“It is. And I can’t wait to get started, but first, I need you to make good on your promise and carry me to bed. My back is really starting to ache here…”
“Now who’s being the diva!” he laughs. “Come on then, let’s get on with it.”
32
JACE
Standing in front of a class filled with children having all their eyes upon me while they expectantly wait for me to say something profound is very different to being on stage. It brings up a whole set of nerves that I didn’t know were possible. In the spotlight, I can’t see the eyes piercing right through me, but here they are all over me, searching me, needing something from me that I’m afraid I cannot give.
Come on, Jace, I warn myself. Just can get through this. The first day is always the worst.
I don’t know if teaching is for me, but after spending three months applying for all kinds of jobs, it’s the only one I felt comfortable in accepting. I know that the school is as anxious as me, hiring someone who is still somewhat in the public eye, but I promised them that I would make it work, and I intend to make good on that promise. Somehow, I’m going to have to do what I said I would.
“Hello, class.” I cough, trying to clear my aching throat. “My name is Mr. Fairs…”
“You’re Jace Fairs.” Instantly, the class troublemaker makes himself known. “You were in that band and you left. You didn’t leave to come here, did you? Because that’s the wrong way around.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I know, my dreams are backwards, but everyone is different.”
“So, this is real?” he continues. “This isn’t just some side class. You’re actually going to be our teacher now? Our music teacher will be a bona fide rock star.” He looks around at his classmates. “That’s so cool.”
I lean back on the desk and look around at the kids. This is the best environment for me to actually embrace who I am. I will get more out of the children if I just lead with my life in The Puppeteers and go from there. Eventually, that will melt away and I will just become me, but until then this is fine.
“Okay, so I guess a lot of you have some questions?” I ask. “You want to get those out of the way first?”
Immediately all their hands go up and I smirk. I guess we aren’t getting anything productive done today, but that’s that. What I will get out of the children in the end will over shadow everything.
“What was it like, being in a band? Is it the best thing ever?”
“Did you really go out with that YouTuber, Callie? What is she like?”
I will have to remember how much kids respect YouTubers these days. They are almost more like celebrities than us. I still have to have respect for Callie for using what she needed to, to get where she is.
“Did you make a lot of money being a rock star? Are you mega rich? Do you even need this job?”
“Okay.” I nod slowly. “I will do one class of answering questions then we will get on with work.”
I start talking about life in the band, telling them the fun parts without over glamorizing it, and by the end of the class I have to focus of everyone. They are enraptured by me, which is a good place to start…
I leave the school feeling refreshed and happy, like I’ve actually achieved something. This is good, much better than being in the band felt for a very long time. I’m happy. Actually happy. I smile up at the warm sky, knowing that the real Jace Fairs has made his way back to me, which is all I even wanted.
“Jace!” the dean of the school yells out to me. “Jace, could I talk to you for a second?”
“Oh, sure.” I pause and wait for him to catch up to me. “Everything okay?”
I’m nervous, I can’t help myself. I feel good but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’ve done well…
“I just wanted to let you know that the children are all buzzing about you… in a really good way.”
“They are?” I pull my bag tighter around myself. “That’s good, right?”
“Oh yes, I haven’t never known any of them to be so excited about music before, so this is wonderful. I really wasn’t sure when I hired you, but if today is anything to go by, then we are on the right track.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” I beam happily. “I wasn’t sure how it would work out.”
He pats me on the shoulder and takes a step back from me, indicating that our conversation is about to come to an end. “We will keep checking in for a while, see how things are going, but it’s great so far. I’m very happy. I’m thinking about putting on a school show if all goes to plan. Give them something to look forward to.”
Ooh, my mind starts spinning, plans fill my brain. If we’re going to do a show, then that gives me ample opportunities. Students will show their talents, everyone can have fun, it’ll be great. Teaching might well be my calling in life. I don’t know if I ever would have thought it, but it is. I already love it.