He was just too damn handsome. How could anyone be that sexy, seriously?
"Has anyone read this book before?", he asked.
Nala sat up. Book? What book? He lifted it to show the class. "To Kill a Mockingbird". When no one raised their hand, he nodded.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.", Nala said.
Mr. Reigns looked over at her, he smiled.
"You've read it?", he asked.
"Twice", she said.
"So then, you'll pass the test after everyone else has finished reading?", he asked.
"Yeah", she said.
He nodded, his eyes staying connected with hers longer than they should have. He quickly looked away and to the rest of the class.
"After every three chapters there will be a test. I recommend forming groups of four to help each other read those three chapters and study", he said.
"How will we know what kind of questions to expect?", Maryse asked, looking Mr. Reigns over.
That was Maryse's version of flirting. She had seen it many times. Nala chuckled, catching everyone's attention. Mr. Reigns smirked.
"What? We can't ask questions? Just because you've read the book, doesn't mean we all have", she said.
"That's not why I", Nala stopped and shook her head.
There was no point in fighting with the school whore.
"Never mind", Nala said.
Maryse put her attention back on Mr. Reigns. Roman rubbed his chin and nodded.
"Yes Maryse, there will be homework that will be similar to the questions on the test", he said.
She nodded and bit her lip. Roman found this really awkward. Thankfully, the bell rang.
"No homework today, but do expect it tomorrow and figure out who you might want to work with. Remember groups of four", he called out, hoping each kid heard him.
Usually by the time the bell rings, they tune him out. He sighed and went back over to his desk as the kids kept filing out. Nala quickly made her way out, glancing back one last time. Her eyes connected with his and he smiled, sending her a small wave. She turned back and blushed.
Seeing Kathan, she waved. Kathan's cheeks were pink, letting Nala know something must have happened to embarrass her friend. After Kathan filled her in, Nala couldn't help but laugh at her friend. They stood in the office waiting to change Kathan's class.
"Have you applied to schools yet?", Kathan asked her.
"Still waiting on that art scholarship. If I get no response by the end of this week, I didn't get it.", she said.
It was important to her that she got into Art school, but as time passes and no one has called to let her know if she got the scholarship or not, she's starting to give up hope.
She didn't tell her dad because she didn't want to get him excited over nothing. She wanted to have some sort of confirmation before telling him. He would be so happy, especially because she knew how bad he felt that they couldn't afford to send her to the school she wants to go to.
"There are plenty more scholarships. What about that writing one you did?", Kathan said.
Nala enjoyed writing, mostly in her journal, but to have someone read something she wrote and then critique it, she couldn't take the rejection.
"I'm not going to send that in, it's a three part writing paper. I have to write a love story, a funny one, and a tragic one. I've got the other two down, I just don't know what to write for the love story", Nala said.
"Write about Mr. Reigns", Kathan said, winking and nudging her friend.
Nala blushed. She has written about Mr. Reigns, romantic ones, but mostly dirty, very dirty.
"Cut it out", Nala whispered to her.
Kathan was too busy explaining to Mrs. Bliss about why she had to be taken out of Mr. Calaway's class, that she didn't notice the man himself right behind them, along with Mr. Reigns.
Their eyes met, it was like they were just automatically drawn to each other. He smiled at her as she reached out and tapped her best friend on the arm. Kathan kept brushing her off, so she pinched her.
Mr. Calaway had a carefree smirk on his face. Nala knew she had seen that look before, but where? Then it clicked, it was the same look Kathan got when she was up to something bad, something that would embarrass the person.
This wasn't going to be good for her best friend.
"What Nala?", Kathan asked.
Nala tilted her head towards the waiting teachers. Roman had a smile on his face. He was use to Mark teasing his students and embarrassing the crap out of them. Finally the girl looked over, a mortified look on her face. Roman tried not to laugh as the girl turned back to Alexa, probably hoping for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
Mark smiled, which was a first. He never liked to smile or laugh around his students, probably afraid to show them he's just as human as they are. Roman knew Michelle hurt him bad, there were times he would wake up in the middle of the night, only to hear Mark cry. The things Michelle said to him, just to hurt him.
