Chapter 3: Meet Cute (A/N: I'd like to thank all the new readers who favorited and are now following this story)
Manuelmusical14: Thx, and yes she could
A couple days later, Joe got clearance from the school to take his band students to Brooklyn for a field trip. And once he got it, he informed his students immediately.
"Listen up, everyone." he started.
All the kids, stopped chatting, messing with their phones, and looked at him.
"On Friday, we're going to be going on a field trip."
The kids started cheering happily.
"We'll be going to Brooklyn where we'll be attending an art festival, touring a museum, and having lunch at a nice restaurant." Joe explained.
He then handed each of the kids a permission slip.
"Be sure to have your parents or guardians sign them and get them back to me by tomorrow or no later than the day after tomorrow."
When Friday came, the students of Joe's class boarded the school bus, and once everyone was boarded, the bus drove off towards Brooklyn. After a while, the bus arrived in Brooklyn and parked in front of the museum.
Before going in, Joe gave his students the basic rules.
"All right ya'll, before we go in, a few rules. Don't touch anything, stay with your group, and there'll be absolutely no stealing." he told.
Everyone understood, and they went inside. They all had a nice time looking at the different paintings, sculptures, and other things. After the museum they went to the festival. There was a live band playing, and there many booths selling different types of artwork from things made of popsicle sticks to metal sculptures.
Joe walked with his group, and Connie saw something that caught her eye.
"Hey, let's go over there."
She pointed to a booth with pottery in it. They went there, and looked at the different pots, vases, bowls, and plates.
"Wow great stuff." one of the kids observed.
This booth naturally belonged to Annie, and she smiled at seeing the kids enjoying her pottery.
"Thank you, I made it all by hand." she informed.
Joe caught up with his students, and saw Annie for the first time. He was surprised for two reasons. The first because she was the woman he'd seen in the zone a while ago, and second because she was very beautiful.
"Just let me know if you see anything you like." Annie told the kids.
As they looked at the pottery, Annie caught a glimpse of Joe. She had to admit, he was pretty good looking.
"These all your kids?" she asked him.
"Huh, oh sort of. I'm their teacher." Joe explained.
Annie gave a content look, and the some of the kids picked out some pieces to buy.
During lunch, the students and chaperones found a picnic area and began eating their food. As Joe ate his sandwich, he couldn't stop thinking about Annie. He hadn't even asked for her name, and he wanted to know.
He gave the excuse to use the restroom, and walked back to the booths. He managed to find Annie's booth, and to his luck she was still there.
"Excuse me." he called, going up to her.
"Oh, hello again." Annie greeted.
"Yeah, hi, just wanted to take another look at the nice work you got here. Did you make it all yourself?"
"Actually yes I do."
"Impressive. My name's Joe by the way Joe Gardner."
"I'm Annie Carter."
"So...are you a professional potter?" Joe wanted to know.
"Oh no, this is just something I do as a hobby." Annie explained.
"I can understand, I'm also a part time Jazz musician."
"Oh really? You know, you actually look familiar. Do you play with Dorothea Williams?"
"Why yes."
"I've seen a couple of her shows, and I think I might've seen you play in a video of her latest concert."
Joe smiled at hearing that. Just then his phone beeped, and he looked at it. It was a text from one of the other teachers, saying that it was almost time for them to get going.
"Well, I've got to get back to my class now. But you know...Annie, I was wondering could I see you again sometimes?" Joe requested.
Annie looked surprised, but then smiled.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind. Of course you'll need my phone number."
Annie pulled out her cell phone, and gave Joe her phone number. And in return, Joe gave her his.
"I'll be waiting for your call." Annie told him.
"I'll try not to take to long." Joe replied.
And then he left. On the bus ride room, Joe kept looking at his phone. When would be a good time to call Annie. He didn't want to seem like a creepy stalker, but he also wanted to hear from her again.
Then he made a decision, he'd wait until tomorrow to call her.
The next day around noon, Joe placed the call. He pressed her name on his phone, and then waited as the line dialed. After a few rings, a voice answered.
"Hello?" came Annie's voice.
"Hey, Annie it's Joe Gardener. We met the other day?"
"Oh yes, I remember you. How're you?"
"I'm fine. You?"
The two went back and forth for a while, until Joe finally brought up the question.
"So, are you doing anything tomorrow?"
"No, I'm free." "Well could I see you?"
"Sure you can. I know a nice little restaurant here in Brooklyn. I'll meet you at the subway?"
"Sounds good. Is around 11:00 okay?"
"You bet."
And so it was set.
That's chapter 3