The Adventures of Darren Cassidy - Chapter Seven, Part Two - Not so Great Expectations

Ordinarily, Darren, Aiden, and Tyler were a few minutes early for the first class of the day and would wait outside until the teacher arrived to unlock the door. When they strolled down the corridor to Mrs Williams’ class, they naturally expected the same, so they continued with their cheerful conversation. They failed to notice that Minerva wasn’t outside, however, which should immediately have alerted them, seeing as she was always early. (If Minerva was ever late, it would probably bring about the start of the apocalypse – or something worse.) Therefore, when Mrs Williams suddenly appeared outside her class, the three friends almost stopped dead in their tracks, only pushing on through sheer determination.

‘Yes, yes, the Swords of Justice freeze upon laying eyes on Kyurem – we all know the story.’ Mrs Williams watched with her hands crossed in front her chest as the three boys approached. When they were right outside her class and about to enter, she added, ‘You three are early, so you needn’t fear being scolded.’

Darren was the last of the three to enter, so he had enough time to see that Mrs Williams wasn’t actually scowling at all. In fact, she was simply in what the media portrayed as the default “Watchog pose”, as far as he could tell. She obviously wasn’t friendly, but she didn’t strike him as unfriendly either – at that moment, at least.

When Darren took his seat, Tyler was already taking out his books. He made to do the same, but Mrs Williams spoke before he could complete the action.

‘You don’t have to take out your books just yet, master Woods. The bell will only ring in approximately–’ the teacher turned around to look at the clock on her wall, ‘–three minutes and twenty-five seconds. You may resume your conversation, if you like. If you wish to be industrious, like Minerva, you may do that too.’

Darren, Tyler and Aiden simultaneously turned around to look at the concerned Vulpix. Noticing they were looking, Minerva glanced up at them, nodded, and returned to her work.

‘If you forgot to complete your homework, however…’ the three turned back to the teacher, ‘Well, then it would be better if you admit now. The punishment will be less severe than if I find out on my own.’

If the situation was less serious, Darren would have laughed at Tyler, since the Axew’s eyes widened just as the Watchog’s narrowed. It was definitely not, so his amusement manifested itself as a twitch of the eyebrows.

‘Did you complete your homework, master Woods?’

‘I did,’ Tyler squeaked.

Mrs Williams’ red and yellow eyes lost some of their intimidation factor by point zero-one. ‘Excellent! Proceed as you wish, then.’

‘I think I’ll do that now,’ Tyler whispered, his eyes still wide as a Slaking.

‘Agreed,’ Darren and Aiden responded in unison.

Three minutes later, everyone else was seated. Everyone, save for one person, that is – a person that should rather have been earlier than even Minerva.

As soon as the bell rang, Mrs Williams repeated the same routine displayed in the previous lesson: a calm rise from the chair, an equally calm movement of the wrist, and a very startling slam of the door. It was no less frightening than the first time.

‘Homework, please.’ Mrs Williams walked around the class, stamping the date and her signature in red on the appropriate page. ‘Well done, class,’ she said once she had completed her revolution. ‘Everyone did their homework; everyone present. You know where to open your books.

‘Now, on Palday, we discussed the general characteristics of Monsters. As is illustrated by your homework, we also discussed the pure Monster Evolutionary Lines. Today and next Palday, we shall discuss the others. The order, however, is up to you. There are four Egg Groups that share Evolutionary Lines with this one, namely Dragon, Grass, Field, and Water One. In that order, the number of the Evolutionary Lines are seven, four, five, and five. Which two would you like to discuss today?’

She was met with silence and stunned looks.

‘Err, Dragon?’ Tyler answered.

‘Of course. And the other one?’

‘Grass,’ Seamus called from the back.

‘Another “of course”-worthy answer. Very well, Dragon and Grass it is. Before we begin, though, has anyone seen master Rafferty today?’

Again, silence. Only Minerva was brave enough to break it. ‘I did not see Duncan today, Mrs Williams. I don’t mean to… I don’t how to say… Well, I think he took you up on your offer and stayed home.’

Mrs Williams was so stationary that it seemed as if she hadn’t heard. Her next words, however, disproved that. ‘That is one of the most sensible things he has done this year. I did, after all, give him permission to stay at home and not waste my time. Don’t think he will get away with not doing homework, since that would not only be unfair to you, my diligent students, but I should also be loath to neglect my duty as educator.

‘When you see him for your next class, kindly remind him of that. Oh, and add that he may not utter a single word – or snore – in class in future, or he will be summarily sent outside. Failure to attend Palday’s class will result in suspension. If none of you wish to tell him, since you are in no way obliged to, send him to me, and I shall clarify the details of our arrangement.’

For the third time that day, the class was silent.