Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: shout out to Zeus! (You know who you are.) This is the god of gods' idea and I, Feisty, am simply writing putting some life into it :b hope it turns out right.
Running in the halls was strictly prohibited to the students. Hell, we always told them not to run, be civil, but that was them. I'm a teacher so I'm excluded right? Yeah, sure hypocrite. My eyes darted all over the place in searches of a short weasel of a man or a pretty brunette, but that second one was just wishful thinking. The image of her sparkly eyes caused me to trip over my own feet as I broke into a stupid tip-toeing-but-still-noisy trot down the hall in the direction of my classroom.
Cheese and rice I'm so damn late it's not even funny! I slid clumsily around the corner and like, the idiot I was, dropped my bag and out from it exploded my papers, books, eye-liner, and other useless junk that really shouldn't have been in there. I was wondering where that protein bar went. As fast as lightning, I did my best to smash all my papers together, jamming them back in my bag. I knew it was a mistake to stay up so late watching Dr. Who reruns. But could you blame me? Dr. Who is the tits! I mumbled grumpily to myself, now gathering the rest of the mess up, but stiffened when my erotic book with the silver tie on the cover appeared right in front of my eyes.
The title should have been: Fifty Shades of 'Red', due to the colors your face turned when you got caught reading it. Especially when the person handing it to you was no doubt, a student, another teacher, the principal- no, he would have yelled at me- someone in the particular school you worked at. Oh dear lord, no! Please don't let it be that bleached-haired prick.
"U-uh, that's- that's, like, sooo not my book." I spoke before even looking up at the kind, or dumb, person that was holding it out to me. Of all things to zone in on, it had to be that book. My tic-tacs are closer to your foot, you- finally, I lifted my eyes to another set that made my throat dry up. No seriously, I stopped breathing as my heart stilled. I found myself staring into incredibly shy bright sea-green eyes that were hidden behind some modestly framed glasses. Freckles dusted across her insanely cute button nose and her lips were the kind of full that would pop out more if she would put some gloss on, but delectable all the same. Her cheeks and overall skin were soft looking, kissed by the sun, making me want to caress those cheeks of hers and her hair. Oh my god her hair! The color of a sunset, of fire, as red as- oh I don't know, my brain was empty at the moment, but it was such a completely natural red color and I felt compelled to unbraid her hair and run my fingers through it. D-damn.
She wore a forest green jacket that seemed a little too big for her frame, but it looked worn and comfortable. Not to mention that it made her hair and eyes stand out in a very good way. But it's August and as hot as the devil's butt-crack out there! Judging from her slight discomfort at my staring at her (ok, I might have been checking her out) and the way she shrunk a little more, the way her eyes suddenly widened in slight fear, I could tell she was just as shy as a baby deer. How cute. With cautiousness, so as not to spook her, I gave her a lopsided grin, hoping she got that I meant her no harm. She managed to relax a fraction and, to my pleasant surprise, had the tiniest of smiles tugging at her pink lips.
"Uh- hi. Hi! M-my name is Pierce, I mean, Elsa. Ms. Elsa- Pierce M-Ms. Pierce." Shoot me now! Aren't teachers supposed to be all authorative and whatnot? Pushing that thought aside, I reached for the book and nearly dropped it when my fingers brushed hers. For that split second, everything around us disappeared, leaving the warmth of those delicate fingers and the deepness in those green ocean-colored eyes. I watched her mouth open, ready to say something and I found myself leaning forward in sudden anticipation, but somewhere in the back of my mind I heard foot-falls.
"Ms. Pierce- ?" Drawled a voice I did not want to hear. Those green eyes looked from me to the guy standing behind me and her eyes widened as she dropped the book. Quickly standing to her feet, keeping her head down, she vanished around the corner I'd come from.
"H-hey wait! W-what's your-" I tried to call after her but I looked up to see just a flash of one of those pigtails as she scampered away. Name. My hand was still outstretched when a voice cleared to the right of me.
"Ms. Pierce. Do tell me you are not reading material that...risque on school grounds." Weselton stood over me, clearly enjoying looking down on me. Pompous bastard would enjoy being taller than me for once. I inwardly grinned, taking my book and shoving it back into my bag.
"You know what that book is about?" I asked innocently and saw the tips of his ears start to turn a darker shade of pink. "Never thought somebody like you would take an interest in stuff like this." I said, readjusting my bag on my shoulder and saw his nose flare.
"Get to your classroom, Ms. Pierce." He ordered. Sheesh, my name must be so nice he has to say it thrice. I bid him adieu, leaving my protein bar by his boot. No sir, I didn't want it now.
Making my way down another hallway to the stairs, in no hurry suddenly, my mind drifted back to the girl from earlier. What was her name? Guess I could have at least asked her instead of staring at her like a piece of rib-eye steak. 'Mmm..that sounds awesome!' Now I hated myself for leaving that protein bar behind. I must be the smartest woman in the world. I rolled my eyes as my classroom came into view. Even from here I could heared at least two guys from the football team in there. Lovely. Nothing like football players in the morning to start the day. Taking a few deep breaths, I pumped myself up. Let's do it- this! Let's do this!
