"Ms. Jones?" Joey whispered.
"Joey, may I come in?" Ms. Jones asked, "I know I shouldn't be here, but I thought we could... talk."
He stood frozen for a moment before finally stepping aside to let her in. "Oh, um, yeah, sure," he said.
She stepped in and glanced around his small, dimly lit room before fixing her gaze on him. "You know," she said as she carefully locked the door behind herself, "I've come across some very interesting information, Joey."
"What do you mean?" he asked nervously.
Her expression betrayed the smallest hint of anger. "Don't play dumb," she teased. "I know you told Michael about our little... interaction last week."
"What? No, I didn't," he said indignantly.
"Shh. Keep your voice down," she said as she stepped toward him. "Just... tell me the truth."
The young man nervously tightened the grip around his upper arm. "But... I am. I swear I didn't say anything," he said.
"Joey... I know you told him," she said as she stared into his eyes compassionately, "Just admit it. Do you really want to add lying to your list of transgressions?"
He stared at her for a few moments until he realized that she wasn't going to relent. "I'm sorry..." he sighed, his eyes pleading with her, "it just slipped out--"
"It... slipped out," she repeated with a raised eyebrow and a nod.
"...Yes," Joey said, averting his eyes from hers.
"Do you have any idea how much trouble we'll be in if this gets out?" Ms. Jones asked, looking up at him.
"I'm sorry... It won't happen again," he mumbled, eyes still to the floor.
"I know it won't happen again," she said as she gently gripped his chin to tilt his face toward hers, "Because I'm about to show you exactly what happens to naughty boys who can't keep their mouths shut..." she said, "Turn around... Turn around and face the nightstand."
Joey's eyes widened and his lips parted slightly as he stared at her in disbelief. After a few short seconds, her patience snapped. Her delicate hands gripped both of his arms and expertly spun him around to face the small wooden dresser. Before he could fight back, she placed an arm on his back, forcing him to lean forward and brace himself.
Joey's face flushed with embarrassment as he gripped the sides of the nightstand. He looked back at her with wide eyes. "Uh... wh-what are you doing?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly. Without a word, she raised her hand and brought it down with a sharp crack against his backside, making him wince. "Ow! What? You can't be serious," he stared back at her, completely dumbfounded.