...Desy's POV...
I need help!
I can't handle these hellhounds of children alone.
I was in the classroom like I should be; I'm supposed to teach them, and they are supposed to listen.
But the room is a mess—an utter chaos.
....
"Class-A is the worst, you know," Piper told me once when we were in the staff room. "That's why they don't have a homeroom teacher."
She was the science teacher and the homeroom teacher for Class-C; she has a long nose that's quite hard to go unnoticed.
"And?" I asked, only because I wanted to act like I'm paying attention.
"You should be careful," she says, stirring her tea with a pink spoon.
"You should say that to their new homeroom teacher, not me," I remember replying.
I realized why she sounded worried that day; these kids are acting like they are in Assassination Classroom.
What a way to start the year! I've got myself a creepy neighbor and students that came straight from hell (none of which I asked for) with a job to teach a subject nobody likes (Maths), including myself. Also, my violin skills still suck.
I'm living my life here.
Yesterday, the principal called me; she said that there will be a new TA (teacher assistant) to help me. Apparently, the guy was introduced by Elias Osgood, who holds a good reputation as a biology teacher. He should arrive today, anytime soon.
I hear the door open.
Speaking of the devil...
The classroom went silent for a moment as Piper's head peeked in behind the door. "Can I come in?" she didn't try to hide her displeased expression.
"Yes, of course," I say, not paying much attention to the screaming the children made.
She came in, leaving the door open for a shadowy figure that looked hesitant to come in. "Your TA is here," she smiled, but I knew she couldn't wait to get out of here.
"Well, they might as well come in," I returned her smile, getting up from my chair.
I watched as they came in, completely astonished.
Dark hair, siren eyes, and narrow shoulders.
No way—absolutely no way.
...Obey's POV...
No...
No... no... no... no...
Just NO.
...
When Elias told me about 'Findlay High,' I had no reason to refuse.
"It's true that you're used to teaching university students, but our school is desperate for an English teacher," he told me. "You'd start off as a TA, though."
I was fine with that.
I was fine with anything if it paid me well.
I remember this morning, getting up from bed and choosing the finest suit I have. I still got some salad which Levi gave me; it's been three peaceful days since I last saw and heard from my neighbor. It would be a well-known secret that both of us were trying to avoid each other.
I didn't believe it when my mom said destiny is a wild thing in fourth grade; she said that fate plays with us in a twisted way, that coincidences are just our fate in disguise. The only thing I thought at the moment was 'coincidences' was a hard word to pronounce. I didn't let those words sink in me.
But now, I can understand what she meant. Surely, I'm not favored by the Moirai much; isn't it why my life is playing with me like this?
We stared at each other; I don't think either of us had any idea about what Miss Piper was talking about.
His eyes were sparkling, with the sunlight bathing his skin. As much as I would like to disagree, this dude was gorgeous.
...Elias's POV...
I waited outside his apartment this morning.
Because Obey asked me if he could pick me up today.
He seems distant—more distant than I remember him to be. I think our friendship was broken the day he decided to leave; the only one who kept hanging was me.
'Findlay High' was the place where we first met, on the first day of our middle school. I remember seeing him clinging onto his brother's arm like a scared little puppy; I thought he was cute.
"What did you do?" Adele asked me when I told her about Obey coming back. She thought that I was the one who persuaded him (maybe I did?), but I didn't do anything.
I was simply there... waiting till he reached out to me, and he eventually did. I thought everything would go well, and we could start all over again. Maybe I was wrong... or maybe something is missing.
I waited again in the staff room at lunchtime.
Because Obey would come back and tell me about his day.
He came with Desmond Lavender, our Mathematics and homeroom teacher for Class-B. He was a young and quiet fellow who didn't appreciate our company much. He joined our school last year and was instantly popular with the students. It surprised me how he could be cold and intimidating yet sweet and charming if he wanted to.
"How was your day?" I asked Obey when he sat next to me.
"I think I went to hell without dying," he replied with a deep sigh. His lunch box was filled with a pasta salad that was obviously made by Levi.
"Did you go grocery shopping? I wanted to know," I placed a slice of apple inside his box.
"Not yet," he said, picking it up.
"You should." I had more to say than that if he didn't get crowded by the other teachers who apparently had a lot to say to him.
...Levi's POV...
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Pi, but I'll have to cook you," I said to the carrot that lay in my hand.
.....
The morning was peaceful when I went out to check on the garden. The cerulean sky glistening around me; the songs of the birds as rich as ever.
I noticed something unusual with my apple tree. As I got closer, I spotted a small and lovely sparrow resting on one of the branches.
"Hello, dear," I called out, to which he chirped in response, "Hope you have a wonderful day."
My restaurant was not that far away from my house, so I prefer to walk my way over there.
'Veritas Vino,' the board that was held on the moccasin-colored building in front of me, said. The pouring of sunshine was brightening the view. I went inside and turned over the sign that said 'closed' to 'open.' After a couple of hours, I found the place to be bustling with people ordering a pleasant breakfast.
"You should probably hire another worker to help you, Levi," Ivy said as I handed her the coffee, which seemed to be her usual.
"I like working alone, but thanks for your concern," I smiled.
"But-but isn't it quite overwhelming for you?" I knew she wanted to build a small conversation with me; she tried to appear less obvious.
"Not at all; I love cooking."
She's been trying for quite a while now, with being a regular customer and all that, but I don't find her to be interesting. When the time comes, I should tell her. I hope she wouldn't hate me for it; I truly don't want to hurt her feelings.
"You really amaze me sometimes, you know," she chuckled, holding out the cash to me.
"Do I?" I returned her chuckle as I took the cash.
"My brother is coming to town soon."
"Oh."
"I'll make sure to recommend this place to him."
"That'll be delightful."
I watched her leave; she had changed her nail colors today—a bright shade of blue with a gold pattern. I wondered what it would feel like to have painted nails, or to wear a midi skirt like her. I shake my head, wanting to get rid of these thoughts that seem to haunt me way more than they did back then.
My phone rang; a message from Adele.
"Hey! Wanna meet up?" she wrote.
"Absolutely :) When?"
"IDK, let's ask Elias."
"Is Obey coming too?"
"Dunno, he probably should -_- If not, I'm going to hunt down his house."
":0 I'll come along. We can drag Elias with us."
"Hmm... can't wait to see that idiot again."
"Yeah ^_^"
It was no secret that Obey had been lingering on all of our minds for the past few days. I was glad when he said he'd spend the time at my house until he found an apartment to move into.
"BTW, will you mind if I cancel our session today?" another text from her popped up on the screen.
"No... why though? Is there a problem?"
"Nuh... something just came up." I can tell she's doing her usual hand-flipping thing when she sent me that—not worth mentioning.
"Okay..."
"Let's make up for it tomorrow with a double session >-<"
"Alright *-*"
I thought to close the restaurant early, but when I got home, I realized I had nothing to do, and that is why I'm standing here, in front of the cutting board, to make a carrot cake. If my memory is correct, that was Obey's favorite.
"Do you think I'll look good in a skirt, Mrs. Pi?" I asked the carrot that I was grating against the grater.
"I know, right? It sounds so stupid," I say, even if she doesn't respond. "But I'd like to give it a try."
I put her into a bowl. "I might buy one." She doesn't reply this time either.
I think I'll name the cake Mutique.