The New Student (Closed for SwanLake)

[Bill525]

Sean Lewis was 35 years old and he was finally living the life he had hoped he would. Sean was teaching history at North Town high school, and was also with his married to the woman of his dreams. Sean had been hired at North Town High School when he was 25 years old, fresh out of graduate school. His girlfriend at the time Jessica, had agreed to move with him so he could start his teaching career. Sean and Jessica had met in college, and while it was not love at first sight, their relationship blossomed into what it was today. Two years after moving into their new town, Sean and Jessica were married. Sean was excited for the future and loved that Jessica would be there sharing his life with him.

Sean had been teaching at North Town High for 10 years. He had become one of the more popular teachers with the students. He seemed to get along with them well. He also became the schools boys basketball coach, a sport that he loved and played in high school and college. He loved his job, and his ability to get along and understand the students helped him gain more responsibilities within the school. Jessica had settled in and found a job in the town, and Sean felt like this is where they were meant to be. He could see himself starting a family here.

On Friday the Principal, Brian Smith, called Sean down to his office. Sean arrived and as he entered Brian smiled at him, "Sean take a seat, I have a favor to ask of you." Sean sat down and smiled back, "Well you know me Brian, I am willing to help, whats up?" Mr. Smith looked down at a file, and then up at Sean, "We have a new student coming in on Monday. She is coming to us from South Town high school, our rivals. She ran into some trouble there and got kicked out. I would like you to be her advisor so that we can keep her out of trouble." Sean smiled at Brian, "So you just want me to help her settle in and make sure things are going smoothly?" Mr. Smith looked at Sean, "Yes, basically, we need to keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble, I dont want her causing problems here, or for her to get kicked out of another high school. She will be at your office Monday before school. Good luck with her Sean."

Sean went home to enjoy his weekend. The weekends were always time for him to spend with Jessica. His schedule during the week was so busy, with teaching and coaching, that the only time he really go to see her was at night. This weekend seemed different, Jessica had brought up the want to start a family. Of course, Sean wanted a child with Jessica, but the more he thought about it, the more it scared him. He worked so much and so did Jessica, would they have time for a child?

Before he knew it, it was Monday morning and he was getting ready for school. Sean put on his dark blue button down shirt, with a matching tie, grey dress pants with a belt and black dress shoes. He got into his pick- up truck and headed to North Town. He was always one of the first teachers to arrive, he like to get in, have some coffee, check his emails and make sure his plans were set for the day. Honestly, he forgot he was suppose to meet the new student this morning. He got to his office, put his coffee on his desk and turned on his computer.

 

[SwanLake]

All Vi could think of when she turned 17 was turning 18 and ageing out of the system. Back then it was all dreams and grand plans of a great life... Oh the days. The reality of turning 18 was much different then she had thought and the harsh realization of being homeless was a shock to her system. At first it wasn't too bad, couch surfing almost became a sport but as the list of friends with open and willing couches dwindled the sporting aspect of having a warm dry place to sleep all but disappeared. And the situation wouldn't have been too bad if there was a light at the end of the tunnel, if she could have gotten a job to get her own place but when you could only fill out half of an application page it was easily looked over. Art was the only thing that saved her as Vi took to selling her mixed media creations at local farmers markets, fairs and popular parking lots. It didn’t leave her with a vast amount of options but it did afford her with a small dingy somewhat smelly apartment in a rundown building in the abandoned factory district. For the most part it provided her a place to rest her head and was for the most part dry and could be warm. As it was with many of the buildings in this part of the city the roof needed to be replaced, leaking with the heavy seasonal rains and the windows, what were left of them, leaked and whistled. Where there weren’t windows were nailed up boards. It was selfish of her to hate where she lived, at least she had a place, but there were so many things she had hoped and thought her life would be when she got out of the system and living next to a six foot three hundred pound mouth breather who leered at her every time she unlocked her door was as far from what she had imagined. Being 5 foot 7, copper haired with gray blue eyes wasn’t all that bad but paired with a large chest, tapered waist and womanly hips with a toned and perky rear end made her life a double edged sword.

More and more Vi found places that she could stay the felt safer than her apartment. She started arriving at school before the gates opened, easily scaling the school’s fences to find a quiet corner to rest in before the other teachers and students arrived. When the school gates locked she made her way to the library, finding comfort in the silence and security. It was in fact on of her favorite places to be when she wasn’t out with her spray paint cans. It was here and not in school that she learned things, reading and getting lost in worlds both fiction and truth. Not all the books had happy endings but there was something that she learned from everyone and it fueled her addiction to the written world. But when even the libraries closed Vi was forced back into the real world where only her tagged outcries shielded her.

It was her habit of coming to school early that got her in trouble. The teacher who found her had a serious hate for the young girl and instead of wake the sleeping Vi she called the police and pressed charges of trespassing and personal property damages. It was a ridiculous charge as she was only an hour and some odd minutes early for school but she got into trouble regardless and as it was her third strike she was kicked out of school and transferred to a school outside her district almost an hour and a half away from her apartment. And unlike the library the bus was not somewhere she felt comfortable falling asleep.

As it was a Friday that Vi got kicked out of school it gave her the weekend to scope out her new school. It was a pain getting to North Town High as there were no direct bus lines that went from her house to her new school. It was a drag and when she finally got off the bus it was nearly noon on Saturday. N.T. High was in a nice part of town, there were manicured trees that lined the road, street lights alternating between them and short and tended for grass that was plush and green. Vi hadn’t been in an area this nice since she was eight, it was a nice family but their son was a jealous boy and caused trouble that he later blamed on Vi.

“This place might be too nice…” Vi sighed taking another look at the empty school. Everything was orderly, there was lights that lit dark corners and she wasn’t a 100% sure but that looked like cameras over there. Even more there wasn’t a lick of misplaced paint on the walls of the school or any of the other neighboring buildings. Looking at the place Vi felt nothing but unease as she walked away from the school lot to explore the “right” side of the tracks.

When Monday came around Vi was worse for wear. She was nervous which wasn’t like her, tired and hungry. Last night there was a party the floor above hers and it sounded like a mosh pit till the wee morning and it was promptly followed by some rude man shouldering her as she got onto the bus causing her to drop her breakfast. It wasn’t much more than a stale bagel and an orange juice but it was the only thing she had to eat for the day. If Vi was suspicious she would have weighted the actions of her day to the outcome of what remained. But she wasn’t, wait- yes she was…

“Great.” The school didn’t look open and it seemed like there was only one car in the parking lot and Vi wasn’t sure she was willing to bet that the lone car would be friendly to a unknown face. So Vi waited across the street under a large tree until a dozen or so car had filled the parking lot. She couldn’t stop fidgeting, pulling her hair down from its messy ponytail, to a side pulled braid, back to an equally messy bun where she left it because what help could playing with her hair give her.

There was still some time before the first bell when Vi took her first step into her new school. It was nice inside and there wasn’t even a metal detector or a guard anywhere in sight. “So where am I going?” From the back pocket of her faded, worn and torn fitted jeans she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. On it in pencil was a name and a room number. It wasn’t all that helpful so Vi did the logical and randomly picked a direction. It was the wrong way and after her third hallway Vi just walked into the first unlock classroom door.

