*Chapter 2: Blue Skies

Blue Skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see.


Parma, Florida, July 9th. High 92 F, Low 75 F, Barometric Pressure 30.4 inHg, Fair

Eventually, I was able to gather my wits and drive over to Publix* to pick up cleaning supplies and some groceries. As I wandered around the store, I realized I was still reeling from my encounter with Mr. Adonis – or as he wrote, Edward Cullen.

I was still mulling over the note as I thoroughly cleaned my new abode. I blew up my trusty air mattress to make a temporary bed (should have used it last night at Mom's but then I may have stayed longer in Jacksonville and missed meeting the Hottie.) By the time I was ready for sleep, it was midnight and I was completely exhausted. But I had cleaned, unpacked the boxes of kitchenware, towels and linens and even hung up the shower curtain – all relicts of my old apartment in Seattle.

Why did he give me his number? Was he interested in me? Or, was he feeling sorry for me? Maybe he was just a good guy trying to help the obviously imbecilic woman who couldn't even walk down a few stairs without making a fool out of herself.

I crawled into bed, listening to the hum of the air conditioner and thinking about all that had happened that day, especially meeting the amazing Edward Cullen. When I drifted off to sleep it was no wonder that I dreamed of a hard muscled, sun- kissed chest and abs, a nice tight butt, a bright flashing smile and soul-searching deep green eyes. Evidently, my subconscious could think of a lot of ways he could help me – naked. Frankly, I was astonished at my tarty-ness. Never in my life had I become so wound up about anyone, not even Mike. Poor Mike. I wondered if he ever knew how non- tarty I felt about him?

The next few days were spent scouring resale, consignment shops and yard sales looking for furnishings for my new home. I decided to just get the basics and add to it as I could afford it. I was lucky to find a rattan bedroom suite. It was very Florida-ish and the mattress looked brand new. What I really needed was a fold out sleeper couch or a futon for the main room but I couldn't find one that I liked and was in my budget. Either they were ugly as sin or more than I wanted to pay. I did get a smallish table and chair set for a make-shift dining room.

My landlady didn't have an internet connection and so I was negotiating with the cable company to add it to her services. I told Eleanor that I would pay for the extra charge in addition to my rent but I needed the connection for work as well as just about every other aspect of my life. Eleanor was hesitant, thinking that her whole life would be on display if she got the internet. I told her not to worry; only mine would be. That seemed to soothe her and the cable company was going to do its magic in the coming week.

I stopped by the Parma High office and introduced myself to the principal's secretary, Mrs. Banner. She was a jolly, older woman who would have fit right in at the North Pole. All she needed was the red and white outfit. She was delighted to find that I was renting Eleanor Cope's guest house. She showed me around the school a bit, but since they hadn't yet made room assignments she couldn't tell me where I'd be teaching. I was very tempted to ask her if there was an Edward Cullen on the faculty but I didn't have the nerve.

I hadn't called him, anyway. I wasn't sure if I should. I still didn't know if he liked me or pitied me and besides. I guess he could have helped me move some of the furniture I bought but I still didn't call. I was too afraid of turning into a stuttering idiot in his presence. And after analyzing it for a few days, my intense reaction to him must have been from the heat, some sort of sun stroke complicated with exhaustion from my trip. My mother had put the idea of "amazement" into my head and the fact I was letting it affect me so severely just pointed out how silly I was being.

Over the next few weeks, I spent a lot of time working in the yard getting the flower beds cleared of weeds and the lawn mowed. I trimmed a few bushes and I cleaned out Eleanor's garden shed. Living in this part of Florida was like living in a greenhouse. The heat and humidity encouraged plants to flourish. I was spending more than five hours a week in the yard but I enjoyed the work. I figured I may as well get things under control now so that when school started I wouldn't have to devote more than my allotted time to it.

I also enjoyed getting up early and walking the three blocks to the practically deserted beach. I supposed most tourists came here in the winter time and that's why I had the place to myself. The Gulf was as warm as bath water and I loved puttering about on the beach looking for shells, taking the occasional swim or just simply sitting and reading.

I was certainly enjoying myself. The heat didn't bother me a bit and I loved living in the little guest house. Eleanor had an old bike she let me borrow and I hardly ever had to use my truck to get around town. One afternoon about a week before my teaching contract began, I rode my bike by the school. The football field was on a corner of two main roads. As I rode by the field, I noticed the same group of boys I saw the first day running around the track along with the fabulous Edward Cullen.

