Protector ch. 11
I don't know what expect after running into Santana and a few of my students that afternoon but I wasn't expecting Quinn to come in during her recess to ask me a certain pertaining to the nature of my relationship with her mother. I know that I'm staring at her face owlishly, blinking slowly as the more that I look at her, the more that I see the perfect mixture of the Latina and the blonde dancer in my student and I know that I should be answering her question but this is a delicate situation. I'm not sure how the avid reader would feel about me possibly dating or becoming more intimate with each other and I'm sure that there's rules against teachers dating their student's parents even we've known each other prior to this moment. I don't understand how things have gotten so complicated in a short amount of time but there's not much that I can do about it now before looking up at Quinn, telling her that I would have an answer for by lunchtime and this pacifies her for the moment.
I have about fifteen minutes before everyone comes back from recess and I need something to rise my spirit as I don't think that the coffee in the break room isn't exactly going to cut it as I make my way towards the teachers' lunge. I was halfway there when someone calls out to me, I bit back groan knowing who is without having turn around as Mr. Weston walks up beside me, smiling 'charmingly' as I inwardly roll my eyes. I continue towards the teachers' lounge with the physical education teacher in tow as he tries to regale me about something but honestly I couldn't bother to pretend to listen and I don't really care in the slightest. He smiles suave in the direction of two female teacher who swoon, giggling like schoolgirls as I couldn't believe that it actually works on women and I don't know how much alcohol I had to have consumed to find him remotely attractive.
I made it to the teachers' lounge quickly spotting Unique by the coffee machine as she hands me a cup of what's considered coffee in this school, taking a sip to find out that it's actually a lot better than usual. The fashion teacher tells me that it's something that she brought from home because she quickly learn that coffee in here was utterly lacking so she started bringing some home and since we're besties she was more than willing to share with me. I'm more thankful to have someone like Unique in my corner, I don't know if I would've made through my first week with her.
"So spill, what's going on with that sexy latin lover of yours?" Unique asked winking.
"Okay, don't call her that and we may or may not have plans to go out for lunch this week" I said taking a sip from my cup. "But I don't know if I should go or not"
"What?! Of course, you should totally go. Do you not wanna go?" Unique asked raising an eyebrow.
"That's not the issue here, it's the fact it would with one of my student's parent and I'm sure that it would be against some rule here. If it got out then I could possibly lose my job because I like working here" I said lowering my voice.
"You're worrying too much but I can see why and I guess that I could understand that because there's a few parents here that I wouldn't mind having my way with" Unique said wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh my goodness, you're too much" I said playfully smacking her arm.
"Maybe but there's nothing wrong with lunch with the girl and before you say anything, you don't have to consider it a date. Think of it as grabbing lunch with someone that you haven't seen in awhile and there's no rule against that" Unique points out.
"I don't see the hurt in grabbing some lunch with a fellow McKinley alumni" I said smiling.
"I'm a genius" Unique said dusting her shoulder off.
"Thank you Unique and I should get back before my students" I said pushing myself off the couch.
"Me too. I'll walk you to your classroom so you won't have to deal with Senior Life Size Ken" Unique said gesturing to Brody.
"Thank you so much for that" I said sighing in relief.
"No problem"
I made it back a few seconds before my student return from recess before instructing them to pick out a instrument that they will be learning to play for the next week. Finn quickly pick out a drum while Quinn grabs the guitar before anyone else notices as the rest of the student pick out their instruments then coming back to form a half circle around me. Some took to their instruments like fish to water while others were having a bit of difficulty trying to play the right cords but overall, I say that it was looking promising as I teach the kids how to play a few more notes before the lunch bells rings. I remind them to put with the instruments before dismissing them as they head towards the cafeteria when I notice that the avid reader was still sitting on the rug with the guitar in her lap, strumming the strings as I sit down cross from her.
"Sweetie, it's lunchtime and I'm sure that your friends are waiting for" I said trying to get her attention.
"Um Ms. Berry, can I ask you something?" Quinn asked curious.
"Of course Quinn, you can ask me anything and I'll try to the best of my abilities to answer"
"You and Mami went to school together right? Did you know my Mommy together too?"
"Yes, I know your Mommy as the three of us attended school together" I said with a nod.
"Were you friends?"
