The English Teacher

Chapter 11.

Chapter 11.

Monday soon came into full swing; and that meant it was time for everyone to say goodbye to their beloved weekend. Teens moaned and groaned as they all got off of the school bus some wishing they could've pretended to be sick, while most just had to suck it up and deal with it the best way they could. "Thanks for the ride Uncle Roger, see you tonight." Jake called out seeing the male relative smile and nod as he pulled out of the parking lot to head over to the Police Department. Pretty soon, Mel and Alex then showed up.

"A jamboree? wow, wish I had'a been there." Al replied as they got to their lockers getting out the necessary books that they needed for their classes.

"Don't worry, I made sure I had taken plenty of pictures for you to check out. We can look at them during lunch; besides, I bet you wish it wasn't Customer Appreciation Day over at your parent's Pet shop huh?"

"Oh, it was real great all right, I would have rather play with the cute little Dalmatian puppies than to even see some of the greatest bands ever play. I've always wanted to get a Weezer T-shirt to add to my collection."

Jake rolled his eyes. "Honestly Alex, your cousin is a security guard, why didn't you ask her to get you tickets to see them live in concert when they came here to perform a couple years ago?"

"She was sick, not to mention I didn't have anybody to go with me at the time. Besides she and my Aunt Frieda who are total music lovers by heart, my folks on the other hand though, don't really approve much of my band choices partly because they see them as being bad influences; which is definitely not true once you get to see them and know them up close and personal."

Just then, the bell rang signalling the start of Math class as they quickly hurried towards their seats for Miss Mombers to start the Calculus lesson.

"Good God, I thought math would never end, I swear, it's like Miss M has it out for me where she keeps making the math harder whenever I go in there." Jake laughed at his friend's expression that was painted on his face as they each had gotten a drink over by the water fountain.

"Come on, it's not that bad, you're making it seems as if she is nothing but a bad witch when in reality, she's only doing it to challenge the students to see if they have that type of potential that's hidden somewhere underneath."

"Oh blah, blah, blah your philosophical mumble jumble; save that for either English or drama if ever you plan to participate in the club. And speaking of English, how was your day out with Mr. Calloway from the other day hmmm? tell me, how was it? what did you guys do?" Jake slightly blushed rubbing his arm in a slow up and down motion.

"We just went out for ice cream, plus we went to the Mall for me to show him around since he has never been to one before, then afterwards, the Park for the jamboree. Nothing special really happened if that's what you're thinking. And no, it wasn't a date either."

Alex pouted wiping a fake tear from his eye and sighed dramatically. "You really don't know what good you have until it's either taken away from you or it's all gone in a flash. Although he might be a little too old for you, he might be the one." He winked as Jake could only blush a shade of red this time.

"Come on, we're dued in Science soon, and you know how Miss Evans gets when we're even just 15 seconds late."

A little later on, Jake soon found himself back in the News Room once again where he was greeted by Pam who gave him a big smile when she saw him walking through the door. She then checked her watch and nodded. "Right on time, and pretty great timing too, Don and Dawn are on their way back from interviewing the Lunch Lady and you will need to make a great article about it."

"You got it boss." They both chuckled at the choke when right on que, the twin siblings soon made it back with pictures and a camera in hand.

"We have gotten all that we need. We asked Miss Swatson what she was putting in the meat only to tell us that she was now going to go all organic for the rest of the new school year starting by making veggie burgers and sweet potato fries along with some strawberry and banana milkshakes." Dawn explained while she set the photographs down on the desk going over them for a bit while Jake was impressed.

"Finally, it's about time we start getting some real good health food around here. I've been coming to this school for a couple of years now and not once did I find anything good except for the pizza." Everyone laughed at that as they all agreed to what the long haired teen had just revealed. "But hey, little miracles happen every day right? hey, maybe they can even start adding fruit into the vending machines along with some bottled water and milk; we definitely need a change from all of the packaged sweets and sugary drinks; after all, my Aunt Hilda who is such a health nut wants me to eat more structured food instead of the processed crap that they serve here."

"That's a great idea, smart thinking Jake! we can use that for our next article, we can get in touch with the Dean and hear what he will have to say about that." Don said nodding his head in an excited manner clearly liking the new kid already. Pretty soon, the bell rang signalling that it was definitely now time for lunch.

"Hey, do you all want to sit with me and my friends at lunch today?" Jake asked seeing a surprised look on Pam and the twins.

"Are you sure about that? you all wouldn't mind?" Pam asked while rubbing her arm as Jake shook his head smiling.

"Not at all, they're cool with new people around. Come on."

"Wow, this is our second time seeing each-other, but it feels like we've known one another for quite awhile, thanks for the invitation Jake." Pam said as the 4 teenagers got their trays full of food and went over towards Mel and Alex as the mocha teen was showing Alex the pictures that she had taken during the Jamboree.