"Hey guys, sorry for the wait." I greeted as I walked into the room and tossed my bag down at my desk with a huff. "Crazy morning." I muttered, turning around and scribbling my name on the blackboard behind me. Once that was done, I faced the class that still hadn't settled down, save for a few that would no doubt be the easiest to deal with throughout the year, but other than that, I had most of the rowdy students in this first class. Heaven help me.
I was young for a teacher, barely in my early twenties, but I'd graduated high school when I was seventeen. (god I was a nerd) Anyway, after I graduated college, I went on board with a thing called Teach for something-or-other and they sent me to this school.
At first nobody really spoke to me because it was a sort of tight-knit community thing and my intruding on them, coming to 'help' them, didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for me, but luckily, I got through to the librarian. Her name was- is Belle. She was sweet and ended up introducing me to a few other faculty members that wouldn't glare at me whenever I walked into a room. Besides Belle, I grew really fond of a shaggy chestnut-color haired man named Sven. He taught World History and we hit it off as soon as Belle introduced us. So at least I didn't have to squeeze in wherever I could in the teacher's lounge. No, I stuck it out, showered them with Elsa Pierce and made friends. Soon, the glares turned to grins, cold shoulders turned to pats on the back. I was in.
And then of course, there was the stupid Phys. Ed teacher. Jack Frost, just would not take a hint and on more than one occasion I would have to use Sven as an excuse to break away from his cheap pick-up lines. When I first met him, he had nice chocolate colored hair and he was charming, funny, and very welcoming to me but then about a year ago, he came back with his hair bleached. He began to turn into a jerk, telling me that we'd have nice blonde children if I would marry him. Puh-lease! I, unlike him, had naturally pale-ish blonde hair and why he messed up his own was a mystery to me. Sven often joked that it was because he thought I would notice him that way. Bruh. No way.
I just wasn't into anybody at the moment, least of all an egotistical jerk-wad with hair paler than mine. Sure, I went out with Sven from time to time, but even he suggested that we stayed friends. Once, he asked me if I ever dated, ever done the deed but I brushed that topic off as fast as if it were a spider crawling on my sleeve. No. I respected myself too much and wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction of claiming me for themselves. Of course I dated! But the guys I did became hella possessive and so stupidly jealous, not to mention, insecure around me that I'd given up on them. Girls? Eh, haven't met one yet.
"Alright, get outta here and don't spaz out on your other teachers just because its almost lunchtime!" I announced waving my hand, dismissing the next bunch of misfits and they wasted no time in hustling out of there.
"You're hot, Mrs. P!" I snapped my head up to see Olaf snickering with the quarterback of the Arendelle Knights, Hans Munsen.
"I'm flattered, but that's Ms. to you, Mr. Ølo!" I called after them, not missing the thumbs up, Hans gave me and I narrowed my eyes. "I've got these things on you two!" They laughed as I pointed to my eyes and then directed it at them. Was it a bad thing that I remembered the football players' names and nobody else's? I inwardly shrugged, getting ready for the batch of students that would come pouring in. I did attend all those games anyway, so why not?
My stomach growled and I cursed it, wishing I could have at least stopped for a bagel on my treacherous ride here. Ooo.. an onion bagel with loads of cream-cheese on it, complete with- the bell rang, jolting me from my longing thoughts and made me snap my eyes right to a set of red braids as they zoomed by my desk, dropping a note on it. I looked from the note to the back of- it's her! Hunger forgotten, I watched her settle into a desk in the back row.
Not taking my eyes off her ducked head, I reached for the note she'd dropped on my desk. A sense of calm fell over me- no it wasn't calmness. Happiness? What the? Okay girl, you need food. Finally relenting my futile attempt to make eye contact with the redhead, I skimmed over the note.
I Dr. Oakens clarify that Anna St. James be permitted to not speak in class. She'll do what she's told but again I ask that you not try to force her. If you have questions, don't hesitate to call.
His signature was on the bottom with a number to the hospital and again I looked to the girl in the back who was chewing on her lower lip. My eyes caught hers for the briefest second before she stopped chewing on her lip and buried her nose in her notebook. Huh. Well, if a doctor said it- wrote it? Then I guessed I'd have to follow it.
"Ms. P. You aren't going to put us in assigned seats, right?" Nala asked with a raised hand. I have her again this year? I got the feeling that she failed on purpose. Her boyfriend was a year younger, and I supposed love did make you do drastic things. Is that the right quote? Oh well.
"Are you crazy? I barely even know your names." I stood up and went to each row, handing them a syllabus. "What makes you think putting you in order will help with that?" Instead of having them take one and pass it back I went down each row, asking what their name was first before I gave them a paper.
When I got to the redhead, I let a grin grace my lips and slid her paper under her fingers without asking for her name. What was the point when I already knew it?
Anna. And if I'm not mistaking her with a different girl, St. James was a well known name around here, but why- again- why would she come to this school? I wasn't dissin' my workplace but seriously, shouldn't she be going to a prep school or something?