"Um not exactly but I can say that we're close albeit we're a bit wrapped up in ourselves back then. I would like to be closer to your mother but I have a feeling that there's something that you wanted to ask"
"Are you… are you and Mami dating? She said that it was possible that she might start dating again and we saw you at the bookstore, she was looking at you funny and I thought she might like you" Quinn said seeming to be conflicted.
"No Quinn, we're not dating but I care about your mother a great deal. If it makes you uncomfortable then I will talk to her about it because I care about you very much and your education is very important to me"
Quinn stares at me for a moment before strumming the strings on the guitar and I meant what I said about caring about her a great deal as I would never do anything that would make her uncomfortable. I know that Santana cares about her daughter and would go to hell and back for while going to the ends of the world just to make her happy as I would take a step back if she doesn't want me dating her mother.
"Can you promise me that you wouldn't do anything to hurt my mami? I want her to be happy and I know that she likes you, I see it in her eyes when she comes to pick me up. She's not very sublet with her staring" Quinn said shaking her head as I giggle. "If I had to pick anyone for her then I wouldn't mind having her date you"
"I'm glad that I have your permission but are you sure that you're okay with this?" I asked wanting to be certain.
"I'm sure but does that mean that I won't have to do as much homework now?" Quinn asked raising an eyebrow.
"If your mother and I choose to be in a relationship, it doesn't mean that you won't have less homework to do. Sorry but nice try though" I said smiling slightly.
"Dang it but you can't blame a girl for trying" Quinn said putting the guitar away.
"Let you what, how about I'll give you guitar and piano lessons afternoon. How does that sound?" I offer.
"You got yourself a deal" Quinn said shaking my hand.
"Great now, get going. I'm sure that your friends are waiting for you" I said smiling.
That girl is truly something else but I feel better knowing that she would be okay with Santana and I dating. What was left of lunch, I spent with Unique listening me about this guy that she met the other day and how sweet he is as I could tell that she really like him and I hope that it works for her. I could tell that Mr. Weston wanted to come to talk but he stays on the other side of the teachers' lounge with two female teachers shameless flirting with him but he wasn't giving them the time of day.
"Oh that boy has got it bad for you, gurl" Unique said packing up her leftovers.
"I know and he continues to hit on me no matter how times I told him that I wasn't interested in dating or sleeping with him" I said shaking my head.
"Maybe you should talk to Mr. Schue or Sylvester, I know neither one of them will stand for harassment in the workplace and it's obvious that he's making you uncomfortable"
"Maybe but I don't want to make a bigger deal out of this than what it is"
"Gurl, you need to say something because he's obviously not taking the more than obvious hints that you've dropping on him" Unique said frowning.
"I know but I'm hoping that he would take the hint or just get bored before moving onto the next girl" I said we head towards our classroom.
"I don't know, he seems a little relentless or really dense if I ask me" Unique said shrugging her shoulders. "Seriously gurl, you should think about talking to someone about him"
"I know, I know you're right. I'll see you later" I said walking into my classroom.
The rest of day went by fairly quickly as I got to teach the kids a few new songs that hopefully that they could show off to their parents if I run it pass Mr. Schue into doing a small presentation on what they've been learning. Once three o'clock came around parents and nannies arrive to pick them up and I was expecting Santana to pick up Quinn and Finn like she normally does but I was surprised to see Kurt walk through the classroom door. His son quickly spots his adoptive father before running towards him like a bulldozer, nearly knocking him over but the Broadway star didn't seem to mind at all as he affectionately ruffles his son's hair. Kurt tells the children to gather their things before locking eyes with me, walking towards me as this is the first time that I've seen him since graduation as I'm not sure how he'll react as we were close when we left but I left without a word. I didn't expect him to embrace like he did but I am relieved to know that he's not too upset with me.
"I never thought that I would see Rachel Berry as a teacher" Kurt said taking my face in his hands.
"Me neither and yet here I am" I said with a laugh. "You look good, Kurt"
"So do you and your wardrobe has definitely improved since high school. No more argyle I see" Kurt said giving me a once over.
"Couldn't stay a child forever now, could I?"
"No but it's good to see you as I expect to see you for dinner, yes" Kurt said raising an eyebrow.
"Do I really have much of a choice?" I asked rolling my eyes.
"No, you don't because Santana will be picking you up. She'll ensure that you'll come"
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 11