“What … what did you say?â€? the teacher stuttered, his eyes widened.

“I said, Edgar Allen Poe. I thought that was right.â€? I said, confident still though all eyes were on me.

“No, no it is. Its just you … you talked.â€?

“What? Are we students not supposed answer your question?â€? I challenged. I was way too high up on Cloud 9.

The teacher looked as if he was about to explain that but he sighed and said, “It’s just great to hear your voice, Grace.â€? I smiled widely as some mouths dropped. “Students!â€? the teacher barked, “Can we try to focus on some work?!â€?

Some people turned back to pay attention and same eyes were still glued to me, including the teacher’s. Though the lesson went on, his eyes caught mine several times and every time he was smiling hugely like I’d just made his day.

At the end of his lesson, he said, “Grace, I’d like to see you after class.â€? Ugh, just great.

It’s all Poe’s fault.