My eyes gravitated towards him as he ran; he was a thing of beauty and I was shocked to feel the same energy I felt the first time I saw him. What was wrong with me? On the drive to Florida I was wondering why I couldn't feel anything and ever since seeing him, I was wondering why I felt so much. Evidently, I was still under the influence of my mother's power of suggestion.

I know I was slowing down as I was staring at him in a silly stupor when he caught sight of me. His eyes were like lasers, piercing mine with their intensity. A smile spread slowly across his face and he raised his hand. I blushed and ducked my head down and pedaled faster, trying to get by as quickly as I could.

"Wait!" I heard him call out, "Miss Meteor, wait!"

Oh my god. He remembered me for the fool I made out of myself. Could I pretend I didn't hear him and just get out of there as quickly as I could? No. That would be rude and I didn't want to add crass behavior to my list of negative attributes, so I slowed to a stop and waited for him to catch up to me.

The road and its sidewalk were about two feet lower than the field that was surrounded by a low, chain-linked fence. Soon Edward was leaning against it and smiling that gorgeous smile down at me. I looked up and grinned sheepishly.

"You didn't call me." His smile mitigated his accusation.

"Er, no." I know I was blushing. Maybe he'd chalk that up to my exertion from my bike ride.

"You must have thought I was a creeper."

No, actually it was the opposite. I was definitely the perv here.

Embarrassed, I looked up. My eyes were caught in his gaze and I shivered. Suddenly, I could hear one of the Beach Boy's old songs 'Good Vibrations' in the back of my mind. Renée would be so pleased to know that my latent hippie was coming out.

I roused myself enough to answer, "No. Yes. I mean, I thought you were just being nice to the new girl and I didn't want to impose."

His expression became even more intense, "Miss Meteor, it's no imposition. I promise."
This man was confusing me. I had no idea what he meant or how he meant it or what I should do about it. Was it pride? Pity? Lust? Compassion?

Suddenly a soccer ball bounced over and hit him in the back. Laughing, he turned and shouted, "Hey! How about a little warning before you go pegging people?"

"Sorry, coach, it got loose. Are you going to ref this scrimmage?"

"Sure. I'll be right there." He turned back to me and smiled again. "I don't believe I know your name."

Doh! I was really a moron. I should have introduced myself the first time I met him. It's a wonder he wasn't calling me Miss Dim-wit instead of Miss Meteor.

Knowing my cheeks were nearly fire-engine red, I said, "I am Isabella Swan but most people call me Bella."

He blinked and an arrested look crossed his face as if my name surprised him. "Pleased to meet you, then, Miss Isabella Swan. I'll be seeing you around." He waved a hand at me and turned and jogged back to the field where the boys were waiting for him.

I noticed he didn't encourage me to call him again. I wondered why knowing my name put a damper on his enthusiasm? Or maybe I was just imagining everything. My reaction to him was so strong and so alien to me and evidently not a result of the heat or exhaustion. I went home to again dream about dazzling smiles, green eyes and hard bodies.


August 12th, Parma, Florida High: 91F Low: 71 F Barometric pressure 32 inHg; Fair

The days passed until I had to report for pre-term teacher in-service*. I was glad to be starting work. My savings were getting pretty skimpy and ramen noodles seemed to be my meal of no-choice lately. I could use a paycheck.

I woke up early the Thursday I was supposed to report to work. New hires were going to the Administrative Center for orientation two days before the veteran teachers' contracts started. I was one of five new teachers slated for Parma High. We signed all the employment forms, listened to "good employee" lectures, got our pictures taken for our ID badges and got a crash course on the various software the school system used.

About half way through the morning, we were joined by several people who were introduced as the principals of our various schools. I had never met my principal in person because he was out of the office the day I dropped in, and my interview with him was conducted over the phone while I was still in Washington. We split into groups according to school and the facilitator of the orientation announced that we were now at the mercy of our principals and wished us a good year.

Dr. Molina was a middle aged man who welcomed us warmly. He invited us to lunch at a local café as his guests. I thought this was generous but I soon learned he treated his employees extraordinarily well but in return he expected them to do an extraordinary job. I didn't mind this at all.

