*Here Is My New Dean story enjoy*
I walk into my 11th grade English class returning from Christmas break that I spent in Aspen with my family for the holiday enjoying my time skiing. I am not ready to be back in school but I have no complaints especially to start my day off in English one of my favorite classes as I am aspiring to be a writer. "Good morning, Anastasia," says my teacher as I walk into the classroom.
"Good morning," I say with a smile. "How was your holiday?"
"It was very relaxing," she says, "how was yours?"
"It was enjoyable," I say with a smile as I make my way to my seat. I smile as I take my seat next to my boyfriend Shawn. "Hey, Baby," I say with a smile.
"Hey, Beautiful," he says standing to give me a hug. "I missed you over the break. How was Aspen?"
"Beautiful, cold but so much fun," I say as I take a seat next to him. "How did everything go for your Christmas?"
"It was okay it would have been a lot better if you were here with me. I got you something for Christmas. I know it's a little late but I guess it's better late than never," he says with a smile.
"Shawn," I say with a smile. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I did," he says with a smile as he hands me a necklace box. "I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will," I say with a smile as I open the long box in my hands. I smile as I see a necklace with a heart charm and a key. "I love it, Shawn," I say with a smile. "Thank-you."
"You're welcome," he says with a smile. "I got it because you hold the key to my heart."
"Aw, Shawn," I say with a smile as he melts my heart. I lean over and kiss his lips softly. "Thank-you," I say as I take the necklace out of the box and put it around my neck after moving my dark brown curly hair out of the way.
"I love you, Anastasia," he says.
"Thank-you," I say with a smile as the room begins to fill up with students right before the bell rings. Shawn lets out a deep breath and frowns at my response.
As the bell rings the teacher rounds her desk to take attendance quickly before focusing in on her discussion for the day. "First," says Mrs. Regan. "Welcome back from Winter Break. I am sure you all enjoyed your time away from the classroom and enjoyed the time to spend with your family and friends." Everyone in the class cheers. "But unfortunately winter break has ended and you're back in the classroom," she says as the class groans and whines. "I'm glad you are all so excited about coming back to school. I hope that the two week break gave you plenty of time to finish The Great Gatsby," she says. "Did everyone do their assignment?" Everyone nods in agreement before she goes on. "Wonderful," she says. "Let's discuss the themes of the Great Gatsby," she says. "Who can tell me some of the common themes of the novel?" She looks around the room and no one raises their hand. I know the answer and I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but finally when she says, "anyone," I raise my hand. "Ah, Ms. Bennett," she says with a smile. "I was sure you would know," she says as my face shades pink. "What are some of the common themes of The Great Gatsby?"
"Well, first there is society and class. The book puts a great emphasis on class and wealth. You're either wealthy and in the high class with luxury or you're poor in the lower class. Another theme is love. In turn the book makes Gatsby look like a fool because he falls in love with Daisy but she isn't truly in love with him. She's in love with his money. He truly loves her and would give the world for her but Daisy is so superficial that she sticks to the old money. She may truly love Gatsby but she loves money and the security of money more. Gatsby goes out on a limb for, takes the fall like any true literary hero would for the woman they love but Daisy is careless. She sticks with the security of money rather than the newly found money that Gatsby possesses. Gatsby died tragically because Daisy was too selfish to leave her husband and his money to be with him making Gatsby look like a fool. Gatsby could have had any woman in the world that he wanted but he focused in on Daisy but it was not returned because she was secure in the old money her husband Tom possessed. Tom and Daisy didn't love each other at all. This brings us back to society and class. Daisy was steered away from Gatsby because he was a poor soldier and she was going to wait for him to return but during his absence she found Tom and married him because he had money. The Great Gatsby focuses on love, society and class," I say. "It's a tragic story."
"Very good," says Mrs. Regan, "I'm impressed. Would you say that society and class is still an issue in today's world?"
I take a deep breath as everyone looks at me. "I guess you could say that it is. I mean everyone has become so materialistic and makes everyone so obsessed with making money and needing to have the money to be accepted so I would say that yes there is still a big emphasis on society and class in today's world."
"Interesting," she says, "and what about love? Do you think that people from two separate classes could fall in love and be happy or no?"
"Love is love," I say, "if you fall in love you fall in love no matter how rich or poor someone is. Money and materialism is NOT happiness. You could have all the money in the world and still be unhappy," I say as I look down at my desk. "Can I be done answering the questions now?"
"Sure, Anastasia. Thank-you for your insight," she says before she goes on to discuss more themes focused on in The Great Gatsby. Shawn looks at me and I can feel him gazing at me but I can't bring myself to look at him. He reaches over and touches my arm as I pull it away.
"What is wrong with you?" he asks.
"Nothing," I say, "the book just made me think about a lot of things. That's all."
