Ms. Reed's POV
The sound of my alarm from my phone nearly gave me a heart attack.
Especially on a Tuesday morning.
God bless that my position is a gym teacher because I get to wear clothing that wouldn't be appropriate for per se, a history teacher to wear. I'm putting on one of my favorite fits which is a white University of North Carolina sweatshirt and black joggers.
I am aware I live on the other side of the country but I am a UNC alumni. I have to represent once in a while.
My shower took pretty quick and I was out of my house one hour after I first woke up.
When I get into my car I decide to play some R&B music. I couldn't tell you the reason why I'm choosing R&B this morning except I guess it's what I'm feeling.
I arrive at the school in about 10 minutes. I park my White BMW in my designated parking spot and head straight towards my health room. There was no one in the school besides just my other co-workers. Of course they would be here though. Getting to school 25 minutes before school starts is mandatory here.
Unfortunately.
This is my first year being a teacher at a school and I have to say, it's not what I expected at all but I'm not complaining.
The students are nice, well, most of them are, the weather in San Diego is stupendous, and school starts at a reasonably good time.
I send a few emails out and then I begin making my way towards the gymnasium. The students should be starting to flood in here in about 5 minutes. Some of them like to be early, some of them like to be really late.
"So you're a Tar Heel?"
I hear a deep voice and I see it's one of the sophomore teachers trying to make conversation with me.
"Yep." Is all I say. What am I supposed to say?
"You know my sister actually went to North Carolina. She really liked it. I'm assuming you liked it as well since you're representing it all the way here in California?"
No offense to Dillan as known as Mr. Shields, but I don't really want to be talking to anyone right now. I need to be in my zone and forget I'm in a room with dozens of kids who probably forget to put deodorant on.
He is a nice man though. He's like late twenties or early thirties and I've always got the vibe that he is attracted to me. But I'm not interested in men...At least right now.
"Oh nice. And yes I did really like North Carolina."
Mr. Shields gives me a tight zipped smile and then walks away. I can tell he's know that I really don't give a fuck because lets be honest...
I don't.
I don't need to waste my mornings speaking to grown men who will act like children after you give them one minute of attention.
Relating to that thought, 30 minutes has passed, school just began, and you won't guess who just showed up.
"You're late." I say as I look down slightly at none other than Jules.
Jules sighs as she looks down at the ground.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"You're obviously not sorry because you show up late almost everyday Oliver."
I don't know why but I love her last name. I love saying it and usually I am not one to give my students their last name as their nickname.
Or even give them a nickname at all.
"I swear I'm getting my tired pumped this weekend okay? I won't be late again."
I stare at her and I can tell she's getting a little nervous. Because of that, I decide not to say anything and Jules just walks away.
These kids and their no-remorse feelings.
The next 10 minutes seemed to pass by slowly. I had to do my students' names for attendance which I kind of love doing now.
The first few days of school, no one would sit in their designated spot so figuring out my students faces to name was very difficult. But as soon as my bitch attitude came out, they began to listen.
Like Machiavelli said, it's better to be feared than loved.
It's not like the rest of class is going to be any better either.
It's the first full day of badminton and all I really have to do is explain the rules of the game then the students will go off if their friends (if they even have any) and just play. If they don't listen to the rules of the game then I don't really give a fuck.
If I see a student actually trying I'll give them a good grade. But if they're just standing their and watching then they do not deserve anything good as an outcome.
That's not the point though.
I have to deal with 36 teenage students where â of them are boys who I know who are going to be staring at me and my ass. I'm not being full of myself. I catch my freshman kids staring at my ass all the time.
Whoever looks down at my ass isn't slick. I see everything.
I was now walking into the bubble with the students. Let the next 60 minutes of torture begin.
"Alright everyone stand up or sit on the bleacher. And if I see one phone out for even just a second, it won't take me a second breath to take it away."
All the students nod and listen except for one student.
"Did you not just hear what I said? Phone to me now."
Jules rolls her eyes as she hands me her phone. I'm glad she didn't instigate and actually listened for once.
I am putting her phone right next to my stuff and I accidently get a little glimpse of her lock screen wallpaper.
It's Jules on the basketball court with her coach.
I'm not going to lie, I'm trying my best not to smile because that is actually a really adorable photo. I'm glad she has that much of a special bond with her basketball coach.
Demonstrating badminton with three random students didn't take long. It was an easy game that was pretty easy to understand. All the students on the sidelines were paying attention the whole time because they know the consequences that I would give them for disobeying.
"Okay everyone, now find a partner and get to a court."
I'm not surprised seeing Jules get with the three other people she always talks to in gym class.
They are like the core force.
I'm watching all of the students find a partner and get to a court but I can't stop my eyes from wandering off and looking at where Jules and her friends are going.
Before I know it, they decide to play on the court that I'm standing right in front of.
How surprising.
"Alright everybody get rackets for your partner and I will hand the birdies to each of the courts. Don't think about trying to get a birdie by yourself because you will sit out."
You may call this mean but I call this truth.
One of Jules' friends decides to get the rackets for them and I notice that she has her airpods in her ears. I don't know how I didn't see the music playing when I accidentally looked at her lock screen.
You can have this one Jules. I won't call you out this time.
Everyone now has a racket so it's time for me to hand the birdies out.
Unfortunately, I'm starting out with Jules' court because it is right in front of me.
"Here Ms. Reed!"
Jules clasps her hands trying to get my attention and throw the birdie at her. Instead I throw it at one of her other friends whom I don't really know the name of, nor do I care.
Jules groans as I smirk at her. I love how aggravated she gets over the smallest things.
The students start playing and its obvious from the start who is competitive and who is not. There are some groups, like the sophomore girls, where one team gains the point after one possession or just miss hitting the birdie after the first hit.
I love it though. I find watching it entertaining as hell.
But then you have Jules and her friend...
Jules pisses me off so badly but it would be impossible for me to deny her talent because she's a natural born athlete. Every sport I've seen her play and although it hasn't been a lot, she has excelled in.
On cue, the birdie from Jules court lands right in front of my feet and she comes towards me to pick it up.
"My fault Ms. Reed."
I don't say anything to her except stare at her. I'm deciding to do a nice deed and pick the birdie up for her.
"Thanks Ms. Reed. Wait, you aren't going to throw it to one of my friends instead of me who is standing right in front of you, are you?"
I raise my eyebrows as I hand her the birdie.
"Maybe next time I will."
"Then I'll make sure it won't land in front of your feet again."
She walks away as I roll my eyes.
God. This girl is going to kill me one day.