“Hello?” The classroom looked empty but Vi wasn’t completely sure so she kept on talk, unaware that she was in the right place. “I’m looking for a Mr Lewis?” Vi ventured further into the room, the rubber on the bottom of her used black converses squeaking on the cleaned and polished floor. “Is anyone here?” Unlike other schools that Vi had been in, this school kept their classrooms warm and comfortable and within the few minutes she was in the class she was pulling off the oversized New Orleans Saints sweater. She didn’t know much or really anything about football but the sweater was free and it was the nicest one she had. Underneath she had on the best shirt she owned, again it wasn’t much more than a gray three button cotton shirt with a cute little pocket over the left breast but it fitted over her chest and fell nicely if not a little short, flashing a band of skin between her jeans and the hem of her top.

 

[Bill525]

Sean was a morning person, and as he checked and answered his emails in his office, he sipped his coffee. He liked the quite that North Town High had in the morning, when no students were around. It gave him a place to think, and get some actual work done. As he answered email after email, he decided to plug in his ipod and listen to some music.

Of course, if any of the students wandered in, they would for sure make fun of his favorite style of music. Country music was not cool with the kids these days, but Sean enjoyed it. His office was connected to his classroom. It was just off the back, through a small door. He had the door half open, just in case someone came in to find him. He pulled up the file of the new student he was meeting today. As he read over her file, he saw that she had been arrested for trespassing.

As Sean read through the file, he felt as if his new student may not be so bad, but more misunderstood or at least, just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. He leaned back in his chair as he grinned, maybe this will be easier then he thought. He liked when the students he was assigned were not trouble makers, but more misunderstood students who just needed someone to believe in them.

He began to go over some coaching plans next, wanting to make sure his practices were in line. As he began to go over his outline, he heard a voice in his classroom. He perked up, not sure if he was hearing things or not. He paused the music coming from his computer and stood up. He heard a soft voice ask, "is anyone here?" Sean walked to his office door, opening it and seeing the girl standing there.

"Hi..... are you Viola Smith?," he asked. He caught the girl just as she was taking off her hoodie, and he couldn't help but notice that she was attractive. He thought to himself, well, she shouldn't have too much trouble fitting in here. As bad as it sounded, North Town was a upscale place, and attractive students always seemed to get ahead. He hoped she would fit in, it would make everything easier. "I am Mr. Lewis.... please come in," he said smiling warmly, stepping aside so she could enter his little office.

His office was not messy, but it did have papers everywhere. Most of his papers were basketball coaching papers and plays. He worked nearly as hard at his coaching as he did with his teaching. His desk faced the doorway and was large. He had his computer off to the side a bit, and in front of the desk was a small couch for multiple students to sit on for meetings. Also along the right wall was another couch, with a small coffee table and a flat screen television on the left wall. This was used by Sean to watch film on his basketball team during the season.

 

[SwanLake]

“Huh?” Vi didn’t have a bag with her, anything really so she hung her jacket on her arm. “Oh yes, you can call me Vi.” The owner of the voice was not what she expected when she turned around. He was younger, approachable and fairly attractive. “You’re Mr. Lewis?” Vi asked skeptically. He didn’t look like any other teacher she had ever seen before, he had the look of a teacher’s aide than anything else. She followed him into his office nevertheless, brushing by him lightly, by accident of course. "Thank you."

As much as he didn’t look like a teacher his office more than made up for it with stacks of papers thrown about and a large desk. Not that she had ever seen a teacher’s office before, teachers in her old school merely had old unbalanced desks tucked in a corner or the front of the classroom but this was what she always thought a teacher’s office ought to look.

“Basketball?” Vi was taking a wild guess but there didn’t seem to be enough people for football and the lines on the playing field looked different then soccer. This was a nice office for a basketball coach. “Are you the coach?” Vi was taking in the office again feeling out of place again as her eyes fell to Mr Lewis. Even he was dressed nicer then she was and he was just a coach. “Or is this just a hobby?” She pointed at the plans with a half smile.

 

[Bill525]

Sean smiled as she looked at him, almost in shock. He grinned and nodded his head, "Yes, I am Mr. Lewis..... it is a pleasure to meet you Vi.... please come in." He watched as the girl walked towards his office, she seemed nervous, or at least tentative. He hoped that she would relax a bit. He didn't want her to feel awkward around him.

As she walked into his office, he shut the office door. He watched her as her eyes wandered around his office. He smiled, thinking that this may be a culture shock for her. Or at least she is trying to get a feel for the situation. He walked over to his desk, and sat down in his chair. He felt his eyes move back to her. She was attractive for a student, she actually looked more like a college aged woman then a high school senior.

"Yes basketball...... I am the varsity boys coach here." He smiled, basketball was a passion of his, especially since he played. "I used to play in high school, and a bit in college until I hurt my ankle." He grinned, as he leaned back in the chair. "Please, take a seat, make yourself comfortable...... I hope the mess doesn't bother you."

 

[SwanLake]

By normal standard the place may have been a mess but in her world it could have been a palace, but she wasn’t going to say anything about that. “No it’s perfect.” She admitted taking the seat across from him. It was cute the way he smiled while talking about basketball, it was obvious that the game was his passion. Still it seemed a bit odd that a basketball coach would need a whole classroom to himself, wasn’t there normally offices off the gym in classy schools like this? It also seemed like a fair bit of papers for a coach as well. “Is that your full time position within the school? Coach and advisor?”

From the random questions about what his job was with N.T. High Vi didn’t know what followed. She had never had an advisor before and she wasn’t quite sure what the meant. Every school she had ever gone to didn’t care if you were there or not, much less give up person staff members for a “lost cause”. At least Mr Lewis seemed nice enough and if nothing else he wasn’t all that bad to look at, were all the teachers here lookers like he was? Vi thought about it for a moment, a smile turning the corners of her lips up, if they were Vi might stay awake during class.

“So what does an advisor do? Is he like a parole officer, just the spoke person for the welcome committee or more like a friendly ear there to listen to the woes of a distressed teenager?” Because how many problems could these students have? She saw most of what looked like fellow students drive to school in the newest model luxury cars. And the ones who didn’t drive themselves had drivers that opened the door for them.

 

[Bill525]

Sean grinned at Vi as she said it was perfect. He looked around his office, perfect? He doubted it, but it was nice enough for him. He had his own place to do work, without getting bothered. As he watched her walk over and take a seat across from him. "That is a great question..... I am the boys basketball coach and a history teacher at the school. The advisor role is something I am asked to do by the principal, is not really a required task."

He watched her looking around the office, and he figured she had a ton of questions. He saw a smile come up on her lips, and that eased him a bit. He was hoping she would relax and be open. "An advisor is here for you..... obviously we know your trouble from the last school, and I am here to help you integrate into North Town High to be the best of your ability." He shook his head as he joked, "So not a parole officer for you..... more like a friendly ear and someone you can come to for advise or to confide in if you are struggling here."

Sean sat back in his chair, and looked at Vi. He didn't see a girl that should even have an advisor. Sure she had some marks on her file, but nothing major. He was beginning to wonder why she was even meeting with him. "So tell me, you must have questions..... what are some of them?" He grinned again as he took her schedule out of his desk and slid it across his desk towards her. "Here is your official schedule for the year....."

 

[SwanLake]

“History teacher?” She could see that, although her first thought had been something like romantic literature or something like art, even theater. “Why history?” There was a story behind everything and if Mr Lewis was going to be her go to man she wanted to know more about him.

