"Ugh how many more?"
"Only fifteen, now relax"
"Remind me that you owe me coffee for the next ten years."
"Stop being so dramatic.."
"Oh, I'm dramatic? Do your students really need this program?" Daisy complained.
She had to admit she was getting annoyed with herself, but the fact that she had been awake so early had caused her regular irritations to increase tenfold. Helping for the past week and a half trying to input as many programs into the Spanish classroom made her irritable. She was hoping there was an easier way, but unfortunately it wasn't just a simple "pop in the disc and program installed." Since they decided on getting the most cost-efficient program, it got a bit time consuming downloading and reinstalling the program into their ancient computers. She knew they were ancient, but actually installing them in another classroom made her realize how lacking the classrooms were in regards to new technology
He finally stopped working on one of the computers and turned to face her: "Ya deja de quejarte…I'm hoping I can get these ready so my students can start using it by the fourth week anyway. So, mientras más callada te quedes, the faster we can get this done which means no more desmadrugadas..."
"Alright I may not know a lot of Spanish, but I know judgment when I hear it, Reyes" she said raising an eyebrow and feigning offense.
He smirked, "And if it was?"
"Then I'm doubling the number of months you are going to buy me coffee?"
Smiling he said "Maybe you should actually be using this program as well to practice Spanish yourself, I mean you live in Southern California—East LA—of all places…I mean… I would have expected you to know some more Spanish." He teased.
"Hey now! I just—"Daisy tried to retort.
But she didn't get a chance to finish her rebuttal because she didn't realize that a student barged in.
"¡Buenos días maestro!...wait...Ms. Johnson?...uhm…Good morning?"
When she took a good look at the student she realized it was Edgar looking on puzzled at their banter. As Edgar was about to rush out, Daisy called out to him, "Good morning, Edgar. Don't leave. I was just about to lea-wait…what time is it?"
Edgar smiled a bit and as if reading her mind, "Don't worry Ms. Johnson. I'm here a bit early, so you're not late" He quickly assured her, "I'm just here to practice my Spanish a bit more,"
"¿Cómo estas Edgar? ¿Todo bien?" Robbie interrupted.
"Muy bien, gracias," Edgar smiled back.
Quickly forgotten, Daisy observed how Robbie's interaction was with Edgar and she suddenly saw why Edgar bet on him with such confidence. Robbie seemed like a completely different person while talking with him. It was a complete shift the way they were taking with each other and Robbie's demeanor demanded respect, but also gave such a brotherly vibe that she felt that she was suddenly imposing on their interaction. Feeling intrusive, she looked away and quietly started walking to gather stuff.
Noticing her presence again, Robbie called out to her, "Thanks Ms. Johnson for all of your help. It's alright, we can pick up tomorrow morning…"
"Sure...yeah...don't worry about it. I can also try to finish at lunch so we can get them done."
He looked taken aback but laughed, "I wouldn't want you missing lunch, but if you really hate working on these with me in the morning I can get you off the hook with Principal Coulson,"
She didn't mean that she hated working with him, but after seeing Edgar, she was intent in not cutting into his tutoring time and reflected that for a computer science teacher that loved her students, she was doing a bad job of showing it. She mentally kicked herself and was annoyed with her own actions. She hated to admit that she enjoyed their banter, but now that caused her to be behind as well as cut into student tutoring. She has never been this inefficient.
"See you during the lunch break Mr. Reyes," She finally said being mindful that Edgar was watching their exchange.
She saw Robbie hesitate, but he just nodded.
As she walked out, Daisy was stressing. Lost in her thoughts she didn't notice her student calling out to her.
"Ms. Johnson!"
She turned around to see Edgar run after her gasping for air.
"Edgar, didn't you have a mini-tutoring session with Ro—uh Mr. Reyes?"
"Yeah…I just…um wanted to ask. Um," Edgar said fidgeting and blushing profusely
"Yes?" Daisy inquired.
"Well…you umm. I know you probably wouldn't…but I just have to ask…um...you didn't tell him about the bet...did you?
She had completely forgotten about the bet that students had to get rid of Robbie so soon, and it made her eye Edgar suspiciously, "No…actually I didn't"
"Oh...okay…like I knew you weren't like that…but I got nervous for a sec…when you know…I saw you in there," he stuttered.
Daisy was quick to counter, "You know teachers do also overhear things from students, so he might find out about it anyway" she countered.