"Now, we at Parma High put students first. I am most concerned that each student reaches his or her fullest academic potential. I know that depends upon how well you are able to do your job and I will do everything in my power to see that you have what you need to do it. We have a unique professional mentor system at Parma High. You have each been assigned to a veteran teacher within your department with whom I am encouraging you to develop a good working relationship. You can learn a lot from them. After lunch, we will go to Parma High and you will receive your room assignments, your schedule, and meet your mentor."

We spent the rest of lunch in congenial conversation with our table mates. I was sitting next to Leah Clearwater, who was a new math teacher. She was a Native American having grown up in the middle of the Everglades on the Miccosukee Indian reservation. She actually lived in a chickee hut as a little girl. I was fascinated by her stories of a childhood so different from my own. Leah and I hit it off and I was sure we'd become friends. The rest of the people seemed congenial as well. If this was an indication of the friendliness of the rest of the staff at Parma, I was sure I would be happy working there.

Soon, I was driving to school, eager to get my assignments. We met in the principal's conference room and there were five people already in there awaiting us. Dr. Molina started pairing us together. "Ms Swan, your mentor will be Mrs. Masen." A cheery dark haired lady smiled at me and walked over to stand next to me.

"Welcome to Parma High, Ms Swan."

She studied my assignment sheet and grinned. "Good, you're right next to me in building two. Come on, let's get your keys and we'll get you settled."

She ushered me out of the administrative building and over to the next building which had the number two emblazoned on a sign that hung from the eaves. We walked up the stairs to the second floor and Diane, as Mrs. Masen asked me to call her, pointed to the first room we passed, "That's my room and this is yours."

She stood there as I unlocked the door and followed me inside. My room was trashed. There were boxes and file cabinets and teacher desks all over the place. I was stunned.

"Oh, they haven't moved this stuff out, yet. This was a teacher's work room last year. All of this should be moved to our new faculty area. Let me get the custodian up here to organize the removal. You can't get your room together with this stuff in it, that's for sure."

Diane bustled off to find the custodian and I turned to look at my new digs. This room was not like the one I had seen when I peered through a classroom window a few weeks back. Besides having the wrong sort of furniture, there wasn't a white board or any kind of board for that matter. I didn't see evidence of a LCD projector. I wasn't sure if it was set up with a teaching station either. There was a door to what looked like a closet but when I opened it, I found a bathroom. I guess that made sense due to the fact the room was originally meant to be a teacher's work room.

Honestly, I didn't know where to start. Fortunately, Diane did.

"Now, I've just spoken to Robert, our plant manager and asked him to come up here. Here's my first piece of advice: Make friends with the support staff, especially the plant manager and the custodial staff. They will be your best friends and can help you when no one else can. Watch."

Almost as soon as she finished her sentence, a wiry older man came in and looked around in dismay. "I am sorry. I didn't realize they made this into a classroom."

"Oh, Robert, it's fine. Let me introduce you to a wonderful new teacher, Isabella Swan," Diane said.

We shook hands and I smiled. "Honestly, it's okay. I am looking forward to working with you."

He smiled back at me and said, "Welcome to Parma High, Mrs. Swan."

"It's Ms Swan, actually, but please call me Bella," I grinned.

"Bella, I promise, I will have this furniture removed pronto. First, I have to find out where they want to put it."

Robert started to leave but Diane stopped him. "Hey, do you have any spare white boards hanging around?"

"I may be able to come up with one."

"Bella's going to need that as well as a decent desk and filing cabinet. Any ideas?"

Robert pondered for a moment. "I have a few. Let's see what I can do." Waving, he left us alone.

Diane sighed. "Well, there's not much you can do in here today. You are going to need AV equipment, too. I am going to introduce you to the next person you need to make friends with."

She led me out of the room and back to the Parma administrative building and knocked on a door that I hadn't noticed before.

A muffled, "Come in," prompted Diane to push open the door to a room filled with the hum of electronic equipment. There was a whole wall of servers blinking at us in the windowless room and dozens of computer components were stacked on metal shelving. Sitting in the middle of all this peering at a glowing desktop screen was the most stereotypical IT nerd Bill Gates ever tried to be – but without the money. He looked up at us and his eyes widened.

"Jake, I want to introduce you to a new English teacher, Isabella Swan." He just continued to stare owlishly at me.

