Teacher's Secret

New Beginning

    Kelsey was awakened by warm sunlight streaming in. She had fallen asleep on the couch going over the schedule for the new school year.  She picked up her papers and poured a cup of coffee as she walked out on the deck to watch the sun continue rising over the lake.  When Kelsey moved to Lakewood nearly a month and half ago from New York City, she instantly fell in love with with her new home.  The split level, 4 bedroom 3 bath home with the wrap around deck definitely is a bit much for just her, but she was sold as soon as she walked out on the deck.  The view of the lake and mountains was the most peaceful and breathtaking view.  The way that the sun shimmered across the water in the early morning was awe inspiring. Of course the master bath had it's selling points as well, with it's giant glass brick shower, with more shower heads and space than any one person could ever need, and the large Jacuzzi tub with a jet to massage every muscle in your aching body.  Kelsey sat back in her grandmothers rocking chair and took a deep breath in of the clean fresh air and sighed. She closed her eyes and thought to herself,  "For the first time I am living my life."  She opened her eyes and sipped her coffee as she looked down at the papers in her hand.  "Time to start this new adventure."

    The yellow, convertible, '69 Ford Mustang turned off the highway onto the main street of the cozy town.  Not the car that Kelsey drives every day, but now and then she needs to stretch her legs. She pulled the car up the hill into the high school parking lot and found her numbered space.  As she parked she noticed a couple of other teachers nodding their appreciation and admiration of her pride and joy.  Eyes closed, "deep breath in, let it out, you got this Kelsey Graham!" She told herself as she smiled and opened the car door and stepped out.  "Beautiful... is it a 69' or a 70'?" a voice startled her from behind. "Oh, thank you, she's a 69'. " Kelsey half stammered.  "I am terribly sorry Miss.... I didn't mean to startle you.  I'm Mr. Jones, Kevin, I teach Geometry and Drafting."  "I'm sorry, Miss Graham, Kelsey.  English... I mean I teach English."  Kelsey's heart was racing and she could feel her face slightly flush. She hoped that this handsome olive skinned, blue eyed perfectly toned man in front of her did not notice. 

    (Kevin had noticed, and his lip curved up in a smile as he ran his hand through his jet black hair.  He had most definitely noticed Kelsey.  The sent of cotton candy and cherry blossom, the hint of blue in her brilliant green eyes, the curls of red hair that draped down the back of her, 5'2" frame, to her waist like flames, he most surely had noticed her.)

    Kevin extended his hand to shake her's. As his strong firm hand wrapped around her petite hand she felt warmth run through her. Starting at the tips of her fingers and running all through her arm and through her entire body.  Not wanting Kevin to think bad of her she smiled taking her hand back, "Very nice meeting you Kevin.  Could you please direct me toward the office.  I am supposed to be meeting with Mr. Collins."  "Absolutely!  I'll take you there myself, I'm headed that way." 

    "Miss Graham, Welcome to Lakewood High!  We have all been anxiously awaiting your arrival.  Please come in and join us." Mr. Collins placed is arm around Kelsey's shoulders and led her down the hall. Kelsey looked over to Keven with a look of confusion.  Being from New York she was not use to the close, overly friendly gestures of the small town. Kevin smirked and nodded knowingly. 

Kevin cleared his throat, "Mr. Collins, Sir, we may not want to overwhelm and possibly scare Miss graham away on her first day, with our small town, closeness, and welcoming. Maybe Miss Graham would feel a little more comfortable walking into the staff welcome back breakfast with a fellow teacher instead of the administrator. You do know all eyes will be on you Sir." 

Kelsey smiled sheepishly and stepped to the side from Mr. Collins looking up to him.  "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to keep a low profile.  I don't like a lot of attention." Mr. Collins looked down at Kelsey and smiled knowingly. (Mr. Collins most certainly did know.  He is the only one here that knows anything of Kelsey's past and what brought her to this small town to reinvent herself.) They nodded to each other and he strolled off down the hall and entered the Library. Kelsey leaned against the wall and sighed, looking over at Kevin, "Thank you so much.  I owe you." Kevin smiled and chuckled to himself.

