Chapter One.
I speed down the hall as fast as possible. Ridiculous. The second month of school and I'm late. You'd think I'd learn when to get out of bed by now but no, I still haven't gotten that far yet. Its my first year teaching. I teach 12th grade Language arts. And I'm the youngest teacher in this school. I'm only 25; I was hired right after collage because of my amazing recommendations. Its hard to run in high heels and a dress. I'm carrying my black Prada bag, wearing a pale blue dress and matching heels. I skid around a corner and almost run into a water fountain. Oops.
I run into my classroom. The Bell is about to ring, my entire class is already in their seats. I'm about three feet away from my chair when I dive into it. Right when I land in the chair the final bell rings. "Yah! Technically not late! In my seat before the bell rang!" I yell, quite loud actually. My student burst into laughter. I am also laughing. When I stop laughing enough to be able to control my hands I log into my computer to take attendance. I go through the names and realize there's a name on my roster: Anna Fairbanks. I say her name out loud "Anna Fairbanks?" There's no answer. Where is she? "Um...?" Eric says pointing behind me. I turn in my chair and there's a girl standing by my desk. The hell? When did she get there? The girl is about my height, maybe a bit smaller; I'd guess 5'8. She has long red hair, the color of fire. She's wearing white jeans, not skinny jeans, but not baggy, sort of in the middle. Her Light gray t-shirt has a pink rhinestone heart on it, the shirt is a bit big but it fit fine. She's staring down at the black converse on the feet. "Are you Anna?" I ask. She looks up from her feet and makes my eye contact. She has freckles powdering her cheeks and teal eyes, a bit too green to be called blue. She nods without saying a word.
"Well Anna, I'm your teacher." I say. She gives me a ghost of a smile but doesn't say a word. "Go ahead and choose any empty desk" I smile. She turns her binder and book in hand and went to the middle seat in the back row that was completely empty. Huh. She must be a mute. I laugh in my head. Then i mentally slap myself, that's mean Elsa! "Okay guys" I say a bit too enthusiastic, must be the lack of sleep "Pull out your books for independent reading" Some boys groan and girls whine but still. Not even a noise from Anna. Everyone pulls out their books, and begins reading. My eyes turn to Anna; she has her book out and open but she's writing frantically on a piece of paper, I decide not to question. I reach in my desk and pull out my book: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I am three-fourths through the book, its good so far. Then a folded piece of notebook paper lands on my desk. I look up and see teal eyes looking in mine. She's biting her lip. Then she turns and goes back to her seat. I open the paper and read the note:
,
I've been changed into you're class due to problems in my other Language Arts class. I wanted to ask if you could refrain from calling on me, I don't like talking much. Other than that, you seem like a great teacher. I'll see you around.
-Anna F.
I have to admit, she has amazing handwriting. I glance at the clock, three minutes till class ends. When the rings, my class clean up and files out. Of course, she's the last to leave. When the red head staggers out, she glances at me before leaving but again, doesn't say a thing. Second period is my Prep. So I begin writing the next classes agenda.
Once the agendas written I really have to use the restroom. Since its the middle of the period I figure its OK to run in the halls. While running I can't help but think about how I'm breaking school rules by doing this, so I decide to speed up, because the faster I'm going the sooner I'll get there and I won't get in trouble. I still have a kid mind. I laugh at this thought. I turn a corner fast, and then feel myself fall into someone, hard. Before I know it I'm on the ground on top of someone, my eyes squeezed shut. Fuck, I think. I pop open one eye at a time, afraid to see who is underneath me, as far as I know its my boss, that would suck, A LOT. Once both my eyes are open and my vision returns, my eyes meet teal ones. My left hand is on her lower stomach, the bottom of my palm touching her jean button, and my right hand is beside her head. I see a slight sparkle on her forehead, sweat. Her mouth is slightly parted, she's breathing heavy. Then her eyes leave mine and goes from my eyes, to my chin, to my neck, to my collar bone and finally to my breasts which I now realize are almost in her face. When her eyes reach my breasts, she swallows hard. Oh shit! I'm still on top of her! I jump up in one swift move surprisingly not landing back on my ass. I reach my hand down to help her up. She glances at my hand in fear and scoots up and away from me until she's against the corner. She hands clamped in-between her legs, she looks scared. She gets up; hands still on her jeans and begin to run away. "I'm sorry!" I yell. She doesn't turn back. What the hell?
