By fern goldstein

The Student

a excerpt from the novel

My reverie … is interrupted by Jerry’s arrival with Rita right behind. The temperature in the room immediately drops, making me shiver despite the pleasant spring morning air softly whispering through the open window. The icy glance Jerry slices towards me intensifies my feelings, and I shiver again. He slides into his seat heavily and pulls the hood of his sweatshirt over his head, a clear violation of school rules, but now isn’t the time to light that match. He shoots me another glance. This one is more sullen: the eyes slit-like, the affect flat and impenetrable. I have a nearly primal fear response and try to master my emotions. I make my face as enigmatic as his. He looks down again.”