense that they are allowed to stand taller, command more, and demean? I don’t think so. I have more faith in humanity than that.”
    Stop now , Caroline. Stop now. But of course I did not.
    â€œI was led to believe that this person was a leader and a man, but what I found was that he is indeed a boy. A boy with an entitled sense of being, lacking in wit, perhaps even, a notable IQ. His only talent: giving a decent estimate while throwing a ball. The whole experience truly saddened me. This is what our society has come to. This is celebrity. This overgrown, arrogant, self-obsessed man-boy is famous in our small town. .
    â€œAs Rudyard Kipling so eloquently said, ‘If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings nor lose the common touch , you’ll be a man my son…’ Clearly, I had not encountered a man,” I finished.
    Exit stage left.
    Exit stage left , my mind screamed out. But I couldn’t. The room was quiet, students wondering if said boy was sitting in said seat, behind said reader.
    I looked up from my essay that I clutched in my hands, and I met his eyes.
    Fury.
    I saw flashes of it.
    Icy fury.
    Then just as quickly as it was there, it was gone. His black eyes gave me nothing.
    They just stared.
    Watched .
    Seethed.
    Mr. Simmons cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Thank you, Caroline. You can have a seat now.”
    Right in front of the angry man.
    I walked quickly over to my seat and sat down but not before I caught Teddy’s shocked face. He knew whom I was talking about; I was positive I’d get an earful when we left class.
D
    â€œAnyone want to go next?”
    â€œI’ll go,” I said in a steady voice.
    She obviously couldn’t help herself and quickly turned around and stared at me with a shocked look. Her long hair whipped around her face, framing it beautifully. I had to will myself not to stare at her longer than necessary. She was like a spectacular Botticelli painting.
    Delicate.
    One of a kind.
    I had walked into the classroom and it had taken all of my self-control to remain cool, calm. Disinterested. The girl who sat in her seat with a beautiful mane of hair was breathtaking. She looked so different from the night before. Staring at me wide-eyed and innocent. She was more than stunning.
    She left me speechless. And I had never been speechless in my life.
    Despite my reservations, I felt like I had to sit near her, next to her. I was, after all, summoned here to protect her. In order to do that properly, she had to be as close as possible, I told myself hesitantly as I took the seat behind her.
    And then, like all the other men in the room, I had watched her walk to the front of the classroom, her hair swaying behind her, her sweet, angelic face looking distressed, and I had been enchanted.
    Until she opened her mouth.
    And now I couldn’t let her get away with it. She had crossed the line.
    And she had to be tamed.
    â€œUmmm, sure, Devilyn.” Mr. Simmons looked perplexed by it as well. “But you don’t have to do this. I know you’re not prepared.”
    â€œI’m prepared, Mr. Simmons,” I said with a bit of arrogance. “I’m always prepared.”
    I could have sworn that she rolled her eyes but not before she turned beet red.
    I strode confidently to the front of the class and looked around for a moment, making eye contact with a few students.
    Then I stared straight at her and began my speech.
    â€œThe metaphorical phrase coined by Edwin Rolfe, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ is an apropos phrase for the twenty-first century. In spite of progress made, we must still fight against society’s ignorant prejudices.”
    Her mouth dropped open. I tried not to smile.
    â€œSmart, beautiful, average, unattractive, kind, gentle, and arrogant…