Intergrade to the best of her abilities? Her brow raised at the thought. There had been a time when she had tried, had wanted to fit in and be the most popular or at least upper most popular girl in the school but someone could only be thrown under the bus so many times before she grew hostile to the unknown. Now, now she didn’t even try to make friends, in fact she didn’t really have friends. What people she did know were more hobby enthusiasts be it painting or parkour. It was too risky to trust people. “Am I your first case or is being someone’s advisor something you do often?” She really didn’t see herself coming to him for help or to bitch about some tiny problem but if he would let her take naps on what looked like a comfy couch… Heck it was worth a try.

Vi glanced at her schedule and clenched her jaw. She didn’t think she was the smartest person on the planet but she was above core geometry and intro to biology. But it was always what happened, problem child meant stupid child and once again she was placed in beginner classes. Well at least she would get time to sleep as classes would be more then useless and she had learned long ago that there was nothing that she could say or do to change their minds. On the flip side with all the extra sleep she would get at school looking into a night shift for work became a possibility.

Which brought up her next thought. “At the end of the day what does it cost to go to a school like this? Because when I was expelled and transferred here there was no talk about the expense of going to a new school might cost me.” Her old schools you simply ‘borrowed’ the decrepit textbooks only having to pay for them if you damaged or lost them and teachers only expected you to have a notebook and something to write with. Some schools that she heard of required the student to have a laptop and that was something Vi didn’t have and wouldn’t have anytime soon. “Does the school require the student to participate in afterschool programs? If so is there an extra cost for that? During lunch are students allowed to leave campus, if not are they allowed to brown bag it or does it have to be provided by the school. And again the cost of that. I also noticed that there doesn’t seem to be a school uniform, is that so and…” Vi smiled sweetly and leaned over in her seat to prop her elbows on the desk. “What does it cost?” Vi had a ton more financial themed questions but figured that Mr Lewis might have a hint and what was worrying her and would fill in the answers to any unasked money related questions. If not… she looked at the clock and guessed that they would both be late for their first period.

 

[Bill525]

Sean smiled at her interest in his subject. "Why history? Well, I wish I could say it was my all time favorite subject and I knew I would teach it all along...... but that wouldn't be true." He leaned back as he grinned at her, "obviously I love basketball, I played in college and thought that is what I would do with the rest of my life...... well, injuries happen." He looked into Vi's eyes, she seemed easy to talk to, which was a good thing. "I got hurt, and had to plan for the future..... so I decided I wanted to be a coach, to coach you need to teach...... so I chose history......... sorry, not a romantic story about the career of my dreams, but I do enjoy it."

He had never told a student all of that before, and wondered why he told Vi. He told himself that he did it because he wanted he to feel comfortable with him, he wanted to be someone she could trust, especially when she seemed to be the type of girl that did not trust easily. "Oh..... and you are not my first case..... I have advised other students before, but I can tell you a secret." He smiled at Vi, "I think you might be my first case where I am not completely sure if you need to be advised...... you seem like you have all of your stuff together...... I cant see you getting into fights, or doing drugs on campus."

Sean noticed the reaction when she picked up her schedule. They had given her a lot of easy classes, as normal for a student just transferring in. He leaned back in his chair again, and spoke softly, "If you want any classes changed, just let me know..... I can let you know what we offer in specific subjects and pull some strings to get you in anything you want...." He gave her a reassuring look, "Like I said, I am here to help you."

Her next few questions about cost brought to light more of her situation then he would have thought. He listened to her and understood exactly where she was coming from. "Well..... this is a public school, so you do not have a cost to go here. Books are provided....... I have a stash of old binders, folders, notebooks, pens and pencils if you need some. My stash is yours..... take what you need." He smiled as he continued, "As for lap tops, you do not need one, but many teachers expect papers typed, there is a computer lab you can use in the library, but its always packed..... if you need a computer, you can always use mine...... I also have a lap top I bring from home, so I am sure we can work something out for you to write your assignments."

"As your advisor I would recommend afterschool programs, most are free of charge...... I would say you could be my team manager for basketball, but I think you may distract my boys," Sean laughed, trying to coax a smile out of her after his joke. "Anyway, lunches can be brown bagged..... but we also have a free lunch program, let me know if you are interested...... no one will know you are on the free lunch..... I have helped students with it before..... as for today, I see you didnt bring a lunch, so I will make sure you have something to eat." Sean felt like he was rambling and he laughed at himself.

"I am sorry..... am I making any sense?," he said. He watched as she leaned forward and smiled sweetly. He saw her elbows on his desk, and couldnt help but feel his eyes looking into hers. "No uniform..... I don't think I could see you wearing a school uniform anyway....." he realized how attractive her eyes were as he stared into them, he knew he should look away, but something about them held his gaze, almost like she had a control over him.

 

[SwanLake]

Vi shrugged when Mr Lewis apologized. “The choice was a logical one and the dreams that come from such a choice is where the true romance lay.” For it was so much easier to just give up when the dreams that you have for yourself are dashed, to just fall into what was easiest despite how far it was from what made you happy. “Do are doing something that makes you happy and not everyone can say that.” She smiled feeling a twinge of jealously at his appeared happiness. It wasn’t a jealously of ill intent but more of envy that although his dream of playing basketball was over with he could still find a way to make it part of his life all the while doing something as overlooked as teaching.

Oh she was sure she needed to be advised. Girls hated her because of the way she looked and her ease at which she could hang with the boys. It targeted her because no girl could just be friends with boys so it made her a slut. And really as bad as the girls were the boys weren’t all that much better in the long run. At first they are all fine in being friends but they all secretly hope for “better odds” as the friends and when it doesn’t happen they turn sour and rumors spread, fueling the initial rumor that she is a slut. Same old game, same old outcome. People her age were such children.

“No, trust me. I’m not as easy a case as you would hope.” Fights were a possibility but she would never be the one to start it. And drugs were nothing to fear but what she failed to tell him was that when you lived on your own it meant taking justice into your own two capable hands. There wasn’t anyone out there that would do it for you and those that you should go to for help just saw a stereotype and he said she said never weighted in her favor.

Was she that transparent? And what should she say now that there was someone who claimed to want to help. On one hand if she stayed in the classes that she was assigned she could sleep during the days and work at night. The other hand and that annoying little voice said to pick the alternative. Get placed into tougher classes and advance her chances of getting into a good college. But with that came obstacles she didn’t think she could handle on her own. Vi was barely making it one her own as it were, add in student debts… College was a nice dream but it was just that, a dream. “I’m…” Hesitation, never a good thing because it normally lead to the truth and right now all Vi wanted was to lie, work at night and get by in her small simple life, but no… “I’ve already taken these classes, a few times over.” She admitted with a heavy sigh. “I’m fine with staying in them but I have to be honest. I’ll sleep in class and when the teacher starts getting annoyed and calling me out on it, I’ll start skipping class. My only saving grace will be my outstanding test taking abilities, which will be scrutinized because I must be cheating to get such passing grades. I’ll get detention because even if they don’t find anything I’m still cheating. I’ll feel wronged and do something stupid. Get into trouble again and rinse lather and repeat.” The smile on Vi’s face hid the sadness of her truth. She can’t believe she just said all that but once something was said there was no taking it back. “It’s a cycle. I’d love to be able to lie to you and say I can change but…” Vi shrugged. “It would be a lie.”

“Wow.” This school was cake and Mr Lewis was turning out to be quite the Prince Charming. “All you need now is a white horse.” Vi teased with a genuine smile. It was nice of him to offer her much needed supplies, Vi’s was still at her old school. When they kicked her out they didn’t give her the chance to clear out her locker and that meant that she lost everything. “But I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t a lie because she honestly believed that she would be. “There’s a library on my way home that have computers.”

