The English Teacher

Chapter 12.

Chapter 12.

Within the school library, students were busy at work either studying or finishing up their homework where they wouldn't have to think about doing it the minute they would get home. Some teens were in a group piggybacking ideas off of each other to do a project that was going to be due in a week's time while some were just studying by themselves with books, pencils, and even a tape recorder on hand.

Jacob was one of them. Due to his love of the library since he was a little boy, he often found himself with a lot of books to take home, or just couldn't get his nose away from the next page. This time, he was looking through the pictures that the twins had taken after their interview with the Lunch Lady and was jocking down some bullet points for the article that he was assigned by them to do. If he wanted to make a good impression by getting a head start, then he wanted to make sure that it was done right.

And that meant having no distractions.

Soon, the double doors opened as Pam made her way in waving at the school librarian who gave her a warm smile and nod. It wasn't crowded today, but she still looked ahead hoping she would catch someone familiar; giving out a small grin once she saw Jake, she then made a beeline over towards his table.

"So, I take it that you're really into doing this article huh? you already have everything mapped out."

Jake gave a small smile in return. "Better believe it. My aunt Hilda has her old typewriter from when she was an intern back in her University days; she says that she has no problem of me borrowing it whenever I need to use it."

Pam looked surprised but kept a warm and sincere expression. "Wow, seems to me that you are following in her footsteps."

"Don't say that whenever you're around her because her head will really swell up." They both laughed until the growling of Jake's stomach started to ring in both of their ears. He soon blushed. "Heh, guess I really need the energy since I've been at this from when I came in here."

Pretty soon, Pam's face turned somber knowing the full reason. Her mind went back to the Lunchroom incident when Brad slammed Jake's face into his plate and had the nerve to call him all of those derogatory names. She just didn't see why he was taking it all in like that; had Mr. Calloway not stepped up to defend him, who knows where the teen boy would end up if he was in their hold. Seeing the sudden change of mood, he then asked her if she was alright only to get a forced nod of the head and offered to take her to Sassy Sprinkles since school was going to be over anyway.

They would be able to make it out of here in time before the bell and before anyone else had the chance to.

Where: Sassy Sprinkles

Time: 4:05 P.M.

Jake smiled as he led Pam through the doubled glass doors of the Cafe where her eyes scanned the place in full wonder. Inside was everything that a cafe was meant to be like. The walls were painted with a nice light pink color with white base boarding along with hanging plants that gave it a nice touch. The floors were black and white tile that were beautifully polished and shined brightly to the point you could see your reflection within them. A large glass case that had in the most delectable desserts that were very mouthwatering that even the smell of treats baking was enough to want to eat anything that was being handed to you right then and there. Jake chuckled seeing the girl's face move in all different directions like she was a kid in a Candy store.

"Welcome to Sassy Sprinkles, this is where me and my friends come to hang out at times to either come and do homework or just to have a little outing on weekends too."

"I could see why this is your favorite spot, the decor is simple yet elegant with mixtures of old country and springtime in Paris. The smells are very invigorating giving off inviting scents for the customers to come and sample."

Jake had to step back and take a good look at the girl who was one minute the Chief Editor of the school newspaper and now here she was in her glory basking in her own right about the place. That only made him smile. Finally, a woman who looked to be in her early 40's witnessed both kids giving off a sweet smile that graced her light pink lips.

"Why hello there Jacob, I see that you brought a friend with you, may I ask what is your name Sweetheart?"

"Pamela Jenkins, but I like to be called Pam thank you."

"Pleasure to meet you Pam, Welcome to Sassy Sprinkles, my name is Mildred, so tell me, is this your first time here?"

The brunette haired girl nodded. "Yes Mam, and let me say that this is very nice and cozy, we don't have anything like this in Nebraska." Jacob was surprised.

"You're from Nebraska? no wonder, I could tell there was something about your accent from the first time we met but I was too shy to tell you thinking I was going to offend you."