    Kevin walked with Kelsey the remainder of the hall and held the Library door open for her.  As they walked in the room seemed to hush to a whisper and Kelsey could feel all eyes on her.  She thanked Kevin as they walked in together to a round table with a couple of other teachers sitting at it.  Kevin introduced Kelsey to Anne Taylor, Life Science and Biology teacher, and Stacy Alexander, Freshman and Sophomore History teacher.  Both women had warm welcoming smiles were very pleasant. Mr. Collins called everyone to attention and welcomed everyone back, as well as welcomed a couple of new additions to the staff along with Kelsey.  Kelsey felt relieved that she was not the only new addition to the High School staff.  Mr. Collins asked for the new staff members to "buddy up" with another staff member to be given a tour of the campus and asked for staff members to volunteer to do so.  Kevin volunteered and said he would would be happy to show Miss. Graham around the campus and to her classroom as it was right next to his.  Kelsey's heart started racing again and she could feel her face flush.  She smiled up at Kevin and thanked him.  As the meeting adjourned Mr. Collins reminded everyone to stop by the cafeteria and grab breakfast and by the staff lounge to grab their keys out of their teachers box. 

    "Ready for your tour Miss. Graham?" Mr. Jones asked, with a bright smile as he extending his hand to Kelsey.

"Ready Mr. Jones." Kelsey answered with a shy smile as she took Kevin's strong hand to stand from her seat.  

"First stop, the Teacher's lounge.  We should grab our keys on the way." Kevin's smile was warm and friendly.  How could Kelsey not smile in return.  When the door to teacher's lounge opened Kelsey could hear the laughter and feel the excitement of the staff.  She could feel this was going to be a good year.  That this was the right choice for her, in spite of what her father and former business partner had said.  Kelsey heard a voice behind her, "Excuse me, Miss Graham?" 

"Yes, that's me." Kelsey answered the distinguished, silver haired lady with glasses.  "Please, call me Kelsey."

"Very Pleased to meet you, Kelsey. I'm Priscilla Spark."  Her eyes glistened as she shook Kelsey's hand and looked to Kevin, with a sly smile.  " Well I am sure we will be seeing much more of each other my dear.  Enjoy your tour of the campus.  Kevin is a fine tour guide."  Kelsey couldn't be positive, but she thought she noticed a slight blush on Kevin's cheeks. She was positive however of the warm smile he gave her. 

"Kelsey, your teacher's box is right over here.  Teacher's fridge and freezer are back here in the side room with a couple more tables and a microwave.  We can exit through this way as well." Kevin led the way out a side door as he pointed out that hall going the opposite direction led to the office.  "Let's start off with the gym."  Kevin continued to lead Kelsey around the campus pointing out the different departments.  Ag, music, art, metals, wood shop, auto shop, foreign language studies, and back at the main building where the main studies are located. As they rounded the back side of the building Kevin turned to look at Kelsey.  "This would be my classroom, and right here next door is your classroom." As Kelsey's eyes met Kevin's once again she felt the rush of heat come over her. 

"Thank you again Kevin. I am sure it will take me a few times of getting turned around, but I'm sure I will find my way. I really appreciate you taking the time to show me around."

"It was my pleasure.  If you have any questions you know where to find me Kelsey."

Kelsey opened her classroom door and flipped on the lights.  She looked around at the blank walls and stacks of books on the counters.  Looking around she was confused. There were single small style desks with chairs attached lined up and stacked against the far wall, and their were also a couple stacks of chairs and small tables lining the front wall by the white board.  Humm, what to do.  Kelsey walked over and leaned against the back counter and contemplated what to do.  Just then she hears a tapping on the door in the corner of the room that she hadn't noticed was there before.  Opening the door Kelsey was greeted once again by Kevin's bright smile.  "Miss me already?" Kelsey mused.

