Mr. Grayson slowly walked to the center of the class the sound of his leather shoes clicking on the wooden floor a noise that made the room even more silent. Then in a prolonged tone he spoke. "Alyssa Carter, perhaps you'd like to give it a try or are you just used to listening to music through headphones?" His words weren't loud but they were sharp like a well-honed blade and immediately the class erupted in laughter. Madison smirked crossing her arms while others turned to whisper exchanging mocking glances.
A few even covered their mouths as if holding in their laughter at something far too amusing. He knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn't just asking a student to stand and perform he was calling out someone who in his view had no chance of succeeding. He was creating a situation he knew would make Alyssa uncomfortable would undermine her confidence in front of her peers would show her that some doors were never meant to open for people like her.
Alyssa felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She didn't want to step up she didn't want to become the entertainment for people like Madison. She didn't want to let Mr. Grayson get what he wanted. She knew she could refuse.