The English Teacher

Chapter 6.

Chapter 6.

Friday afternoon came by in a flash leaving the students to wander through the halls to do their own activities. After having a talk with the Principle about wanting to be a part of the School Newspaper as well as being given a paper of directions on how to get to the Newsroom, Jacob soon set out on his quest to find the right door that would lead him towards his desired destiny that would help to keep his mind occupied on more substantial necessities rather than on a certain teacher as a matter of fact.

A door that read Newsroom in bold black letters instantly grabbed his attention as he slowly stretched his hand to touch the bronze colored knob that felt cool to the touch but made his heart beat in anticipation letting out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding. Pretty soon, he opened it gently as he was greeted by some teens whom were busy at work typing away on computers, while the other set were looking through papers that would help them create a new topic that was in the making at the moment to make the deadline.

"Hi there, Welcome to the Newsroom, my name is Pamela Jenkins, but you can call me Pam which I like the most. And you are?"

"Jacob Parker, but you can call me Jake which like you, I like most of all too." He smiled shaking her petite hand which felt soft but firm as he took in her small but slim physique sporting chestnut brown hair that was well done in a beautiful frenchbraid along with light honey brown eyes and freckles that dusted her creamy colored acne free cheeks. If Jake could guess, she could nearly pass to be Mel's height of only 3 inches less; but all in all, she was rather pretty. If it wasn't for having a thing for guys, she would've been his number 1.

"Well Jake, it is very nice to meet you. So tell me, what's a person like you doing here on a Friday afternoon like today anyway?" She asked as he soon spoke slowly and clearly.

"Well to be honest with you, since I was in Elementary school, I have always had a passion for literature. I know you think because I'm a guy, I should be doing sports or other related activities compared to them, but to tell you the truth, I love writing better. It has been my dream to become a Novelist, but for right now, I would like to take this opportunity to see just how much the journalistic world is like in here to get better acquainted on how thing are done." Pam nodded her head once he was done as she gained a grin realizing just how much he spoke from his heart.

"You certainly did come to the right place first of all, but like any newcomers, let me show you around." And so, Pam had taken the liberty of introducing Jake to the rest of the staff whom were very friendly towards them as they took the time to stop their chosen task to tell him a little about themselves, why they had chosen to be a part of an important job like the paper as well as their capabilities that would help too. A pair of fraternal twin siblings by the names of Don and Dawn soon came running through the door as they both caught their breath getting everyone's attention.

"Hey guys, did you find anything new?" Pam asked as the blonde haired female who despite the condition that she had been just moments prior, stood with poise.

"You're not going to believe this, but we just heard that the Gymnasium is going to be renovated as well as extended to help raise money to buy even more sports equipment to help in the X Games by Next Spring, plus, it has been said that the bookeepers at the Yosemite Cedar Lodge have been missing some historical books as of late and they don't know who has been taking them."

"Wow, now that is the latest scoop ever, thanks Dawn for keeping us updated. Before you two go, I would like for you both to meet someone new, this is Jake Parker, he is very interested of wanting to join us with the School paper."

Taking in his full figure, Dawn smiled as her ocean blue eyes sparkled in merriment as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while her twin brother just nodded and smiled sticking out his hand to shake as both boys shook firmly. "So Jake, you wanna be a part of the paper huh? Well, there are a few rules if you would like to become an investigative reporter with me and my sister that is."

"That sounds great, thank you very much for letting me in, I promise that I will make sure to get the best scoop as necessary as possible." He smiled as they soon discussed business with one another.

"If you see any activity that looks a little out of league, don't hesitate to want to interview the person at the matter at hand, plus, it is also good to even get a few snapshots to help us out a bit better. The last guy that we had, moved to Arizona with his folks and transferred to a new school over there and we've been short on help since, but with you, we see full potential and know that you will definitely make the cut with us." Don explained as Jake nodded. "Be sure to meet us in here by Monday afternoon okay?" Nodding once more, he soon left feeling highly jubilant than ever before as he just couldn't wait to tell his family the great news.

Maybe Mel had a point that by participating in something new, would really help him get his mind off of his Teacher and it was definitely working indeed.

Later that night, at around the dinner table, Harry was babbling on about how well he did on his spelling test receiving a full A+ as well as making a nice pencil holder for both of his relatives to keep in pens, and other objects that they wanted to store; Roger and Hilda were very proud to know that the little tyke was having a great time at school as Hilda asked Jake about his day only for him to announce that he was now a part of the School Newspaper as an Investigative journalist. Hand claps and kisses on the cheek were that he had gotten as he told them that he was going to start by first thing Monday afternoon.

"That's wonderful news sweetie, you are definitely on your way to getting the experience that you really need. I remember when I became an Investigative journalist on World Herald in Omaha at the time when I was an intern at the time during my college days. I can still remember some stories we had to cover back then, but I know that the years have changed as well as with the times too; and I know you will really do your best. Follow your heart Jacob." Giving his aunt a big hug, they soon finished their burgers and started to clear the table.

"Going to the movies tomorrow huh?" Roger asked as he washed the dishes while Jake dried and packed them away as he nodded.

"Yeah, Alex had called and told me about the new Spy movie that they're going to show, and he had called the other day asking me if I would like to go with him."

"Oh really, but what about your homework? do you have any to get done?"

"Just a paper but it's 5 to 7 pages long, our new English Teacher, Mr. Calloway, told us that he wanted us to write an essay about a topic that relates to how society makes us feel and what we can do to help or prevent the matter from happening; and we only have two weeks to get it done. But I just don't know how to start it."

Roger thought for a moment. Out of both he and Hilda, he was usually the one who Jake would turn to for homework help or any other school related projects that he needed assistance with. Formally a 3rd grade teacher, he knew just what type of strategies would work in order to help that kid succeed in their studies. Then suddenly, he had gotten an idea. "How about you write a topic about homosexuality? for people who are still afraid to let themselves know will also help them to love themselves for who they really are; that way, you are sending the message out to get them to realize that they are still the same person but just like or love the same gender?" Roger winked sending Jake into a fitfull of chuckles.

"You're just saying that because I'm gay? Gee thanks for the help Uncle Roger." Now it was the elder's turn to chuckle.

"Hey, it was worth a shot. But seriously Jake, I think you should do that. It had taken quite a lot of courage to talk about it to us, and I know it will really help those out there who are still uncomfortable about how they feel." Ruffling his hair thus walking away, Jake pondered long enough to realize that what his uncle was saying was the truth. People these days were still afraid to come out of the closet that they would pretend to like somebody else just so they wouldn't get ridiculed because of that. He could still remember the number of times he had gotten shoved and his face drowned in the toilet, especially when Brad would tease him mercilessly about his own orientation whenever at times he would catch himself staring at the half naked boys when they would be in the boys locker room after football practice.

He shuddered at the thought realizing that he had made a big mistake at the time and he was definitely going to try to curb it by not showing it either-especially towards Mr. Calloway for that matter. He was not going to let any type of inappropriate fantasies stop him from getting a good education.