"Hey guys, mind if we have three newbies join in?" The pair looked up towards the group smiling and nodding as they each introduced themselves while they ate and chatted amongst themselves clearly getting used to one another. The next thing happened when Jake's face was planted in his mashed potatoes as the rest stared up to see Brad and his jock friends laughing their heads off like it was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Mel and Pam furrowed their eyebrows while Alex clenched his teeth.

"I have to say Parker, that's a good look on you it really compliments your eyes a lot better."

"Cut it out Brad, why don't you and your bosom bozos get lost already? we can do without your ugly mug coming our way; one look at you, and we'll start throwing up our lunch." Mel retorted back causing the football player to growl lowly but as he soon set his eyes on Pam, he then made a tiny little smirk.

"What's a little hottie like you doing with this loser? oh, has he now changed his fag ways and turned towards women now? Hah! don't make me laugh." Pam kept a straight face not even the least bit deterred by this amateur's teasing.

"Is that all you do in your spare time? making others feel like crap just so you can score big because you're insecure about homosexuality and its true defined meaning? and so you're going to be a bigot all because an individual has a liking towards the same gender? I would rather hang out with people who are true to themselves instead of people who belittle others because they have nothing better to do with their lives and are not going anywhere in life." The others stared at her in pure admiration even Brad who stood with his mouth agape but quickly grew in full rage.

"Why you snotty b-"

"That is quite enough!" The group soon turned their heads towards the witness who was coming their way only to reveal that it was Mr. Calloway with a firm and stern expression written on his face. Brad soon clammed up as the pony-tailed elder had his arms crossed and tapped his foot on the tiled floor looking not so pleased like smoke was about to come out of his ears any minute but he kept a patient demeanor on the outside.

"I see that you find pleasure in bullying Mr. Parker am I right Mr. Holloway?" Brad gulped down the remaining mouth water afraid to speak. He had had teachers that he dealt with back in the past whom he didn't give a s**t about for he could always talk back at them then go to his Father's office to twist their words of what they originally said, but with Mr. Calloway on the other hand was a totally different story. This was a man who you did not mess with when it came onto his students wellbeing.

"Mr. Calloway, we were only just joking around, nothing wrong with having a little fun is there?"

Mr. Calloway kept a straight face and spoke calmly yet firmly at the same time. "There is nothing wrong with having fun at all Mr. Holloway, but having fun within school where it is a place for learning and helping each other to educate our minds is a place of full authority, and from what I had seen, was absolutely bullying. I'm sorry Mr. Holloway, but you are old enough to know the differences; I'm afraid you are going to have to stay after school to volunteer by cleaning the Gymnasium as punishment."

Shock ran through Brad's face as George soon eyed the other boys whom gulped. "And the both of you can help too."

"But we didn't do anything."

"But none of you stopped him from what he did to Mr. Parker, so for that, you both can help as well."

"But that's not fair, we have football practice tonight. I'm the star and the Captain of the team!"

"Then I'm afraid you are going to have to miss out, I'm pretty sure your team will understand."

And with one more growl, the three jocks soon stomped off leaving behind the teacher and teens who looked up at him in amazement as they clapped and cheered for standing up to those nightmares of theirs. "Wow, Mr. C, you rocked out loud that was so badass!" Alex exclaimed as he fist pumped in the air as George chuckled.

"Why thank you Alexander, and please, do refrain from using vulgar language like that next time okay?"

"Yes Sir."

"Would you like to sit with us Mr. Calloway? after all what you did, we thought that we would return the favor." Dawn asked as Jake grew surprised and looked towards her as if she had grown a second head which gave Al the chance to poke a little fun.

"Yeah Mr. Calloway, I'm pretty sure that Jake would just love to have you here at our table." The next thing he knew was that the teen kicked him causing him to wince.

"If you all will excuse me, I'm going to go wash this mess off my face and go study in the library."

"But what about lunch? If you want, I can get you a new tray." Don replied seeing the long haired boy shake his head meekly and smiled.

"That's alright, you all go ahead besides, I gotta finish up my paper anyway." And he soon left causing the others to look after him in confusion wondering what had happened but soon turned towards Al who looked just as confused.

"What is it something I said?"

Jake sighed feeling the warm water washing off the residue of the potatoes as he looked at his reflection in the mirror sighing once again but then furrowed his eyebrows in the process. "Damn it Alex, why didn't you keep your mouth shut? now he's going to think that I want him that way more than ever. ARGH! Why does it have to be so hard!? Why did I turn out to be gay? Especially for my new teacher? This is just so confusing at once...why couldn't we have gotten an old man or an old lady instead?"

"Mom, I wish you were here...I miss you..."

And a tear soon slowly fell down his cheek.