"Okay," he says as the class slacker and class rebel finally makes his way into class.
"Ah, Mr. Ambrose," says Mrs. Regan, "so nice of you to join us today," she says. "Do you have a pass for being late?"
"Nope," he says taking a seat in front of me and placing his feet up on the desk.
"Mr. Ambrose, this is a classroom NOT your living room," she says, "take your feet off your desk."
"Sorry, Mrs. R." He says as he removes his feet from his desk. "So what did I miss?"
"Well, Mr. Ambrose, we were just discussing The Great Gatsby. Did you do your reading assignment over the break?"
"Nope," he says leaning back in his chair as I shake my head. He is the worst student to be in this class. I don't know why he even bothers to come to class. He comes in the last 10 minutes every day, never does any of the assignments and just does what he wants. I have to sit behind him and smell the smell of his cigarette smoke on him and he doesn't bother to shower before he comes to school very often.
"Mr. Ambrose," she says, "You had the assignment all month and you had two weeks off. It wasn't asking for much. Why didn't you read it?"
"Reading isn't my thing," he says very lax.
"Well, you need to make it your thing," says Mrs. Regan.
"He needs to make showering his thing," says Shawn as the class starts to laugh.
"Mr. Reynolds," says Mrs. Regan, "That comment was unnecessary."
"It's true," he says, "why is he even here? Look at him he doesn't care."
"You're right," says Dean Ambrose, "I don't give a shit," he says. "I don't know why I am here so I am leaving," he says as he stands up. I mouth to Shawn to stop.
"Anastasia, I'm just saying everything you're thinking," he says, "Look at him," he says as Dean makes his way to the front of the classroom only to be stopped by Mrs. Regan. "He's pathetic with his torn clothes, his dirty jeans look at him," he says. "He doesn't belong in this classroom. I bet he can't even read."
"Shawn," I say, "stop it."
"It's the truth, Anastasia," he says.
"Everyone knock it off," says Mrs. Reynolds. "Do you see what I am talking about with The Great Gatsby?" she asks. "Society and class still plays a significant role in our lives today. We put too much emphasis on being better than someone to stop and think about how we can help someone. Mr. Ambrose, take a seat. You are not walking out of my classroom. You may not give a crap but I do and I give a crap about you. Go sit down," she says, "No one walks out of my classroom and no one gives up am I clear and Mr. Reynolds, I will not tolerate your bullying are we clear?"
"Yes, Mrs. Regan," he says as Dean makes his way back to his seat.
"All right," she says, "We are going to do a project on The Great Gatsby," she says, "Everyone is going to work with a partner for this. You are going to pick two themes from The Great Gatsby and compare them to today's world and contrast them with today's world."
"I'm Ana's partner," says Shawn, "Right, Baby?" he asks me as I shrug my shoulder.
"Actually, Mr. Reynolds," she says with a smile. "Anastasia already has a partner."
"I do?" I ask. This is news to me.
"Yes, Anastasia," she says, "I want you and Mr. Ambrose to work together on this project."
"I'm sorry you want me to what?" I ask.
"I want you to work with Mr. Ambrose on this project."
"But he didn't even read the book," I say, "how can he work with me if he didn't read the book?"
"I am sure you will get him caught up to speed on what happens," she says, "besides this is about comparing the times of The Great Gatsby to the world today by using two themes. I'm sure you two can manage. I know you, Anastasia, I am sure you can do this."
"I guess," I say as I roll my eyes. I really wouldn't like to work with Dean because I know I will be doing all the work while he's out hanging out with whatever friends he has and he will just slack off.
"Thank-you," she says as I give her a small smile as the bell rings. I gather up my things as Shawn does the same. He walks with me to the front of the classroom.
"I need to talk to Mrs. Regan for a second," I say, "you go ahead and go to calculus. I will be there shortly."
"You're going to be late," he says, "that's not like you. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I say, "just go."
"Okay," he says giving me a soft kiss on the lips before he walks out of the class room.
"Mrs. Regan," I say, "I don't know how comfortable I am working with Dean on this project. He's not exactly the best student."
"And that's why I paired him with you, Anastasia. You are the best student in this class. Your grades are amazing and you interpret things perfectly. You're my best student and he may be my worst. He needs a little guiding hand in this," she says, "I worry about him. Confidentially I can't go into detail but he needs the grade from this project to be bring his grade up. I know you are nervous but you will be all right. I have faith in you. Help him okay?"
"Okay," I say but I'm not thrilled with the idea, "but what if he doesn't do any work?"
"He will," she says with a smile. "Because you're going to make him think."
"All right," I say. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Anastasia," she says as I head toward the door. "And Anastasia, I hope you choose to focus on society and class as one of your themes." I nod before I walk out the door.
"Hello, Anastasia," says Dean as he comes off the wall. He was standing outside the door waiting for me.
