After getting everything ready in the classroom, like my computer, and the handouts for today’s work, I pass through the hall of students and drift into the teacher’s lounge to grab another cup of coffee. The math teacher, Ms. Kennedy, is talking about how much she dreads today. I try not to make it obvious, but keep my ear open, while putting in my creamer.
“The students are always grouchy and it’s like a transition for them back to school. They have to get back to in the learning again,” she explains.
I chuckle silently, because that’s the truth. How can she expect anything different? We get kids on a pattern of coming and learning every day and then let them leave for two weeks? I would need an adjustment period too.
The lounge’s door shuts behind me, and I wrestle through the crowd with my coffee, barely making it inside before the first bell rings, and kids start filing into my classroom. The chattering starts and it doesn’t bother me.
“Welcome back. Most of you might already know me from the office, I’m Ms. Davis. Hopefully, all of you had a good break. I’ll be passing out your exam grades from the test you took before break.”
The previous teacher left me to grade them over the break, which is fine, but really she should have done it. Yet, nothing is worse than starting out your career by bitching about the person before you. So, I kept my mouth shut and just did it.
As I walk around the classroom, the students continue to talk to one another about what they did over their breaks. Most of them stayed home and played video games or binged the latest To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before movie.
After handing them all out, there’s still about forty-minutes left of class time and I decide to go off the book for today. Since this is my first day, I decide to just have a classroom discussion about what we did over our break. It’s all volunteer, so I’m not that teacher that makes every single student stand up and tell us about themselves, because I hated that.
It goes over pretty well, because over half of the students have volunteered so far, but then my phones buzzes against my desk.
Liam: Have a good first day back, Ms. Davis.
I smile, and hope he comes over later tonight again, even if he doesn’t stay. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, besides Tessa.
Me: All I can think about is having you next to me tonight. =)
The bell rings, and I remind the students to read over Chapter 1 of the textbook and we will discuss it tomorrow in class. I might be the only teacher here that doesn’t believe in exams or pop quizzes in the first week of school. Oh well.
Class after class files in, receiving their exams, and then giving us a short glimpse of the fun they had over break. I would say doing this instead of jumping right into reading Chapter 1 in class has gone over well, and I might continue to do this. Another thing is with this being my first year, I would like my students to have high grades, and with that comes expectation. If I need time to adjust, then so do they and pushing them before they are ready is not going to help with scores.
When the bell rings excusing my final period, it means my day has ended. Usually, teachers don’t actually get out like students do at three-fifteen, because we have to look over our lessons for tomorrow, or sometimes I try to get a jumpstart on grading if necessary before I head home to relax. The plan is to get out of here and enjoy a glass of wine at home, until Tessa walks in and sits on my desk, crossing her legs, waiting for information.
“So, I know he’s my brother-in-law, but I know you’re dying to talk to someone. So just no sex details,” Tessa says
“It’s been a whirlwind. He ended up staying over last night.”
“You little vixen. Thought you wanted to take things slow? Seems like you’re doing the opposite!”
“It’s just, we click. We’ve talked about things that normally wouldn’t be discussed until further down the line, but getting it out of the way early, and knowing we want the same things, only made me like him even more.”
“Must run in the family, cause that’s exactly how I felt with Damon,” Tessa says.
Maybe the Jackson brothers are the exception to the rule of being dangerously sexy, but also with the temperament of a teddy bear.
“Listen, I think he’s coming over again tonight. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
The hallway is quiet, as most of the teachers are already gone, and the parking lot is dark with only two overhead lights shining on the entire employee parking. I rush to my car, and lock the doors. As I pull out onto the road, the car picks up Liam’s incoming call.
“Hey, babe,” I answer.
“Are you headed home?”
“Yes, just left work. You coming over?”
“With food in hand. See you in ten.”
You never realize something’s missing in your life until it’s in front of you. I’ve gotten so used to being alone over the years, having someone is a nice change of pace. Not only for the intimacy, but to have an emotional and intellectual connection with another person. I could get used to having someone to talk to, wake up next to, and just enjoy life with every day. I guess until now, I never realized how lonely I’ve been.
The drive seems to take way too long after getting stuck in backed up traffic, and Liam has to be at my house by now. Still a couple blocks away, and it seems like I’ve been sitting at this light for five minutes or more. Why don’t they stagger work schedules to alleviate traffic? Just a thought. The light turns green and I put my foot on the gas hoping I can make it through this light. Come on! The car in front of me isn’t paying attention and my hand slams on the horn. The driver starts to go and the light turns yellow, but I buckle through right before it turns red. No way am I going to wait for that to turn green again. The damn food will be cold. After three right turns, I pull up in my driveway and see Liam waiting at my door.
“What did ya bring?” I ask, getting out of the car.