The possible scolding goes right over her head, but the praise brings back that blush and she drops her gaze. "I believe the term used was 'brown-noser', but... I-I didn't offer answers t-to suck up to you. I genuinely enjoyed your classes. I-it wasn't to try and get a place beyond my means. Really!"

She's babbling again. Justifying. But she wants him to know anyway. She bites her lip and looks up just enough to briefly catch his eye. "You make a really excellent teacher. If that's something your interested in, anyway. I'd imagine you kind of got both sides of the coin, being a guidance counselor."