All the students were in a rush and they were more chatty than normal. A peachy orange and a purplish blue filled the halls. The students were dressed in their uniforms if they had them, or they wore a complimentary shirt to match with the uniform. Some students had their face painted, some had pom poms, some even had their hair dye. Needless to say, spirit day was a very important day to the students.

And a very stressful day for the teachers.

At least, for me it was.

Most of the classes on spirit day were cut in half, unless they were lunch bells. Today was almost an impossible day to teach. With short classes and all these enthusiastic spirits, no one was interested in learning. My first two years here I tried to still teach some type of short but very knowledgable lesson. It would fail miserably, I am sadden to say. Alas, I decided to follow my peers footsteps and play a somewhat educational video for the day.

Finally, this day of no order and complete chaos was coming to an end while I was escorting my last class down to the gymnasium. After speaking to two of my male students to stay in line and keep their hands to themselves, as if they were five. I was more than ready for this day to come to an end; at least be able to have a break while my students at all their focus on the spirit rally. While becoming a high school teacher, they forget to tell you that even though it is not in your job requirements, and it truly does not matter how much you say you are not; you are, indeed, some of these students babysitters. Some of these students, dare I say, need you to hold their hand during these four years. It may not be what you wish to be doing, but it has to be done.

I looked back at my students and noticed that one of my normal trouble makers was pulling down signs, balloons, and streamers as he walked by. He was a senior, but he failed my class twice, along with a few other classes. I believe he is going to become, as students say, a "super senior."

"Andrew Miller, please do not destroy what the school worked hard to put up."

He laughed at me, as usual. "Worked hard!? It's dollar store shit and tape!"

"Nonetheless, please respect our school."

"You aren't my mother, you can't tell me what to do."

Thank the heavens I am not.

"I am not, but I am your teacher, and your elder. Thus you should treat me, your other teachers, and your school with respect."

"Fuck off fag."

Another classic.

But before I could give the multiple definitions of what fag meant before it became a popular word for homosexuals. I was cut off by a strong but familiar voice.

"Miller!" Kevins voice ran through the hall and all the students stopped and glanced his way. I will admit, I was impressed with how his voice demanded respect and he got it.

Kevin walked up to Andrew and I. "What's going on here?"

I spoke up before Andrew could spit out more anger and foolish words from his lips. "Slight behavior issues, I can resolve this, thank you."

This time Andrew interrupted Kevin. "I'm sick of this fag telling me what to do!"

"What did Mr. Vincent tell you to do?"

"All I was doing was messing around, and this fudgepacker talked to me like I'm five, telling me to keep my hands to myself."

"Alright, stop right there with the names. Miller, you're almost off to college, you shouldn't be doing things that would make Mr. V to speak up to you."

I softly spoke in. "Vincent."

But it went unnoticed as Kevin kept talking. "If you don't want to be talked to, then don't act like an ass."

"Language, you are still talking to a student."

Kevin gave me a quick understanding nod but went on. "You still planning on coming to practice Miller?"

Andrew nodded his head but did not say anything.

"Well you're going to run twice as many laps as everyone else today. And then after you're going to help hang all this back up and help the cheerleaders decorate the bleachers for the game tonight."

"That's bullshit!"

"Shitty actions come with shitty consequences."

"Fuck this!" Andrew walked away to join the rest of the students who were now seated on the bleachers in the gymnasium.

I let out a sigh while rubbing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and index finger. "Language."

I heard a little laugh come from Kevin and my attention went to him. Even though we have had our share of words during his time here, and we actually saw each other a lot. I did try my best to try to avoid him. I did not need any distractions or childish crushes coming back to haunt me. But he always found a way to talk to me or see me. I do not know if he has been doing it on purpose, foolish to think that he is, but I do not understand it.

"You're still all uptight about silly words?"

I straighten my tie and started walking to the gymnasium myself; Kevin followed. "This is a public school, therefore I believe one should be careful with their words. Extremely careful between student and teacher."

"I guess. I just think if someone is acting like an ass, you gotta tell them."