"I know but I really hope he knows that he is still welcome you know…and I mean it— bet or no bet—I really hope he stays till the end of the semester."
Great Daisy, way to be overly-critical, she mentally scolded herself.
"Don't worry, I will keep it quiet as long as possible. Unless someone specifically asks me about it, I won't say anything,"
"Okay, cool…Um could you also not tell the others I'm getting tutored. The fact that I'm here this early. They are never gonna let me hear the end of it," he laughed nervously.
"Your secret is safe with me," Daisy smiled and assured him.
"Thanks Ms. Johnson. I appreciate it." After giving her a smile, he quickly turned around and ran back to the class.
As she walked back to her class, she couldn't help but think about the bet and how Robbie would actually take it. Would a little bet really send Robbie packing? After working with Robbie for the past week and a half, she couldn't help but smile smugly at the thought that it would take a lot more than a bet for him to leave.
After leaving her fifth period class, which was as always beyond energetic, she was looking forward to the break so she could help Robbie. But before she could do that, she knew she had to go get her lunch to be better citizen. So Daisy tried to quickly sneak into the faculty lounge to get her lunch and hurry to Robbie's class; however, her attempt to avoid conversation didn't work in her favor.
"So, I hear you've been hanging out with Mr. Reyes a lot lately; you don't even want the coffee from my Keurig anymore hmm..." Her co-worker Jemma teased while watching her from a distance in the lounge.
"ha-ha very funny. He owes me from the spill and for helping him with his programs, but I'm almost done. Actually, that's where I'm headed now. I told him I was going to help during lunch right now."
"Interesting…that is a pretty nice deal you have going."
"Hardly. Making me work on his programs. Why can't he just teach Spanish the old fashion way? Why can't they just have some vocab exercises or just have worksheets?" "They all better enjoy those programs." She muttered.
"Oh Daisy, because if we had to be serious, how well did that strategy serve us as students when we were learning another language," Jemma argues "I'm actually interested in this innovative and interactive method, and if we are being truly honest, he's not making you do anything," Jemma sarcastically answered as she took a sip from her coffee.
Trying to avoid the subject and Jemma's piercing stare, Daisy turned around to quickly prepare herself a coffee from the infamous lounge coffeemaker: "Alright, alright, whatever, I get it. Enough of me, let's actually talk about you. Because you know, recently, I've heard some little birdies twittering about something going on between a certain physics/engineer teacher and a certain biology/anatomy teacher"
Jemma blushed "Oh goodness. Don't tell me those birdies are students. How mortifying…I swear I hear rumors every week, but I'm afraid…that this rumor has some truth to it. He actually just asked me out for dinner and…I said yes."
Daisy nearly choked on her coffee that she barely started sipping. "What?" Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. "Since when?! And why haven't you told me!? I need the details quick!"
"Well...it all started when—" Jemma started but was cut off.
"Simmons, Daisy, how are you ladies today?"
Daisy didn't want to look around and acknowledge Grant's unwelcome intrusion.
"Good afternoon," they both said.
Grant not really expecting or caring about how their actual day was going continued, "Hey Daisy, I've been meaning to ask you. You wouldn't mind coming to my class to fix my computer right; I mean you don't look busy now. You want to come now?"
Daisy tried to keep a calm demeanor, but preventing an eye roll was taking more effort than usual.
"Sorry I already made a commitment to finish helping Robbie," she calmly stated while looking at him over her shoulder.
Grant scoffed, "You've been 'helping' him all week; I think you can spare some time to just help me get rid of a simple glitch"
Officially annoyed but trying to stay civil, she turned to fully face him and smiled.
"If it's that simple, I think you will be just fine without me," she answered sharply.
Grant trying to gather his bearings quickly rephrased "What I mean is, you can just check it fast and work through it really quick way before the bell rings."
Daisy looked at Jemma and Jemma simply shrugged not knowing what to say either.
"Look fine, I'll go quick, but then I have to leave." Daisy replied
"Great!" Grant said smiling, but Daisy was just thinking how she was going to avoid his idle chatter. Unfortunately, that was very hard to evade.
"So how is ol' Robbie handling the transition. I heard a bet going around that they are trying to get rid of him"
Daisy couldn't help but stutter in her step in surprise, "How did you hear about the bet?"
"Come on Daisy, of course I know. The students are in my class as well."