Recommend afterschool programs… There had been a time in her life when she had dreamed of being a cheerleader but those dreams were long over, although the idea did make her smile grow. “I wouldn’t even know what to join. Unless they have a tagging team.” Vi joked inappropriately. The idea of managing the basketball team did appeal to her though, too bad Mr Lewis pitched it as a joke. “Why I do believe you are saying I’m as pretty as a peach blossom.” Vi teased adding a thick southern accent to her jest. “I recognize the joke in the offer but if you do need a manager I’d love to help apply focus to your boys.” She smiled. As for lunch. “I’ve already eaten today, thanks though.” Yup all two bites.

“Yeah you are.” Vi chuckled. “You know,” She leaned in as if she were going to share a secret. “You’re pretty good at this laid back, good looking advisor thing.” Vi winked and had every intention of leaning back into a comfortable lounging position but caught herself saying instead. “If you can’t see me wearing a uniform what do you see me wearing?” Her tone had tuned sensual and Vi wore this devilish smile on her lips completely aware and unable to stop what she had just said. Twice, that was twice that things came out of her mouth without her meaning to.

Yet Vi held the moment a second longer before sitting back with a laugh. Just in time for the bell to ring. “Oh time for class.” Vi stood up and took her schedule and folded it into her back pocket. “It was a pleasure to meet you Mr Lewis and I’ll see you in history class.” It was the only class that Vi didn’t want to change as she offered her hand to shake before leaving.

 

[Bill525]

Sean grinned at the new student. She seemed to appreciate his career choice, even if it wasn't what he had dreamed of doing. She brought a big smile to his face as she spoke. "Well thank you Vi, that does mean a lot..... I do always wonder if I made the right choice....." He looked at her, thinking to himself how she seemed too good to be true. She was definitely not a student who needed to be advised. At least, she didn't need someone to keep her out of trouble, maybe she just needed someone to point her in the right direction, and he hoped he could do that for her.

He looked at her quizzically as she made the comment about not being as easy a case as he would hope. He shook his head, "Well, I am sure you will be a pleasure to advise..... I am enjoying our first conversation...... I think you have a lot of potential to be a success here!" He was genuinely feeling good about her, he always felt he was a good judge of character, and he seemed to see something in Vi.

Sean listened to her hesitation, he could sense she was fighting with the class schedule. He sat back and listened, wanting to see what she said before he directed her in a specific direction. After she finished her rant, he smiled calmly at her, "Listen, stay in the classes for the first few days. One of these days we will sit down and go over the classes available for you to take..... and we will make changes where you feel fit. I will not force you into a tough schedule or an easy schedule. I want you to challenge yourself..... and take classes that will help you graduate." He smiled, "Plus, I dont want to have to argue with teachers that think you are teaching..... I would not let them label you without getting to know you first."

He laughed at her next comment, "A white horse..... sorry to disappoint..... I definitely dont have one of those, unless a pick up counts." He grinned, "Well, I am sure you will be fine, but know that my door is always open.... you can use my computer, or borrow supplies..... or even if you just need a quiet place to do some work...... my office is here to help!" As she went on about the afterschool programs, Sean laughed at her southern accent.

"Well, I am sure you know you are a good looking girl...... I don't think I am stepping over my boundaries saying that...... and if you are really interested in being the team manager.... I will consider you for the position." He grinned, thinking it might be nice to have someone who actually wants the position, "It is not a overly fun job, but you seem like you have the right mentality to work with me," he smiled at her. He was joking before, but this time he was serious. "Oh..... and for lunch, if you do get hungry, please go to the cafeteria and get what you like..... just tell them you are one of my students, you can have whatever you want....." he nodded at her. He felt like she didnt want to admit she needed food, but he wanted her to know it was available for her.

As Vi leaned in, Sean felt his eyes widen as he looked into her eyes. It was like she was going to tell a secret and he turned an ear towards her. "Oh..... am I good at it? Maybe you are just too nice of a girl...." he smiled. He turned to look at her again, and he heard her voice change a bit, moving a bit more sensual. The tone of her voice and her next comment made Sean's eyes do something he did not intend. He felt his eyes drop to her chest for the first time, noticing how large her breasts were. He knew it was wrong, but he could not help it. He sighed a bit, "Well.... I can see you wearing a uniform I guess.... if you wanted to wear one."

The bell rang to bring Sean back to reality. He smiled as he stood up, "Well....... hope you have a good day...... you can stop by anytime, if my door is open, that means I am available to chat." He smiled before he slid his hand into her's, shaking softly. "I hope you have a good first day," he said as she turned to head out of his office. Sean watched her leave, thinking about how good of a first impression Vi made on him.

 

[SwanLake]

“I don’t think you can categorizes life into a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ choice, it would make like too easy and life is anything but that.” Vi joked with complete honesty and truth.

Vi didn’t feel like arguing with Mr Lewis but she was sure that she her outcome was statically more probable then his and her potential success at the classy new high school. She was trouble and that was all people were willing to see when it came to her.

It was nice to hear and it gave Vi a new view on what type of man Mr Lewis was, it was such a short time but she was starting to see things about him that she could value in a person. That of course was if this was all words of integrity and not just smoke being blown up her ass. Sad that no matter how nice a person seemed to be Vi always questioned it. “Sounds like a plan.” Vi nodded, agreeing to the meeting and the review of her schedule at a later date.

“Honestly,” Vi cringed awaiting the answer. “It would depend on what kind of pick up.” She smiled. It really didn’t because who was she to say one thing or another about what someone owned when she had nothing to her name. “Thank you for the offer and should I need something I’ll think of you and your kindness.” Which she would but that didn’t mean she was coming to him for help with anything.

“If there was any trouble to be served then we would both get a plateful as I too pointed out your attractive appearance.” Vi winked. “If you need the help I would be glad to help. If not,” Vi smiled and flipped her hair. “I could always try out for the cheer team!” Vi ended the sign song valley girl squeal with a round of tiny girlish claps.

Food. If anything he had offered her this morning that was the one that tempted her the most. This school probably had awesome food or at the very least food that was warm. There was no answer that she wanted to give that wasn’t a lie so she just nodded her head and grunted in answer.

Vi laughed and shook her head breaking the moment between them. “I’m not that nice, you just don’t know me that well.” She noticed the direction of his eyes dropping and Vi smiled feeling not one bit offended. Strange. In fact a rather large part of her wondered if she could make him look again. “As long as the school colors aren’t pastels, they wash me out and I look horrible in them.” And as much as she thought about thrusting her chest out, Vi didn’t and regret not doing it as much as she thought.

“You too Mr Lewis.” Vi smile truly enjoying this morning’s meeting. “I didn’t know what to expect but I never would have thought it would be this pleasurable.” Mr Lewis’ hand was warm and held hers softly. It was a gentle almost sweet handshake and Vi held it as long as was possibly appropriate before turning and leaving his office.

The day for the most part was what she expected. Boys took double takes, stared and nodded while the girls more or less glared and made what she assumed were snarky comments behind carefully manicured hands and painted nails. No one talked to her but she knew everyone was talking about her as every time she entered a room the noise of a half a dozen conversations all ended at once. Vi was eager to hear what her story would be here, the why of her life that was made up of lies and cheesy teen movie plots.

