When bitter&sweet meet
°8•First day

As the bell rings, I step into the classroom. My students are already here and have taken their places. I put my things on my desk and look straight ahead at the students.

“Hello, I’m Miss Tory Summer. I’ll be substituting for Miss Sutherland during her absence,” I explain as I hear whispers among them.

“Ok, let’s take a roll.” I continue as I pick up the list of students’s names.

“Chase.”

“Present.”

“Dallas.”

“Present.”

“Evans.”

“Present.”

I look at her, and I realize that it is the student who was leaving Bruce’s office yesterday. Miss Evans was caught texting during her class. I better keep an eye on her. As I continue with my list, I have only three names remaining.

“Lockwood.”

“For you, sweety, I’m so present.” He says, laughing.

“Mr. Johnny Lockwood.” I glare at him.

“Yes, what can I do for you, sweetie.” He has a smug expression written on his face.

Oh, I so don’t need this right now.

I want to pinch the bridge of my nose, but if I do, he knows he irritated me. He’ll think he won this round, and I will never hear the end of it.

“I’m warning you, Mr. Lockwood, keep it up, and it will be after-school detention for you.” Great, it’s my first day, and I’m already thinking about detentions.

“No, can do, sweety. I have practice today. Maybe another day.” He laughs loudly, a few students joining in.

“Keep laughing, and it will be detention for all of you. I’m sorry, Mr. Lockwood, but you must miss practice this time.” I say as I sign the slip for detention.

“You can’t do that. I’m the captain of the football team. I’m untouchable. Coach Salazar won’t be happy about this.”

I don’t need a reminder of him today. Great, I have a headache.

“Congratulations, Mr. Lockwood, now you have detention for the rest of the week. Keep it up, and it will be a month.”

After that, he didn’t say a single word. To my satisfaction, I can see he isn’t happy with the outcome.

“Monroe.”

“Present.”

“Parker.”

“Present.”

I think, for now, I will let the students sing their names instead of calling them individually.

“I’ve read Miss Sutherland’s notes to see where you are with your studies. I’m warning you now. There will be a quiz this Friday morning, so for today…” Everyone in the class begins complaining.

“For today, go back to what you studied with Miss Sutherland and tomorrow, we will continue.”

I take a seat behind my desk as the student opens their books to do as I ask, all apart from Johnny.

“Mr. Lockwood, did you not hear my instructions?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Alright, you give me no choice. Go to the principal office.”

“Fine by me. When I come back, we’ll see who has the last laugh.” He strolls out of the classroom, full of confidence.

Yeah, definitely a headache this one, and I thought I would have to worry only about Miss Evans and her cell phone.

To my surprise, Johnny didn’t come back from the principal office, and the rest of the class ran smoothly.

“Class dismissed,” I announce as the bell rings. They don’t waste time packing up and leaving.

I’m sitting at my desk going through my notes for the next class when someone enters without knocking, followed by Johnny. When I see who it is, I should’ve known. Great, now what.

“Unless it’s urgent, Mr. Salazar, I have another class in a few minutes.” I don't have the energy to deal with him today.

“Don’t worry, b….” He clears his throat. “Miss Summer, it won’t take long.”

Behind him, I see Johnny smirking at me as if trying to say, ‘told you so.’

“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” I ask as I can. I don’t need his temper.

“I need you to postpone his detention for today. I need him on the field.” To my surprise, he doesn’t snap. He asks me respectfully and, if I’m not mistaken, with kindness.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Salazar, but if he hadn’t disrespected me more than once in my class, I would do as you ask.” I see the surprise in his eyes. I’m guessing he doesn’t have the whole story of why his team captain received detention. He doesn’t waste time as he turns to look at Johnny.

“What does she mean by that? You disrespected her? How?” His temper begins to rise a little.

As he hears the whole story, he turns his attention back to me.

“Miss Summer, would you mind if I take his detentions from here? Don’t worry. By the time I’m done with him, he will understand the word respect.”

I’m actually surprised that he defended me. How can I say no? I can see Johnny is just as surprised as I am.

“But Mr. Sala…” he tries to argue, but he gets cut off.

“One word, one word, and you’ll be benched at the next game.” That shut him up.

“Of course, all I ask is that he learns from his behaviour.”

“Don’t worry about that. He will.” As Levi speaks, I see Johnny swallow with fear.

“Miss Summer.” He says one last time before leaving, with Johnny following him, looking down at the ground.

That man confuses me sometimes. I say to myself while students enter my class for the next period.

“Tory Summer, right?” I hear someone talking to me.

“Yes. Lily Salazar?” I ask back. We shake hands as we walk through the hallway.

“I was going to grab something to eat at the cafeteria. Would you like to join me? We can take our food to the staff room so we can talk more freely. I have a good feeling about you.”

“Funny thing, I thought the same about you. It would be my pleasure.”

Before we step out of the cafeteria, someone calls Lily’s name.

“That’s my boyfriend. Come, I’ll introduce you to him. He’s with my brother too.” Great, like I needed that.

“Charlie, what are you doing here?” She asks as she sits beside him.

“It’s my turn to supervise the lunch hour, well, your brother and I. He was telling me about a girl he picked up at a bar yesterday.”

“Ouch man, what are you twelve? Hitting me under the table like that.” Charlie rubs his leg, glaring at Lavi.

“Sorry, Lily, I forgot I have to go through Miss Sutherland’s notes for today, rain check?” I don’t wait for her answer as I leave the cafeteria.

I can’t believe the nerve of that jerk. The same day he helps me with my panic attack, he goes to the bar and picks up some random skank. I know I shouldn’t be jealous, but I can’t help myself. I’m definitely done with him and his mixed signals.