She scolded my behaviour, my recent attitude changes, my declining dedication and reminded me of how much promises she saw in me, how much she respected me and how she was not going to tolerate such poor behaviour from anyone in her class.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I could not do anything but nod at her stinging words. I muttered a ‘yes, Miss or ‘no, Miss’ as needed and counted the seconds before I could escape her wrath. Then she did something I had never seen her do before. She opened her desk drawer and took out a slipper.
She again stated that my behaviour was not acceptable and not worthy of such a delightful young woman (how did she make me feel so awful and so wonderful at the same time?).