Still Vi was excited when history came about. Even though she had no intention of participating within the class it would be nice to see at least one face that wasn’t calculating her worth or ‘ease of do-ability’. It would be a nice break before lunch where she would case the property for a quiet spot away from people.

 

[Bill525]

Sean watched Vi leave his office, and he smiled. He was happy with the meeting as well. He felt encouraged that he could actually help Vi, although, he wondered if she would actually let him help her. As she disappeared from his office he went back to answering a few emails. His mind drifted, thinking of how large her chest was. He sighed as he shook the thought out of his head.[

What was wrong with him? She was a student, he should not let thoughts like that enter his mind. He made sure to scold himself, as he got up and headed to his first class. The day moved slowly. He was not one who did not enjoy his day, but he was one that looked forward to specific classes. Today, it was the class Vi was going to be in. He wanted to see how her day went, if she liked the school, if she had any questions. To be honest, the whole morning was filled with him wondering if she was okay.

As the bell rang to signal passing time, he went to his normal spot in the doorway so he could greet his students. He made sure to welcome each of them one by one. It was a small gesture, but one that he thought let the students know he cared about each of them. As he saw Vi coming toward the doorway he smiled.

"Good morning Vi, nice to see you again, please take a seat anywhere you would like." He watched as she walked into the room. As the bell rang to signal the start of class, he walked to his desk to begin his teaching.

"Well, today is another start of the week..... and I know you are all looking forward to learning some history..." he grinned as he began his lesson. It was a normal lecture day, where the students would take notes. It was nothing special, but he always taught the class with enthusiasm. He never sat down, and always walked around, making sure the students were engaged.

He made sure to make eye contact with Vi a few times. He wanted to make sure she was engaged, even if she wasn't participating. As the class came to a close, he stood at the front of the room. "Homework for tonight...... I know I know.... so disappointing...... read chapter 4, it is not long..... and then I want you to write your thoughts on one of the main points of the chapter.... remember, this is U.S. History, so please people, make it relevant!" With that, the bell rang, signalling the end of class, and Sean's lunch period.

 

[SwanLake]

It was the littlest thing that impressed Vi the most. The timing of all the clocks she came across was one of them. Vi was willing to bet that is she lined up all the clock in school they would all match up to the nearest second. Her old schools, wait- she was doing that a lot today, comparing her old schools to her newest one was it getting old? A half a day had passed, it didn’t feel like all that long. How did a week feel? Okay maybe a week was a bit much to play this school against that but a day seemed fair. So Vi gave herself the rest of the day to nitpick at this and that before she had to stop.

Her old schools didn’t have clocks in every room and what few clocks they had were small, wore out and cracked or not even working. The only drawback was watching the time pass, and oh how slowly it passed. What classes she attended all sounded the same which was funny because the texts books in her old school had to be at least twenty years older than the freshly printed text books of this nice publically funded school. That was something that Vi had forgotten to ask about this morning, textbooks and where she could pick them up. Every teacher so far had brought up some chapter or another and while Vi didn’t really care it would have been nice to know what it was she was sleeping through.

And history was sure to be all the same, until Vi saw Mr Lewis waiting in the doorway for his students. It was a bit of a surprise and it stopped Vi in her tracks as she watched for a moment as Mr Lewis seemed to greet each and every student that entered his classroom. Was that for real? Did he really take the time to learn the names and faces of each of his students? How many classes did he have? How many did that make each year that he committed to memory. Or perhaps it was simpler than that, perhaps he had a cheat sheet in his drawer with yearbook pictures cut and pasted to a name. Either way it was nice of him to go that extra mile to show that he cared.

Vi nodded and smile but said nothing as she entered the classroom. Stranger than Mr Lewis waiting at the door was the students themselves clustered to the front of the classroom. In her prior classes where students raced for the back most seats as far from the teacher as possible, here they all dashed for front row seats. Vi didn’t quite understand it. If it had been all girls she would have chalked it up to the teacher’s good looks but it was all the students, boys and girls alike and she doubted that this many boys crossed that street. It just meant she didn’t have to fight for a back row seat.

As the class began Vi paid more attention than she had in any of her others so far. There was passion in the way Mr Lewis talked about history, not as much as there was when he spoke of basketball but there was a genuine affection for what he taught. It was more then she had seen so far from teachers, true they had all treated Vi kindly and left her alone as she drifted off and that was all she could ever hope from a teacher because anything more just left her disappointed. Still it was that tiny bit of effort on Mr Lewis’ part that kept Vi awake during his class. And as the class progressed Mr Lewis kept it going, weaving randomly between rows and aisles pausing to involve students. The best part of it was how honest it was, nothing seemed forced on either the student or teacher’s part. Everyone Mr Lewis involved was eager to join in and almost fought for the participation and causal eye contact. Were there ‘Join the Dark Side’ cookies by the doorway that she missed? Not wanting to miss out on free cookies, that more than likely didn’t exist, Vi scanned the doorway and surrounding area just in case.

The bell rang and for the first time that class period Vi looked at the clock as Mr Lewis assigned tonight’s homework assignment; it involved another textbook that Vi didn’t have and instead of skipping out of class as fast as she could, Vi lingered questions on her mind.

“Mr Lewis if you could spare a moment?” Vi asked drawing attention to her presence. She was the last one left and Vi moved to stand, her hip resting against the desk that she occupied during class. “I’m finding I have more questions than our meeting allowed.” It was a shy smile, it felt like asking for help, which she was and it made her uncomfortable. “All the teachers have brought up assignments based on lessons that require a textbook.” Vi paused. “I don’t have any, nor do I know where I can pick some up at.” There wasn’t a campus map anywhere she had looked so far and she wasn’t about to try and find it with the luck that she had. “Care to throw a lost and vulnerable young woman a bone?” Vi batted her eyelashes and smiled.

 

[Bill525]

Sean was sitting as his desk as the students began to file out. He was happy with the class, he said goodbye to many of the students as they left. He leaned back in his chair, happy that he had lunch and then a free period after that. Now he could lose himself in some of his basketball papers, he thought. As he stood up, he heard a voice ask for help. He smiled as he looked toward the group of desks and saw Vi standing with her hip resting against her desk.

"Well Vi..... of course I can spare a moment, especially for you!," he smiled as he walked down the aisle toward her. He sat on top of a desk across from her as he looked her into the eyes, "What do you need?"

He listened to her talk about the textbooks, and he smiled. Very common he thought, teachers never took notice of new students, and when she didn't come up to them, they assumed she wasn't interested in doing the work anyway. "Ahhh textbooks, well, keep this hush hush, but most of my colleagues are not much of the caring type." He got up and headed over to a bookshelf in the back of the room.

He went through the books and found one of the U.S. History class that Vi was in. He brought it over and handed it to her. "Here you go.... it is yours for the year..... obviously you are responsible for it, so take care of it please." He smiled at his new student.

He sat back down on the desk across from her, "Oh, I would love to throw you a bone..... although, I highly doubt an intelligent girl like you is too lost or vulnerable..." he smiled. "I will talk to your other teachers and get your books.... I have lunch now, but could run out and get them.... you can meet me at my office after you eat?" He smiled, "I know you have lunch now, I did see your schedule, plus, I can give your lost self some more time to find more questions for me," he laughed as he winked at her.

He noticed that he was alone with his new student, her standing across from him. He again noticed how attractive she was, he shook his head. "So, important question.... how is your first day going?" He smiled genuinely, "I am guessing you have gotten stares from the boys? New, attractive girl..... they are all wondering what planet you came from," he laughed hoping to keep her at ease.