"Right, yeah…" Daisy mumbled. Her mind was racing. She couldn't really pinpoint what her real surprise was. Grant knowing about the bet and being the type who would actually tell Robbie. Or the familiarity that he said "ol' Robbie" as if they have known each other for quite some time.
Once they got to the classroom and she started to check his computer, Grant seemed to not want to let the topic go: "So what do you think?"
"I haven't really found the glitch you were talking about. Is your system running slow or something?" She asked confused. Why was he wasting her time with this?
"No, I meant about Robbie! You have been hanging out with him for the past week, so I'm curious about what you think."
She didn't look at Grant, but stayed focused on finishing her task at hand. Speaking of Robbie, she needed to get back to his class because she didn't want him thinking she didn't want to work with him. She needed to clarify to Robbie that that wasn't the case. She also made a promise to him.
"Again, I'm not sure why you care what I think. I only came to help you with your computer 'glitch' so let's just cut the chatter and finish this" Daisy answered curtly.
Grant's demeanor became more stern, and it was clear he wasn't getting the answer he was looking for. However, he knew just how to unsettle her.
"Care to do a bet of our own?" Grant proposed.
"What?" Daisy turned around to fully face him, annoyed and unsure of where this was going.
"Yeah, tell you what. I bet that he won't last here for a month. I know for a fact that he is not the best role model and it's only a matter of time before he does something stupid. So I think, within a month he won't make it. He never sticks through with anything anyway. Why should this be any different? And if I win, you treat me to lunch."
"So, you do know him," she said accusingly.
Grant scoffed, "Well I guess we do have some…history" he said as he looked outside the window clenching his jaw.
Daisy was not one for work politics, but the fact that Robbie wasn't here to defend himself and the fact that Grant was trying to manipulate her so he could have his date, forced her hand.
"Well it must have been a shock for you to see him back, but I need to remind you he has only been here a week and honestly, he has been able to genuinely help and connect with more students than you ever have. Your glitch is fixed, but I can't say the same for you." She stared at him intently and unmoving as if challenging him with that bet.
Grant stood there gaping at her, and as she stared back into his eyes; she saw how Grant's eyes shifted from annoyance and illustrated a hint of anger, but there was something else.
"Well... we will just have to see how long good ol' Reyes is here for then," He said smiling; hollow and sarcastic and not at all happy.
She didn't know what compelled her to say it, but she responded without missing a beat "You're right. We will just have to wait and see. And just so you know, if it wasn't clear,…I'm betting on Reyes."
As she was turning to leave, she hadn't realized some students were already in the classroom watching them stare intently at each other. She had no idea when they came in or how much they heard, but it just made her flustered and rush out faster.
She didn't know what caused her to say it, but she had to defend Robbie. And she just about had it with not knowing the actual story and hearing ambiguous statements. Thank goodness, the bell rang, but that also meant she couldn't finish helping Robbie which caused her annoyance to become anger because Grant got exactly what he wanted.
While she was watching her students work on their projects during the last period of the day, she was devising a plan to meet Robbie right after class to apologize but to also learn more about this rift. However, it would be just her luck that the seniors who were getting ready graduate had to ask her all of their questions right after class.
Once the last students left, Daisy rushed to his classroom.
"Shit." She wasn't surprised he had already left; it was after all 30 minutes after the last bell. However, while standing in the empty class she felt a strong resolve and decided it was time to at least finish what was left of all the computer programs so she could surprise him in the morning. She didn't understand why, but the thought of surprising him made her smile.
"Alright, Daisy. Let's get to work"
After finishing the last programs, she didn't have time to feel proud of herself because it was already almost two hours after school and she needed to get home. She had enough of school for the day.
After gathering her stuff, she walked to her car and noticed how empty the school was except for a few cars. She could already imagine it being Principal Coulson and Vice Principal May preparing for the next day.
As she got in her car and started leaving the parking lot, she devised her new plan to talk with him and actually think of ways to ask Robbie the history he has with Ward. However, she didn't want to be insensitive and was having difficulty brainstorming ways to bring it up naturally.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the abnormal amount of white smoke escaping from the tailpipe of her car, and in a matter of minutes white smoke started coming from under the hood of her car and the engine stalled.
"Shit! No, No, No, NO!" Daisy exclaimed and pulled over.
"Why would you break down only two blocks away from school! I want to get home you stupid piece of junk!" Daisy shouted at the car as she got out quickly to try to pop the hood, but before she could do that, out of frustration she kicked the rim as hard as she could and instantly regretted that.
