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He talks about him all the time too. Though he never provides much detail, from what I can tell, the two are becoming fairly close.
“Yeah, he’s fine.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Just a virus or something.”
“Well, they’re rampant around schools this time of year. Or really, any time of year when it comes to schools.” I chuckle. “Are you staying to work on homework today?”
She nods. “Of course.”
“I’d prefer that you move down to the front. It might garner less attention that way even if most students probably won’t notice your presence, and I have let students stay for the second class before. You know, sometimes, some people need to hear the material twice.” And that’s the truth.
Last semester I had a couple of students that made it a norm. Administration never minded it, either, which was the only reason I allowed it.
Though I never cared if they sat at the front.
I shake the thought off. It’s not like I want to gawk at the woman. I just want to… keep aneyeon her. That’s it. Especially with the way those boys were with her in the past couple of classes.
Melody is quiet as she gathers her things and moves to the second row from the front, opting for the far-right chair. “Sorry about that.”
My lips purse at the apology. “No need for that. Like I said, it’s for your own sake mostly.” I have no idea what I’m saying, but Melody seems to take my word for it, adjusting herself in her seat and pulling out her homework. “Do you have any quick questions before I start the next class?”
She shrugs, glancing over to the notepad on her desk. “Um, I don’t think so. Not right now.”
I nod.
She hasn’t even read the material.
It’s annoying, but it’s not surprising. Melodyisfailing my class, and believe it or not, I do find it rather difficult to fail my class. But I’m also getting a glimpse of who she is, and I believe she at leastistrying.
For the duration of the next class, I keep an eye on Melody, watching her work tirelessly, scribbling down notes and running her fingers through her thick red locks. And suddenly, my mind tremors with the thought of what her hair would feel like betweenmyfingers.
And I stop midsentence, all my students staring at me in confusion.
“Um.” I draw a blank. “You can read the rest of the policy on the board.” My face is hot, and I can assume that it’s probably reddened.
“Maybe he’s got a case of the shits,” one of the students giggles from a few rows back.
I can’t pinpoint who said it, but it was loud enough for the classroom to break into a fit of giggles.
I swallow hard, peering in the direction of Melody.
Her head is down, and she’s focused on her work.
And for some reason, that brings me some relief.
And even more relief follows as the bell rings.
“Study your notes,” I call out after them, though my voice lacks its usual tenacity.
I run my fingers along my jaw, feeling the crisp, wiry facial hair.
Maddie always hated my short beard, but I find myself more and more comfortable with it and like keeping it cleanly trimmed.
A loud, heavy breath draws me from my thoughts, and I turn toward the sound, my eyes landing on Ms. Everett. She’sslumped over, her forehead awkwardly resting on the notebook in front of her.
Any other time, I would be annoyed, but my heart pangs.
Dammit. I don’t need a soft spot for a student.
Why does her brother being sick with a virus haveherso tired? Where are her parents? Are they in their life at all? She can’t have sole custody of her brother... can she?
