My Insensitive Professor

Chapter 5

When the break arrives, I already feel better because of the painkiller.

I didn't return to the classroom, I stayed "under observation," which was completely unnecessary, and as soon as the bell rang, the nurse insisted that I eat something and gave me a lecture about alcoholic beverages, also completely unnecessary, because I will NEVER get drunk again in my life!

I headed to the cafeteria, grabbed a tray, and picked up the most "healthy" burger the school insists on providing, grabbed a mini cake and a juice box.

I look for Dylan in the cafeteria and find him sitting at the back waving at me like a drama queen, I try not to start laughing and walk to the table.

"Eve! You definitely look better!"

"I'm better now that I've thrown up all my guts," I say sarcastically.

"You threw up in the classroom?" Dylan makes a shocked "Oh my God!" expression as if it were a big deal.

"Actually, I ran out and my teacher came after me," I make air quotes with my fingers.

"Eve, he's completely into you! I had class with him and what is that? Did a Greek god land here at this school? I hope my dream guy doesn't hear me say this," Then Dylan starts fanning himself and that's the breaking point for me, I start laughing.

"Eve, he's super hot, all the girls at school only talk about him!"

All the girls? Not a welcome thought...

"He's handsome, Dylan."

"Oh Eve, more than that."

"Okay Dylan! More than that."

"And a little bit more," he winks and I smile.

"What's your next class, Eve?" Dylan asks me when the bell rings.

"Physical education," I make a face when I say it, I simply hate physical education, I've always been a couch potato, fact!

"Mine too!"

Heaven help me...

[...]

"Pierson!" The shrill whistle sounds and I look at Mrs. Covalski calling me by my last name. "You're supposed to catch the ball, not dodge it!"

I huff in frustration.

"I'll switch places with Everly," Dylan gets off the bench and I sigh in relief, muttering a "thank you" as Dylan passes by me.

I hate physical education, I hate playing volleyball, and I especially hate this outfit, this tight shirt and these tiny shorts.

I watch Dylan on the court playing volleyball, he's good, actually he's good at everything, there's almost nothing he does wrong and I'm bad at a lot of things, sometimes I put myself in embarrassing situations, I'm really clumsy.

[...]

By Joshua.

"We usually go out on weekends," George says. "To drink."

He tells me that all the teachers usually go out on weekends to drink and chat, group activities are not my thing, so I just nod, I'm not really going anyway, it's just to make him stop talking for a moment, his voice is irritating, the cigarette has ruined his vocal cords.

"Are you leaving early today?"

"Yes, my classes are over for today."

My mind goes back to Everly, is she okay?

I walk through the school corridors, there's movement on the court, I stop to take a look from afar and see Everly sitting on the bench with a lost look.

But that's not really what catches my attention.

I take several deep breaths trying to control myself.

She's wearing tiny shorts that show off her slender legs and a very tight shirt that outlines her perfect breasts, I start imagining her without clothes, without those little shorts and that shirt.

I start walking as fast as possible towards the garage, what is it about this girl that affects me so much?

[...]

My phone rings and I look at the caller ID, it's my mom.

"Joshua, I've called you several times and you don't answer!"

I toss the projects onto the bed and pay attention to my mom.

"Just busy, mom."

"I called to say I miss you. And the renovations on your building will be finished by the end of this year, I talked to Mathews."

What few people know is that my family is wealthy. I wouldn't need to teach, but I graduated in pedagogy, thinking it was what I wanted, but I was mistaken, I ended up wasting years of my life.

"I was already expecting it to be at the end of the year, Mom" Next year I plan to start my company. I want to work with clean energy, telecommunications, and agriculture, anything that can make the world better. I hope this will be my last year teaching.

"Will you come back to visit?"

"Of course, what kind of son would I be if I didn't visit my parents?"

My mother laughs. She has an angelic laugh.

"Of course, I just wanted to call and say I miss you."

"I miss you too," I smile as I hear her delicate laugh.

