CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO – NAUGHTY STUDENTS

As the night wore on, Jasmine's living room filled with sketches and notes. She barely noticed the hours slipping by, her mind too focused on her new plan. By the time the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, she had the beginnings of a strategy. Exhausted but oddly energized, Jasmine finally set down her pencil and stretched. She glanced at her phone, noting a text from Gordon sent hours ago: "Sorry again about tonight. Hope you're feeling better. Let me know if you want to grab lunch tomorrow. Love you." Jasmine smiled softly, appreciating his effort even as she wished he could have been there in person. She typed out a quick reply: "Thanks, love. Lunch sounds good. I think I might have a plan for my class. Talk to you later." As she hit send, Jasmine felt a glimmer of hope. Tomorrow - or rather, today - would be a new day. And this time, she'd be ready for whatever Kevin and his classmates threw at her. The next class day arrived all too quickly. Jasmine sto