Without missing a beat, Kevin stepped into the room chuckling, "Why of course Miss Graham. How could I not miss those stunning green eyes?" Kelsey's jaw dropped and she definitely felt her face turn red. Yet she couldn't speak. Kevin realizing that he had just spoke his thoughts out loud turned red himself and looked away from Kelsey. "Ummm, so um Kelsey, I was wondering if you had 2 extra desks I could snag from you?" 

Kelsey still in shock, yet pulling herself together, "I think I can spare a couple desks. I'm still not sure how I'm going to set this room up yet. Mind if I peak into your room and check out the layout?" Kevin nods his head yes and walks over to grab a desk to carry back to his room.  Kelsey grabs a desk as well and walks through the door to Kevin's room.  

"Welcome to the world of Geometry! It's all about shapes!" Kelvin was excited to show off his room.  He took pride in all the work he had put into his class to make it an enjoyable learning environment for his students.  Kelsey took notice of Kevin's excitement and noticed the way his eyes sparked.  She took in all the color in the room and shapes and how they interacted with each other. Mostly, Kelsey noticed the layout of the desks.

"May I ask your reasoning for having all the desks in two straight rows down the middle of the middle of the room facing each other?"

Kevin smiled and took joy in explaining, "I feel students learn better when they can share concepts and assist each other.  It not only aids in their geometry and drafting skills, but also boosts their self confidence. At least that's what I have observed."  

Kelsey was intrigued by this idea as she wandered back to her classroom. As she reached the door she turned and smiled at Kevin, "Thank you again Mr. Jones.  You have been very helpful and insightful." She entered her classroom and took a deep breath.  Standing in such a close proximity to Kevin she felt as if she had been holding her breath.  Time to get to work.

     Kelsey started moving tables first away from the front wall.  She stepped back and looked at the white board then turned around and looked around the space of the room.  Kelsey sighed not knowing where she wanted to go with this.  She had never been a teacher before. Sure she had conducted many board meetings with many people, but never a classroom.  Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. A horseshoe!  She started pulling the tables around the room to form a horseshoe with the opening facing the white board.  She quickly glanced through her class lists to find her largest classroom size and spaced 23 chairs around the outside.  She left 5 chairs stacked over in the far corner behind her desk just in case, and pulled the rest to the corner by the door to be removed.  Next question, what to do with all the desks?  She pulled 4 desks to the front corner to an open space and placed them in a square facing each other.  There were still almost 20 desks.  Taking a deep breath Kelsey knocked on the door to Kevin's classroom.  She heard Kevin shout, "Come on in!" As she entered the room it looked like a tornado had gone through with papers all over the desks and in stacks on the floor, and Kevin sitting on the floor in the middle of them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was hoping you might be able to direct me as to where to take these extra desks that are in my classroom?" Kelsey's soft spoken voice cut through the silence and Kevin quickly jumped to his feet to face her.  

"Yes!  Let me call Jarrod our maintenance man." Kevin rushed over to his desk and picked up the phone.  He pushed a single button and began to speak. "Hey Jarrod, this is Kevin.  Could you bring a dolly or flatbed or something over to room 23.  Miss Graham has some extra desks and chairs that need to be removed from her classroom.  Thank you!  See you in a few."  Kevin hung up the phone and walked back over to Kelsey.  "Jarrod is on his way over. Come on, I'll help move the desks outside the door for him to make it easier."

"You really don't have to help Mr. Jones.  I appreciate the offer." Kelsey said looking around the room. "It looks like you have your hands full at the moment." Kevin looked around and laughed.  Full on laugh out loud, belly laugh.  

"Oh no, I welcome the break! Come on Red, let's move those desks." Kevin walked past Kelsey and into her room. Kelsey was lost in thought, had he just called her Red?  Smiling to herself as she walked through the door she hadn't noticed Kevin had stopped right inside the doorway and she ran right into him.  Kevin turned around just in time to catch Kelsey as she stumbled back. "Are you alright?  I'm sorry I stopped so abruptly, but the desk layout looks amazing!" 

