Tackled into Love

1- Harriet

I swear if the bell doesn't ring soon, I think I might start pulling my hair out.

It was the last day of school for my year 12's before summer starts, and I had agreed to let them watch a movie. Guess what they picked? 

Surf's Up.

Thats right, the animation movie about surfing penguins and a surfing chicken. I had already seen it way too many times with George, and the fact that 17 year olds chose this movie doesn't help. 

The bell rang and I jumped up immediately to stop the movie, not wanting anymore for now. 

"Alright, that is the final bell you will hear for this entire day. I hope you all have a terrible summer and get burnt. I will see your tired faces in September." My class seemed to appreciate the short speech and began to file out the room, some giving me a hug on the way out. I secretly loved my kids, but I could never let them know that. It would ruin how they respond to me. After all, they had left my room nice and tidy, meaning no cleaning before I am able to get out of here. 

I had packed up all of my things and was just starting to head out the class when Tia turned up. She is one of my year 13 students, as well as someone I used to coach for her rugby team. Honestly, she is kind of my favourite.

"What can I do for you Tia?" I'd dropped my bag by my desk and proceeded to sit on it, whilst Tie took the chair of the table in front of me. 

"Miss I was just thinking." Trailing off and starting to play with her hair, it was one of the signs that she was nervous. "What if I don't get the grades I need? Maths is the main one for me, and if I don't get my requirements, I can't complete my engineering degree, which jeopardises everything else I have planned."

Before she could spiral to hard I quickly grabbed her shoulders. "Listen to me Tia. You are one of my brightest students, if there was any doubt that you wouldn't get your grade I would've said so." I leaned back on my desk as I continued. "I have known you for three years, and I don't think there is anyone who is more determined than yourself. You know you can do this, and the fact that you're feeling all of this is purely down to nerves." I reached into my desk and pulled out a post it. "This is the only time I have given this to a student, but even now you are technically no longer my student. My number. If at any point during this summer, or even in the future, you start to doubt yourself, message me. I have so much faith in you, you just need to see it in yourself honey." With that I handed her the note, and picked up my bag.

Before I could take a step, Tia was hugging me. I immediately reacted by hugging her back, and started to walk her out to the front of the school.

"The only message I expect to get from you is to say you did it, that you got the grade you deserve and want." With that I waved to her and started to make my way to the parking lot, loving the sight of my old school Mustang. 

It was a gift from myself and Abbie for my birthday. This was my treat whenever I was going someplace nice, but for the normal day-to-day stuff, I had my Ford Focus. The Mustang always came out on the last day of school, which resulted in me getting a lot credit from the students. Which is always a good thing. Being a young teacher with the students not liking you, it would be a death trap. 

I was on my way to pick up George from school when I got a phone call, which I obviously couldn't pick up whilst I was driving, so I declined until I arrived. Being early to his school was a blessing for once, I had an excuse not to socialise with the other mums. I mean they were great, they just all judged me silently for being single and young. 

Leaning against the hood of my car, I returned the call from a number I didn't recognise. And after only two rings, they answered.

"Hello Lawrence Andrews speaking, how may I help?"

"Umm, hi. I'm Harriet Abernathy, I received a phone call from this number a few minutes ago? I couldn't answer it as I was driving." I had shifted to fully sitting on my bonnet.

"Ah yes, Miss Abernathy. I'm Lawrence Andrews, currently the head of the Northampton Saints Sports Camps Program. We were calling you in regards to a position for this years summer camp, I believe you applied for it?"

"Yes I did. Quite surprised you guys are responding so fast, I applied only a week ago." With a light chuckle that grabbed some attention, this was definitely not what I was expecting. 

"Well this is a special case, as we believe you would be perfect for the job. Obviously you are fully aware that it is a male camp, but with your qualifications and current job on the England U21's team I don't think this would be a problem." As the man, Lawrence, kept speaking, George had been released from school and was sitting next to me. Prodding and poking my arm, trying to get me to tell him what is going on. "I will send more details over via email within the next day, but I just wanted to call you up to say congratulations."

"Well thank you very much sir, I am looking forward to this opportunity."

"Good, I will be in touch."

And with that he hung up. I looked down at my son, his eyes begging me to tell him whats going on. 

"Well George my boy, it seems your mum has gotten a job for the summer." Not knowing if he would be excited or not, I kept explaining. "You, me, and Auntie Abbie if she wants to, are going to be going on a trip to Northampton."

A slight squeal escaped his lips at the prospect of a small holiday, and his arms wrapped around my neck. I quickly picked him up and moved to his side of the car, placing him in his car seat and then moving to the drivers side. The entire way home consisted of me listening to Georges day at school, and how much he is going to miss his friends over the summer. Which I found absolutely adorable. 

The house I bought for us was out of the way of everyone, a small cottage on the outskirts of town, that had a long enough driveway that no one really goes snooping around. Coming up to the front, I saw Abbie's Nissan, which means she would have made herself at home by baking something. With excitement both George and I started to get out the car faster. He ran into the house forgetting all of his bags, but I didn't mind having to pick them up after him. 

"Auntie Abbie!" And a squeal could be heard with the door open, and a small smile slipped over my lips. Abbie always had a special place in our family, especially after the fact that I have known since we were both Georges age. 

I moved into the kitchen and placed Georges and my bags on the counter, and went to inspect the oven. As predicted, Abbie had been baking and cake was starting to rise. 

"So, I believe you have some news to share with me." Abbie was leaning against the counter with a smirk, her arms folded against her chest. 

She was tall and skinny, but god could she be uncoordinated. I mean, the girl could fall over a literal paper bag, and I have seen it happen before. She was my better half, and kept me grounded when I needed it the most. And with all of the people I have met over the years, she is still one of my favourites. 

"Well, with the way you're standing, and the accusing tone you are using, I don't think I have to say anything." I moved to get a drink for all of us, white wine for the adults and a juice for George. "I mean, what could I possibly have to tell you? I don't think there has been anything significant recently." I innocently handed her the glass, which she put down on the counter before she dropped it whilst speaking. 

"Oh come on! I know you got the job at the Saints camp for the summer, the guy called the home phone because you didn't pick up the first time!" She launched herself into my arms, and with some laughter and wine, we celebrated my new job. 

It was the perfect day to the start of summer.