 

[SwanLake]

“Awful kind of you Mr Lewis.” Vi knew she was taking up time from his lunch break but he had said that if she needed anything… She hated to admit that she was coming to him so soon but what else was she to do?

“I just automatically assume that of every teacher.” It sounded horrible but it was the truth. So far Mr Lewis was the only teacher that she had met that actually cared and not just about their chosen golden students but everyone. “I might know a single one that’s a bit different but it’s too soon to tell.” Vi smiled watching as Mr Lewis walked to the back of the room. He moved well, putting to question how he was injured. When he returned with a textbook Vi quickly flipped through it. It looked brand new. “Thank you.” Maybe it was a good thing no one else had given her the necessary textbooks. She had nothing to carry them in and anything more then this would be a bother. Did the school have lockers? Vi opened her mouth to ask but changed her mind and closed it without saying a thing.

After she ate? Oh right, she was going to pick up lunch on Mr Lewis’ tab… yeah like that was going to happen. “Sure. Meet here after you eat.” Vi agreed nodding her head, a copper curl escaping from the loosely thrown up messy bun. “With more questions.” That part wouldn’t be hard as there was already a growing list in her mind.

Vi snorted and shook her head. “My first day has been,” She weighted her day from the start until his moment and found it, “So far uneventful.” Sure stares she had gotten but they had been from everyone, not just the boys. “As far as what the boys could be thinking… I wouldn’t know. None of them were brave enough to say hello. But the blame can’t be placed at their feet only, I may have had a certain air of ‘go away’ and a look of dull annoyance that kept them at bay.” Vi shrugged with a half-smile.

“Well I better get going.” Vi pushed off the desk and stood in front of Mr Lewis, appreciating the height he had on her. “Thanks again for the textbook.” She hugged the book to her chest and smiled once more before turning to leave. “Oh!” At the doorway Vi paused and looked back at Mr Lewis. “Jupiter.” And with one last wink Vi was gone to find a place to herself until a time had passed that felt long enough for her to have eaten.

 

[Bill525]

Sean smiled at his new student as she took the textbook and began to flip through it. She thanked him, and he grinned at her, "You are very welcome..... what else am I here for but to be your white knight," he laughed after he joked about the comment she made earlier in the day. "You did get a new book, although, most are in very good condition anyway..... I trust you though," he winked at her.

As she agreed to meet with him after she ate, he smiled. "Good, I will get the rest of your books...... I know how the other teachers can be here...... not a lot of going above and beyond unless they have to." He smiled as he heard her begin to go on about her day.

"Uneventful? Well that is unacceptable. You have to get out there and meet people." He nodded at her comment about keeping the boys at bay with her look of annoyance. "Well.... you never look at me with an annoyed look, or else I just have not noticed and continue to annoy you." He then continued, "although, I am sure they were just scared off by your good looks," he grinned as he stood up.

"Well, enjoy lunch, I will meet you in my office afterwards." He watched as she began to leave and he smiled, "You are welcome Vi." As she got to the door, and responded by saying Jupiter, Sean couldnt help but laugh. He watched her wink and leave his room and decided he better get going to get her text books.

Sean headed to each one of Vi's teachers, making sure to get all course material she may need. He sighed as he ended up with a large stack of books. He didn't remember seeing Vi with a book bag, so he knew it may be a problem for her to carry them all. As he got back to his office, he noticed that Vi was not there yet. He set the books down on the couch in his office, and then headed over to a closet he had in his room. He knew he had a North Town High Basketball bag in there somewhere, and figured she could use it to haul all her new text books.

As he found the bag, he also found a few new team t-shirts and hoodies. He had a bunch of sizes and figured he would ask her what size she would want, especially if she was going to be the team manager this year. He took the bag and placed it on the couch, then sat down behind his desk to relax until Vi arrived.

 

[SwanLake]

“Trust.” The word was spoken under her breath. Vi knew the word but not the true meaning of it, to be given it so freely… She had nothing positive to say to that that didn’t make her sound so very, very pathetic. The wink put a lighter turn on the work and Vi smiled again, thankful that at last it seemed like someone was willing to give her a chance.

Oh, she wasn’t so sure about that. There were some teachers out there that seemed to go above and beyond in making their student’s life a living hell. Vi wondered how many of those she would get this year. As it were she normally got them all. Of course when it’s a school filled with nothing but teachers looking to torture students the odds of having a good years was all but destined to be crap. “That would be really helpful, thanks.” And it was more than just getting her textbooks that Vi appreciated, it was not having to talk to the teacher and go through the 30 question game. It was a game she was very bad at because no matter what truthful answer she provided it was always the wrong one.

Meet people? It sounded awkward and quite frankly horrible. “That’s only because you haven’t annoyed me yet.” Vi smiled. “Trust me, you’ll know when I’m annoyed. I do a good prissy bitch face.” That he always seemed to bring up her looks was getting Vi all girlish. She suddenly wanted to fix her hair and maybe even put on some makeup. Okay maybe not makeup because that shit was expensive and hard to apply but it was a thought nevertheless. “I would rather be scary and vicious.” Sure Vi knew she was pretty but it was more because everyone told her then her truly believing it. Yeah, yeah, yeah she used it to her advantage at times but again it was a toll rather than fact.

Still… Maybe Mr Lewis had a point, she should go out there and meet people. It was possible that the people at this school were more like Mr Lewis then those of her other schools and as long as there was a chance that it was possible… Vi nodded giving to Mr Lewis’ idea. “I could try this meeting people thing.” And without meaning to Vi sighed as she said it already feeling the exhaustion of ‘trying’.

Vi left Mr Lewis’ classroom and headed down a mostly empty corridor. She told herself she would smile at the first friendly face she saw but when she made it outside without smiling at a single person she rethought her standards of what ‘friendly’ might be. Okay so how about someone who looks at her face first before scanning her body. Vi rounded the school’s main building and headed out across the grass towards an area that seemed to collect the majority of the student population. As she neared what looked like a court yard a boy’s smiling face caught her attention. They made eye contact and he stood up from the table packed with what Vi assumed to be his friends and walked towards her. He was tall, muscular with sandy hair worn long on the top and shaved close on the side. He was cute and had a nice smile, a smile that seemed contagious as Vi caught herself matching his smile with one of her own.

“You’re new.”

The unknown boy had to be near to six foot tall with the clearest, bluest eyes she had ever seen. The only cosmetic flaw that she could see was a scar that marred the perfect bow outline of his upper lip.

“I’m Adam.”

Adam’s voice still held that note of boyish innocence that almost had Vi thinking gay. Especially since he had yet to look at her chest. “Vi.” They shook hands and the handshake linger even after Vi had released pressure on her part. Okay, maybe not gay. “Nice school you got here.” She nodded, from where she was standing she could see the back of the building she just left, the courtyard and an assortment of buildings that she had no idea of their purpose.

Adam flashed a charming smile. “Yeah it’s pretty loaded. You want a tour?”

A tour would be nice, finding her classrooms were a pain and if she had to make her way to one of those other buildings… “Not right now.” Vi smiled letting him know she wasn’t blowing him off. “Raincheck?” She didn’t know how much time had passed but it felt like time enough to return to Mr Lewis’ office.

“Is that a promise?”

Vi nodded. “I could be.” She teased feeling better about the outcome of this school year.

