MARRIED TO THE ALPHA

"Come on kids," Tasha spoke while looking at her students, a bright smile formed as she watched them line up. It was the first day of school and all the kids were loitering around the class, waiting for their teacher to take them to the assembly area where new students would be introduced. Every year, the school made special arrangements to welcome new students in order to make them feel at home. After being introduced, the old students would sing them a welcome song and then meet up. The kids were all lined up after a few minutes. Tasha led them to the hall. Flashing eyes and grins were all over the hall as they entered. Every student was excited to see who their new friends would be. In front of them were a few new faces. They seemed anxious, fidgeting their fingers, swallowing the saliva built up everytime and looking towards the ground. However, one of the new student seemed different. Unlike the other students, he had confidence, his hands in his pockets, his eyes facing the old students with pride. Tasha was intrigued while looking at the boy. "He's so cute," she murmured with squinting eyes. "Yeah, he is," a voice surprised her. With wide eyes, she turned to the side and saw Harry, her co-worker. "Oh," she giggled. "I wasn't expecting you here." Her face flushed. She quickly turned away from him. That didn't stop Harry from continuing to admire her. Her beauty enchanted him. According to him, there was no other teacher who was as beautiful as she was. Something about the small boy pulled her attention. He was different. Instead of replying to the kids, he was staying away from them. "I'll have to help the boy," Tasha left Harry to go the boy. "Hi," she forwarded her hand to the boy in an attempt for friendship. That was how middle grade teachers believed could train students better. However, the boy didn't utter a single word. Instead, he took a few steps backwards. "Don't worry, I'm just a friend," she spoke with a wide smile which spread across her whole face. "I won't do anything to you." He stared at her with a deadly glare and turned away from her. However, as a teacher, Tasha learnt never to give up. There and then she decided to help the child. "What's wrong with him?" She asked the principal. "His name is Evan Ryder, hasn't spoken since the death of his mother," the words left Tasha with more sympathy. All the students had mingled with each other. The teachers introduced themselves to the new students. Evan was in Tasha's class, year 3. It was then time for the teachers to get to know the parents while the students headed back to the assigned class. They sat at their desks as parents approached. As usual, Tasha introduced herself with all the parents as required. At the end, there was one last parent left. He was a man who looked like he was in his 30s. He had a perfectly shaved face with a little beard. His eyes were blue in colour. Tasha gulped as her eyes fell on his sharp jawline. He looked like a gentleman from his outfit. A blue suit which went perfectly with his eyes, a black wristwatch and his scent. Tasha could not resist taking a deep breath as he sat on the chair opposite her. "If you're done admiring me," he raised his hands for her to proceed. There and then, she got a negative impression of him. 'How rude,' she murmured to herself. Surprisingly, the man heard her. He quickly replied, "we're here to talk about my son, not about myself.' Tasha frowned while staring at him. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I heard about your sons condition, Mr?" She stopped, not knowing what to call him. "It's Mr Ryder." He replied. "My son has been like this for the past one year but he understands everything." Tasha nodded. "Lemme study him well and who knows, I may be able to help him," she moved her hand towards him for a handshake. "Well, it was nice meeting you Mr Ryder." Instead of doing the same thing, he got up, wore his sunglasses and walked out of the room. Tasha shook her head in disbelief as a chuckle escaped her lips. It was the first time she witnessed a parent like him and honestly, she found it funny. "Why are you smiling to yourself?" Harry broke her thoughts. "I just encountered a weird parent," she giggled. "I just find it funny how arrogant people can be." "He must've created an impression," Harry spoke. "You'll have to handle his arrogant behaviour for the whole year now." Harry sarcastically pat on Tasha's shoulder. He couldn't help but laugh "Lemme go check on my class," Tasha broke his laughter. The class was a big one with only 3 tables of five. The school believed that the less students in the class, the more the teachers could help them. Especially the middle grade students. It was necessary to have them have a good foundation for senior year. Voices of all the students echoed in the class. It was a mess. Tasha felt as if she was in an urban supermarket. "Day one," she sighed. Her eyes fell on Evan. He was sitted at the corner. All the students in his group were showing off their stationeries but he was idle, facing the board like a statue. "Evan," she called out. The whole class turned to look at him. "Can you please come here," he stood up and approached her without uttering a word. "Here, this is a friendship band," she gave him a rubber bracelet. Evan looked at her with tears in his eyes. That was similar to the one he gave his mother on her birthday before she passed away. His throat ached while he accepted the friendship band from her. "It's all gonna be okay," she patted his shoulder and gave him a hug. He felt her warm embrace, she reminded him of his mother. Her heat was similar to the one his mother had. Immediately, he tightened the hug. Tasha got up her chair, held Evans hand and guided him back to his chair. She felt awkward after Evan behaviour but sympathy for the small boy was something which couldn't dissolve at that time. After that, she gave out friendship bands to all the kids and started out teaching. "Today, we are going to learn about gravity," she started as the whole class listened attentively. Before long, Ryder barged in the class. "Excuse me," Tasha commented, expecting him to apologise and move backwards. Instead, he turned a deaf ear on her and walked towards Evan