Shaking her head, she smiled. "Not at all don't worry, and yes I am, we've moved here since last year but I've been coming to Mission High for 5 months now."

"Wow, I didn't know that."

"Hey, don't sweat it, I had some asking me the same thing so you're not the only one."

"Well, Welcome to California Pam, and I do hope that you like it here so far." Mildred said seeing the young female nod her head.

"Yes I am thank you very much for the warm greeting. Jake here has been telling me about the Cafe while we were coming here that way, I would be able to get more familiar as well."

"That's nice honey, Jacob here is a friend to all whether You're new in town or have been here for more than 10 years, he's your tour guide." The elder winked causing Pam to giggle and the long haired boy to blush a slight pink.

"So, what can I get you both?"

After making their orders, as well as finding a table, the two soon sat down enjoying their late lunch of veggie wraps and pink lemonade along with lemon flavored cake with buttercream frosting as their little dessert. "So you all just have bakeries down there?" Jake asked seeing Pam nod.

"Oh yes, I don't know about now, but when we were about to leave, they were already about to start developing a Cafe that had already been in the plans for a couple years. You don't really find nothing much, but there are some places that are good to go and enjoy yourself though." She explained taking a sip of her beverage seeing him nod as he continued on eating. She bit her bottom lip gently and exhaled because if she didn't get out of what she had to say now, then the guilt would really stay inside of her.

"About the incident in the Cafeteria, I'm so sorry that it happened to you like that." Jake slowed down his movement as well as his chewing soon looking into her eyes. He then shook his head.

"Hey, it's alright, I've been quite used to it since a couple years back when I started as a Freshman. All I do is just ignore them and keep stepping and if Brad really deserves a mouthful, then I just fire one back so you really need to learn on how to deal with him despite him never going to stop with his crap." He tried to chuckle but it came out somewhat forced; Pam could pick it up.

"So, he's been bullying you for sometime huh?"

"Yeah...that's putting it mildly...and about my preferences so to speak..."

The brunette nodded knowing exactly what he was referring. Although they were in a new era, not many people took it easy when it came onto homosexuality; some were okay with it being fully supportive while most of the majority looked down on those who were apart of the l***q community like mortal sins of society.

"Hey, sorry if I blurted it out like that-" She stuck out her hand to silence him.

"It's alright, I fully understand. How long though?"

"Since I was 13. Back in Jr. High, I knew in my heart that I really didn't have a thing for girls no matter how many times I kept telling myself, but the feelings for oogling guys became so strong that I just couldn't stop. There was this boy in Science Class named Austin Sandler and man was he hot, tanned skin, nice jet black hair, and great hazel eyes. I would smile at him and he would do the same, but I was just too shy to say anything more than acting like a stuttering i***t half the time whenever he would be near me. We didn't really say much; it would be a little chat here and there and that's how far it would go. Since then, I haven't seen him around."

"Did you ever tell your parents?" The look on his face was pure grim; fearing that she may have crossed a line, she soon apologized but he stared deep into her eyes feeling an ounce of strength within them.

"They both died 8 months ago in a plane crash while on their way to London for a business trip. They were both executives and only got weekends off, but I rather not talk about it if that's okay."

Pam nodded and they continued to eat in silence as well as talking about something else that was more uplifting. Until, she soon place her hand on his. "Listen Jake, I don't care whether you're gay, straight, or even bisexual for that manner, all I care is to see you happy with whomever you are with. Nobody should ever have to tell you who to fall in love; love is a very beautiful action that no one should ever break apart just because they feel that it's disgusting and if they can't accept who you are, then they can just keep walking and don't speak on what they can't change for their own selfish reasons."

Jake smiled and nodded. "Thank you Pam." He soon lifted up his glass. "Here's to love."

She soon did the same thing and smiled too. "To love."

Mildred looked on smiling her warm motherly smile.