Chapter 5: Broken Focus
Olivia didn't get much sleep Sunday night her mind kept replaying what happened between her and Principal Grant in the park but by the morning she was feeling pretty good.
Today it's all about my first day of work. I'm not going to let Fitz occupy my mind. I need to get used to my schedule and most importantly take the time to get to know my students. It's time to face reality and reality doesn't include being involved with a married man. Anyways I'll be so occupied by work I doubt I'll have the time to even entertain thoughts of him and I.
Olivia headed to work full of determination.
"Come on Jerry. Wake up. Daddy's running late today." Fitz watched as Jerry struggled to open his eyes.
I never hit the snooze button but I needed that little bit of extra sleep. Not falling asleep till 2am on a Monday morning is a "never can it happen again" lesson!
Fitz helped his son get out of bed and head to the bathroom.
"Daddy can I have French toast today?"
"Not today kiddo. Daddy needs to hurry off to work so Cereal is the only item on the menu today. Fruity Pebbles sound good?" Fitz asked.
Please agree to cereal. Please agree to cereal. I don't want to have to be the "bad guy" this morning.
"Oh alright."
Fitz breathed a sigh of relief and kissed his son on the forehead. "Thank you Jerry! You've just saved me a lot of time." He headed out to the kitchen after making sure Jerry made it into the bathroom.
"Good morning Mellie."
"What happened last night? I woke up during the night and you weren't there. Why did you sleep in the guest room?" Mellie asked with genuine concern.
She always throws me off when she has these moments of genuine concern.
"Nothing. I felt that I was going to have another restless night," due to the fact that I was hard as rock over another woman, "and I didn't want to disturb you so I slept in the guest room."
"Oh ok. Did you want me to finish getting Jerry ready?" She asked.
An unexpected night and an even more unexpected morning. What's going on with Mellie? What going on with me. I'm a little worried. Did I really wake up?
Trying to keep the suspicion out of his voice Fitz replied "Um…ok…thanks."
"Jerry come say goodbye to your daddy he has to rush off to work." Jerry came running back out of the bathroom.
"Bye daddy!" He said after giving Fitz a hug and a kiss.
"Bye kiddo! Have a good day at school!"
Fitz grabbed everything he needed and headed out the door.
Today I need to focus on work. Simply do what I've been doing for the last several years and not let anyone affect that. I'm sure if I make it through this week with Olivia then the upcoming weeks, months, and years should be no problem.
No gentleman opening the door for me today. Olivia thought as she entered the school. She looked towards the principal's office for a moment before reminding herself…
Olivia you said you were going to focus on work! You know it's all a waste to even think about him. Move on!
Olivia settled down into her classroom and was ready when the homeroom kids started to filter into the classroom.
"You're the new teacher?" A small girl who looked as if she still belonged in elementary school asked.
Olivia nodded and waited for everyone to sit down before introducing herself.
"My name is Ms. Pope and I am your new homeroom teacher and the new 9th grade English teacher."
A boy in the back of the classroom chuckled, "Wow, they wasted no time in finding someone to replace Ms. Langston. You know she's in the nuthouse? I think Vice Principal Beene drove her over the edge and he'll do the same to you if you're not careful…"
"What's your name?" Olivia asked.
"Benjamin Grime. But you can call me Benny G!"
The students in the classroom laughed.
Olivia walked back to where Benjamin was sitting. "I think not Benjamin. You see this is not your classroom. I don't do what you say. I can tell you're the type who tries to get by on laughs to fit in, but that's not going to work in here. I'm sure there's some teachers who just let you talk all you want. I'm not going to be one of them. Some say you have to earn respect and I understand that but I demand respect. Do you know why I have the power to do that?"
The boy shook his head and shrunk back in his seat as Olivia got in his face. "Because I'm the best at what I do. That's not arrogance. That's fact. If you challenge me by trying to make jokes or scare me because I'm new you'll find that it won't work. If you choose to go up against me be prepared to lose. Do you want to lose Mr. Grime?"
"Uh…Uh…no."
"Then get your act together because I don't want you to lose." With that Olivia walked back to the front of the classroom.
"I really want you to enjoy being in this classroom. I want everyone's mornings to start off on a positive note. I don't want to have to be the mean and grumpy teacher. I want to get to know you and look forward to seeing your lovely faces in the morning. Even yours Mr. Grime." Olivia said with a smile and received a shy smile from him in return.
"Now first I need to get to know your names. So, make sure where you're sitting where you want to stay because I'm going to make a seating chart in order to help me out. Ok?" All the students nodded.
Whew! Way to go Liv!
By Wednesday Olivia had her schedule down pat and knew all the kids in her classes names.
It was the end of the day and Olivia was gathering her things to head home.
I'm doing it! Classes are going great. I'm enjoying myself. And most of all I'm staying focused!
Olivia only ran into Principal Grant a few times and though she felt those stirrings inside of her she managed to remain calm and professional. Though if honest with herself she was longing to see more of him.
