A Learning Affair part 4

This is picking up after the 'my opinion' comment in the library. I hope you enjoy!

“Whatever, Jane,” I shrugged.

“Fine, you enjoy when Mr. Jones has his way with you and gives you worms,” Jane teased as she stuck her tongue out.

I smiled and looked over to see what Mr. Faris was doing.

He sat reading some book at a table quietly. There was something about the way he read that fascinated me. He’d removed his glasses and was propping his chin on his folded arms as he read close to the book. His facial expression was serious as his eyebrows furrowed as he got deep into his reading. It was amazing to watch. Why? Because where I came from boys—men didn’t read.

“Wow,” I mouthed as I continued to stare.

“What?” Jane asked.

“Look at him,” I gestured towards Mr. Faris.

Jane looked over at him. “What? He’s reading,” she shrugged carelessly.

“But it’s the way he’s reading,” I smiled.

“Can you said weirdo,” Jane mumbled out loud.

“Oh shut up,” I laughed.

“Don’t tell me you like this guy, he’s a total buzz kill,” Jane said as she looked his way. “He’s Buzz Kill McGee.”

“Right, he keeps getting in the way with Logan,” I nodded. “Maybe it’s a sign.”

“Oh yeah Bris, he’s got his eye on you,” Jane rolled her eyes.

“Please, I’ve already gotta deal with Logan, I can’t handle anymore testosterone,” I smiled.

We spent the rest of the period shelving old books and talking about Logan all the while Mr. Faris sat reading his book.

The bell rang for our final period: sixth period health class. Jane was on her BlackBerry texting as we entered the room.

“OMFG,” Jane smiled. “Guess who just asked me out, via text by the way.”

“Who?” I asked.

“It’s totally random, but…”

“Okay class, welcome to health,” just out of nowhere Mr. Faris was in another class of ours.

“Seriously?” Jane groaned. “Enough already.”

“Shh,” I giggled.

“I mean, is he obsessed with us?” Jane whispered.

Jane’s obvious irritation with the reoccurrence of Mr. Faris was funny. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ladies,” Mr. Faris called over to us. “Keep it quiet.”

“Keep away from us,” Jane mumbled.

I laughed again.

“Girls,” Mr. Faris looked our way. He tried his best to give an intimidating look, but it only made him look cuter.

“Oh no Mr. Faris, please don’t spank us,” Jane whispered over to me in a whiny voice.

I bit my lip to stifle back a laugh.

“Your real teacher recently had a baby, she’s almost done recovering, so while we’re waiting for her arrival I’ll be subbing,” Mr. Faris explained. “Now she told me that today would be a study hall, and no talking allowed. And by the way, she’s not teaching the Heimlich maneuver.” Mr. Faris turned and winked to me.

I smiled a little.

Jane elbowed me. “Eww.”

“Shut up,” I smiled.

“Anyways, Ben texted me. I don’t know what to say. I mean, he’s Ben,” Jane blushed. If she was blushing, it meant she liked him.

“Go for it, he’s funny, cute, and wealthy,” I smiled. “What a great combination.”

“Right,” Jane nodded.

“Girls, what part of no talking don’t you get?” Mr. Faris was suddenly standing in front of us.

“The whole thing, I mean, it’s the first day,” Jane shrugged. “We should be able to talk.”

“You should, but you’re not,” said Mr. Faris. “I’m sorry, I don’t make the rules.”

“Hmm,” Jane thought to herself for a second. “How many classes do you teach? We’re beginning to think you’re stalking us.”

Instead of blowing up, Mr. Faris kept his cool.

“Actually I only have three classes,” he said.

“Ooh, how’d you get so lucky?” I asked.

“I told them I hated kids,” Mr. Faris winked to me once more.

“Ha-ha,” Jane said dryly.

Mr. Faris scratched his head and walked away.

Jane faced me and opened her mouth to speak.

“If you feel the need to talk Ms. Simms, write a note,” Mr. Faris had his back to us, he must’ve been able to sense that we were going to talk again.

“Notes? What are we, in junior high?” Jane rolled her eyes and pulled out some notebook paper.

“This is going to be great year, I can tell,” I said sarcastically.

“Ms. Dawson,” Mr. Faris said as he faced me. “Can I speak to you in the hall for a moment?”

“Nice going Bris,” Jane teased.

I sighed and went out to the hall. I leaned against a locker and waited for Mr. Faris.

When he came outside he wasn’t mad, he was calm.

“Bris…”

“I thought you respected me,” I crossed my arms. “Aaron.”

He got this questioning look on his face.

“How do you know my name?” he asked.

“We have to mark attendance in the library on the computer, teachers included,” I shrugged.

“Don’t call me that,” Mr. Faris shook his head.

“Why not Aaron? You called me Bristol,” I shot back. I didn’t really have a problem with him but with Jane’s influence I couldn’t help but join in on the fun.

Mr. Faris leaned into my face, so close I could smell his minty gum. The whole thing was sort of…intimate.

“This is my first day, it would be a whole lot easier if you just calmed down and listened to me, Ms. Dawson,” he said nicely.

I felt sorry for him so I decided to ease up.

“Maybe I will Aa…Mr. Faris,” I said.

He smiled, being up close made the smile and him look extra cute.

“You’re free to go,” he smiled.

I headed back into the room and sat next to Jane.

“Did he give you the third degree?” Jane asked.

“No, would Bristol Dawson get in trouble?” I smiled.

“Nice, I’m guessing you gave him a piece of your mind?” Jane smiled as she eyed Mr. Faris.

I decided to leave the rest of the situation to Jane’s imagination.

After class Logan met me at my car.

“Today we find out who’s captain of the rugby team,” he smiled. “Tomorrow you’re next, then we’ll be a walking cliché.”

I grinned, “This year’s going to be awesome, I’ve only got four classes and I get out early. I think I’m going to love senior year.”

“I for one hate it, what’s up with Mr. Faris being in ninety percent of our classes?” Jane said as she walked up to us. “And the constant winking? Um, hello, can you say f-r-e-a-k-y, freaky!”

“Okay Jane, calm down, he’s just a teacher,” I smiled.

“Whatever, let’s go get these manis, Ben wants to head over to The Cage later,” Jane said before she headed to her car.

“Ben and Jane, interesting,” Logan whistled. “How about you and I head over to The Cage later?”

The Cage was this teen nightclub where most kids went to release stress and have a good time. They served drinks to people who were twenty-one. Or to be honest, they served drinks to anyone who flashed an ID.

“No thanks, I’m not going to school hung over tomorrow,” I said.

“Puss,” Logan teased.

I flicked him off with a smile as I got in my car.

. . .