School Affair

Chapter 12

"All right, its gone!"

"That was awfully quick. I suppose everybody has one or two things they are good at."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" crossing her arms, Jessica looks at him with raised eyebrows.

"I guess" she can't say that she is surprised, by that but she rather have him compliment her on her work. Jessica looks around his apartment, which was a total mess.

"...Did a tornado hit your apartment or something like this. Well at least there is no old food or trash lying around, it's just way too cluttered, so no wonder that you are getting bugs in here."

"I have no excuse. You are right"

"I don't get it. How can you be so calm about it? Your desk at school is so neat and your apartment is...well you know"

"There is no reason a student would ever see my apartment." Brushing his hair up, Nathan looks at her

"So,what is your favor?" playing with a strand of her hair, she says:

"I am stuck on a math problem and I was wondering if you could help me.

"You did help me out...alright sit down." He managed to clean off some stuff from the couch and they sit down, reading through the worksheet, he puts on his glasses and lights a cigarette, making him look even more different then from school. Jessica has seen so many surprising sides of him today, as he continues to smoke his cigarette and scribbling on her worksheet, she returns her attention back to the math problem.

"There are several ways to solve this problem. Here is the method you were trying to use, and another method is this one right here. But lets try to continue the problem using your method. You first mistake was here..." He explains things in such an easy and understanding way, that she can understand why the students say that his classes are fun.

"Ah now I get it. I just multiply these three equations..."

"That's right. You can solve the rest on your own."

"Yes, thank you so much. You really helped me. You are really good at drawing, you know."

The drawing was simple, easy to understand, neatly and quickly.

"Well, this is math, it gives you the information you need, and you can solve any problems as long as you follow the rules. You have to keep practicing; I just have a lot of experience." He says casually, blowing a puff of smoke towards the window.

"Thanks again, for helping me."

"Not at all. You were even more useful than a bug spray today."

"I am not so sure if I can think of that as a compliment." He starts laughing, which makes her happy, Jessica hardly hears his laughs.

"Oh man, the stress of the bug made me hungry it is already lunch time."

"Want me to make something?" saying that as a joke, she was ready to hear his lecture, but he just says with a smirk.

"...Will it be edible?"

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" slapping his arm playfully he chuckles again.

"Ow, I am joking. I would like that. If its not too much trouble for you, but I never have much in my fridge, that could be a problem."

"Don't worry. I will make it at place and bring it over."

Jessica walks back to her apartment feeling happy how they are able to joke around with each other. Taking the chicken breast out of her fridge and starts to marinate them, to fry them afterwards. Making side dishes like rice, cooked potatoes and a salad. Putting everything in lunchboxes, she again walks down the hall to Nathans apartment, who already prepared the table with glasses, plates and cutlery.

"I already planned, to do fried chicken breast with some side dishes so I hope you don't mind that" setting everything on the table, Nathan looks up at her surprised.

"I am not a picky eater, so I don't mind. I didn't expect you to bring food like this over. I really appreciate it:"

"Good. Let's eat before it gets cold."

After eating for a few minutes in silence, which was comfortable, Nathan speaks up.

"It's really good... not going to lie. About a hundred times better than your math skills."

"Well thanks for that. The test is coming up pretty soon..."

"Are you starting to get scared or what?"

"Not really scared...more like nervous, I hadn't had math for so long. I always tell the students not to be nervous before a test and to do their best. But I guess I have no room to talk now."

"You should take a deep breath before the test. Taking deep breaths has a positive effect on your heart. When people are nervous, they tend to take low breaths, but if you focus in taking deep breaths, you should slowly be able to relax. Being able to control yourself is a must for teachers."

"I see. I am going to try it then." Finishing their lunch, they talk some more, until it was time for her to leave.

Back in school, Jessica eats a quick lunch and she study for math again, when Maryam approached her.

"Jess you are doing Math again? At this rate you will probably become a math teach."

"I got no choice, the test is today after all, I have to my best" Nathan walks up to them, in his usual neat side.

"That is right. The fate for the study camp rests on the results of your test today. Good luck, Miss Hower. I am counting on you."

"Leave it to me!"

"I am pleased that your enthusiastic, but please make sure to focus. You have a very bad habit of getting carried away."

"Yeah, you are right, sorry. I promise, I will focus" feeling arms around her, Maryam hugs her side tightly.

"Good luck, Jess. Any words of encouragement for her, Mr. Johnsen?" pushing his glasses up he answers with a simple. 

"No, believing in yourself is worth more than anything someone else can say." With that he walks away, being used to it, Jessica just takes it as it is. Maybe because she already saw his weak parts, but she is not scared of him anymore.

"He never changes, hmm" Maryam pounds

"The kids won't be able to do the study camp, if I fail. I have to do this test."

Later on that day, Jessica sits in an empty classroom waiting for the test to begin, hearing the door open she sees Anthony walking in with a folder.

"I am going to be giving you your test today for some reason...your goal is it o get a 90% on this test. Good luck." Saying that with a slightly bored tone of voice, her test starts, and her body immediately tenses up with anxiety. If she screws up, the students won't be able to do the study camp, taking deep breathes, she calms herself down and starts with her test, not letting the hard work being wasted.