"Hello, Dean," I say.
"So this project," he says as we walk down the hallway, "how about you do everything and put my name on it and we are done?"
"How about you work with me and I put your name on the project," I say.
"You're smarter than me," he says, "I'll let you take this one."
"I'm not your babysitter, Dean," I say. "It is a project you and I will do together. You're not slacking off."
"I see," he says, "so when can you fill me on this Gatsby guy? Was he really that great?"
"I guess in a literary hero sense," I say, "but I think he was rather stupid."
"I see," he says, "so when do you want to get started on this project?"
"Well, I have ballet tonight from 5:30-8:00 so not tonight but tomorrow night we could get together to start some of this project or at least let me fill you in. Do you even have the book?"
"No," he says.
"I have an extra copy," I say, "so can we meet at your house tomorrow?"
"Um I don't think that's a good idea," he says, "my house isn't exactly company friendly. How about we meet at your house?" he asks.
"Um," I say biting my lip. "How about we just meet at the library around 6 tomorrow night?"
"Okay," he says. "I'll meet you tomorrow at 6 at the library."
"Okay," I say before we go our separate ways.
LATER THAT NIGHT:
"I'm home," I say as I walk into the front door of my family's mansion. I lock the door behind me as my little brother Roderick and my little sister Chastity run up to me to give me a hug. "Hey, you two," I say with a smile. "How was your evening?"
"Good," says Chastity. "How was ballet?" she asks.
"You know the same old thing. How was your piano lesson?"
"It was okay," she says.
"Roderick, how was your cello lesson?"
"It was good," he says as we make our way into the house.
"Is Dad home?" I ask.
"No," says Chastity, "he's working late."
"Oh," I say as I nod my head as our nanny comes into the living room. "Hello, Tara," I say.
"Hello, Anastasia, how was school today?"
"It was interesting," I say, "I got paired up to work with some slacker kid in English. I'm not exactly thrilled about it and I don't' want to work with him but the teacher is depending on me."
"I'm sure everything will be okay," she says.
"I hope. Did my dad say what time he was working to?"
"No," she says, "He just said he was working late. Mrs. Johnson made dinner. She put yours in the microwave for you."
"It's okay," I say, "I'm not hungry. I'm just going to go upstairs and study."
"You need to eat," she says.
"I'm not hungry please don't make me eat," I say. "I have to go study for my calculus test tomorrow."
"All right, Anastasia, but if you do get hungry your food is in the microwave."
"Thank-you," I say before I make my way to the stairs to go do some studying. "Goodnight," I say before I make my way upstairs.
"Goodnight," she calls after me.
As soon as I get to my bedroom my cell phone starts buzzing. I groan to myself as I see Shawn's picture pop up on the screen. "Hey, Baby," I say as I answer it.
"Hey, Beautiful," he says. "What are you up to?"
"Getting ready to do some studying, I just got home from ballet. What are you up to?"
"Hoping I can come over and see you," he says and I can hear his smile through the phone. "Is your dad home tonight?"
"He is working late as usual," I say.
"So can I come over to see you? You know you did promise me that after Aspen you would think about maybe giving it up to me."
"Shawn," I say, "I have to study. I am thinking about it but I'm not ready at this moment. Please understand."
"How long are you going to make me wait?"
"As long as I have to until I am ready, look, Shawn, I have to go."
"Wait," he says, "how do you feel about that project in English class?"
"It's okay, I guess," I say, "I loved the book."
"Me too," he says, "but how do you feel about working with Dean?"
"Well, I'm not doing backflips over it but it is what it is," I say. "I'm sure we can work this out."
"Yeah right, Anastasia, that kid is nothing but trouble. He doesn't care about anything. And look at him. He's not like us."
"What do you mean he's not like us?"
"He's not you know rich," he says.
"I didn't know that mattered," I say, "look, Shawn, you've been riding me about this all day and the subject has exhausted itself. Mrs. Regan paired me with him and even though I'm not happy about it I am going to do my best. By the way, I have to meet him at the library tomorrow night."
"Ana," he says, "but tomorrow night is our date night."
"Sorry," I say. "I need to get started on this project right away. I don't' have time to slack off. Can I take a rain check?"
I hear him let out a deep breath before he says, "Ana," irritation in his voice. "I didn't see you for 2 weeks because you were in Aspen with your family. Now I have to give up another night with you so you can work with some miscreant on a stupid project. Do you even care about us?"
"Of course I do but you know how important school is to me. I'm working really hard to get a scholarship," I say. "I have to work hard. I promise I will make it up to you."
"All right," he says, "I love you."
"Goodbye, Shawn," I say before I hang up the phone. I fall back onto my bed and start to come up with ideas for the project.
*Is it a keeper?* Please review and thank-you for reading.