"There are more appropriate ways to go about saying so. Also, I would like to note, that I can handle my students myself." I stood up against one of the walls in the gymnasium where I could keep an eye on my group of students. Kevin, of course, stood by me. "I have been working here longer than you have. I know what needs to be done to handle these kinds of situations."

"Miller is also my student and one of my best athletes. I don't put up with my athletes being asshole and I take control of it."

"I suppose." I fixed my tie again and watched as the principal began getting the students even more excited and "hyped up." If that was even possible.

Kevin leaned over to me and began speaking in a hushed voice. "Don't you think it's a little inappropriate to be open about your love life to your students though?"

This made me shoot a glare at Kevin as I whispered back. "I shall inform you Mr. Barr that I have not once discussed my personal love life with my students. I have, however, gone on public dates, since I too, am human. I can not help it if a few students saw me out with a man and discussed it amongst themselves."

Kevin gave a little chuckle. "Not sure about discussing. But I'm sure you were the hot new rumor for awhile."

"Is that not the same thing?"

"Discuss just sounds too formal for high school students."

Kevin leaned back against the wall and we stood there in silence while watching the rally. The principal now had a handful of students down on the floor with him, as he was having the rest of the students vote on who they believed showed the best school spirit. Some were done as classy as blue and peach can be, but some looked as if the school spirit threw up all over them. As always, the two students with the biggest circle of popularity won "Miss and Mr. Spirit." Something that the principal made up, along with other awards, so more students felt apart of spirit day. She believed that just having homecoming king and queen was never enough, due to the fact that it usually went to a star football player and cheerleader, who were usually dating.

I admired the way that she did try to involve all the students. Even if the most popular students were usually the ones who won. That is how high school ticks though, popularity, relationships, first use of cigarettes, pots, and alcohol, and that little thing called knowledge and learning.

"Are you going to the game tonight?"

My attention snapped back at Kevin, who, for some reason was giving my this sly smirk. "I am. I usually help with making sure the students stay safe and not roam around. Or I help with the food. Usually wherever they see fit for me."

"Ah, you're one of the buzzkills that makes everyone stay in the bleachers."

"It is for safety. There are a number of people who attend these functions and we do not need any danger, drama, or mishaps happening."

"So I'll see you there?"

I felt my face become warm as I started to blush. Why was I blushing? I am a teacher at this school who is going for the mere sake of being of use to my job. Not some teenage boy who is going to see his crush for the night.

I turned back to face forward as I straighten my tie again. "I suppose you may catch a glance of me. You will be in the field as I will be, well, everywhere else."

"You do that a lot."

My brow narrowed from confusion as I glanced back over at Kevin with a questioning look. My expression was enough of an answer for him, that I did not have to ask.

"Mess with your tie."

"Only a tick that I have."

"A nervous tick?"

I felt my face begin to become red again. "Why would I be nervous?"

"I don't know, but you sure do blush a lot around me."

I quickly turned my face away from Kevin. My face could become even more red from embarrassment.

Curses.

Kevin pushed himself away from the wall and started to walk out towards the floor as the principal called the coaches and their teams out.

He spoke with that same sly smirk as he walked by. "Don't wear a tie tonight." He then gave me a wink and walked out to the floor.

Was he teasing me? Or, was that him flirting? He could either be making a mockery of me, or he could be complimenting me. In his own odd way. This man had me confused; I usually am one to pride myself with my skills on reading people by their words and actions quite well. Kevin Barr, had me confused, as he was almost unreadable. He could also be so easy to read, that I am just looking far too into this. Only wishful thinking for my young teenage self on that thought, I must say.

I watched him as he stood next to the other coaches. His young face, bright smile, strong posture, and fire red hair made him easily stand out from all the rest. I looked over at the students and he obviously also caught all the attention from the female students. Dare I say, even some of the female staff?

I shifted my eyes back to Kevin and his greens met my blues. He still had that smile on his face. And I felt the younger self within in me begin to get butterflies. He reached up as if he was going to fix the neck part of his hoodie, but slyly made the movement of fixing a tie. I could not help but to smile at his little action.

I guess I will not be wearing a tie tonight.