“Rad.” Adam looked back over his shoulder and back at Vi. “See ya.” One more smile and Adam jogged back to his group leaving Vi with a smile on her face as she headed back to Mr Lewis’ office.

“Mr Lewis?” Vi stepped into the classroom towards his office. She could hear some noise coming from the room and made her way in that direction, stopping at his doorway to lean against the doorframe. “Am I back too soon?” She didn’t know if he had enough time to eat and if he didn’t then she could come back, there was still a good amount of time before lunch ended.

 

[Bill525]

Sean was sitting at his desk, when he heard Vi's voice from the classroom. He stood up a bit as he saw her emerge into his office. He smiled, "Vi..... not too soon, perfect timing....." Sean was exhausted, it had been a long day, and he had not eaten yet, but he did not want to let Vi know that. She seemed like the type of girl that would yell at him for doing her a favor instead of taking care of himself. "Come on in....." he said as he watched her lean against the door frame. Again he found his eyes moving over her body.

"Well..... all of your books are here...." he said as he walked over to the couch. He pointed at the stack, "yes, there are a lot of them, so I got you this bag to carry them in...... its yours." He grinned as he held it up. It was a North Town High Basketball team bag. He was happy that he was doing some nice things for her.

"I think you are in all the classes with the most books by the way........ teachers kept piling them on," he laughed as he watched her move into the office. "Also, since you are going to be my team manager this season..... I need to know what size shirt you wear. I have some extra tshirts and hoodies from our basketball team...... I can give you a few so you have some team clothing to wear." He again grinned, hoping that she wouldn't think that he was doing too much for her.

He walked back to his desk, leaning back against it. He did that to give her some space and let her take in all that he just offered. "Wow.... I am tired...." he admitted for the first time.

 

[SwanLake]

The books she was prepared for but everything else. It was overwhelming the amount of things he just piled on her. If it had just been information she could have handled it but it was things that he was just giving to her for free. But nothing was ever free, what was the bottom line, where was the string? Her eyes narrowed at Mr Lewis for a moment calculating the benefit of his actions for his own end game. There didn’t seem to be one. Sure there was always the favor to hold over her head but his gifts made sense and were too easily tracked back to him. Plus his smile was the dynamite in her quest for evil. He was too happy to just be helping her to have other plans in mind. It touched something in Vi that she hadn’t felt in a long time, so long even that she wasn’t entirely sure what the feeling was other then gratitude.

“I feel like thank you at this point is too stale of a word in our relationship.” Vi confessed following Mr Lewis to the couch where she took a seat. She had a duffle bag but this one was of a heavier material and the zipper glided back and forth with ease. After a while of playing with the zipper Vi peered into the bag at the textbooks. It looked like Mr Lewis was right, there were more books here then she would have thought for six classes. They all looked to be in great shape if not new and were great but Vi was all in with the bag, it was much needed. Realizing what a scene she was making over a bag Vi stood up focusing on the continuation of things he wanted her to take.

Shirt sizes. It was such a simple question but not something as simple to answer. “Mediums normal work well.” It gave her enough room to move in without feeling hugged but looked too big on her, which it was but smalls clung to her body in a way that brought on too much attention. “If it’s a men’s cut a small if it’s on the larger size. Medium if not.” Again it was a chest issue. If she had a choice it would be a collar-less polo but hardly anyone made them, much less for schools. “I like hoodies on the larger size.” It meant she could curl up in them like a turtle shell if she was outside in the cold. Ture they looked much too big on her but it was all about blending and not drawing attention.

“How far did you have to run to get all these books for me?” Vi wanted to ask if it was too much trouble but she could guess at the answer because he did indeed look tired. She hadn't tried lifting the bag yet but logic told her it would be heavy and if her had to run this way and that all about the school campus it was no wonder her seemed worn out. “Did you even have time to eat?” For a person that had strict rules about person bubbles Vi approached Mr Lewis like he was an old friend, far too comfortable with him on their first day meeting. Yet Vi found herself seated in the chair nearest to him looking up at him for answers.

 

[Bill525]

Sean smiled at her gratitude over something as simple as the bag. He watched her play with the zipper and it made him smile as he leaned against his desk. He heard her and smiled, "Thanks is never a stale word.... and you are very welcome Vi..... I told you I am here to help." He was being honest, he was there for her. He liked her, she didn't seem as bad as the other students he had mentored, and part of him thought unless she wasn't showing him her true self, she didn't really need to be mentored.

"Oh the shirt sizes....." he got up off the desk and moved to the cabinet behind his desk. He opened and rummaged through it. "I have a medium shirt in blue and one in grey..... they are men's sizes." He grabbed a few t-shirts, a few hoodies and two polo shirts. He smiled as he walked over to the desk and set the pile of clothes down on it. He looked at her as she moved quickly into where he had gone to get her books.

"Oh.... I went to all your teachers offices.... I told you I would, it was no trouble...." he said as he watched her come over towards him and take a seat in the chair nearest him. "I did not eat yet.... but don't worry..... I know you haven't either," he said calling her out. He could tell she was hungry, it showed on her face. "And I am tired because I am constantly working..... it isn't all from you...." he smile.

She was seated in front of him now and he reached back and grabbed the shirts, "here are the t-shirts..... they are all men's, but here is a blue one in men's medium, a grey one in men's small, and a white one in men's small. I have a grey and a blue hoodie, both in men's medium, but I do have large in there if you want one bigger..... and here are two polo's a blue and grey one, both in men's small." He smiled big to her, "If you are going to be my manager you have to dress in the team colors...."

 

[SwanLake]

“You really are something else Mr Lewis.” Vi exhaled with a shake of her head. No one had ever gone through so much trouble for her and not ask for something in return. Why couldn’t all men be like this? Kind, caring and willing to just help for the sake of it? If he were her age she could see herself falling after him in no time flat. It make her think of the only other person she had met here, Adam and as nice as he seemed she wasn’t ready to let her guard down with him. Wait-! Vi stared at Mr Lewis, looking slowly at him from head to toe. When had that happened? Oh her walls were nowhere close to being down but she was comfortable enough around him that there was a window if not maybe even a door open to him that shouldn’t have been there. It almost made her defend herself but she stopped short. Mr Lewis had been nothing but amiable was there really a reason to shield herself from him? It was a crazy and scary act against reason but Vi just turned it over with a smile, letting it go unless there was reason not to. Something that wend against grain, feather and fur.

Mr Lewis tallied off all that he had in both sizes and colors. The blue medium shirt would work, Vi thought to herself figuring that he would only give her what was needed not the whole pile. “Woah!” Vi sat straighter shocked at the amount of clothing he placed in front of her. “This is more clothes than I own…” It was a confession that she had no intention of sharing but there it was out in the open. “I can’t take all this. I mean really. I have no place to put it.” Her ‘apartment’ didn’t have a closet or a dresser and what clothes she did have she kept in a small plastic tub just large enough to keep things dry and bug free. “Is there lockers here that I can put this stuff in?” This was probably the safest place she could keep the clothes. She might take one of the hoodies home, her New Orleans football one was getting a bit bare thread in places. In her mind she quick sorted out a plan. The bog she could lug around, kept safe by the basketball bag they were in. If she could get a locker she could leave the team clothes here changing into them when she need them and only taking the dirty ones home to wash and bring back. Yeah, that would work out nicely as long as there were lockers. If not it would be square one again.