A little freaked by his response, I said, "H-h-hello?"

Diane chivied him, "Come on Jake, where are your manners? I just introduced you to a pretty girl. You're supposed to say 'pleased to meetcha' or something."

Jake stumbled to his feet and simply said, "Hi. It's a pleasure."

I smiled back at him which made him freeze again.

Diane chuckled. "Bella's classroom is in the old planning room next to mine. She has NO electronics in her room and we need to fix that. Do you think you can help?"

"Sure but there's nothing in there right now."

"We know that but I bet you can wave your magic wand and fix it up for us, right?"

He nodded, still not taking his eyes off of me. "I've got a few extras stashed away."

Even though he was a little freaky, I was grateful. "Thank you, Jake. I truly appreciate it."

Diane quickly pulled me out of the "IT Lair" as she explained it was called and we went back to our classrooms. "Seems like you've made a conquest of Jake. He'll come up here and fix you right up, I am sure. Just don't let him stick you with a color laser printer. They make great copies but the cartridges are expensive and eventually the admin will announce there is no more budget for ink and you'll have to buy your own or not print anything."

I looked at her in surprise and she laughed. "Welcome to the world of education. You'll be surprised at how often you'll end up providing the supplies you'll need so you can do your job."
I hoped that wouldn't be too often because I didn't have the extra money in my budget to do much.

Diane must have seen the look on my face and she quickly added, "Listen, Bella, before you go out and buy anything, talk to me first. I have twenty years of stockpiled and hoarded materials I'd be happy to share."

I smiled, grateful for her assistance and offer of help. We spent the next few hours going through the curriculum that I would be teaching. I had four classes of ninth graders in English I and two classes of eleventh graders in English III.

Looking over my class rolls of ninth graders, Diane said, "I hope you're up for a bunch of kids who are fully aware of the hormones pumping through their bodies but haven't the judgment to do anything sensible about them."

I laughed, "I hope so."

"You'll find the Juniors easier, more sensible and reasonable. You're lucky only to have only two preps most teachers have three. Remember, I'm just next door if you need anything and if I'm not there, you can always ask our department head. He's very helpful. Have you met him?"

I shook my head. "I really haven't met anyone besides you and the other new teachers."

"You'll love him. All the girls do," she giggled. It was strange to hear a forty-something giggle like a teen. "His room is on the other side of yours. I believe he's coming in tomorrow."

"Oh, really?"

"Yep. I won't be here tomorrow, so just go on over and introduce yourself. I know he's expecting you."

"Okay. What's his name?"

"Oh, I didn't tell you? His name is Edward Cullen."


AN

Publix is the ubiquitous grocery store in Florida. It's a home grown chain and for some reason, I can't think of Florida without thinking of Publix, too.

"In-service" is educational speak for the days a teacher must report to work but without students. This is the time for lesson planing, grading, or attending seminars and a lot of times it includes hanging around with colleagues you don't have the chance to see much of when there are students around. In our district, we get a week before the students arrive to prepare our rooms, develop our lesson plans and attend meetings where the administration tells us about new ridiculous policies to replace the old ridiculous policies.

Chickee huts are pretty neat. They are elevated wooden houses that have no permanent sides and a palm frond thatched roof.

A prep – teacherese for a lesson. In high school, a teacher usually teaches a variety of subjects but in the same field, such as a social studies teacher may teach American History or US Government or Civics in one day. As in a lot of states, in Florida each subject is broken down into the Standards; that is exactly what the students are expected to learn in each subject. The subjects are taught by lessons. Each lesson requires preparation. So, if a teacher teaches two different subjects, like Bella, she would have two preps a day even though she would repeat teaching the lessons a few times to different classes.

For those not familiar with the American public school set up: High school is the last four years of public education - Ninth grade through Twelfth. Ninth graders are around 14 years old and Twelfth graders are around 17 on average. Ninth grade is also called the Freshman year, Tenth is Sophomore, Eleventh is Junior and Twelfth is Senior.

To answer some common questions:

There will be no student teacher hanky panky.

Parma is a fictitious Gulf-coast town and there is no Bishop county in Florida.

I know this started off really formulaic, but there will be some twists coming up that I have never seen in fanfic before. I hope you are enjoying it anyway.

AND THANKS to my beta and friend, Kris.