She had just gotten her things together when she heard someone say her name.
"Ms. Pope."
Olivia turned around and smiled. "Hi, Sammy! Are you about to head home? I heard you got a new car."
Sammy's cheeks turned red as he nodded his head and smiled.
Samuel Patterson was a Junior from her homeroom class in the mornings. He was extremely shy and rarely talked. Olivia watched him as he stood fidgeting in front of her.
"Is there something you need help with Sammy?"
"Not really," he said in a low voice, "I was, um, just wondering if you would be my, um, date to the homecoming dance?" Olivia had to hold back a chuckle.
How do I say no and not break his heart? She asked herself. I don't want to discourage him from having the courage to approach someone else about this or anything in life. He's such a sweet and sensitive kid.
Fitz was walking down the hallway when he heard voices coming from Olivia's classroom. He stopped outside of the door and stood along the wall. He took a quick peek inside and saw Olivia standing in front of Samuel Patterson.
Poor guy looks like he's going to piss himself. I heard how Olivia handled class clown Benjamin but Sammy is the farthest thing from that. I can't imagine what he could be getting in trouble for.
Fitz listened and smiled as he heard Sammy ask Olivia to be his date for the dance.
Wow, Sammy's got more guts than I could've ever imagined.
"If I were in high school again with you Sammy I wouldn't have hesitated to say 'Yes.' But seeing as I'm a teacher and you're a student I have to sadly say 'No.' Though I am beyond words flattered! You are the sweetest guy I've ever met!"
Fitz peeked in and saw Sammy raise his head and give Olivia a little smile. "Thanks Ms. Pope. You will be there won't you?"
"I surely will."
Sammy smiled even harder before turning around to leave the classroom.
Fitz backed up and acted as if he was just arriving at the classroom as Sammy left.
"Bye Principal Grant."
"Bye Samuel."
"Hello, Ms. Pope," Fitz said as he walked into the classroom and sat on top of one of the desk.
"Hi Principal Grant. Is there something you need?"
Fitz could tell Olivia was trying hard not to look at him.
"According to you there is." I shouldn't go here but I'm not of sound mind around her. I shouldn't have even stopped in here I've been doing so well.
Olivia looked at him puzzled.
"If I remember correctly your exact words were 'I have something you want.' I'm assuming that want is also a 'need.'"
He tried to read her expression as she continued to look everywhere but at him.
"You do realize were still in the school. Anyone could hear you."
"Then I guess I can't ask you the important question I came here to ask." He said and started to slowly walk away.
Just let him go. Who cares what he has to say.
Ugh! I do.
"What question is that?" She asks. Letting her curiosity and him in general get the best of her.
"I wanted to know if you would, um, be my…my date to the homecoming dance?"
Olivia picked up an eraser, looked at him for the first time since he entered the classroom, and threw it at him.
"That's so wrong. I'd rather be his date than yours any day!" She said as she got up to walk past him and out the door.
She felt a hand grab a hold of the right wrist. Immediately she felt a shockwave through her system and she couldn't help the slight shiver that coursed her body.
Damn I hope he didn't notice that. Let me go…Let me go!
"Are you sure about the Ms. Pope?" He asked her.
Olivia looked at him and her eyes locked with his.
Those sparkling blue eyes. Oh someone help me…
She felt him slightly tug on her wrist and she couldn't help moving closer. He let go of her wrist and reached out to touch her face. Olivia could feel face turning towards his hand…
"Olivia? Are you still here?"
I feel the same thing. Fitz thought as he felt Olivia shiver at his touch. What would happen if I felt more than just her wrist? Damn I could just get lost in her eyes. If I could…
He reached out tentatively to caress her face when he heard someone yell "Olivia? Are you still here?"
Damnit Abby.
Again he was left with the odd feeling of relief and disappointment at what could've happened. He managed to get up and step away from Olivia as Abby walked in the door.
At the sound of Abby's voice Olivia let out a sigh when Principal Grant stepped away from her.
"Hey Li-." Abby started before realizing who else was in the classroom. "I'm sorry did I interrupt a meeting or something?"
"No, I was just checking to see how Ms. Pope's week was going so far. Now that I know everything's good I can go home. Bye Ms. Pope. Bye Ms. Whelan."
"Bye Principal." Abby said as she looked at Olivia and then at Fitz as he gave an awkward wave and left.
"Is everything ok? I'm getting a weird vibe. An 'oops I'm sorry I walked in on you having sex' vibe." She said.
"What?" Olivia said with a nervous laugh. "I worry about you sometimes Abby."
"Did you want to get some dinner or is there some unfinished business you have around here…?"
Olivia pretended to look around the classroom and check the folders in her hand before saying, "Nope I'm good. Let's go eat!"
"You worry about me? Ha…I'm worried about you." Abby said to Olivia as she followed her out of the classroom.