"So you don't like the way I teach Miss Daniels?", Mr. Calaway asked.
Kathan bit her lip.
"Leave her alone Mark, we have a meeting to get too", Roman said.
"I'll stay in his class, how dare you try to move me", Kathan said, before quickly walking out.
Both Mark and Roman laughed, Nala laughed at her friend too. Roman found himself loving that laugh and wanting to hear more of it.
"Nice save", Alexa called out to her.
She looked over at Mark.
"What did you do to the kid? That's the first one that actually wants to get out of your class", Alexa said.
Mark shrugged.
"Probably because he's not going to take her shit", Glenn said, setting some papers down on the desk.
"What do you mean?", Roman asked.
"Kathan Daniels, certified history corrector, grammar enthusiast, and class clown, but good student overall", Glenn said.
Mark laughed.
"Wait, you're telling me she's the one you were always complaining about?", Mark asked.
Glenn nodded. Roman remembered how some of the teachers were always complaining about one particular student.
"She corrected me, again", one complained.
"She didn't correct you on how to teach", Another said.
"It's not funny, wait till she does it too you", Glenn said.
Mark shrugged.
"Come on, we have a meeting to get too", Roman reminded them both.
After Nala dropped off Kathan, she drove home to change for work. She was thankful her boss let her take her homework with her and allowed her to sit at one of the booths to study on her lunch break.
Once she was changed, she made dinner for her dad. Leaving a note for him on the table. Getting back in her car and driving to the diner she worked at, her co-workers said hello to her. She set her bag in the locker and grabbed her apron.
"How was your first day back at school?", Daniel asked.
"Good, I like all my teachers", she said.
"That's good. Oh hey, a letter came for you. I think it might be from that scholarship thing you were telling me about", he said.
She followed him to his office and he opened his drawer, pulling out the envelope. He handed it to her and she opened it. Her face fell when she got to the part that let her know she hadn't been chosen.
"I take it that it's bad?", Daniel asked.
"I didn't get it", she said, handing him the letter.
He read it and nodded.
"You are applying for more, right?", he asked.
"I have one more, but I have to write a romantic short story and two other ones. I'm stuck on the romantic one", she said.
"I wish I could help", he said.
"Me too", she said.
They walked out of his office and went back to work. Around her lunch break, she ordered food and sat at the booth that hid her from the customers. Daniel set her food down.
"Nala?", she froze.
No way in hell could it be him, out of all the damn places to eat, she thought. Looking up, she was met with a beautiful smile.
"You work here?", Mr. Reigns asked.
Remove all dirty thoughts, use actual words. Don't embarrass yourself.
"Mr. Reigns", she said.
He pushed his hands into his pockets. She had never actually seen him outside of school, and he sure looked good. Jeans, grey tshirt, a black hat. He slid into the booth across from her.
"Sorry, can I sit?", he asked.
She nodded.
"I work here", she finally said.
He chuckled and licked his lips. Why did he have to do that? Doesn't he know what that does to her?
"I like the food here, I usually just come in on Saturdays", he said.
"I don't work Saturdays", she said.
He nodded. Looking down at the table.
"What are you working on?", he asked.
That's when she remembered Kathan's words. She could ask him for his help now.
"I'm applying for this scholarship, it requires me to write three short stories. Tragic, funny, and romantic. I've got two down, I'm stuck on the romantic one", she said, blushing a bit.
"I could help, with the romance that is", he said.
She met his eyes and he smiled. Was he flirting with her?
"You would do that?", she asked.
"Of course, why wouldn't I?", he asked.
"Thank you, Mr. Reigns", she said.
"Roman, my name's Roman", he said.
"Oh, I don't think I can call you", he stopped her.
He reached over and gently took her hand.
"I think you can", he said softly.