Setting Up Classrooms
I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I wish I did.
A/N: Thanks for the kind reviews. I'm not the most adept at using technology, so please bear with me. Also, this is the first time I've written a fiction story or a story using dialogue. Please forgive my grammatical errors, formatting, etc. I'm used to writing research papers and the like. Thanks for reading!
Jane was growing increasingly restless. It was already 9:45 and the head principal, Mr. Talbert, was still talking. Bob Talbert was man in his late fifties with graying hair and a bit of a belly, and he loved to hear himself talk. By this point, Jane was tired of listening.
Shit. When is he going to wrap this up? I really need to work in my room.
Jane leaned over to her best friend, Barry Frost. "How much longer is this frickin' meeting gonna last? I've got shit to do!"
"Your guess is as good as mine, but it better be soon. My ass is going numb!" Frost shifted in his chair trying to find a more comfortable position. Cafeteria seats have an expiration date when it comes to comfort. Jane simply snorted at her friend and slouched further down into her chair.
After another fifteen minutes of mindless droning, Mr. Talbert finally ended his address. As everyone started to push out his or her chair and dash for the exits, he added, "Does anyone have any questions?"
He looked expectantly at the faculty body.
Frost and Jane crossed their fingers hoping they could leave, but as fate would have it…
"Actually, Mr. Talbert, I have a question!" chirped one of the older math teachers from the back of the room.
Jane and Frost emitted an audible groan and turned to each other.
"Man, why is there always that one person..?" groused Jane.
Needless to say, Jane's attitude was quickly heading south.
"I don't know, but I swear it happens every single time!" Frost punctuated his last three words by tapping his index finger on the table.
No one really bothered to listen to the teacher's question since she was notorious for asking about matters that only pertained to her. Consequently, once Mr. Talbert had answered her question, everyone scattered.
Across the room, Jane could see Maura leaving with the other science teachers. Maura seemed at ease with them, but Jane could sense that the woman was still nervous and apprehensive.
I'll make sure to check on her later and see how she's settling in. I'll just ask Ma to give me her room number.
Jane realized the error in that logic.
Scratch that, I'll just walk over to the science wing and see if I can find her. I don't need to give Ma another reason to be nosy.
With that thought in mind, Jane headed off towards her classroom.
Maura was pleasantly surprised with her classroom. The lab tables were already in a workable arrangement and her textbooks, teacher additions, and ancillary materials were laid neatly on her desk. She frowned a bit at the blank walls since she had already caught glimpses of other teachers' classrooms through their open doors. Most had personal affects along with content related posters hanging on the walls. Maura knew that she would need to go shopping in order to personalize her room. The prospect of shopping brought a smile to her face.
Connected to her classroom was the department closet which housed all the lab materials and textbooks used during the year. Like most closets, this one had been cleaned out and reorganized countless times, so Maura wasn't quite sure what she'd find in there. After rifling around, she was pleased to find an articulated skeleton available for her use. She peered closely at the skeleton and noticed that the name STANLEY had been scrawled across its forehead in bold sharpie. Maura snorted and rolled her eyes.
From outside the closet, Maura heard the quick footsteps of the diminutive Susie Chang approaching. "Oh, hey! I didn't know you were in here. I'm checking to see if we have any extra Bunsen burners laying around," the startled chemistry teacher said. "Do you need help with anything?" Susie cheerfully inquired.
"Not really, I was just looking around to see what's in here."
"Well, you'll find a lot of random things crammed in different places. When I get the chance, I intend to reorganize this entire closet." Maura could tell that the disorder irked the small woman.
Susie continued, "The first year of teaching is rough because you haven't had the chance to accrue your own hoard of decorations, so help yourself to anything you find."
"That's very kind of you. Thank you, Susie." Maura responded gratefully.
"No problem. Now if you'll excuse me, I have Bunsen burners to locate."
"I'll get out of your way then," Maura smiled and stepped out of the closet and back into her room.
In the opposite wing of the school, Jane Rizzoli walked into her classroom and surveyed the chaos. Desks and furniture were all pushed to the center of the room from when the custodians had waxed the floor that summer. Some of her posters had peeled off the walls, and dust bunnies had set up shop on every available surface.
Ok, so how am I going to set everything up this year?
Jane scratched her head as she looked around the room.
Wait, do I even have enough desks?
Jane started counting the desks only to lose track halfway through when Frost burst through her door.
"Damn it, Frost! You made me lose count!"
Leaning against a desk, Frost ignored her and cheerfully announced, "Well, I've got some news that will brighten your day."
"And that news would be," Jane waited while Frost had paused for dramatic effect.
"Apparently, there is a foxy new science teacher, and word on the street is she's single."
"Really, Frost? Foxy?" Jane smacked his arm.
Frost just grinned and laughed.
Jane chose to ignore his comment about Maura's relationship status but was happy to one up her friend.
"I already met her this morning," Jane avoided Frost's eye, "and I have even more news on top of yours."
This time it was Jane's turn to pause for dramatic effect.
"Apparently, she's taking over the AP Anatomy and Bio classes from Pike," Jane smirked.
"Ha! Seriously? He's so gonna shit a brick when he finds out!" Frost smacked his knee and bounced in his seat with glee.
"That would be something to see," Jane agreed.
Jane looked around at her room and groaned, "Hey, would you mind helping me move my desk over to that far wall and slide those desks across the room?"
"Yeah, no problem," Frost said as he grabbed the desk closest to him.
The two of them made short work of arranging Jane's desks, and Frost left to attend a meeting with the other computer applications teachers.
For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Jane looked around her room and made a mental list of things she still needed to do.
Screw it. I'm going to go find Maura and see how she's doing.
Jane dropped her keys on her desk and went in search of the doctor.