"I'll let you get back to what you were doing."

"Alright, mom, love you."

"I love you too, son."

I hang up and go back to my projects scattered on the bed.

I know it will be difficult to make a name for myself in the job market, but I'm sure I will succeed.

[...]

By Everly.

"It's ready, Eve, want to see?"

I sigh and get off the couch, still wrapped in the sheet, clenching my hands in anticipation.

I stop in front of the screen and widen my eyes.

"That's not me, Dylan!"

Dylan looks at the screen and furrows his brow.

"Of course it is, Eve. Are you okay?"

I look at the screen again, I don't see the shy and awkward person I usually am; on the screen, I see a beautiful woman, with sensual curves and an expression of pleasure on her face. Is that me?

"Eve, you have to accept that you are a very beautiful person. I don't know why you put yourself down so much, you are a "creature" of beauty, and I just captured that on the screen."

I look again, if that's me, then I look very beautiful. I'll definitely keep this image in my mind for a long time.

"Thank you, Dylan."

"And now I'm off to spend some time with my boy."

I smile and nod.

I take the picture, which isn't big, and slide it under the bed, my mother would have a fit if she saw it.

[...]

I look at the job ads in the newspaper, my eyes find an ad looking for people for manual work at Benson's construction store.

I jot down the address, determined to get this job.

[...]

"Hello Everly, I'm Mr. Benson, the store owner. As I said in the newspaper, I'm looking for someone for manual work. I expected a man, but I see people aren't interested in this type of work, however, I see it caught your attention," The man smiles, and I smile back, trying to make a good impression. "What made you choose this job specifically?"

"Honestly, Mr. Benson? I'm looking for work to earn my own money. I spend the day alone at home because my mother is a flight attendant, so why not occupy my time?" "Many young people your age aren't interested in work, they just want to go out and have fun. I like what I see in you."

That's good.

In fact, that's very good!

"Am I getting the job?"

"What would I have to do?" I ask curiously.

"You would have to restock the shelves if something is missing and attend to the customers."

"And I wouldn't have to handle the cash register?"

I ask nervously, as I still struggle with my dyslexia.

"I think only occasionally. May I ask why you're asking?" Mr. Benson looks at me attentively with his brown eyes.

"I have dyslexia. I'm not illiterate, I can read and write, but I still have problems with numbers." I say quickly to make him understand that I'm not stupid.

"That's okay, Miss Eve. Let's start with the manual work. Come tomorrow, my son Saulo will teach you what you need to do in the store."

My eyes light up.

"I'll be here tomorrow, I promise."

"What's your school schedule?"

"From seven until half past noon."

"Be here at 1:30 PM."

I stand up and shake Mr. Benson's hand.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Benson. I won't make you regret it."

"I'm sure you won't. You seem like a good girl."

[...]

I arrive home and catch the smell of food before even opening the door. I walk in and see Mom in the kitchen, she almost runs over to hug me.

"I missed you, sweetie."

"Me too, Mom," I hug her back.

I hate that my Mom works as a flight attendant. I constantly worry that once she boards a plane, she might not come back.

"I'm so glad you're home, Mom," I hug her tighter.

"How's school?"

"Same old, same old."

I step out of her embrace and we both sit on the couch.

"But guess what? I got a job!" I announce cheerfully, but Mom doesn't seem thrilled.

"Why?"

"Because I want to do something other than stay at home all day, Mom!"

"I understand, for a moment I thought you needed money."

"Of course not, that's not the reason."

"Did you find a boyfriend too?"

It's the same question Mom asks every time she gets back from her trips. So unnecessary and tedious!

"No, Mom. And I'd rather be without a boyfriend for a long time!"

"Daughter, when you least expect it, someone will rope you in, or you'll rope them in."

What?

"Am I a broodmare now, Mom, to be roped in?" I ask, wanting to laugh at her silly expression.

"You know what I mean."

"I wish I could be "roped in," Mom. Maybe someday."