I let those questions slip away as I gestured to each student, trying to remember their names. "Sebastian, Nala, Merida, Luis, Tiana-" already, I began to forget. "Cupid, Donner, Vixen, Blitzen-"
"Those be reindeer, y'know." Merida stopped me and I just realized that I'd called Anna, Vixen. Whoops. Well, she wasn't looking at me, so I was safe. Though I didn't miss the way my blood that made its way to my face. Easy, tiger.
"Yes! And people smell better than reindeer(s)." Smirking at the frizzy-haired girl, I popped my neck, trying to force my blush away. "Now, allow me to bore you with what we'll be doing this year and then you all can write to me about your summer." I paused. "No love letters though, I will throw them away." Snickers went up around the room and we began.
I was discretely reading, well, trying to read my smutty book, but it just felt so damn wrong that I, with a new blush, shoved it back into my bag. Whoa, who knew bondage could feel good? No! Cut it out! Instead of digging further into the more forbidden side of my mind, I began sketching on a blank sheet of paper. Since it was the first day of school, I really had nothing to do, except re-read the essays, or lack thereof, that I'd already gotten. Scribbling lines over paper was a good distraction...until I noticed a particular braid that was forming around the face I was drawing. My drawing skills were still budding, but when I focused, I could draw. And what I was drawing... my eyes widened in surprise.
Whoa what the- Now my face was on fire as I quickly crumbled the paper and tossed it in the trash. I was undoubtedly starting to draw those cute glasses around just outlines of wide eyes. I must be hungry, that's it. I wonder what Sven brought for lunch. Of course, food was a good a distraction as ever! Why on earth was I drawn to miss St. James? Well, I was able to forget for a split-second anyway. Staring at my desk, most likely trying to burn it with my intense gaze, I felt a strange feeling come over me, like someone was staring at me. I lifted my eyes and they led me right to the back of the classroom.
She was staring at me.
I was shocked to see that, but not wanting to look like I was slow to start, I gave her a grin. What else am I supposed to do? I'd asked my students to come up to the front to drop off their papers once they were done and I wondered if she was ready to bring hers. She licked her lips, debating on whether to move or not. Aw. Don't be scared. I found myself thinking when I gestured for her to come to me with my finger.
Her eyes widened and her body stiffened, clearly not going to move anytime soon. I continued to gently stare back at her even when she averted her eyes and continued to move her paper around on her desk. Just looking at her filled me with warmth and it was alarming. Thankfully, Nala stood up, obscuring my view and I snapped out of it. What the hell's wrong with me?
"My summer was uneventful, so don't expect much." She slapped her paper down and I redirected my grin at her.
"I never do. I just grade whatever you give me." I winked at her. "If I sense that you put in some effort, I'll grade you fairly."
"Sure, whatever Ms. P." She rolled her eyes at me. "It's, like, only the first day of school." Turning on her heel, she practically sprinted back to her desk just as the bell rang.
"Hey! Give me those papers before you trample each other." I ordered in a feigned an authoritative voice, but was just as excited about lunch as they were. I actually just really needed some fresh air because- a lone paper appeared in front of me but they didn't let it go, so I had to take it. "Thanks now get ou-" I began to tell whoever it was to scram but I shut right up when I saw her. "Oh, h-hey Anna. Sorry I-I wasn't, you know, I didn't-" just stop, you're scaring her. The redhead looked to her feet, placing her hands in the front pockets of her over-sized sweater, seeming to wait and see if I said anything meaningful. "Thanks. Oh and don't worry, I got your note." I smiled at her as broadly as I could, trying to at least get some sort of reaction from her. "I won't pressure you into something you aren't comfortable with." Realizing that comment had a double-meaning, my face warmed a bit.
She then looked up with relief in those pretty green eyes as her shoulders relaxed substantially. Those glasses. My smile turned dopey when she suddenly gave me a lopsided grin so lethal, I almost fainted. With a small nod, she gave me a small wave before she turned to go to lunch. I returned her wave all too late and probably looked like a dork with my uncertain fingers curling in on themselves after I wiggled them, but I had to take a second to get my bearings.
Instead of staring out at the passing crowd any longer, I turned my eyes to Anna's paper that still hadn't left my hand.
I spent the summer with my father, I'm sure you know him, Greg St. James, he builds boats. Anyway, he lives a little ways out of town and since my mother was busy with work, I decided to go stay with him. We had fun. Built a boat and he let me name it, but I couldn't come up with a name. I still haven't. Otherwise, I don't know what else to say. That's it?
Also, I'm sorry for not sticking around to help you deal with the Weasel this morning.
Another also, my name is Anna, pronounced 'Ah-nah.' In case you were wondering how to say it properly, but yeah.
I couldn't stop the grin from sticking on my face as I brought her paper with me to lunch so I could read it again. And probably again.
Anna St. James. The quietest, most prettiest student I'd ever seen. And I knew it wasn't just her looks that caught my attention. It was her personality. Though painfully shy, that grin that she gave me told me that there was more to what she was giving off.
I hoped I would find out sooner or later because...let's face it. She certainly piqued my interest.