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
Daisy snapped around trying to ignore the growing pain in her foot when she noticed a young man in a wheelchair peering at her with inquisitive brown eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I um didn't know anyone else was around…Um. Did you hear…?" Daisy questioned nervously.
He smiled at her, "No worries. Trust me, I've heard worse. Is your foot okay?"
"Yeah. It was just a reaction that I should have thought twice about. I'm sorry for startling you. It's just one of those days. You know?"
"I hear ya. If it helps, my brother is actually a really great mechanic, and I know he would be more than happy to help you. I can call him right now. I think he should already be at the garage so I think he can come right away." The boy smiled.
Daisy become overwhelmed with gratitude this kid felt like her guardian angel. Again, she knew she was acting overly dramatic but as the day was going, she needed something positive. "That would be amazing! But are you sure that won't be too much trouble? Is he picking you up?" She asked hesitantly.
"It's not trouble at all. I normally take the bus because I get out of Physics Club at this time, and I don't want my brother to have to drive back and forth from his job to the garage, so I finally convinced him that I can take the bus and it drops me off right by his work. Although he wasn't okay with it for the first couple of weeks I was finally able to get him to let me go on my own. And now here I am, babbling about my brother, but also simultaneously saving a teacher from breaking her foot" he smirked.
Daisy couldn't help but chuckle and for some reason looking at his eyes and the way he grinned gave her a weird sense of familiarity, but she didn't have time to ponder because his comment caught off guard. "How did you know I was a teacher?" Daisy asked in surprise.
"Oh, I've seen you around the halls at Garfield, but I also just saw your car leave the faculty parking lot" he grinned.
She scoffed remembering she was still only two blocks away from the school
"Hahaha right. Well I am glad you are saving me too mister….?" She asked inquisitively.
"Oh, haha no need for mister. Just a student helping a professor in need. The name is Gabriel but I go by Gabe."
"Well, thank you for being my guardian angel, Gabe," she thanked.
"It is my pleasure miss…?
"Johnson."
"Alright Ms. Johnson, let me just call my brother, and he should be able to get here in about 15 minutes."
As Gabe wheeled to the side to call his brother privately, Daisy couldn't help but be warmed by his kindness. Knowing herself, she would have been more frustrated if she had to call Jemma and get her out of her possible date. Or worse, walking back to campus and having Principal Coulson help her. She shuddered at the thought.
While Gabe was talking on the phone, she started walking to her car and finally opened her hood. As the extreme smoke engulfed the air around her, Daisy started coughing and cursing the universes interesting way of challenging her mental state. But as she briefly overheard Gabe's voice talking on the phone, Daisy was happy at the mere fact that a student was kind enough to offer his help. And a student from Garfield high school at that. Smiling at the thought, she realized that she should start taking her stuff out of the car. Reaching in to gather her papers, laptop and electronics, she heard a car drive up, and heard Gabe start talking to someone in Spanish. Realizing it must be his brother, she gathered the last of her stuff and double checked the backseat once more before stepping out her stalled and stupid vehicle.
"Daisy?"
She stopped abruptly. Frozen. She didn't need to look up from her stuff to know that the voice didn't belong to Gabe. No, she had been working with that voice for the past week and half. She knew that voice already.
Finally looking up, she looked at the man with the same brown eyes as Gabe, back in his leather jacket that she saw on the first day they met.
Well shit.
Translations:
"Ya deja de quejarte" - stop complaining
"...mientras más callada te quedes" - the quieter you are
"Desmadrugadas" - early mornings
"¿Cómo estas Edgar? ¿Todo bien?" - "How are you Edgar? Everything good?
"Muy bien, gracias," - "Good, thank you."
AN: Thank you so much for your patience with this AU. I hope you enjoyed it. I had to re-outline some of my main ideas, so it took me a bit longer trying to regroup and outline my expectations for this fic and I want to make sure I finish it and not leave it "in-progress" forever. A special shout-out to quakerider-hell for being an amazing beta reader whom I love to bounce ideas off of. And for also providing constant reminders and motivation to get it done. Lol Hopefully, once finals are over and I have an actual break from work, I will be able to hash out this story in its entirety. I already have it pretty much all outlined out, so fingers crossed that the wait won't be as long and that it is worth it. I really hope you enjoy it and I am so thankful to the growth of the quakerider/ghostquake fandom. It was awesome to see the increase in stuff.
Any comments, or reviews are welcome! Thank you again!