Ms. G's tone isn't harsh, but Claudia still looks away and flinches when she speaks. She doesn't like being scolded, doesn't like having her dumb, impulsive mistakes rubbed in her face.

"Yes ma'am," she answers, all sweetness and contrition. She understands Ms. Gunzenhauser's position, but she also knows if she promises to never ask another teacher a strange or invasive question again it would be a damn lie.