“So the school’s colors are blue and gray?” Vi laughed trying to steer the conversation away from her inability to keep her mouth closed around this man. “Do we have a mascot? And what would you need from me as your manager?” Manager. Vi liked the sound of that but it didn’t last long as Mr Lewis answer more of her questions, calling her out on a truth she couldn’t escape.

Vi blushed and looked away. Mr Lewis had told her to eat and she hadn’t and he had called her out on it. She wanted to lie, to come up with some story but had nothing. “I’ll eat later.” It was all that she had for him because it was the only truthful thing she could say. She just left out the part about it being later on in the evening. But he smiled at her again and her embarrassment faded much like her blush and she made a face at Mr Lewis and very maturely stuck her tongue out at him. “I should be the focus of your attention and the only thing you work on.” Vi teased with an overly played frown. “I mean, isn’t that what the good teachers work for? The achievement of bone weary fatigue after a long hard day of changing some young person’s life? Or are those knights?” She pretended to think about it, cupping her chin in her hand with her brow furrowed in thought. “Either way I just want an excuse to make you tired and fulfill your goal for today.”

 

[Bill525]

Sean smiled as she displayed her gratitude, "I am not something else, I am your advisor," he laughed. He watched her as she seemed to be deep in thought. His eyes taking in her shock when she realized all the shirts were for her. "Oh stop, you can take them, you have to wear our school logo if you are going to help me out," he grinned. He saw her face drop, as she mentioned she had no place to put them. "Oh.... well, we have lockers for students...... I will look yours up on my computer in a second..... and as team manager, you will have a locker in the coaches office near the gym." He smiled, "so a place for your books and a place for your clothes....... I will get you a lock for the gym locker though, those you have to provide your own...."

As she changed the subject, he smiled, "The team mascot.... we are the North Town Spartans..... and yes our colors are blue and grey..... does those meet your high standards?" He winked at her playfully. She seemed interested in the manager position, so you was happy to answer her, "Well, during practices I will have you help with small tasks...... could be getting equipment or just taking notes for me on the team..... during games you will keep stats..... and whenever else you'd like to help, you can watch game film with me.... but I doubt that will interest you...."

He saw her blush about not eating, and he shook his head, "No, you will eat now....." he pushed off the desk and went behind his desk. He had a mini fridge under his desk and he took out his bagged lunch from home. It was nothing special, just some vegetables, hummus, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He had a diet coke as well. He took the stuff and walked over to the couch and sat down. "Come on.... I will share my lunch.... get over here.... you have no choice now....."

He looked at her as she made the comment about her being his focus. He smiled as he sat down at the couch, looking at her as she walked towards him. "You should be my focus huh? That sounds a little like I would be obsessive...." he smiled. However, as she spoke, he found his eyes moving over her body again. He knew it was wrong, and he knew he shouldn't do it, but as she spoke about how she should be number one, he felt his eyes reacting. "Well, I don't think you have worked me hard enough for me to be overly fatigued on just you.... so far you have been a perfect student...." he grinned. "So sorry to disappoint, you have not achieved my goal of making me tired yet...." he laughed and winked at her.

 

[SwanLake]

Vi shook her head disagreeing with him but said nothing. There was too much to say and all of it sounded emotional and uncomfortably close to warm and fuzzy. He really was a great guy she thought as she listened to him inform her about the school and gym lockers. Vi liked the idea of using the gym lockers, they sounded like they would be more private and away from everyone and that it was located in the coaches office sounded even better. It didn’t matter that Vi would have access to two lockers, she only needed one.

“The Spartans.” Vi giggled thinking about that Gerard Butler movie with the ripped men in red speedos and capes. “I guess blue could work.” Her mind was still more on the speedos then how the color would look on her. Because what did it really matter in the end? She was helping the team, not walking down a catwalk. “Tangerine sequins are more my flavor so if you could personally see into that.” She teased back.

There was little Vi knew about basketball but make a mental note to stop off at the library on her way home to do some research on the game. Watch game film… why did he think she wouldn’t be interested? As team manager it was her responsibility to know the team and their opponents. “That sounds like a good idea, watching game film. You can point out tactics, errors and weakness.” She was going to need a notebook to write all of the information down. Vi had a good mind at recall but with something new it was a good idea and write it all down until it was familiar. “How often does the team practice and between what times?” Vi was back to thinking about the timeline of the day and where a job could fit into it.

“What?” Mr Lewis’ voice turned firm and range with authority, taking Vi by surprise as she rushed to his side like a scolded puppy. “But-“ Vi was starting to feel uncomfortable as she took a seat on the other side of the couch. “It’s your lunch. I can get something from somewhere else.” She was looking for an out not wanting to take anymore from Mr Lewis.

But the tension didn’t last long. Mr Lewis smiled and teased her about her notions about being his main focus. “No, not to the point of obsession.” Vi corrected with a smile. “Just shy of that. That romance novel addiction stage where everything reminds you of them and every moment you want to share with them.” Vi didn’t realize it but she had just described how she wanted to be loved. There was a far off gaze in Vi’s eyes, causing her to miss the once over that Mr Lewis did of her. “Not overly fatigued?” The taunt brought her back to the moment and Vi pruned her lips thinking of errands she could send him on. “You know the school has no map to it and a girl could easily get lost. Oh what help a detailed hand drawn map in full color to scale could do. Why it might save a lost little girl.” She didn’t know how large the school was but it looked big enough to take hours to draw up. “And then there’s the buildings themselves with all their rooms.” Vi hinted, not that she expected a map or a blueprint to the school and it’s buildings. “You have to remember that I’m a woman and presented with a man who’s not tired we are bound to work him to death.”

Vi laughed. “Of course I’m a perfect student, it’s only been the first day and we’re only half way through it.”

That sounded like a challenge and Vi’s eyebrow raised. “Give me a few days to get to know you and I’ll find that one thing that’ll tucker you out the quickest.” She promised with a look of determination on her face. “Because I’m just the sort of student to go that extra mile to help my favorite teacher meet his goal.” Vi swore placing a hand over her heart, a playful smile on her lips.

 

[Bill525]

Sean laughed at her, "Yes the Spartans..... and as much as I would like to see to your tangerine sequins, I think the boys on the team may hate me over it...." he laughed. He sat on the couch with her next to him, and he slid half of his sandwich over toward her, and the container with the vegetables and hummus. "Please, take what you want...... I would feel like an awful advisor if I let you go the rest of the day hungry."

As she began to talk about practices, he smiled, "We practice Monday through Friday right after school for 2 hours..... and Saturday mornings usually nine to eleven in the morning." He took a bite of his sandwich as he thought about what other questions she may have. "Home games are always at seven at night...... and the team usually gets there an hour early..... as the manager you will have some game day duties, so you may have to be here around 5:30, but we can discuss that..... and away games are at seven as well, but we catch a team bus to those at five."

He felt like he just through a lot of information out at her, and smiled as she began to poke fun at how to make him more tired. "Oh you want a detailed map? Well, I hate to disappoint, but I have zero artistic skills..... the map will be more confusing then helpful...." he laughed. He looked at her, as she spoke about working him to death. He faked some shock, "You want to work me to death?? Wow...... like I don't get enough of that at home...." he smiled.

He watched as Vi put her hand over her heart and she got a playful smile on her lips, "Well, I will make sure to try and keep hidden what tuckers me out the quickest..... I wouldn't want you to be too perfect and accomplish that goal every day." He laughed as he finished his half of the sandwich and leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes a bit. "It is nice to get a chance to laugh and relax..... so I guess I owe you a thank you Vi."