Kelsey was having a hard time focusing on his words. Kevin's arm was around her waist and his face was just inches from hers.  "No problem! Thanks, I'm glad you like it.  I thought it might work out this way when reading as a group."  Kelsey stood up and slipped out of Kevin's hold.  She had to breath. Just then the main classroom door opened and a tall slender man with hat was standing there.  He was wearing short, a sleeveless button up shirt, and work boots. Kelsey smiled and rushed toward him. "You must be Jarrod.  I'm Miss Graham, Kelsey.  Thank you for coming."

Jarrod smiled and laughed, "Ma'm it's my job.  I'm guessing those are the desks you would like removed?" Kelsey nodded and walked over and grabbed a desk to carry out to the trailer.  The three of them continued to move desks until the last one was out and the stack of chairs was gone as well.  "If you need anything else Ma'm please do not hesitate to call.  Just dial 7 and it will ring in the shed.  Have a great rest of your day and welcome to Lakewood." Jarrod turned and walked back to the trailer closing the door behind him. Kelsey leaned against the counter and sighed as she looked around.  

"Not bad for a days work Miss Graham." A voice boomed behind her.  Kelsey jumped and turned to see Mr. Collins standing in the doorway of Mr. Jones' classroom.  He and Kevin both snickered.  She looked over and both at them and smiled.

"Thank you Mr. Collins. and thank you again Mr. Jones for you help with the desks." Kelsey looked up at the clock on the wall.  Was it really almost 4:00 PM?  Wow, where had the day gone.  

Mr. Collins walked over to Kelsey, "I was just making the rounds to see where everyone was in their classroom preparations.  Looks like you're off to an excellent start Miss Graham. I'll  be on my way now. Don't want to be late getting home to the wife.  She is bound to have something wonderful cooked up for supper. I'll see you both tomorrow." With those parting words he walked out the main door. Kelsey looked over at Kevin and smiled.

"Thanks again for all your help today.  If there is anything you need please feel free to ask." Her words were sincere. Kevin could feel she was speaking from her heart.  They had only met today, but he wanted to ask her to dinner.  He hesitated and thought against it.  Maybe another time.  He nodded to Kelsey as he walked back to his classroom.  

"Think nothing of it, I'm right next door if you need anything.  See you tomorrow Miss Graham."  With his words the door closed behind him. Kevin sat at his desk, shaking his head and kicking himself internally for not asking her.  Was he hearing things?  Was the Kelsey really coming back into his classroom right now?  Was he going to get another chance to ask her?

 Kelsey took a deep breath and walked over to the door and gripped the knob.  She wanted to ask him to dinner, but how?  Would he think she was too forward? Kelsey was use to taking charge and going after what she wanted.  Why was she hesitating?  She had only just met him today, what is she thinking?  What the hell!  What do I have to lose?  What's the worse that could happen?  He says No?   Kelsey took another deep breath closed her eyes and turned the knob. 

As she stepped into the classroom she noticed Kevin sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. "Mr. Jones, I was wondering if I could buy you dinner, as an appreciation for all your help today?" Kelsey closed her eyes and waited for Kevin to say no.

"Yes Miss Graham, I would like to join you for dinner." Kevin was smiling from ear to ear like a cheshire cat. Kelsey's heart skipped a beat.  "Where should we go? What are you in the mood for?"

"Honestly, pizza and beer sounds amazing to me!  I haven't had Pizza since I moved here a month and a half ago. So if you're good with that I would be greatly appreciative." Kelsey's smile and pleading eyes made Kevin chuckled and he jumped to his feet.

"Perfect!  Pizza and beer it is!  Grab your key and lock up I'll meet you out front."  Kevin's blue eyes seemed even more brilliant than they had earlier.  Kelsey nodded and walked back to her classroom feeling very proud of herself.  She had taken a risk and it had paid off... so far so good.